All breeds
Breed care guide

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

gentleaffectionateadaptable
12 yrs
Lifespan
small
Size
medium
Energy
long, silky, slightly wavy coat
Coat

About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were developed in England as refined toy spaniels, named after King Charles II who was so devoted to the breed that matters of state were neglected. These gentle, affectionate dogs combine the sporting spaniel heritage with a tractable, love-seeking temperament. They represent the quintessential gentle companion.

🐾

Temperament

Cavaliers are affectionate, gentle, and trusting companions who live to be near their people. They're eager to please, adaptable, and good with children and other pets, though somewhat sensitive souls.

📋

Care Guide

Gentle daily exercise (30-45 minutes) keeps them healthy; they adapt well to apartment living. Regular brushing of their silky coat prevents matting, especially on feathering. They're prone to serious heart disease; regular vet checks including heart auscultation are essential.

💡

Did you know?

King Charles II of England was so devoted to the breed that contemporary writers said he cared more for his spaniels than for matters of state.

Weight (male)
8 kg
Weight (female)
7.5 kg
Lifespan
12 years
Origin
UK

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weight by age

Broad planning estimates derived from adult breed weights; individual dogs vary by build, sex and neuter status

Age

8 weeks

Planning estimate

0.9-1.6 kg

Bring-home baseline; compare weekly, not daily.

Age

3 months

Planning estimate

1.7-2.5 kg

Growth should be visible but ribs should still be easy to feel.

Age

6 months

Planning estimate

3.7-5 kg

Many puppies look lanky here. Avoid overfeeding to make them fill out.

Age

12 months

Planning estimate

6.4-7.8 kg

Small breeds may be adult; large breeds may still be maturing.

Age

Adult

Planning estimate

7-8.5 kg

Use body condition score with your vet, not weight alone.

These are not diagnostic ranges. Woofio will replace them with owner-reported averages once enough dogs are tracked by age, sex and body condition.

Check your dog's weight

Planning estimate only — not diagnostic. Confirm with your vet.

Personalised for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Track Cavalier King Charles Spaniel health in Woofio

Free reminders, weight tracking, and a personalised health timeline — built around your dog's breed and age.

Start tracking free →

No credit card · Free forever

Feeding guide for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

General feeding rhythm by size; use your food label and vet advice for exact portions

Puppy meals

3 meals/day

Adult meals

2 meals/day

Best practice

Measure food, treats included

Small dogs gain weight quickly when treats are not counted. Use the food packet as a starting estimate, weigh portions, and adjust with your vet if your puppy's body condition changes.

First 30 days with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy

The early routine that prevents most avoidable stress

1

Book the first vet visit

Take vaccination history, microchip details, food label, and any breeder or rescue paperwork.

2

Choose one food and transition slowly

Keep the puppy on the same food for the first few days, then transition over 5-7 days if changing.

3

Start toilet and crate routines

Use short, predictable routines after sleep, meals, play, and before bedtime.

4

Handle paws, ears and mouth daily

Gentle handling now makes grooming, nail trims and vet checks much easier later.

Vaccination timeline

Core and non-core timing can vary by country, product and vet protocol

ℹ️Always confirm vaccine schedules with your vet — timing varies by country, product and individual risk factors.
Bordetellanon-core
First dose: at 2 mo · Booster every 1yr

Intranasal or injectable. Required for boarding/daycare.

DHPPcore
First dose: at 2 mo · Booster every 1yr

Core combination. Puppy series at 8/12/16w, booster at 1yr, then every 1-3yr.

Leptospirosisnon-core
First dose: at 3 mo · Booster every 1yr

Recommended for dogs with water/wildlife exposure.

Rabiescore
First dose: at 3 mo · Booster every 3yr

First dose at 12w, booster at 1yr, then every 1-3yr per local law.

Parasite prevention

Flea, tick, worm, and heartworm schedule

Heartwormmonthly

Monthly in endemic regions; year-round prevention recommended

Wormingmonthly

Every 2 weeks from 2w to 12w of age

Wormingquarterly

Quarterly from 3 months of age

Flea and tickmonthly

Monthly spot-on or chewable from 8 weeks

Treatment calendar (indicative)

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Green = treatment month. Always follow your vet's specific product instructions.

Health checks to discuss

Screening reminders to confirm with your vet for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs

ℹ️These are discussion reminders, not a diagnosis. Always confirm screening timing and need with your vet.
1
Syringomyelia/CMDiscuss from 1y 6m · repeat every 2y

R1 source review: legacy breed-screening row normalized with a public registry or parent-club source URL.

2
Mitral Valve Disease (MVD)Discuss from 1y · repeat every 1y

R1 source review: legacy breed-screening row normalized with a public registry or parent-club source URL.

3
Eye Exam (CAER)Discuss from 1y · repeat every 1y

R1 source review: legacy breed-screening row normalized with a public registry or parent-club source URL.

4
Hip DysplasiaDiscuss from 2y

R1 source review: legacy breed-screening row normalized with a public registry or parent-club source URL.

Grooming guide

long, silky, slightly wavy coat coat · Daily brushing starting point

Common tools to discuss

Slicker brush
Dematting comb
Undercoat rake

Routine starting points

Brush before bathing
Check common mat areas after walks
Ask a groomer about safe trimming intervals

Exercise & mental stimulation

medium energy · 45-75 min/day

Daily exercise estimate

45-75 min/day

Brisk walks plus play sessions

Mental enrichment

Fetch
Basic agility
Obedience training

Adjust exercise for age, heat, breathing, joint health and your vet's advice. Puppies need shorter sessions than adults.

Health risks to discuss

Conditions listed as more common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs; ask your vet what matters for your dog

⚠️ mitral valve disease
⚠️ syringomyelia
⚠️ hip dysplasia

This list represents conditions with elevated prevalence in this breed. It does not mean your dog will develop them. Early screening and regular vet checks significantly reduce risk.

When to call a vet

Do not wait for community answers when symptoms are urgent

Refusing food for more than one meal as a young puppy
Repeated vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing or breathing effort
Sudden limping, collapse, bloated abdomen or obvious pain
Weight loss, no weight gain, or a body shape that changes quickly

Common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owner questions

Short answers for the questions new owners search most often

How much should a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weigh?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weight depends on sex, frame and body condition. The age table is a planning estimate derived from adult breed weights, so confirm with your vet if your dog is gaining or losing quickly.

How often should I groom a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel grooming is usually high. Brush more often during shedding, after muddy walks, or if you notice mats forming.

What should new Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy owners do first?

Book a first vet visit, confirm vaccine history, keep food consistent for the first few days, and start a calm toilet, sleep and handling routine.

Owner reports and vet answers

Coming next: community data that improves this page over time

Planned owner averages

Weight by age, food amount, activity level, grooming frequency and common owner concerns, filtered by sex and age once enough reports exist.

How much should a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy weigh at 6 months?
What food works best for a sensitive Cavalier King Charles Spaniel stomach?
How often do Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owners really groom at home?

Sources and review

Woofio separates official guidance, breed-specific screening references and future owner-reported averages.

This page is an owner planning guide, not a diagnosis. Local laws, vaccine brands, parasite risk and screening availability vary by country, so your vet remains the final authority for your dog.
🐾

Track all of this for your dog

The Woofio app puts your dog's entire health calendar on your phone — vaccine reminders, weight tracking, vet & groomer bookings, and more.

Download on App Store🤖 Google Play — coming soon
💬

Something not right about Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

Our breed profiles use the available breed data we have today and will improve as owners submit real-world reports. If you spot something inaccurate or missing, tell us so we can tighten the plan for every Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owner.