The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Few breeds give back as much affection as a Cavalier. Here's an honest look at what makes them special — and what to know before you bring one home.
A gentle companion, made for family life
The Cavalier is a toy spaniel with a big, sociable heart. Bred for centuries as a companion, it wants nothing more than to be near its people — playful in the yard, calm on the couch, and famously good with children and other pets.
They're adaptable, easy to train and gentle by nature, which makes them a wonderful choice for first-time owners, retirees and families alike — as long as someone's around to love on them.
- Size
- 12–13 in. at the shoulder, 13–18 lbs (AKC breed standard).
- Temperament
- Gentle, affectionate, eager to please, adaptable.
- Coat
- Silky, moderately long; sheds moderately — not hypoallergenic.
- Energy
- Playful but happy to match your pace — and your lap.
- Good with
- Children, other dogs, cats and first-time owners.
- Lifespan
- AKC lists 12–15 years; large studies find a 10–12 year median.
The Cavalier colors
Cavaliers come in four recognized colors. Meadowlake breeds and loves all four.
Blenheim
Rich chestnut markings on a pearly white coat — the classic, most familiar Cavalier. Some carry the prized “Blenheim spot” on the forehead.
Tricolor
Black and white with bright tan points over the eyes, cheeks and under the tail.
Black & Tan
A glossy raven-black coat with warm tan markings — striking and elegant.
Ruby
A solid, glowing chestnut-red all over. A whole color close to our hearts.
Grooming, exercise & everyday care
Grooming
Brush a few times a week to keep the silky coat and feathered ears tangle-free, with regular nail trims and ear checks. Many families keep pet Cavaliers in a lightly trimmed coat for easy upkeep.
Exercise
A daily walk and some yard play keep a Cavalier happy and trim. They love activity but are just as content curled up beside you — so they suit apartments and houses alike.
Companionship
Cavaliers are companion dogs to their core. They thrive on being with their people and don't do well left alone for long stretches every day.
Training
Bright, food-motivated and keen to please, Cavaliers respond beautifully to gentle, positive training and early socialisation.
Is a Cavalier right for you?
We'd always rather you choose the breed with eyes open. A few honest things to weigh:
- They want to be with you. A Cavalier left home alone all day, every day, will be a sad Cavalier.
- They shed. The silky coat is gorgeous but moderate-shedding — not a hypoallergenic breed.
- Health matters. Cavaliers have known concerns (especially the heart), which is exactly why buying from a breeder who tests is so important.
- They're trusting. That sweet, soft nature means they're not guard dogs — and shouldn't be left loose near traffic.
If that sounds like the dog and the commitment you're hoping for, you'll find no more rewarding companion. See how we raise & place our puppies
Common questions about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
The questions families ask us most — answered plainly, with the numbers checked against the AKC breed standard, the OFA and published veterinary studies.
How big do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get?
An adult Cavalier stands 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder and weighs 13 to 18 pounds, per the official AKC breed standard. That makes the Cavalier one of the larger toy breeds — small enough for a lap, sturdy enough to keep up with family life.
Source: AKC Official Breed Standard
How long do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels live?
The AKC lists a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, and well-bred Cavaliers regularly reach their teens. Large UK studies, though, report median lifespans closer to 10–12 years, driven mostly by early-onset mitral valve disease. That gap is exactly why choosing a breeder who heart-tests every generation matters more in this breed than almost any other.
Sources: AKC breed profile · Lifespan studies (cavalierhealth.org)
Do Cavaliers shed? Are they hypoallergenic?
Cavaliers shed moderately year-round and are not a hypoallergenic breed. The silky, medium-length coat needs brushing a few times a week, but no clipping — the AKC standard actually calls for a completely natural, untrimmed coat.
Source: AKC Official Breed Standard
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs?
Yes — the Cavalier is one of the most family-friendly breeds there is. The breed standard describes the temperament as gay, friendly and non-aggressive, with no tendency toward nervousness or shyness, and Cavaliers are typically gentle with children, other dogs and even cats. They were bred for centuries purely as companions, and it shows.
Source: AKC Official Breed Standard
Can a Cavalier be left alone during the workday?
Not happily, no. Cavaliers are companion dogs to their core and are prone to real distress when left alone all day, every day. They do best in households where someone is home much of the time, where the dog can come along, or where midday company can be arranged.
How much exercise does a Cavalier need?
A moderate amount — a daily walk or two plus some play, roughly 30 to 60 minutes a day. Cavaliers are genuine little spaniels who enjoy fetch, hikes and even dog sports, yet they adapt happily to apartment living. Because they keep their spaniel chasing instinct, they should only ever be off-leash in a securely fenced area.
Are Cavaliers easy to train?
Yes. Cavaliers are bright, food-motivated and eager to please, so they respond quickly to gentle, positive-reinforcement training. They are a soft-tempered breed — harsh corrections shut them down rather than teach them. Early, friendly socialization does the rest.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels bark a lot?
Cavaliers sit at the quieter end of the small-dog spectrum. Most will announce a visitor and then greet them like an old friend — the standard calls for a friendly, non-aggressive temperament, which makes them poor watchdogs but very easy neighbors.
What health problems do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have?
The breed's most serious inherited condition is mitral valve disease (MVD), a progressive heart condition that published studies show affects more than half of Cavaliers by age five. Other documented concerns include syringomyelia, luxating patellas, hip dysplasia and certain inherited eye conditions. None of this should scare you away from the breed — but it should send you to a breeder who screens for all of it and shows you the results.
Sources: Health studies (cavalierhealth.org) · OFA screening database
What health testing should Cavalier puppy parents have?
Four screenings on both parents: a heart exam by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist for mitral valve disease, an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist, a patella (knee) evaluation, and a hip evaluation. Together those earn a CHIC number you can verify yourself in the OFA's public database at ofa.org. Both parents should also be DNA-clear (or clear by parentage) for episodic falling and dry eye/curly coat syndrome. If a breeder can't show you current cardiologist results, keep looking.
Source: OFA / CHIC program
What colors do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels come in?
Four, per the AKC standard: Blenheim (rich chestnut on pearly white, sometimes with the prized 'Blenheim spot' on the forehead), Tricolor (black and white with tan points), Ruby (whole-colored rich red) and Black & Tan. Meadowlake breeds and loves all four, including the rubies our line was partly founded on.
Source: AKC Official Breed Standard
What's the difference between a Cavalier and a King Charles Spaniel?
They're two separate breeds. The King Charles Spaniel — called the English Toy Spaniel in the U.S. — is smaller, with a domed skull and a flat face. The Cavalier was developed in the 1920s to restore the older, longer-muzzled toy spaniel seen in 17th-century paintings, and the AKC recognized it as its own breed — the AKC's 140th — in 1995.
Source: AKC breed profile
Let's talk about the right puppy for you
Tell us about your household and lifestyle, and we'll help you think through whether a Meadowlake Cavalier is the right fit.