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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed Introduction
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small breed of spaniel that originated in the United Kingdom in the 20th century. Cavaliers were first recognized as a separate breed in 1945 by the Kennel Club. AKC recognized this breed in the United States in 1995. These dogs are good with other dogs and children making them ideal as pets in houses that have more than one breed of dog as long as the other dog is trained. Cavaliers also regard all strangers as friends and hence may not make good guard dogs.
Most people tend to confuse Cavaliers and King Charles Spaniel ( referred to as the English Toy Spaniel in the United States) because the two breeds share the same history and only diverged from each other about a century ago. However, there are major differences between the breeds including the size, skull, and muzzle.
Cavaliers weigh between 13 to 18 pounds, have a flat skull, and their muzzle appears to be longer than that of King Charles. On the other hand, King Charles weighs 9 to 15 pounds, has a domed skull, and its muzzle tends to be shorter than the Cavaliers.
History
Cavaliers originated in the United Kingdom in the 20th century after the American Roswell Eldridge offered 25 sterling pounds for the best male and female Blenheim Spaniels of the old type in 1926. The breed was to be revived based on the pictures of Charles II of England time with a flat skull not inclined to be a domed, long face that should have a spot in the center of the skull. Attempts to make the original Cavaliers were made using the now extinct Toy Trawler Spaniels.
The attempts of reviving the Blenheim Spaniels are documented in a book published in 1911 under the name Hon. Mrs. Neville Lytton. The Blenheim Spaniels earned their name after John Churchill’s estate, 1st Duke of Marlborough, was named Blenheim following his victory in a battle in Blenheim. Because of this, the red and white King Charles types of spaniels that the King kept for hunting were known as Blenheim.
Following the breeder’s attempts, the first standard of Cavaliers was created based on a dog named, Ann’s Son, owned by Mostyn Walker, and the KC(Kennel Club) recognized the variety as King Charles Spaniels, Cavalier type. Unfortunately, Roswell Eldridge died before his plan could come to fruition.
Origin
However, after World War II there was a drastic setback for the emerging breed with the majority of breeding stock destroyed because of wartime food shortages and hardships. After the war, the few dogs that survived are regarded as the direct ancestors of the present-day Cavaliers. The breed was also recognized in its own right in 1945 by Kennel Club.
The first recorded Cavalier to reside in the United States was recorded in 1956 after it was imported by W. Lyon Brown from the UK. together with other enthusiasts including Elizabeth Spalding founded the first Cavalier King Charles Club USA that still exists up to date.
Furthermore, the ACKCSC, a Cavalier club in America was created in 1994 by a group of breeders to apply for recognition by the AKC. Cavaliers were recognized in March 1995 and ACKCSC became the parent club for the breed.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Lifespan
Cavaliers have an average lifespan of 9 to 14 years. However, the oldest Cavalier was reported to have lived for 19.4 years.
Signs Of Dying
Dog owners will at one point make the tough decision if it is time to put their Cavalier down. While making this decision, it is recommended to do what is best for your pet rather than what is best for you so that you may not prolong the suffering of your dog. Some of the signs that your Cavalier may exhibit when it’s nearing the end of life include:
- Weight Loss due to the normal aspect of aging or illness.
- Lethargy and Fatigue.
- Poor Coordination.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Lack of interest in their favorite things and depression.
- Poor temperature regulation.
- Poor response to treatments.
- Canine Cognitive Dysfunction is similar to dementia with signs including irritability, pacing at night, and fussiness.
- Loss of control of bladder and/ or bowels.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming
It has a medium-long luscious coat that should be brushed regularly to keep the coat tangle-free and shiny. Brushing offers a full-body massage and provides an opportunity to inspect unusual bumps as well as bonding time. Brushing pulls out dead hair and promotes the growth of new hair. Cavaliers shed throughout the year and brushing confines the hair in the brush rather than around the house.
For dogs that don’t compete in dog shows, bathing once a month will keep the coat healthy. Use a canine shampoo to bathe your Cavalier. It is also important to dry the coat using a canine dryer because it is cooler than the human hairdryer. Dog show cavaliers are bathed weekly and the day before competing.
Their coat should not be trimmed. Use nail clippers to trim your Cavaliers nails once every three to four weeks. Trim the hair on the bottom of your Cavalier’s paws on a weekly basis using blunt-nosed curved scissors to avoid for traction. Do not trim on the top of the feet. Feathering on the feet is a standard feature.
These dogs also require daily oral cleaning using a canine toothbrush with tasty canine toothpaste. However, if you are unable to regularly clean your pet’s teeth, take them to the vet for professional cleaning once after three to four months. Clear the ears daily to remove waxy and debris while checking for odor, dark discharge, and redness that indicate your pooch is suffering from an ear infection. Use a damp washcloth to wipe the eyes.
Grooming Ears
While grooming your Cavalier, ear cleaning should also be part of the grooming process. This breed also has heavy drop ears that protect the inner and middle hearing canals, although block air from circulating underneath. Therefore, it is recommended that owners should check the ears daily to remove debris and excessive max that may lead to ear infections. Use ear cleanser and a cotton balls to clean the ears.
Haircuts
Dog show cavaliers should not be trimmed. However, some pet owners prefer to trim the long feathers and slippers of their cavaliers that become dirty while playing outside or walking. These owners may, therefore, utilize the following haircuts or grooming styles:
- Show Cut – this is a haircut for royalty that involves cutting fluffs off the Cavalier’s hair on the feet, legs, and ear fur in a nice straight line.
- Puppy Cut – this is a grooming style that works on various breeds including Chow Chow, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, Maltese, Yorkies, etc. since it keeps your pet looking comfortable during summer and it is a low maintenance. To give your dog a puppy cut, the hair on the body is trimmed about one inch or two with the exception of the ears.
- Keep it Natural cut – this grooming style is attained by giving a light trim at the bottom of the coat and feet for tidiness and to avoid discomfort.
Shedding
Cavaliers have a medium-length single coat that sheds moderately throughout the year. They also shed at moderate levels during the seasonal change in spring and fall. Regular brushing helps to manage shedding since the hair is confined in the brush rather than around the house. The natural length of the Cavalier’s coat helps it to stay comfortable during winter and summer months.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Hypoallergenic
Cavaliers lack an undercoat and they are small in size, therefore, they produce less dander as compared with other breeds. However, they are not hypoallergenic. Cavaliers shed at moderate levels all-year round. They are not recommended for people suffering from canine allergies since they are not hypoallergenic. Dander, fur, saliva, mucus, and urine have a protein allergen that causes inflammation in people who suffer from dog allergies. A Cavalier also has a strong doggy odor which may also affect people who suffer from dog allergies.
Coat
Cavaliers have a medium-long luscious coat that is single-coated. Regular brushing will keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Coat Type
A Cavalier only has a single-layered coat that is silky and lacks an undercoat.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Training
Cavaliers are smart and train easily excelling in a number of canine sports including agility, rally, and obedience. Like any other dog breed, these dogs require socialization that begins when the puppy is 3 weeks and ends at 12 weeks. During this period, the Cavalier pup experiences positive interactions with noises, people, littermates, smells, sights, situations, animals, and sounds like sirens, whistles, vacuum cleaning, lawn mowers, and washing machine.
Enrolling your Cavalier in puppy classes also serve as a form of socialization. It also enables a dog owner to identify and correct bad habits. Early exposure is key in reducing unwanted behavior later. Purchasing a pup that has remained with the mother for about 11 to 12 weeks helps them to build social skills. Remember to use positive reinforcement methods such as use of treats, toys, and praise. Training lessons should be short, fun, and upbeat for a span of 5 to 10 minutes distributed throughout the day.
For effective house breaking, crate training, potty training, and creating a feeding schedule is recommended. A crate should be a safe place that protects your Cavalier against injury or harm while in the house. The device should also be a safe place where you dog retreats to. Cavaliers are human-oriented dogs that are likely to suffer from separation anxiety. A crate teaches a pooch to stay alone for a few hours.
Create positive associations with the device through the use of treats, toys, and praise. Line the crate with a comfortable blanket. Resist using a crate as a form of punishing a Cavalier. Remember to teach your Cavalier some basic command words such as sit, down, wait, come, and leave it. Normalize teaching one command word at a time until your pet understands before proceeding to the next command word. Use positive reinforcements methods such as petting, playtime, verbal praise, and treats to encourage positive behaviors. Avoid use of harsh correction methods such as yelling, punching, kicking, shoving, and beating. They are counterproductive.
Potty Training
Potty training begins immediately a dog owner gets a pup from the age of 11 to 12 weeks from a responsible breeder. At the age of 12 weeks, a Cavalier can be able to hold up for 3 hours before it eliminates. Therefore, during potty training, take your Cavalier outside immediately after it wakes up, every 2 to 3 hours, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, before bedtime, and after naps.
While housebreaking, a Cavalier is likely to have an accident in the house. When this happens, immediately clean the mess and avoid yelling at your dog. It is advisable to use a cleaning product with special enzymes that completely gets rids of the urine’s smell. If a cavalier smells the urine, he will keep eliminating in that spot.
Before potty training kicks off, a Cavalier owner should decide if the pet should eliminate inside or outside especially for people who reside in apartments and have a hard time accessing a yard or street. For indoor training, dog litter boxes are available for retail in the pet stores. If a Cavalier eliminates outside, choose a designated spot where the dog will be relieving itself. The toilet spot should not be near a patio deck or BBQ.
Once your take your Cavalier outside, remain in the potty area for at least 15 minutes to allow your pooch to pee or poo. The 15 minutes time allows a Cavalier to relax the bowel and bladder muscles in order to eliminate. Once your dog eliminates, give it a treat and praise so that it may associate going outside with relieving itself.
Below the age of 16 weeks, a dog owner should set an alarm to take a Cavalier outside during the night for it to relieve itself. While potty training remember to watch your pet for signs like whining, circling, sniffing, or lifting one leg against a furniture since it wants to eliminate.
Exercise
Cavaliers are descendants of sporting dogs and enjoy moderate exercise and outdoor activities of about 40 minutes every day. This breed is also happy to go for walks with its owner and also performs well in several canine sports. Cavaliers are also adaptable to the need for exercise and may also be happy sleeping on the couch. This dog should also not be allowed off-leash during exercise because they have strong hunting instincts and retain scenting, and therefore, may not come when called if they find a creature to pursue.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Temperament
- Extremely Patient.
- Affectionate.
- Eager to please.
- Adaptable.
- Playful.
- Active.
- Intelligent.
- Curious.
- Gentle.
- Sweet.
- Good with other dogs and children.
- Sociable.
- Fearless.
Barking
Cavaliers seldom bark because they adapt quickly to any environment, exercise, and don’t show aggression toward other dog breeds or strangers. However, the barking may be frequent if left alone for long hours because they are people-oriented and suffer from separation anxiety.
Aggressive Behavior
Cavaliers don’t exhibit aggressive behavior towards other breeds or strangers. Therefore, they may not make good guard dogs. However, aggression may be a result of pain or a medical issue.
Bite Force
A Cavalier has a bite force of less than 200 PSI.
Size
A Cavalier is a small-sized breed of dog that has a weight of 13 to 18 pounds ( approx. 5.9 to 8.2 kg). and a height of 12 to 13 inches ( approx. 30 to 33 cm ).
Height
Cavaliers have a height of 12 to 13 inches ( approx. 30 to 33 cm ).
Weight
Both an adult female and male Cavalier have a weight of 13 to 18 pounds( approx. 5.9 to 8.2 kg ).
Allergies
Cavaliers are prone to allergies caused by inhalant, environmental, skin, and food allergens. Allergy symptoms start manifesting between the age of one to three years and get worse every year. This breed also develops allergies in certain areas including the hind end, paws, legs, and the face. Some of the allergies that affect Cavaliers include:
Food allergies – Food intolerance and food allergies affect Cavaliers. Although rare, true food allergies result in an immune response manifesting a range of symptoms from skin conditions signs to gastrointestinal stress.
Skin allergies – A Cavalier is predisposed to skin allergies cause by food, contact, and environmental allergens that affect the skin and coat of a dog.
Environmental allergies – Some of the environmental allergens that affect a Cavalier include pollen, grass, fleas, mites, ragweed, house molds, dust and dust mites, and mosquitoes. Flea allergy dermatitis affects the tail and the back of hind legs. Flea’s saliva causes intensive scratching, biting, and licking until the skin surrounding the bite is raw. This may result to yeast and bacterial infections if left untreated. Some of the symptoms of environmental allergies in Cavaliers include swollen eyes, a runny nose, and itchiness on various body parts including the paws, ears, groin, muzzle, around the eyes, between the toes, and belly sides.
Contact allergies – These allergies cause inflammation once the skin comes in contact with allergens such as lawn chemicals, carpet cleaning detergents, grooming products such as shampoos, latex, medication, plastics and bed linens. Common symptoms of contact allergies include excessive licking, biting, and scratching which may result in sores or hair loss.
Skin Allergies
Cavaliers are susceptible to skin allergies caused by either food intolerance, a skin condition, or inhaling something. Frequent and excessive itching due to skin allergies causes damage to the skin. If this allergy is left untreated, it may result in bacterial and yeast infections. The most common signs of skin allergies in Cavaliers may include dandruff, flaky skin, patches of scaly and dry skin on the legs, paws, sides, belly, folds, and face.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Food Allergies
Food allergies in Cavaliers are highly associated with skin allergies. A Cavalier that is suffering from a food allergy will experience an immune response that has a wide range of symptoms from gastrointestinal stress ( vomiting and/or diarrhea) and skin conditions symptoms( hives, facial swelling, pruritus, dermatitis, and crusting lesions).
A dog owner may confuse food allergies for food intolerance and vice versa. However, food intolerance doesn’t cause an immune response. A cavalier experiences food intolerance due to the gradual response to an offending ingredient in the diet. Some of the ingredients that cause food sensitivities include chicken, beef, chicken, eggs, soy, corn, wheat, lamb, turkey, dairy products, etc. However, Cavaliers are more susceptible to food intolerance caused by chemical preservatives, additives, and fillers that trigger allergic reactions.
Symptoms of food intolerance include vomiting, diarrhea, poor skin and coat, chronic ear infections, itchiness, loss of appetite, and foot infections. It is highly recommended for a pet owner to work along with the Vet to manage the symptoms and also find the offending ingredient in the diet of your Cavalier.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Food
The kind of food that you feed your Cavalier may be very important for their genetic health. Therefore, dog food should be aimed at strengthening their hereditary weaknesses such as their blood circulatory system, hearts, kidneys, blood circulation, and liver. Home-prepared meals are also highly recommended including raw meat and vegetable when prepared under the guidance of a vet who is not biased about homemade food.
However, if you are not able to prepare homemade food, it is advisable to feed your dog with freeze-dried, canned, frozen dog foods with ingredients that are primarily human-grade fresh vegetables and real meats. A well-balanced diet for your Cavalier should be rich in protein, low in carbohydrates, and preferably grain-free. Cardiac supplements are also recommended to keep the heart of your dog strong.
Feeding Guide
A Cavalier puppy should feed four times a day between o-9 weeks. This is because pups have tiny tummies that should be fed accordingly. At 10-12 weeks a pup should feed three times a day until the age of six months. An adult Cavalier should be fed once a day. An active adult dog of this breed weighing 15 pounds should feed about 530 calories a day. To be certain that your dog is not eating too much or too little, check her ribs. You should be able to feel the ribs through the skin but they should not be visible at a close range.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Issues
A Cavalier is more prone to heart failure caused by mitral valve disease. This health issue affects most dogs of this breed at some point in their lives and it is the most common cause of death.
Poor breeding also increases the chances that your Cavalier will develop mitral valve disease. Therefore, when getting this breed, it is recommended to find a responsible breeder with a health test for all potential breeding stock. Dog owners should also discuss any potential health issues with their breeders.
Apart from mitral valve disease (MVD), Cavaliers may also endure other health issues including Retinal dysplasia, Cataracts, Hip Dysplasia, Luxating Patella, Syringomyelia, Thrombocytopenia and macrothrombocytopenia, and ear disorders.
Sudden Death
Sudden deaths in Cavaliers are caused by mitral valve disease which causes heart failure.
Breathing Problems
Breathing problems in Cavaliers may be a sign of congestive heart failure which can be caused by mitral valve disease.
Seizures
A Cavalier is more susceptible to mild or partial seizures that appear as odd behaviors such as spacing out, falling over, or snapping at the air as if biting flies with stiffening of the muscles that usually accompany full-blown seizures.
Also referred to as convulsions or fits, seizure is the disturbance of the usual functioning of the brain that is normally accompanied by uncontrollable muscle activity. A Cavalier is a toy breed that is also prone to seizure due to hypoglycemia. This is a healthy condition where the body is not able to convert glycogen into glucose for use in the body as fuel to the brain and tissues.
Some of the seizures that a Cavalier is predisposed to include primary, secondary, and reactive seizures. Primary seizures, also referred to idiopathic are the most common hereditary seizures and the cause is still unknown. Secondary seizure occur due to brain tumor, trauma, and stroke. Whereas reactive seizures take place due to the reaction of the brain to a metabolic problem usually toxins, low blood sugar(hypoglycemia), and organ failure. Seizures may begin between the age of 6 months to 3 years.
A seizure may last between 1 to 3 minutes. Typical symptoms of full-blown seizures include staring, loss of consciousness, urination or defecation, stiffening of the muscles, foaming mouth, hiding after an episode, and disorientation. Additionally, seizures in puppies may be caused by a grass seed lodging near your Cavalier’s trigeminal nerve.
Hair Loss
This breed experiences hair loss throughout the year at moderate levels normally referred to as shedding. Other causes of hair loss in Cavaliers include:
Cushing’s disease – Cavaliers are highly predisposed to Cushing’s disease, a health condition caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland resulting in frequent urination, hair loss on the perineum, neck, and slanks, lesions on the skin, thinning of the coat, lack of energy, and obesity.
Hypothyroidism – in adequate production of the thyroxine hormone by the thyroid gland affects metabolism control which causes thinning of the coat and the hair falls out easily usually on the tail, neck area, back of legs, and the sides of the body.
Stress – Cavaliers suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long hours. This causes stress, anxiety, and restlessness. As a way of relieving some of this tension, a Cavalier develops a habit of excessive licking which causes lick granuloma. This is a condition that causes hair loss in the excessively licked body parts.
Allergies – A Cavalier is affected by food, skin, contact, and environmental allergens. Allergies cause excessive biting, scratching, and licking due to itchiness and irritation. Biting and licking causes hair loss, sores, and secondary infections.
Hormones – Changes in hormones especially an increase in estrogen levels in a female Cavalier results in thinning of the coat and eventually easy hair fall out.
Mange – Cavaliers are affected by mange that results in scrabs, hair loss, and sores due to demodex mites. These insects cause scratching, itching, licking, and rubbing of the affected body parts.
Life Stages
- At birth, Cavalier puppies are only capable of crawling using their front feet. Furthermore, their ears and eyes are closed and they have no teeth.
- The Puppies open their eyes during the second week of life. The eyes start opening after a ting gap appears between the eyelids in the corner of the eye. The eye may open fully after two days.
- During the third week of life, Cavalier pups will start taking their first steps.
Recognizable barking is established when the pup is eight weeks old. - Puppies are also prone to biting when they are teething until the age of six months when the adult teeth replace milk teeth.
- Cavalier puppies should be socialized between the age of 3-12 weeks.
- Puppies experience teenage dog fear periods between the age of six to 12 months and maybe undergo the socialization program again.
- In order for a puppy to develop fully into an adult, it needs to undergo three growth stages: physical maturity, sexual maturity, and mental maturity.
- Cavaliers are also small dogs that simply stop growing at the age of 6 to 8 months. Although, the majority of the growth rate is complete by around six months.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colors
Cavaliers have four coat colors that are recognized:
- Blenheim – some of the Cavaliers with this color have a chestnut spot in the middle of the forehead referred to as the Duchess Thumb Print.
- Ruby Cavaliers – this breed should entirely be chestnut all over. Although, some can have some white in the coats that are considered faulty according to AKC conformation rules.
- Black and Tan Cavaliers with black bodies and tan highlights on legs, eyebrows, beneath the tail, and cheeks.
- Tricolour is composed of black and white tan markings on eyebrows, cheeks, inside legs, on eyebrows, and on the underside of the tail.
Heat Cycle
The heat cycle of a Cavalier lasts between 2 to 4 weeks. The heat cycle reoccurs after every 6 months. Cavaliers are toy breed and having so many puppies may put pressure on their bodies. Therefore, a person interested in breeding this dog should be responsible in spacing the Cavalier’s pregnancy.
This breed experiences its first heat season at the age of 5 months old. The symptoms exhibited by a Cavalier that is on heat include tail flagging, swollen vulva, bloody discharge, nesting behaviors, and mood swings.
Before mating a Cavalier, ensure that both the male and the female undergo genetic testing to look for underlying health issues. It is highly recommended to mate a dam after the age of two years to avoid complications with the pregnancy. It also gives time for the genetically linked faults to express themselves.
Pregnancy Symptoms
- More affectionate.
- Irritability.
- Swollen belly.
- Nesting behavior.
- Weight gain.
- Getting tired easily.
- Increase in nipple size.
Litter Size
A first-time Cavalier dam may have a litter size of 2 or 3 puppies. Furthermore, the little size tends to increase the more the Cavalier gives birth with even 5 or 6 puppies. However, the little size may decrease after the fourth pregnancy.
Some of the other breeds of dogs include:
Pug.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Names
Once a dog parent gets a Cavalier from a responsible breeder or a rescue center, the most important exercise that they engage in is finding a name for their pet. Names may be inspired by the appearance, origin, pop culture, movies, drinks, and royal names.
Regardless of the name that you will settle with, always ensure that the name freely roll off your tongue. You should not feel embarrassed while uttering the name of your pet out loud in public places such as the mall and parks. Cavaliers and other kind of dogs better understand a name that has vowels.
Giving your pet a name that rhymes with the command word creates confusion. Remember to never give your Cavalier a name that is frequently used by other family members and people who frequent your home to avoid confusion.
Names Female
- Bella.
- Daisy.
- Penny.
- Ruby.
- Zoe.
- Lady.
- Chloe.
- Lily.
- Luna.
- Maggie.
- Lucy.
- Molly, etc.
Names Male
- Oliver.
- Winston.
- Cooper.
- Buddy.
- Leo.
- Duke.
- Jack.
- Max.
- Gus.
- Jax.
- Prince.
- Cleo.
- Simon, etc.
Tail
A Cavalier has a long fluffy tail that is not docked.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Eye Problems
Some of the common eye problems that Cavaliers may suffer from include keratoconjunctivitis sicca, retinal dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, microphthalmia, entropion, corneal dystrophy, and distichiasis
Eye Discharge
Eye discharge is medically referred to as eye boogers or eye gunk in dogs. It is normal for a Cavalier to have a whitish grey or clear discharge with a water consistency. However, a Cavalier that is suffering from keratoconjunctivitis sicca may have a thick eye discharge. Foreign objects in the eyes including pollen may prompt eye discharge in Cavaliers.
Eye Infection
Eye infections in Cavalier are caused by viral or bacteria infection. Although, bacterial eye infection are far more common. Dry eye disease, viruses, and trauma to the eye provides a perfect opportunity for bacteria to invade the eye since the local defenses of the eye have been compromised. Majority of eye bacteria infections are caused by an injury or an ulcer to the eye.
Other causes of bacterial eye infections include foreign bodies such as fur, hair, plant material, dust, and debris. Common symptoms exhibited by a Cavalier that is suffering from an eye infection include pawing at the eye, blinking, swelling of the eyelids, redness, and discharge( a clear discharge is caused by a virus while a thick yellowish green discharge is caused by bacteria).
Eye infections result in an immune response hence a dog may experience various symptoms at once for instance a red, squinting eye that has a thick yellowish green discharge. Home remedy for eye infections is flushing the eye of a Cavalier using saline rinses.
Ear
A Cavalier has long and floppy ears that are feathery.
Ear Infection
Cavaliers have naturally floppy ears that protect the middle and the inner ear canal. However, they prevent air flow in the ear creating a humid environment for bacteria invasion. Therefore, Cavaliers are naturally predisposed to ear infections. Other causes of ear infections include endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, ear mites, yeast imbalances, injury to the ear canal, excess cleaning, moisture accumulation, and excess wax, dirt, and debris.
In particular, Cavaliers are predisposed to externa otitis that causes inflammation to the cells located in the external ear canal. If left untreated, this infection spread to the middle and the inner ear canal resulting in media and interna otitis respectively. Infection to the middle and the inner ear canal may result in facial paralysis, vestibular signs, and deafness.
Some of the symptoms of ear infections in Cavaliers include redness, scratching of the affected ear, odor, dark discharge, swelling of the ear canal, and scabs in the ears. Once a pet parent notices the above signs, he or she should book an appointment with the vet.
Ear Problems
- Primary Secretory Otitis Media.
- Congenital deafness.
- Otitis externa.
Smelly Eyes
Excess tearing and eye discharge that builds up on the hair and skin around the eyes create a nasty odor if not cleaned or indicate the eye has bacteria.
Collar
Toy breeds Like Cavaliers are prone to tracheal collapses hence should not walk on a leash attached to a collar. This is because the collar puts pressure on the neck. A harness is the preferred option since it distributes the pressure on the back and shoulders. However, a Cavalier owner may use a collar for attaching a GPS tracker, rabies Id, and an ID tag.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How To Trim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Ears
For dog owners giving their Cavaliers a Keep it Natural haircut, they may trim the fur in the ears in a nice straight line.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming How Often
The coat of the Cavalier should be brushed every day for at least 10 minutes since this breed sheds moderately throughout the year. A dog that participates in a conformation show should be bath every week and the day before the show. A Cavalier that doesn’t participate in conformation shows should be bathe once a month.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Hypoallergenic
Cavaliers are not considered hypoallergenic since they shed their fur throughout the year. However, they may be suitable for some people who suffer from dog allergies since they produce less dander as compared with other dog breeds.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Quick Facts
- They are susceptible to mitral valve disease.
- Cavaliers have heavy and drop ears that are prone to ear infections.
- This breed is not considered hypoallergenic.
