Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels require daily exercise. They love to play fetch, since they were bred to retrieve. They also love to swim, which is a great exercise activity for the breed. They thrive off of human contact and love to accompany their owners on daily walks. They require about 1 hour of activity per day to keep them healthy.

The Cavalier requires a well-balanced diet to keep them in good health. It is important to not feed a grain-free diet, as this could contribute to heart disease. This is a breed that is prone to obesity, so it is important that you monitor caloric intake. You should consult with your veterinarian to help develop an appropriate meal plan.

The Cavalier only requires weekly brushing to prevent matting and knotting of the hair coat, especially around the ears, legs, and tail. Bathing once a month is enough to maintain happiness and health. Dental disease is common for the breed, so it is important to brush weekly to prevent tartar buildup.

The Cavalier is a relatively healthy breed that has an average life span of about 12 years. They are predisposed to developing heart abnormalities as young adults and should be seen by a veterinary yearly to screen for heart diseases. They should also be screened for ocular diseases, orthopedic conditions, and diabetes at a young age. As veterinary care can be quite expensive for pets in need of a specialist, like a cardiologist, it is best to get pet insurance as early as possible for this breed.

The breed is predisposed to: chronic valvular disease, patent ductus arteriosus, patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, brachycephalic syndrome, allergies, deafness, entropion, distichiasis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, corneal dystrophy, epilepsy, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, cryptorchidism, and diabetes.

Cavaliers are an extremely intelligent breed that is eager to please, which makes training a pleasure for owner and dog alike. They can be trained in agility and hunting, along with basic commands. Early socialization and obedience training should be started between 8 and 12 weeks of age to ensure they develop into a well-behaved members of the family.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels require daily exercise. They love to play fetch, since they were bred to retrieve. They also love to swim, which is a great exercise activity for the breed. They thrive off of human contact and love to accompany their owners on daily walks. They require about 1 hour of activity per day to keep them healthy.