Is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Right for You?
Choosing a Cavalier is a lifetime commitment. Please consider carefully before you make a decision to add a dog to your family, because that is exactly what you are doing – adding a family member. It is kinder not to have a dog than to find you must re-home it because it does not fit into your lifestyle.
Cavaliers are a companion dog. They will love you unconditionally for their lifetime and want to be close by you. To overcome separation anxiety and stress, your dog will need training and boundaries set, otherwise their anxiety may present as whining, barking, chewing destructively, drooling and mood or behavioural changes. Life seldom remains constant, therefore your Cavalier needs to be able to cope with change and it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure they can. It is unreasonable to expect your Cavalier to adjust from having you home all day to being away for more than 8 hours a day when you start a new job. You are the one usually creating change, therefore you need to consider the time you spend and boundaries you set with your Cavalier, to avoid understandable reactions to change from them.
Most Cavaliers are willing to please, therefore positive reinforcement training with praise and encouragement is the ONLY recommended training for Cavaliers.
Cavaliers require plenty of socialisation to build a confident outgoing temperament.
Cavaliers are quite active little dogs and enjoy exercise – a couple of long daily walks and a fenced yard in which to run is adequate. Of course, Golden Oldies or dogs with medical conditions may need to have their exercise program adjusted.
As with any dog, Cavaliers require care. They shed fur, more so in Summer, so regular grooming/brushing is required as well as nails clipped. If you or another family member is allergic to dog fur or saliva, then the Cavalier is not the breed for you.
Cavaliers cannot be trusted off-leash. They have more hunting dog instincts than you might expect as spaniels were originally used in hunting, particularly to flush birds such as grouse from the undergrowth, and to this day most Cavaliers see birds as fair game. Add in skinks, geckos, cane toads and snakes plus anything else that moves on ground level.
Escape-proof fencing is a must and gates should be locked so that they are not left open by visitors to the property. Pool fencing, if relevant, is included.
Children should be taught how to behave when with a dog. Sensitive, slight breeds like the Cavalier and any puppy should not be treated as toys to be dragged around, poked, prodded, ears pulled or squeezed tightly. Very young children MUST be supervised at all times when playing with any animal to avoid unnecessary, painful and costly accidents.
Everyone should be aware that when approaching any dog, you hold your hand out for the dog to sniff it, and NEVER pat it on the head straight away as dogs find head patting a threat.
Cavaliers are indoor dogs, sleeping inside and spending a lot of time inside. They are very susceptible to heat and cold and should always have adequate shelter/shade and plenty of clean water- dehydration for this breed is deadly.
Your home will reverberate with the sound of snoring – that comes hand in hand with shorter nosed breeds. If you are a light sleeper you should take this into account as they are quite loud.
As with any breed, Cavaliers may have hereditary health problems. A lot depends on how conscientious the breeder is, but even with the best bred- for- health dogs, a throwback is always possible. Cavaliers can live long healthy lives, and that can be determined by YOU the owner. Good diet, exercise, mental stimulation, dental care, awareness of poisons around the home and garden all contribute to your dog’s quality of life and longevity.
