How Long Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Live?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels live 12-15 years on average. Here is the AKC breed profile, the health areas to stay ahead of, and how to give a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel more good years.
Breed profile
Breed profile and trait ratings: American Kennel Club. Trait scores are AKC ratings from 1 to 5.
At 13-18 pounds, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small breed. Small breeds age more slowly and are among the longest-lived dogs, which its 12-15 years average reflects.
Does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel fit your life?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is built for a family that wants a devoted lap dog and doesn't mind the leash staying close. It's remarkably good with kids and other dogs, and it greets new people warmly, so it slots easily into busy, social households. The tradeoff is how attached it gets: this breed bonds so hard to its people that long stretches alone are genuinely difficult for it.
A great match if you
- You have young kids, since this breed is exceptionally gentle and patient with them.
- You have other dogs or pets at home, because sociability here is about as high as it gets.
- You like visitors dropping by, since this dog greets strangers as friends.
- You want a dog that's easy to teach basic manners to.
Think twice if
- You'll want to avoid leaving this dog alone for long stretches, since it forms deep, clingy attachments to its family.
- You shouldn't expect a watchdog, since this breed is too friendly with strangers to guard anything.
- You'll still want to supervise rough toddler play, given the dog's small size.
- You'll need regular brushing to keep that coat in shape.
Health areas for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Based on the breed profile, the health areas most worth staying ahead of for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are Joint and mobility, Eye and vision, Ear infections, Cardiac and Neurological / seizure (owners often watch for hip dysplasia, cataracts, retinal).
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel facts, quick answers
How long do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels live?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels live 12-15 years on average, and plenty go beyond that. The two biggest levers on where a given dog lands are keeping it at a lean, healthy weight and staying ahead of the health issues the breed is prone to.
How big do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get?
A full-grown Cavalier King Charles Spaniel stands 12-13 inches and weighs 13-18 pounds, which puts it firmly in the small-breed range.
What kind of dog is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a toy breed, and one of the country's more popular breeds, ranked 13 of 208. It is a small dog that typically lives around 12-15 years.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels high-energy dogs?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are moderate in energy, so daily activity matters but they are not bouncing off the walls.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels easy to train?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very trainable and love having their brain worked, picking up commands quickly with positive, consistent training.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed a lot?
Not really. They shed very little, though low-shedding coats often trade that for more regular grooming or clipping.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels bark a lot?
They bark a normal amount, mostly to let you know something is up.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good with kids?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great with children, gentle and patient, which is a big reason families love the breed; supervise young kids around any dog.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along with other dogs?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are generally sociable with other dogs and usually enjoy the company.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels friendly with strangers?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are friendly with strangers and tend to greet new people like old friends.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good for first-time owners?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a forgiving choice for a first dog, thanks to their trainability, adaptability and manageable needs.
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