Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels High Maintenance?

Cavaliers are excellent companions for kids and adults alike but are they easy pets to welcome or are Cavaliers hard to take care of?

Cavalier King Charles spaniels are relatively high-maintenance dogs. These pets need regular grooming routines and they are prone to separation anxiety and several serious health issues. On the other hand, Cavaliers respond well to training and get along beautifully with other animals and people.

Of course, a dog could be a great match for one household and not another, so consider your family’s lifestyle when deciding if a Cavalier is right for you.

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES

High Grooming Needs

Cavalier King Charles spaniels benefit from being brushed a few times a week. As for professional grooming sessions and haircuts, they are optional but many owners do opt to take their Cavaliers to a groomer. If your pup dislikes grooming, a professional could accomplish the task more efficiently.

Your pet needs to have his nails trimmed occasionally. If you are not skilled at doing that, observe a professional do it a few times before trying, to prevent accidental cutting.

Cavaliers do need to be bathed every few weeks. Their fur should be dried thoroughly after a bath.

This breed has long ears that need to be cleaned from ear wax and dirt to prevent bacterial growth and ear infections. Use cotton balls and an ear-cleaning solution to accomplish the task.

Needy For Interaction

Cavaliers are among the most people-oriented breeds. They love the owner, crave constant feedback and approval, and are perfect lapdogs. That was one of the core functions they were bred for in England initially.

Generally, being sociable and loving is an awesome trait. They do, however, tend to be clingy. It works well in households with school-age children who love interactive dogs, and households where several family members can spend some time with the pet every day.

Separation Anxiety

The breed’s love for people is one of the main causes of separation anxiety in Cavaliers.

Cavaliers are also pretty bright and pick up on social cues quickly. Your dog will note the cues leading to your leaving the house. The Cavalier knows that getting the keys and putting on the coat means you are about to step out. Your dog most certainly wants to go for a walk with you and could get frustrated if he does not get to go.

If your pup always follows you around the house, that could indicate that he gets anxious when you leave. It is not uncommon for Cavaliers to vocalize when the owner leaves. Some may engage in destructive activity around the house when left alone. Of course, it is not a breed-specific problem but the Cavaliers are at risk.

It is worth noting that Cavaliers are not an ideal breed for very busy families and the dog would need to spend long hours at home alone. If someone is home most of the time, on the other hand, a dog of this breed could be a happy pet in your home.

Health Concerns

Cavalier King Charles spaniels are susceptible to several genetic health conditions. This aspect of the breed is important to consider because all these health afflictions are stressors for the dog and the entire household, and vet care bills could escalate quickly. Here are some of the most common health issues:

Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) – the problem begins as a heart murmur and progresses into heart failure. An affected animal may start developing this health problem as early as two years of age. Early diagnosis allows a veterinarian to manage to condition to prolong the expectancy of the dog’s life and improve its quality.

Syringomyelia (SM) is very common among Cavaliers and affects the brain and spine. Symptoms could vary and range from mild discomfort to severe pain and/or partial paralysis. Symptoms often start between 6 months and 4 years of age.
Hip Dysplasia is very common for dogs in general. Cavaliers with hip dysplasia might need pain medications but many continue to lead normal, happy lives, with some activity adjustments.
Seizure Disorder – the onset is between 6 months and 3 years. Often the disorder is referred to as primary epilepsy, which means that there is no other major health issue that is causing it. Your dog may need lifelong medications and occasional testing to keep the seizures under control.

Cataracts are common for older Cavaliers and cause blindness. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight could be an option. Most dogs adjust well to losing their sight and live happily, with proper care.

Cavalier King Charles spaniels are considered an expensive breed for obtaining pet health insurance, which is a consideration for many familes.

Intolerance Of Temperature Extremes

Cavaliers are a sporty and energetic breed but they are happiest in moderate weather conditions. Being brachycephalic, Cavaliers have a poor tolerance for hot weather. They are not particularly stoic in cold climates either. Having a single coat is one of the main reasons why Cavaliers do poorly in cold weather, too.

It does not mean that these dogs cannot live in climates that are less than ideal for them. However, if you live in an area of endless summers or the opposite, long harsh winters, your pet may need adjustments to its physical activity and could tolerate limited times outdoors.

TRAITS THAT MAKE CAVALIERS EASY

Generally, Cavalier King Charles spaniels are easy-going and friendly animals, so they have plenty of characteristics that compensate for their relatively high-maintenance peculiarities discussed above.

Moderate Activity Requirement

Cavalier King Charles spaniels do not need much exercise, although they are buoyant and enthusiastic pets.

They are equally happy to have a lazy day on the sofa or to spend some fun time outdoors. A good daily walk is usually sufficient to meet these dogs’ activity requirements. Going to a dog park or chasing a ball in the yard is a fabulous way to keep your Cavalier happy and in shape. Hiking is an excellent option, with some planning, as long as it is not excessively arduous. These are not known for their stamina when it comes to strenuous exercise.

Certainly, this aspect of the breed is important, especially if you have a busy household.

Easy-Going Temperament And A Friendly Disposition

Cavaliers are very friendly and docile dogs.

These pets do well with strangers, children, other dogs, cats, and generally everyone. With proper socialization, even with little training, your dog will not make you worry about his behavior around animals or people. If you have other pets or if you are planning to welcome more pets into your household, your Cavalier is very likely to get along with them, as long as the other pets reciprocate the positive attitude.

Good Response To Training

A total of 140 breeds were evaluated and ranked but many spots are shared by 2-3 breeds. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are at the top of the average group – #44 out of 79. It is a good result, and it provides a sufficient set of abilities to train the dog well quite easily.

In practical terms, being in this range of working intelligence means the following:

Dogs begin to show a basic understanding of simple tasks within 15-20 repetitions

They can retain knowledge and skills and improve significantly with a lot of practice
They generally respond to the command the first time you say it more than 50% of the time
Their response may be delayed when compared to the breeds that rank higher

Cavaliers may not respond as well, if the trainer is physically farther away, so you might have to repeat commands when outdoors
Average dogs are very sensitive to the quality of training they receive, and a good trainer will teach them to perform as well the higher ranking dogs do

What all of this means is that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are intelligent and capable of learning new skills. An aspect of the breed that adds to their potential to be trained is their people-oriented disposition and temperament.

Low Potential For Aggression

This breed is naturally friendly and not reactive, and as alluded to above, Cavalier King Charles spaniels do well with other house pets. If you have children in your household, these dogs are a very appropriate breed for your family.

When you are outside and your Cavalier meets another dog or is tempted by a squirrel, your furry friend could still do some barking and even attempt to chase the perceived offender. However, your pet is more likely to wag its tail and want to make friends. If it is not the case, your Cavalier will learn to do so, with proper training.