Regal | Affectionate | Playful. We hope you've got your finest chinaware to hand, because we're about to delve into one royal canine, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. These endearing canines are a delightful breed known for their gentle nature and distinctive appearance. So pour that brew and settle in, as we'll be exploring their origins, personality, appearance, suitability as house dogs, and dietary needs.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Basics

Average Lifespan:  9-14 Yrs 

Average Weight:  5.9 - 9.2 Kgs

Average Height: 30-33 Cm 

Colouring:  A wide variety of Black, white and tan

Trainability:  Typically easy to train, Especially with the help of rewards such as treats.

Exercise Needs:  Around 45 mins to 1 Hr

Shedding:  Moderate shedding

These pint-sized pups are a beloved toy breed, renowned for their affectionate demeanor and adaptable nature. These dogs are perfectly sized for both city apartments and larger homes.

Origins of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Much like Hannah Montana, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels gets the best of both worlds. Combining the sportiness of Spaniels with the the affectionate nature of toy Spaniels.

Officially recognised by the Kennel Club in the 1945, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel shares much of the same history as the King Charles Spaniel (otherwise known as the English Toy Spaniel). That being that in 1903, four separate toy spaniel breeds went through a merger and were grouped under the single title of King Charles Spaniel. This included Blenheim, Ruby and Prince Charles Spaniels. With the name being borrowed from Charles I and Charles II who were big toy spaniel fans.

In the early 19th century, a fashion grew for shorter muzzles, and the English Toy Spaniel was crossbred with the Pug. However, a group of breeders pined for the original pooches, who were slightly larger, had longer muzzles, and still had their sporting nature. And the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was born! 

What do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Look Like?

With their striking, expressive eyes, silky coats, and distinctive feathered tails, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels appearance lives up to their regal name. Their coats come in four distinct colours, stemming from the four original breeds they were bred from: Blenheim (chestnut and white), tricolor (black, white, and tan), Ruby (solid red), and black and tan. Their gentle, soulful eyes and soft, floppy ears add to their irresistible charm.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Personality

These delightful canines are characterized by their loving and friendly nature. Cavaliers are sociable beings, adoring nothing more than spending time with their human companions. They thrive on affection and make excellent family pets due to their patient and gentle disposition, including households with children, other furry friends or seniors seeking companionship. Although don't forget, children should always be supervised with dogs as they can be unreliable (the children that is). 

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Good House Dogs?

Absolutely! Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are renowned for their adaptability to various living spaces. While they enjoy their outdoor romps and playtime, they're equally content snuggling up indoors. Their moderate exercise needs make them suitable for apartment living, provided they receive sufficient walks and play sessions.

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Healthy Dogs?

With a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels should live long and healthy lives as long as well-cared-for. However, they are prone to several health issues that you should be aware of, especially when adopting or picking out that pup. 

• Eye conditions: Whilst much less common today, the two main inherited eye conditions are cataract and multiracial retinal dysplasia. However, you should still check for the condition in the pups heritage.
• Syringomyelia: Typically identified through over-zealous scratching around the neck, it's caused by fluid filling into cavities in the spinal cord. Diagnosis can be identified via MRI scans.
• Mitral Valve Disease: This is a common health condition in all older breeds, so as to be expected with Cavalier's long life expectancy. The disease causes the mitral valve to degenerate, with symptoms including coughing, lower energy, faster breathing and weight loss. Whilst the condition can't be reversed, there are plenty of medications to reduce symptoms and improve the wellbeing of pooches with the condition, such as Ace-inhibitors. There is also a scheme to help identify the condition from as early on as 18 months.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Feeding Requirement.

Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for the health and wellbeing of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Whilst the breed doesn't have any specific feeding requirements, as they can be prone to putting on some extra kg's, one of the most important things is to watch out for how much you're feeding. Don't forget, every food's calorie content is different, so whenever you're switching, you may need to recalculate.

There are a huge array of dog food's out there, so choosing the best one for you both may seem daunting. Ultimately, the best thing to do is turn the bag around and check the ingredients list, as this can't lie. Here's what to look out for:

• Clearly named ingredients: Ideally you should recognise what they all are, and they shouldn't be grouped together under umbrella terms like "animal derivatives"
• Meat as the first ingredient: Ingredients are listed in order of their quantity in the recipe, so ideally you'd see fish or meat listed first, rather than grains or cereals. Some brands also split up ingredients to sneakily get around this, e.g breaking up Cereal into vegetable proteins, 
• No added sugar or salt: Typically added to foods to improve taste, where meat content is low, these addictive ingredients should be avoided due to the havoc they play on teethies and tums.

Scrumbles, the Pawfect Food for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Speaking of nutrition, enter Scrumbles - the pawfect choice for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's dietary needs! Our carefully crafted formulas incorporate top-notch ingredients to support optimal health, with extra benefits like pre or probiotics, joint care and omega's for a shiny coat and healthy skin.

Here's why we think your Charles Spaniel will finish their bowl of Scrumbles in break-neck speeds:

1. Up to 70% meat or fish for a protein level you can feel proud of
2. Added pre or probiotics for pretty poops and healthy digestion
3. Hypoallergenic, so free from gluten, soy, dairy, egg and red meat
4. Grain free and limited ingredient options for Spaniels with extra sensitive tummies
5. Plenty of choice, with complete dry food, wet food and treats on offer, in lots of different flavours like duck, chicken, turkey and salmon
6. Loved by fussy dogs, with over 5k five star reviews

So, what are you waiting for? Give us a try today, we can't wait to see what you both think

In conclusion

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are charismatic, affectionate, and wonderful companions. Their adaptability, friendly demeanor, and royal history make them a sought-after breed for many dog lovers. If you're considering adding a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to your family, remember to provide them with love, attention, and a nourishing diet to keep their tails wagging happily for years to come.

We hope this guide has provided valuable insights into the world of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Feel free to explore our range of products at Scrumbles, designed to cater to the unique needs of your furry companion. Cheers to the joy and companionship that these delightful dogs bring into our lives!

Whilst you are here why not read,

1. Yorkshire terrier Breed Guide 

2. Shih Tzu Breed Guide 

3. Golden Retriever Breed Guide