Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small British toy breed renowned for its gentle, affectionate, and sociable temperament. Equally content on a long walk or curled up in a lap, it adapts well to a variety of lifestyles and gets along with children, cats, and other dogs. The breed traces its roots to the royal courts of 17th-century England and remains one of the most popular companion dogs worldwide.
Weight
5–8 kg
Height at withers
30–33 cm
Life expectancy
10–14 years
Size
small
Activity
moderate
Shedding
moderate
Barking tendency
low
Apartment friendly
Excellent apartment dog: compact, calm, not prone to excessive barking, and does not require a large living space. Daily walks are still necessary to meet moderate exercise needs.
Care
Brush the coat 3–4 times per week, paying extra attention behind the ears and on the legs where mats form. Bathe monthly with a mild shampoo. Brush teeth daily and check ears regularly. Provide two 20–30 minute walks per day.
Health
Mitral Valve Disease (MVD), Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia (CM/SM), cataracts and other eye conditions, dry eye (KCS), ear infections, patellar luxation, obesity
Coat
Long, silky, straight or slightly wavy single coat with feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and tail
Travel
Cavaliers can be excellent travel companions when properly prepared. Consult your vet before flying, especially for dogs with MVD or CM/SM. Crate-train in advance and bring water and a familiar toy. Carry a health certificate, ensure your dog is microchipped, and keep vaccination records up to date.
Carrier size
S–M sized carrier with internal dimensions approximately 46–50 cm long and 28–30 cm tall; soft-sided, well-ventilated, fits under an airline seat
Harness size
Soft front-clip harness in size XS or S (Y-front or H-style); avoid pressure on the neck and spine due to CM/SM predisposition. Measure chest girth and back length individually rather than buying by breed name alone.
Leash
Lightweight 1.5–2 m leash or retractable lead for open spaces; always attach to a harness rather than a collar to protect the neck.
Airline cabin travel
usually allowed
This breed guide is always at hand in the Hani Walk app — along with the walk tracker, digital pet passport and vaccination reminders.
Download on the App Store