Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Patellar Luxation

Legg-Perthes Disease

Hip Dysplasia

Heart murmurs

The Cavalier should be fed a high-quality dog food appropriate to the dog?s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some Cavaliers are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog?s calorie consumption and weight level. If you choose to give your dog treats, do so in moderation.

Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog?s weight or diet.

Shedding level for Cavaliers is average due to their beautiful, silky coat, and they tend to shed most in the spring and fall months. Regular brushing two or three times a week can remove dead hairs, so they don?t collect on your floor, furniture, and clothing. However, if having any amount of dog hair in the house bothers you, this breed may not be for you since they are definitely house dog.

Cavaliers are fairly easy to groom and maintain. Aside from regular brushing 3 or 4 times a week, they will also need bathing every 2 weeks or as necessary. Be sure to brush carefully around their ears and behind their legs, as this is generally where tangles and mats form because of the feathering. Although some owners like to take this breed to get their feathering trimmed, it is also perfectly fine to let it grow out and take form naturally.

Check your Cavalier?s ears regularly and wipe them out with a cotton ball to prevent any build-up. Trim their nails if they don?t wear them down themselves. And get into the habit of checking him each time you groom for sores, rashes, tender spots, infections, etc. It?s best to catch these things early before they become too serious.

Although the Cavalier was bred to be a beloved lap dog, this breed descends from sporting dogs and does enjoy moderate exercise and outdoor activities. He will happily go on walks with his owner and also performs well in a number of canine sports, but he?s just as glad to stay on the sofa all day. Cavaliers should not be allowed off leash because they retain scenting and hunting instincts, and they may not come when called if they?ve found an interesting trail to follow or a creature to pursue. A fenced yard is recommended.

Your Cavalier will enjoy a daily walk or romp in the yard and will tailor his activity level to your own. They will adapt to whatever amount of exercise you feel able to give but do need some regular exercise or they will put on the pounds.

Veterinary care is essential to a dog?s health and wellbeing, however the frequency of treatment and checkups will depend on the dog.

Scheduled six-monthly health check visits with your vet are important to ensure your Cavalier is healthy and happy throughout all life stages. In these annual visits, your vet will complete a physical examination, take your dog?s temperature and check his heartbeat, among other things. Routine maintenance for your dog gives you a chance to track your dog?s growth and development and discuss any concerns with your vet, and forms a key part of preventative care.

Cavaliers are an ideal family dog because they are so versatile. They love sitting on your lap for hours, but are always willing to jump up and play with anyone who?s ready for some fun. They do especially well with older children, but will need supervision with toddlers to be sure both the dog and child play nicely. Keep in mind that Cavaliers don?t like to be left alone for long hours, so be sure that someone is always in the house to keep them company.

Cavaliers are extremely loving, especially to their owners who they will grow a strong attachment to, but also to any and all strangers! They generally have a calm nature which makes them a good choice for apartment living. They love the opportunity to cuddle on your lap but are also always up for a good adventure. They are smart and athletic and especially good at bird flushing.

They have large, dark puppy-dog eyes, and they definitely know how to work them to get what they want, so be careful not to spoil them too much. They will likely follow you all around the house and don?t do well if left alone, so make sure there is always someone there to keep them company.

Training the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is not troublesome. They respond well to mild obedience training, but for best results they need a dominant and obvious pack leader.

When it comes to training, Cavaliers are generally intelligent and willing to try whatever it is you'd like them to do. Food rewards and positive reinforcement help ensure that training goes smoothly. Cavaliers have a soft personality, so yelling at them is counterproductive and likely to send these sweeties into the sulks or into hiding. Instead, reward them every time you see them doing something you like, whether it's chewing on a toy instead of your Prada pumps or not barking in response when the dog next door barks. They'll fall all over themselves to find more things that you like.

They are smart and train easily, and Cavaliers excel in a number of canine sports including obedience, rally, and agility.

Cavaliers are known to play well with cats, especially if the cat doesn?t mind a little bit of rough play.

However, Cavaliers tend to have a strong prey instinct and should not be left alone with cats or other pets, particularly without supervision. Make sure you begin socialising your Cavalier and cat from a young age to be sure both learn to play nicely. Their ability to bond with larger and smaller dogs makes them ideal in houses with more than one breed of dog as long as the other dog is trained.

Overall, they are quite tolerant of other pets in the home.