The Regal Lap Dog
Affectionate, loyal, and oh-so royal, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a storied history of winning over hearts from aristocrats to average Joes. With their floppy ears and soft, relaxed eyes, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a certain look that separates it from other pampered lap dog spaniels. They stand around a foot tall at the shoulder and shake their ears around like accessories. Their playfulness and devoted dedication to you will surely earn them a regular spot on your lap or by your side—wherever you go, they’re coming, too!
At Happy Paws, we’re dedicated to helping all dogs, from purebreds to certified mutts, live their happiest, healthiest lives. We’ve designed our dog supplements to target a range of trouble spots in your dog’s health—many of which include common issues for a Cavalier.
In this article, we’ll explore the history of this beautiful, personable breed, provide some information and advice on how to care for them, and help you decide which supplements are best for your new best friend, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Quick Facts
Origin: England
Size: Medium
Breed Group: Toy
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Coat: Long hair—semi-weekly grooming recommended
Temperament: Easy-going, jolly, gentle & sometimes clingy
Exercise Needs: Like all dogs, the Cavalier does need some daily exercise, but less than most. Taking walks, visiting the park, or accompanying you on errands can help your dog meet their daily exercise needs. These dogs aren’t quite as energetic as other toy and spaniel breeds, but they still need to get out of the house and flaunt their stuff.
Training: Obedience and behavior training are mostly requirements for all dog owners, no matter the age, temperament, or breed, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are no different. These dogs, like other breeds, thrive under a set of rules and expectations. In fact, these dogs cling to structure. They are intelligent, patient, and curious, eager to follow directions and win over anyone with their floppy ears.
Dog Health: Cavalier Spaniels, like other medium-sized dog breeds, are susceptible to unique health problems, including dental dilemmas, shedding, skin infections, joint pains, and digestive woes. We’ll discuss how to address each below.
Happy Paws for a Cavalier
Enrich your Cavalier King Charles’ health with high-quality, tasty supplements like these!
| Type of Happy Paws Supplement | Best for … |
| Skin & Coat Dog Chews | Strengthening your dog’s coat & dermal health. |
| Dental Dog Chews | Fighting tooth decay & smelly breath. |
| 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews | Giving your pupper a daily dose of essential vitamins, minerals & other nutrients. |
| Hip & Joint Dog Chews | Soothing common symptoms of joint dysplasia & inflammation. |
| Probiotic Dog Chews | Restoring the healthy bacteria in your dog’s digestive system. |
Popular Supplements for a Cavalier
Our high-quality, tail-waggin’ dog supplements use an array of all-natural, organic ingredients to enrich your dog’s physical and mental health, while satisfying their taste buds. Here are a few dog supplements to help you care for your doggo.
Skin & Coat Dog Chews: Our Skin & Coat Dog Chews help keep the sheen in your Spaniel’s glow. These vegan, chicken-flavored soft chews utilize a blend of skin-supporting ingredients, including biotin and coconut oil, to promote dermal health and nourish your dog’s coat.
Dental Dog Chews: Like all dogs, Cavalier Spaniels are prone to smelly, unpleasant dog breath. Our Dental Dog Chews combine the refreshing aroma of spearmint with an enzyme blend to neutralize dental bacteria and curb stinky breath.
10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews: Our 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews use multiple essential nutrients to strengthen your dog’s daily health and give them a well-rounded supplement. One vegan, lamb-flavored dog treat introduces ten critical nutrients to keep your dog healthy, happy, and active.
Hip & Joint Dog Chews: Soothe the symptoms of joint dysplasia with our Hip & Joint Dog Chews! Packed with a blend of joint-friendly ingredients, this dog supplement helps reduce inflammation and support joint health, thanks to compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.
Probiotic Dog Chews: Made with powerful antioxidants, probiotics, and superfoods, our Probiotic Dog Chews help strengthen your dog’s digestive system, while supporting their gut and bowel health.
Common Health Concerns
Compared to other medium-sized dog breeds, the Cavalier is susceptible to unique health conditions like these:
Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation occurs when a dog’s kneecap slips out of the joint. Maintaining your dog’s healthy weight can help manage the condition, while joint-friendly supplements can also be beneficial. If you believe your dog has patellar luxation, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian about first steps.
Joint & Hip Problems: According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), many medium-sized to extra-large dog breeds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. This issue arises from birth when the bone in a joint is misshapen, causing an awkward fit in your dog’s joints. This defect can often lead to joint pain, osteoarthritis, limping, and trouble standing up.
Digestive Issues: Digestive problems can develop in any dog at any age. Symptoms can include diarrhea, bloating, gas, low appetite, lethargy, and more. The issue can stem from the dog’s diet, lifestyle, or genetics.
Skin Infections: A Cavalier’s skin can get oily under their iconic coat, leading to seborrhea and dermatitis. While a snout-to-tail bath can help keep these problems at bay, skin-supporting supplements can help maintain proper dermal health.
Dental Dilemmas: All dogs are prone to stinky breath—even the pretty ones. Without the proper dental care, your dog can experience plaque build-up and odorous breath, which can lead to a number of issues down the road.
About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
As the story goes, King Charles II was said to be more concerned about breeding, raising, and spoiling his flock of unique, long-haired Spaniels than he was in being an effective monarch. And how could he not be? This furry, affectionate dog was unlike other Spaniels of that time. They weren’t as big or as agile as the Spaniard’s Cocker Spaniel, but they weren’t as short-snouted and pudgy as the Asian Pug either. They were originally bred as bird hunters, so they retained a glimpse of agility and youthful spryness, but their temperament kept them relaxed, lounging on the King’s lap.
After Charles II’s death, his signature breed went through a few alterations, mixed with other breeds to create a range of dogs, like the King Charles Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel. (Yes, these are all different breeds.) These newer breeds carried their own unique characteristics that strayed from King Charles II’s original vision—a vision that 17th-century painters captured on canvas.
Fast forward to the 1920s. A wealthy American man by the name of Roswell Eldridge offered English breeders a cash prize if they could replicate the breed from those 17th-century paintings of King Charles II: long-legged, long-muzzled red-and-white Spaniels.
After a few years, British breeders met the challenge and brought this breed back from the brink of extinction. Today, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most popular breeds, beloved for the qualities that were almost lost to time: long legs, floppy ears, a long snout, and a coat that often carries a unique shade of red and white.
A Cavalier’s Temperament
Most of the time, a well-trained, well-socialized Cavalier can mold into a family and home of any size. Whether that’s you, your partner, a few kids, and a couple of pets, or just you in a studio, the Cavalier can adapt and grow to comfortably find their niche in your space. These dogs are gentle, kind, and easy-going. They don’t need (or prefer, really) rambunctious energy to exercise their zoomies. If trained and socialized well, Cavaliers can do well with young children, the elderly, and other dogs. But always make sure to keep them on a leash. Cavaliers have been known to bolt at the sight of something fun, furry, and fast.
How to Care for a Cavalier
Here are a few tips to help keep your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel happy, healthy, and lively, from their puppy years and well into their golden years.
Coat Maintenance
This breed’s most iconic feature is also its most demanding: its luscious coat. These regal, royal pups shed year-round and leave behind little tufts of fur around your home, waiting for the almighty, evil vacuum to come whisk ’em away. To maintain their coat’s sheen, and combat possible skin infections, you’ll need to brush them daily and wash them semi-weekly. But don’t look at this as a chore! Your Cavalier will love the quality time—and being the center of attention.
Moderate Play Sessions
Sure, these dogs love to play, but they might love lounging a little more. Cavaliers aren’t the type to go on runs with you. They’re more of a dog that will saunter with you across the park before picking out the perfect picnic spot and bathing in the sun. If you take your Cavalier out for a stroll, hike, or midday saunter, be prepared for them to zonk out on the car ride home. That little fur-ball isn’t quite as energetic as their Spaniel cousins.
Obedience Training
These dogs are smart, but they’re no German Shepherds. They can pick up on new commands, rules, and routines fairly easily, but they won’t really outsmart you. Although, that doesn’t mean obedience shouldn’t be a staple to raising your Cavalier. It just means you won’t have to spend hours a day drilling down sit, stay, or no, leave my shoes alone! These dogs aim to please, and they’re eager to flaunt their good side. (Pssst treats will help, too!)
Regular Veterinary Visits
Compared to other breeds, Cavaliers are a little more susceptible to unique health concerns that can pop up at any point in their lives. So, routine veterinary visits are vital for staying up-to-date on your dog’s health.
Happy Paws: High-Quality Dog Supplements
Keeping your dog happy, healthy, and active shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. At Happy Paws, we’ve designed our dog treats with the best ingredients and flavors possible (our dogs definitely approve!). We’ve ensured that these treats are certified organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity, allowing you to spoil your dog quickly with healthy, tasty treats.
FAQ
What are the negatives of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
There are pros and cons to owning dogs; that just comes with the territory. As for Cavaliers, the pros tend to outweigh the cons. These dogs are loyal, lovable, and patient. They do well in spaces of all sizes and families of all sizes. The main cons, if you consider these drawbacks, would be their grooming requirements and clinginess. This breed should be brushed daily and bathed pretty regularly. Also, they can be a little clingy, especially to those they love the most.
Is a Cavalier high maintenance?
Compared to other breeds, the Cavalier isn’t as needy in terms of training. These dogs pick up on rules and routines fairly easily. They do, however, require regular grooming because of their long, flowy hair. So daily brushing is recommended.
Do Cavalier dogs bark a lot?
Most Cavaliers are docile, quiet dogs, but, like any pup, some can bark to ask for help, get your attention, or just to hear themselves speak.
Are Cavaliers good house dogs?
With proper training, Cavaliers can make excellent pets and house dogs. Their calm temperaments and curious personalities can mesh well with kids. But it’s important to start obedience training early on. This early start will help your dog understand how to behave appropriately around children and elderly family members or friends.
Do Cavaliers shed a lot?
Cavaliers can shed year-round. So, compared to other dogs, these dogs shed much more. But it’s worth it—just look at that beautiful mane!
How do you give a Cavalier health supplements?
You can give your dog a Happy Paws health supplement in several ways. First, we’ve designed these supplements as dog treats, so you can give them to your pupper as a reward for good behavior. Or, you can add it to your dog’s kibble; they make a pretty tasty topper, too.
