At a glance
- Type
- Purebred, FCI No. 136, Group 9 (companion dogs)
- Height
- Not set by the standard; typically about 30–33 cm
- Weight
- 5.4–8 kg under the FCI standard
- Life expectancy
- About 9–14 years
- Coat
- Long and silky with feathering; Blenheim, tricolour, black and tan or ruby; sheds moderately
- Grooming
- Brushing two or three times a week; check ears and feet after walks
- Exercise
- Up to an hour a day of walks and play
- With children
- Very good with children who are gentle with him
- In an apartment
- Yes, if he is not left alone for long days
- Cyprus summer
- Moderate: a slightly short muzzle; walk early and late, a cool room at midday
- Our price
- from €1,500
About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Toy spaniels were the lapdogs of the English court, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel wears that history openly — the Blenheim chestnut-and-white pattern is named after the Duke of Marlborough’s house. But the breed was drawn from sporting stock, and it shows. A Cavalier will curl up against you for an hour, then chase a butterfly across the garden with complete conviction.
Temperament is why most people choose one. The standard asks for affection and complete fearlessness with no nervous edge, and a well-bred Cavalier delivers exactly that: sociable with strangers, patient with children, untroubled by other dogs. If you want a small dog that is genuinely soft rather than sharp, this is it.
The flip side is that Cavaliers are poor at being alone. They were bred for centuries to sit in company, and one left by himself all day will be miserable. Think honestly about your working hours before you commit.
Care is modest: up to an hour of walking, and brushing several times a week with attention behind the ears and on the feathering, where mats start. They shed, so expect some hair. An apartment suits them.
In Cyprus, keep summer walks to the cooler ends of the day — a medium coat and a shortish muzzle make heat harder work than it looks.
Origin, purpose and temperament follow the official FCI breed standard; exercise, grooming and family suitability follow The Royal Kennel Club (UK). Every puppy is an individual — ask us about the one you are considering.
Living with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in Cyprus
Always within reach. A Cavalier’s idea of a good day is being near you: under the kitchen table while you cook, beside you on the sofa. That makes him one of the easiest dogs for a Cyprus apartment, as long as someone is home most of the day.
Sun on the balcony. His muzzle is a little shorter than a working spaniel’s and his coat is full, so he tolerates heat only moderately. Many will lie in the balcony sun far too long; call him in. When July afternoons pass 35 °C, walk him at first light and after dark, and keep one room cool at midday.
Feathered ears in dry grass. The long feathering on his ears and feet picks up sand on the beach and, from late spring, the barbed seeds of wild oats and other dry grasses on the hillsides. They work into ear canals and between toes. After a field walk, run your fingers through his ears and paws; sudden head shaking or limping needs a vet. The scrub also holds ticks, and from about May to October sandflies come out on warm evenings and can pass on leishmaniasis; arrange protection with your vet in spring. Our puppy care sheet covers ticks.
No food from the table. Cavaliers put on weight easily, and at a Cypriot family table someone always has a piece of halloumi or souvla to spare. Agree on one rule for the whole family, and check that you can still feel his ribs: extra weight is a strain on a heart that already deserves care.
