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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (also known as CKCS) is a sweet, affectionate dog that makes an excellent pet. These small spaniels are very playful and active, making them great companions for first-time dog owners or busy individuals who want to get out and exercise more.
But like any breed, the CKCS comes with pros and cons. So, before you adopt a CKCS, it’s important to understand what owning this type of spaniel entails. This guide will give you some of the important factors that you need to know about these wonderful dogs before you make the decision to bring one home for your family.
The Pros of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
1. Great for Many Purposes
CKCS are beautiful dogs with balanced and affectionate personalities. They not only make great family dogs and are great with kids, but they also make excellent therapy dogs. If you’re looking for a relaxed lap dog for those evenings and/or one that doesn’t require a lot of daily activity, consider these dogs.
2. Easy to Groom
These dogs are also pretty easy to groom. Though they are a double-coated breed, they don’t shed an incredible amount of dander. This is a plus if your dog doesn’t shed much because you won’t have to clean up much hair. Talk about easy maintenance.
3. Easy to Train
CKCS are a super intelligent dog breed, which makes them very easy to train. They’re quick thinkers and are always eager to please their owners. This makes them a great dog for first-time owners or owners who have more than one dog to take care of.
4. Don’t Need a Lot of Exercise
These spaniels are relatively easy to care for when it comes to daily activity. They don’t need to be taken for long runs or walks, so they’re great for people who don’t have the time or energy to commit to a long walk each day. You can simply let them run around the house with their toys or out in the backyard. Walking them for about 20-30 minutes a day is always ok.
5. Easy Going Personality
CKCS aren’t typically or overly aggressive and generally have a very laid-back personality, something that makes them popular with older dog owners. They’re very affectionate dogs and make for the perfect lap dog. They’re also good for low-mobility dog owners.
The Cons of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
1. Heat Intolerance
CKCS don’t do well with extreme heat or humidity. They’re very sensitive to weather conditions and can get very sick if they’re left outside in extreme temperatures.
2. They’re Not Really Swimmers
Some dog breeds will take to water as easily as fish – this is not that breed. Though CKCS can definitely be trained to swim, their bodies don’t necessarily make it easy for them. So, to say, these dogs won’t be the most active swimmers. Don’t expect him to be too eager to stay in the backyard swimming pool for extended periods of time.
3. Short Muzzles
These spaniels have a very short muzzle, which means they’re prone to chronic short breath and other respiratory issues. They also have a very low exercise threshold, due to breathing issues that may develop.
The severity of this may vary from dog to dog, which is why it’s important to always take your dog for a yearly check with the veterinarian. So, if you are someone who likes to take your dog on long daily hikes and walks, this may not be the breed for you.
Should You Adopt a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
Cavaliers make great pets for many different types of people. If you’re interested in adopting a CKCS, there are a few things you should consider first.
Cavaliers have a very low exercise threshold. This means they don’t need much exercise. Are you able to provide your dog with the amount of exercise they need? Are you able to walk them regularly?
These dogs also like to sleep with their owners. This can be problematic if you have a partner who doesn’t like dogs sleeping in the bed.
CKCS have a very short muzzle, which means they’re prone to respiratory issues. Are you able to take your dog to the dentist regularly for a wellness check?
How to Find a Reputable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breeder
Many people choose to buy Cavalier King Charles Spaniels from a reputable breeder. If you can’t find a reputable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder in your area, your next best bet is to look for a reputable CKCS rescue organization or shelter. You can also look for a breed rescue organization if you want to adopt a dog that isn’t a CKCS.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a rescue organization or shelter:
- Reputable rescue organizations and shelters screen potential owners. This means you’ll likely have to provide documentation proving that you’re a suitable owner before the organization will let you adopt a dog.
- They are very careful about where their dogs go. They usually only adopt dogs to people in the same state. If you want to adopt a dog from a rescue organization in another state, you’ll have to make arrangements to fly or drive the dog home with you.
- Reputable rescue shelters are happy to answer your questions. If they don’t respond to your emails, phone calls, or letters, you may want to find another organization that has more professional staff and follow-up procedures.
The Top 8 Most Fun Facts About Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- This breed was bred by crossing other dog breeds to create a spaniel that would be small enough for ladies to carry in their laps.
- The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the smallest of the spaniel breeds. Spaniels were bred for hunting different types of game birds, such as pheasants, quail, and partridges.
- Smaller spaniel breeds like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are ideal for hunting game that is closer to the ground, such as rabbits.
- The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was named after the king of England during the 17th century, King Charles II.
- The breed became very popular in England during the 17th and 18th centuries, with the breed actually becoming the most popular dog breed in England at one time.
- To ensure that the breed would stay small, the breeders only paired small male dogs with smaller female dogs.
- Focused breeding programs in England worked and produced unique traits in the breed. Some of the unique traits in these dogs include an undershot jaw, round heads, and eyes that are too close together.
- The breeding programs that created the unique traits in these dogs also resulted in a very low population, which led to the breed almost becoming extinct after World War II.
Frequently Asked Questions
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider before adopting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. If you’re interested in adopting a dog, the CKCS is a great choice. Here are a few common frequently asked questions regarding these pups:
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good dogs for children?
Yes! Cavaliers are great dogs for families with children. They adore being around kids and are very gentle and affectionate.
How much exercise do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need?
They need about 30 minutes of exercise a day. If you live in a hot or humid climate, you may need to exercise them indoors more often.
How much grooming do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels require?
They require very little grooming. You should brush their teeth once a week and bathe them as needed.
What is the average lifespan of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
They live an average of 12-16 years.
Conclusion
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a versatile dog breed that excels in many settings, including at home as a family pet, companion, and therapy dog. These dogs are very intelligent and make great pets for anyone who wants an energetic, highly social, and fairly active dog.
They can thrive on a routine schedule but also enjoy a more laid-back approach. As an only-dog family member, they will appreciate a canine companion, but may not do well with cats or other pets. The downside is that they don’t do well in very hot or cold temperatures, especially when the temperature falls below freezing and may have respiratory problems due to their short snouts.
Featured Image Credit: Svetlanistaya, Shutterstock
