Cavaliers and Beagles are cheerful and friendly dogs, and they make excellent companions for most people, as well as families with young children. Beagles are more athletic, they do better with outdoor activities and need more exercise. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are mellow and have lower energy levels than Beagles. Cavaliers are much easier to train than Beagles.
Either breed could be a better match for you, depending on your household’s lifestyle.
Overview of the Breeds
| Breed | Cavalier | Beagle |
| Height | 12 -15 in (30 – 38 cm) | 13 – 16 in (33 – 41 cm) |
| Weight | 12 – 20 lbs (5.5-9 kg) | 20 – 24 lbs (9 -11 kg) |
| Life span | 9 – 14 years | 12 – 15 years |
| Coat colors | Blenheim (chestnut, white), tri-color (black, white, tan), ruby, black and tan | Gold and white, white and tan, red and white, tri-color (tan, gold, and white) |
| Exercise needs | Low to moderate | Moderate to high |
| Good with kids? | Yes, great with young kids | Yes, especially school-age kids |
| Hypoallergenic | No | No |
How Beagles And Cavaliers Were Developed as Breeds
Cavaliers are a toy breed but with good athletic potential. They were popular among royalty in England in the 17th century but their features kept changing over the centuries, due to selective breeding.
Bred primarily as companion dogs, historically, they also accompanied the owners on hunting trips. So, these pets can be surprisingly sporty.
King Charles The First was so fond of the breed that he decreed that these dogs were allowed in all public buildings.
The history of Beagles is not known in great detail but their ancestors might have been around since the early Middle Ages when ‘beagle’ was just a generic term for a small hound.
As far as we can trace the breed, these dogs were hunting companions. Hares and rabbits were the typical prey they chased on hunting trips. Modern Beagles were known as a distinct breed in the early 19th century in some parts of England.
Intelligence and Response to Training: Cavalier vs Beagle
Cavaliers are at the top of the average group when it comes to their working intelligence, also known as obedience potential.
This level of intelligence is great for family pets: the dog is good at learning commands and new skills but not so smart that it needs cognitive stimulation at all times.
- Cavaliers benefit from repetition of skills and command but have a decent recall with some practice.
- They can learn even with a novice trainer, although a skilled, experienced trainer will help the dog achieve better results.
- Despite good intelligence, Cavaliers are known to get distracted easily, so train them in a familiar, low-stimulus environment.
- Cavaliers might not respond as quickly and consistently outside, especially if a lot is happening around them, as they do at home.
Beagles are stubborn and they have strong instincts and a relatively low working intelligence, in comparison to other breeds of dogs.
- Your Beagle might take a long time to learn new skills and commands.
- Beagles require repetition to retain knowledge, otherwise, they forget commands quickly.
- Many dogs of this breed struggle with following commands outdoors or in new situations.
- Beagles benefit from professional training if it is an option.
Beagles’ friendly personalities are helpful – these dogs are likely to behave well around other people and animals, even with few skills and commands.
Energy Level, Activity Needs: Beagle vs Cavalier
Beagles are very energetic, active dogs. They require a good amount of exercise but are not restless. They tolerate occasional lazy days well.
These dogs are typically very healthy, and they do great with pretty much any kind of exercise. Notably, Beagles tolerate exercising in warm weather conditions.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be active and energetic but they are mellow, in comparison. Due to brachycephalic syndrome, many Cavaliers do not tolerate vigorous exercise.
Most dogs of this breed do well with casual walking and easy hiking. However, there are some factors to keep in mind if you plan to run with your Cavalier, or if your pet might join you on a hike of moderate intensity. These dogs’ brachycephalic features make intense exercise a challenge for them.
Cavaliers do not do well with warm weather, especially moderate or intensive exercise on a hot day.
Typical Temperament And Personality of a Cavalier Compared to a Beagle
Cavaliers and Beagles are affectionate with the members of their households, friendly with strangers, and eager to participate in games and family activities.
Usually, Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels are clingier and more owner-oriented: they are the quintessential lap pets. Cavaliers are at risk for separation anxiety if you regularly spend several hours a day away from home, while a Beagle is likely to tolerate being alone quite well.
Beagles are less likely to suffer from separation anxiety, they are more independent.
They have better tolerance for being alone for a few hours while you work, although they still do better if they have company. They are happier if their human family or other pets at home are present. Beagles are prone to barking and other behavioral issues if they do struggle with being alone.
Both Cavalier and Beagles are great pets for apartment living, as long as they don’t have to be home alone for too long or separation anxiety is not a concern.
Cavaliers And Beagles Around Children
Dogs of both breeds are wonderful pets for families with children.
Cavaliers are great with children of all ages but could be a better fit for very young kids than Beagles. Cavaliers are more mellow and gentle – they are known to be amazing lap pets, after all! Beagles are louder, more restless, and more challenging to train.
Beagles make excellent family pets but training them to behave appropriately around children can be time-consuming and produce modest results despite great effort.
Both Cavaliers and Beagles are very adaptable breeds, so they do well with most types of households and environments. For example, they are happy in houses and compact apartments and get along with other pets. Adaptability is a trait that makes both breeds a good match for families with children.
Cavaliers And Beagles: How They Do with Other Pets?
Cavaliers are very friendly and get along with cats, dogs, and most other pets, provided that the other pet is also friendly.
Due to their strong hunting background, Beagles are more likely to have issues with small pets, especially bunnies, and rats.
Most Beagles still get along with small pets but a dog of this breed might need to be observed around the other pet and allowed more time to get used to sharing their living space with other animals. Beagles do very well with cats and dogs, especially if they are raised together.
Shedding And Grooming Needs: Cavalier vs Beagle
Cavaliers are likely to shed moderate amounts of hair regularly. A Cavalier’s coat is relatively high-maintenance.
They benefit from regular brushing, at least a few times a week. Most owners of these pups also take them to professional groomers every couple of months because their fur and nails need regular trimming. These dogs need baths every few weeks and as needed.
Beagles, on the other hand, shed very little. A Beagle’s fur is very low-maintenance.
They benefit from brushing but it does not have to be done frequently. They do not need regular bathing unless the dog gets dirty.
A Beagle does need to have his or her nails trimmed regularly, and some owners prefer to leave that task to professional groomers.
If You Have Allergies
Neither Cavalier King Charles Spaniels nor Beagles are considered to be hypoallergenic.
It is important to spend some time with the dog to test if you have an allergic reaction to it. An hour, usually less than that, is often enough to trigger a response.
Health Issues Common for Beagles And Cavaliers in Comparison
Beagles are a very healthy breed of dog.
- Epilepsy is more common for Beagles than most other breeds. The onset is usually between 2 and 4 years old.
Like most other breeds, many Beagles have hip dysplasia and may develop obesity, hypothyroidism, and ear infections. These conditions are not specific to the breed and are more likely to develop as the dog gets older.
As for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, they are among the most expensive breeds to purchase pet health insurance for because they are prone to several health problems.
Among the hereditary conditions common for Cavaliers are the following:
- Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) begins as a heart murmur and progresses into heart failure. Early diagnosis allows managing the condition to prolong the expectancy of the dog’s life and improve its quality
- Syringomyelia (SM) affects the brain and spine. Symptoms start between 6 months and 4 years and range from mild discomfort to severe pain and/or partial paralysis.
- Seizure Disorder: onset is between 6 months and 3 years. The dog may need lifelong medications and occasional testing to keep the seizures under control.
- Cataracts are common for older dogs and cause blindness. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight could be an option. Most dogs adjust to losing their sight and live happily, with proper care.
Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have hip dysplasia and develop problems with their joints as they get older.
Remember that Cavaliers might not be permitted to fly in cargo and possibly even in cabins with many airlines due to their brachycephalic features and potential for breathing difficulties on board. It is something to be aware of if you travel a lot.
To Conclude
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Beagles are friendly and sweet dogs and they have very different personalities.
A Beagle is a better choice for an individual or a family that is outdoorsy, and active, and would like an enthusiastic and hardy activity companion. These dogs also do better for households in which the dog might need to stay alone at home for several hours a day.
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an excellent breed for families with kids or those who are seeking a dog with a therapeutic presence, very attuned to the owner.
In general, Cavaliers are the better choice for households with younger kids, while Beagles do better with older children.
