Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Review

Overall Rating

Loyal.
Loving.
Gentle.
Playful.
Fairly obedient.
Love being groomed.
Faithful.
Excellent with children and other dogs.
Quiet, and they don't yap like some small breeds.
Each has their own personality.

Lots of health issues such as:

Luxating patella.
MVD.
Syringmyelia.
Cushings.
Curly coat and dry eye.
Episodic Falling Syndrome.
Fly catchers syndrome.

They can also be quite naughty at times, and then they look at you as if to say "Wasn't me, I'd NEVER do that".

They are hard to tell off as they are so cute.

I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and they really are the loves of my life. They are excellent with all the family, and they will greet any visitors like they are a long lost friend.

My two will accept any other doggy visitors into the house without batting an eyelid. In fact, they think it's party time when they meet another dog. Cavaliers will always recognise their own breed too, and they get really excited when they meet another CKCS.

If you want a dog and you are at home for a large portion of the day, then I would recommend a Cavalier. They can not be left alone for long periods, as they pine for company - they are real people dogs :~)

They love children, but can get pulled around by small children as they are so soppy. Gentle children over the age of six or seven are ideal, as then they will become firm friends for life.

They can be fussy eaters and have a tendency to pile on weight, so a good quality food such as Burns or James Wellbeloved is ideal. However, whist dog food is sometimes off-putting to a Cavalier. Anything they find in a bin or on the floor whilst out walking is not! We call our two the Scav-aliers as they will eat any old rubbish!

If you do decide on a Cavalier then please make sure you get one from a responsible breeder who has clear heart and eye certificates, and also scans her dogs and bitches for Syringomyelia. Ask to see these certificates, as some will say that they don't 'need' to scan or have health checks. Believe me - they do! Do a search for all of the conditions listed, and then if you still want a Cavalier, go for it!

You will also need a good pet insurance, and really, I would go for a 'whole of life' policy. It will be worth it in the long run, especially if like one of mine, yours develops health problems in later life.

I have never, unlike another reviewer, had any problems with housebreaking my dogs, and one was a very traumatised rescue when he came to us. I have also fostered other Cavaliers over the years, and even with all the health problems that come with the breed, I don't think that my husband or I would ever have any other breed of dog. They are so wonderful!