Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: Why A Lot of People Think Of Them As Royalty
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is considered to be the most popular breed in the UK and is gaining an audience in other parts of the world as well and it is easy to see why.
Description and General Appearance
This is classified as a toy dog breed by a majority of kennel clubs. It is because of its small height and generally pleasant demeanor. It comes in four categories of breed colors which are King Charles, a black and tan combination, Prince Charles, a tricolor of black white and tan, Blenheim, a red and white coat, and ruby. It’s part of the spaniel family. Its coat is generally straight but may wave slightly especially at the ends. Its fur is moderate in length and feathering may be seen over its ears, chest, feet and legs. It has big black eyes which are normally black rimmed and a full muzzle that is tapered at the ends.
Height and Weight
Being a small dog, this breed only reaches 12-13 inches in height and weighs about 13-18 lbs. It is at the smaller end of the spectrum compared to other spaniel breeds and is considered a lap dog.
Health and Longevity
The average lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is 9-14 years. The most common health issue it experiences is mitral valve disease. This is an affliction of the heart where, while pumping blood, the mitral valve fails to close properly. Because of this, it is frequent for them to experience heart murmurs especially when it is advanced in age. This may eventually lead to congestive heart failure. This disease is also the number one cause of death for the breed. Other health problems it could experience are eye issues such as cataracts, hip dysplasia, syringomyelia and luxating patellas.
Basic Temperament
This is a very friendly breed, with a gay gait and a cheerful face. They aren’t very good guard dogs because they are very welcoming to strangers. But this makes them an ideal companion especially for families with children or other dogs of a different breed. It is also very affectionate and always seeks companionship.
Care Required
Taking care of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels would include daily brushing. This is to avoid tangles and matting which it is prone to due to its soft, medium length coat. The fur also needs trimming once in a while especially on the paws, chest and tail. It needs to be bathed regularly and the use of shampoo and conditioner for a healthy coat is advised. During the summer months, it is best to keep the dog in an air conditioned room.
Exercise Requirements
The Cavalier is a dog that is more suitable for inside the house since it is too friendly to strangers. But, descending from a hunting breed, they require regular walks. It is best to do it before you go out and leave them alone for the day so that they would be in a natural resting state once you leave them.
Training Tips
Training the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is very easy as it is a very intelligent dog breed making it easy to train as it generally understands your intent. The main issue to avoid with this breed is to have it develop Small Breed Syndrome. This is when a small dog thinks it is the alpha of the house because it has been allowed to claim ownership over the humans so make sure you exert dominance over the breed. They respond more to positive reinforcement and less to punishment so teaching them with the use of treats is the best method.
Suitability as a Pet
With their generally friendly demeanor, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are an ideal house pet. It is mild mannered, cheerful and easily well loved by family and other pets alike. So truly, it is deserving of its royal name.
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