Appearance

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small, attractive, well balanced dog that, ideally, should weigh between 5.4 and 8.2 kgs (12 to 18 pounds). It has a soft, silky, easy care coat with feathering on the ears, chest, legs and tail.

Cavaliers are bred in four distinctive colours

Character and Temperament

Cavaliers are charming little dogs; full of joy and affection and very responsive, friendly and happy by nature. They are energetic, active and robust, but they are also gentle, intelligent and adaptable. Both dogs and bitches have the same easy going nature and willingness to please and as puppies they are mischeivious and inquisitive but quick to learn quickly and easy to train.

Although they still have sporting instincts, Cavaliers have been bred for centuries as companion dogs and they live to share their unconditional love with the people in their lives. Consequently, they are not a dog which can be left outside, and they do not cope well with being left alone for long periods of time on a regular basis. However, with their ideal size and temperament they make excellent pets and they are a delight to have around the home. They love children and other animals and very quickly become an integral part of the family. Although not "yappy" dogs, they are very alert and will give plenty of warning at the approach of strangers. They do shed hair but a few minutes grooming several times a week will help to minimise the amount.

Cavaliers are very adaptable and versatile and will be happy living in anything from a palace to a small unit, so long as they are with their people. They will enjoy life with a family of children and other animals equally as well as they will become the devoted pet of an older, single person. Whatever your lifestyle they will happily share it with you. They will be delighted to go walking, running or swimming with you, play with the children, chase birds and butterflies in the back yard, or just enjoy a gentle stroll down to the corner and spend the rest of the day curled up on your knee or near you in a comfy chair. They do need to be kept in a safely fenced area or on a lead (extenda leads are ideal for beaches, parks and wide open spaces) because they have absolutely no 'road sense' and will suffer from 'selective deafness' to your commands if they suddenly find a smell, butterfly or bird to chase.

Cavaliers have a special empathy that is hard to define but enables them to acurately sense their owners' moods and needs and they will be there to offer a cuddle just when you need it to lift your spirits. Those of us who share our lives with these affectionate little dogs believe they have the ability to unzip us with their eyes and crawl inside our hearts. They love all people and animals (especially other Cavaliers) and are gentle and trustworthy around children. With their endearing nature, versatile sporting ability, loving temperament, attractive appearance and easy care coat, this wonderful breed is hard to surpass as a loyal and devoted companion for individuals and families alike.