Breeds / Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Breed guide

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most affectionate and beloved companion breeds in the world. Known for their sweet personalities, expressive eyes, gentle temperament, and loyal nature, Cavaliers are wonderful family companions for many different lifestyles. At AJ Cavaliers in Narvon, Pennsylvania, we are passionate about raising healthy, well-socialized Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies with a focus on temperament, health, early care, and long-term family support.

At a glance

Breed overview

A toy-group companion built for closeness — affectionate, gentle, and eager to please, with a heritage of being bred to keep royalty company.

Breed groupToy Group

Size13–18 pounds

Height12–13 inches

Lifespan12–15 years

TemperamentAffectionate, gentle, social

Energy levelModerate

Good with kidsExcellent

Good with other petsExcellent

Honest fit check

Is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel right for you?

A great fit if you want…

A loving companion dog

A family-friendly breed

A dog that enjoys cuddling

An intelligent and trainable pet

Personality

Temperament

The temperament is the biggest reason this breed is so loved.

Affectionate & friendly

True companion dogs that thrive on human interaction and love spending time with their families.

Gentle & patient

Affectionate, friendly, gentle, and patient — a great match for children and other pets.

Intelligent & eager to please

Adapts well to family life when given love, routine, training, and proper care.

Social

Most Cavaliers enjoy meeting new people and adapt well to family life.

Appearance

Distinctive by design

Elegant, balanced small-breed build

Silky coat with feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and tail

Large, expressive eyes

Manageable size for apartments and larger homes alike

Recognized coat colors

Blenheim

Chestnut and white

Tricolor

Black, white and tan

Ruby

Solid red

Black & Tan

Black with tan markings

Grooming & care

Keeping a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel healthy

Brushing

Several times per week to keep the silky coat healthy, shiny, and free from tangles.

Bathing

Regular baths help maintain coat health and cleanliness.

Ear care

Routine ear cleaning is an important part of care.

Nails & dental

Regular nail trimming and dental care round out the routine.

Training

Trainability

Easy to train

Intelligent, eager to please, and generally respond very well to positive reinforcement training.

Positive reinforcement

Responds best to love, routine, and consistent positive training.

Family-oriented learning

Thrives on training that involves plenty of family interaction.

Health considerations

Why responsible breeding matters

Every breed carries its own strengths and its own things to watch, and no honest breeder will tell you otherwise. A family deserves the whole picture before they choose a puppy — not a sales pitch.

We would rather you ask us hard questions than wonder later. Here are the ones worth asking any breeder, including us. You can see each puppy’s parents, and their health testing, on the puppy’s own page.

What health testing do you do on the parents?

Every breeder should be able to answer this plainly and without hesitating. Ask what’s been done, and ask what hasn’t — some evaluations can only be done once a dog is fully grown, and a straight answer about that tells you more than a perfect one.

Can I see the results?

Testing means little if nobody can look at it. A breeder who publishes results, or hands them over when asked, is a breeder who expects you to check.

Can I meet the parents?

The parents show you the temperament and condition your puppy is growing into. Meeting them in the home where the litter is raised tells you things no document can.

What happens if something goes wrong?

Ask what’s guaranteed, for how long, and who picks up the phone in a year. The answer to this question is where good breeders and quick sales part ways.

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