Buyer question
Is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel good for beginners?
Yes: our Animal Library rates the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 5 out of 5 for beginners (easy and forgiving).
Source: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the Animal Library
The detail
A toy spaniel bred as a lapdog for English aristocracy, the Cavalier is gentle, affectionate and adaptable to almost any home. It is one of the best-natured small breeds, but heart and neurological disease are serious breed-wide concerns.
- Temperament
- Gentle, affectionate, social
- Best fit
- Families, seniors, first homes
- Trainability
- 4 out of 5 (Eager and gentle)
- Energy
- 3 out of 5 (Walks and play daily)
- Grooming load
- 3 out of 5 (Brush 2–3 times a week)
What to weigh
Mitral valve disease affects most Cavaliers eventually, often early, and syringomyelia can cause pain. They dislike being alone. Careful breeder selection matters more than for almost any other toy breed.