Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels High-Maintenance?

We all want a dog that is easy to care for, right? So, when you’re planning on adopting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS), a logical question you would ask is “Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels high-maintenance?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are generally higher maintenance. Expect to have to spend a fair amount of your time each day caring for this dog breed. But, they make up for it with their calm and loving temperament. Cavaliers love children and are generally friendly dogs. Just note that they take some time to care for.

So, what are their basic caring requirements? Let’s find out!

A brown and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel running in a field of grass
Image by Alexa from Pixabay 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Temperament 

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very easy-going dog who will love its owner with its whole heart.

As stated before, this breed is very loving, easy to train, and overall very versatile. Cavaliers can be sporty dogs that are very active, or they can be couch potatoes.

Cavaliers should also behave around other pets, though they are still dogs and need obedience training. Even then, Cavaliers can still attack and even kill other animals if you aren’t careful. So, it’s best to keep Cavalier King Charles Spaniels away from other pets that aren’t dogs.

Basic Cavalier Grooming Requirements

So, how do you groom a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? Before we talk about grooming, let’s talk a little bit about training.

Why talk about training you ask? Well, it’s essential that your Cavalier is okay with you handling his feet, body, head, and legs. To do so, you must acclimate him.

Before you even groom your dog, get your Cavalier used to the sound of a hair blower on by simply turning it on for short periods of time around your dog.

Preservation breeders start grooming their dogs after 1 week of birth, while people who just adopted their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should wait at least 1-2 weeks after they adopt their dog to groom them to get them used to their new home.

Now, let’s look at their basic grooming requirements, shall we?

How Often To Bathe A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

So, how often should you bathe a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

Generally, you’re going to want to bathe your Cavalier occasionally to keep them looking their best.

Consider bathing them about once a month or every time they get in a mess.

Trimming Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s Coat

Trimming your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s coat is necessary to keep it sanitary and “train” it.

Trim their coat regularly or every time it gets longer than you can handle. Some people may have time to care for a Cavalier with a longer coat, while others may want a shorter coat.

If you wish for a shorter coat, consider going to the groomers and asking for a “modified Cocker pet cut.”

Trimming Your Cavalier’s Nails

Also, trim their nails regularly for two reasons; to keep them from scratching people and to make sure that their nails don’t grow into their paws.

That’s right, if you leave your dog’s nails untrimmed for too long, it is possible for them to grow into their paw pads and your dog will have to go to the vet if this happens, so don’t let it!

Lastly, don’t forget the quick. So, don’t cut past it. If you’re afraid you’re going to mess up, I highly recommend checking out this article by the AKC (American Kennel Club) after you’re done reading this one.

Brushing Your Cavalier’s Teeth

Lastly, while you may not always think about brushing your dog’s teeth, it’s essential that your Cavalier’s teeth is clean strong.

You can also try dental treats, though not all dental treats are created equal.

I recommend checking out this article from WebMD about the types and benefits of dental dog treats.

Basic Cavalier Exercise Requirements

As mentioned earlier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be very sporty dogs or just your average couch potato!

On one hand, Cavaliers are very sporty dogs and love to run, jump and play with their human parents and doggie friends, while on another, they love to just lay on the couch or snuggle with their owner.

That doesn’t mean Cavalier King Charles don’t need exercise, however. Make sure that your Cavalier gets exercise every day so that he can stay fit and healthy.

Can Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels Be Alone?

Unfortunately, no, Cavaliers should not be alone for very long periods of time.

Cavs can also get separation anxiety which can make them very stressed when you are alone.

Even Cavs that don’t have SA still don’t like being alone for long periods of time. So, make sure you are with him as much as you can!

What Are The Common Health Conditions For Cavaliers?

Unfortunately, Cavaliers can get a lot of health conditions, so a logical question you would ask is “What are the common health conditions that Cavaliers can get?”

Let’s find out.

Luxating Patella

Luxating Patella is a common health condition where the patella luxates from the femur.

To put it in more laymen terms, it’s when the kneecap moves away from the socket and becomes dislocated.

Unfortunately, the only real symptom would be a sudden limp and perhaps a yelp when they do.

The fact is, dogs can hide pain and discomfort pretty well, so it may be hard to tell how much your dog is in pain or discomfort.

I recommend checking out this article from Hills about luxating patella if you’d like to learn the causes, prevention, and treatment of luxating patella.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is when the ball and socket of the hip does not fit or develop properly and in turn grind together and deteriorate the bone till the point of the loss of the function of the entire hip itself.

It’s often associated with larger dogs, though the fact is, both large, giant, and small dogs alike can get this health condition.

The causes are generally genetics, though improper weight and diet can help cause this health condition.

I recommend checking out this article from the AKC about the causes, signs, ways to prevent, and treatment of hip dysplasia.

Mitral Valve Disease & Heart Murmurs

Mitral Valve Disease is a health condition where the mitral valves become weakened and do not open and close properly.

To say how severe this disease is would be hard to say cases are very different from each other. Some cases are less severe and can live without even any symptoms at all for their entire lives, while other cases, where the patient does not respond to medicine, can have their life expectancy shortened to weeks or even days.

Unfortunately, this disease is very common in Cavaliers, so make sure you understand this when you are planning on getting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Cataracts

Cataracts is when the eye develops a cloudy film develops over the eyes which will reduce your dog’s vision.

Typically, cataracts are more prevalent in dogs than cats and are often found in certain breeds like the Cocker Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Poodle, Siberian Husky, Schnauzer, Old English Sheepdogs, Samoyeds, along with other dog breeds, though they can also occur in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Cataracts are generally a sign of a bigger health condition. This is why I strongly recommend that you check with your vet if you believe your Cavalier has developed cataracts.

Obesity

Lastly, obesity is another health condition that you may come across in your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel caring journey.

Generally, to help prevent and cure obesity, you’re probably going to change your dog’s diet.

The fact is, most dog owners are feeding their dogs a diet full of ultra-processed foods which is just bad for your dog’s overall health.

Consider feeding your dog a diet with more whole foods if you can afford it and lessen the amount of ultra-processed foods your dog eats.

How Hard Is It To Train A Cavalier?

Cavaliers are loving and eager to please their owner which makes them pretty easy to train.

Just note that some dogs with Small Dog Syndrome may become stubborn and defiant.

If you don’t know what Small Dog Syndrome is, it’s a behavior disorder, typically found in small dogs, where the dog thinks he is the “leader of the pack” and that he can do as he pleases.

I recommend checking out this article that I wrote on this website about the causes, treatment, and prevention of SDS.

Conclusion 

So, are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels high-maintenance? While Cavaliers are not the most high-maintenance dog out there, they do require regular maintenance.

So, do you have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? If so, how often do you groom them? Let us know in the comment section below!

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Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Go Hiking?

A lot of us love nature, like myself, and some of us like to hike and can take our dogs with us, so a question you’d ask when you’re planning to adopt a Cavalier is “Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels go hiking?”

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can go on moderate hikes, though note that these dogs don’t have infinite stamina and will need to rest at times. Also, make sure to start slow, especially on your first hiking trip, so that they can get used to the exercise. Lastly, make sure that you know exactly what you need to take with you when you hike and the health conditions that can prohibit your dog from hiking.

A brown and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on a leash walking on top of grass

How Far Can A Caviler King Charles Spaniel Hike?

At first, when you’re just starting out letting your Cavalier hike, don’t hike more than a mile or two.

The fact is, when you first get your Cavalier, he will need to settle into your home and get used to you before he does anything too crazy.

Their previous owner (if they had one) may or may not have let them go on hikes either, so it’s very possible that they are completely new to it.

If you have had your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for a while, you can go on longer hikes, though as I mentioned earlier, no dog has infinite stamina, so try not to tire your dog too much.

I wouldn’t let your dog go on any hikes until he’s about 1 year of age when he is strong and has fully developed muscles.

Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Camp?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can camp outside, though do note that they can run away if you’re not careful.

While I’m sure your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel loves you, he also has a high prey drive and can get distracted by a squirrel or another small animal pretty quickly.

Considerations Before You Start Hiking

So, let’s look at the considerations before you begin your hike.

The considerations are the food and water supply, when and where you’re going hiking if you have all the other supplies you need, how old your Cavalier is, and whether or not it has any health conditions.

Food & Water Supply 

You must have enough food and water. While this may sound obvious, you may not have packed enough.

While you don’t have to get a ton of food and water, make sure you have more than you need as there is always that possibility that you get stranded.

Where You’re Going To Hike

Where you’re going hiking also plays a big role into if he should hike and if so, how long.

Make sure that when you go hiking, there aren’t any steep slopes and that the ground is fairly level.

This is especially necessary if you have an older dog with health conditions like arthritis and bad back problems. Steep slopes will do nothing but make health conditions like arthritis and bad back problems worse.

When You’re Going Hiking

The time you’re going hiking also has a big impact on what you should take with you and where and how long you should hike.

If it’s in the middle of summer or spring, consider taking your time and getting extra food and water as it can get fairly hot in these seasons, depending on where you are.

If it’s in the fall, this is a good temperature (in my opinion) to go hiking as it’s not too cold or hot, though you may still need to take a coat and your Cav may even need a coat as well.

If you’re hiking in the winter, however, you’re going to do the obvious things like getting a coat, food and water, but you may also deal with ticks and fleas.

While you may not think about there being a lot of ticks or fleas in the winter, they are still there and seek a warm place to live on, and what is a better warm place in the vast forests than your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

So, yes they are certainly still a problem in the winter, so consider getting a tick and flea repellent.

I recommend checking out this article from The Spruce Pets if you’d like to learn more about the best flea and tick repellents.

Other Supplies You Will Need

Some of the obvious supplies you will need are good hiking boots, a water bottle, a backpack, a good pair of hiking boots, shoes, socks, and sunglasses if you’re going in the spring or summer.

While I am not a hiking expert by any stretch of the human imagination, I do know that you should always be prepared for the worst case scenario so that you and your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will be safe at all times.

How Old Your Cavalier Is

As I alluded earlier, the age of your Cavalier also has a big impact on where and how long you hike.

Puppies should not hike at all, as during their age, their muscles are still developing and won’t be able to hike for very long distances.

Likewise, senior Cavaliers should not hike very much as they typically have back problems and health conditions like arthritis that effect the bones and make overall makes movement a lot harder on the body.

If Your Cavalier Has Any Health Conditions

As I just said, senior Cavaliers should not hike as they can get health conditions like arthritis and back problems, though younger dogs can have health conditions as well.

While arthritis is typically found in older dogs, it can also occur in younger dogs, especially if it’s a larger dog breed.

I will talk about health conditions in the next section of this article.

Health Conditions That Prohibit Your Cav From Hiking

We all want to keep our dogs healthy and comfortable, right? So, what are some more health conditions that can effect how long your Cavalier can hike.

Let’s find out!

Cataracts

While cataracts don’t effect your dog’s joints, they can make it harder for your dog to see which will effect whether or not they can hike.

Dogs and cats both can develop cataracts, though dogs are the most likely to develop them.

Generally, there are incipient cataracts that are minor and typically have less of an effect on your dogs vision, though there are other cataracts that can even make your dog blind and wrinkle the capsule and shrivel up the lens.

Mitral Valve Disease

Both the left and the right side of the heart has valves which help prevent blood moving the wrong way (backwards). The left valve is called the mitral valve and the right valve is called the tricuspid valve.

In mitral valve disease, the mitral valve becomes inefficient and does not close properly.

Mitral valve stenosis (the narrowing of the valve) can be genetic, while other causes include heart cancer and heart bacteria infections.

Likewise, mitral valve deuteriation (where the valve becomes thick and deformed and unable to create a strong seal) can be caused by surgery and infections.

Needless to say, this health condition is very serious, and if you believe your dog has this condition, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Unfortunately, the Cavalier is one of the most likely breeds to get this health condition, which will prohibit your dog from hiking as it will cause difficulty breathing.

If you’d like to learn more about the causes, prevention, and symptoms of mitral valve disease, I recommend checking this article from the PDSA (© The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals).

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is when the hip and hip ball does not develop properly, thus resulting in difficulty in movement.

Symptoms include decreased activity, decreased range of motion, difficulty or reluctance to go up or down stairs, swaying and having a “bunny hop” gait, as well as other symptoms.

As you probably know by now, this health condition will make going on hikes for any length of time very difficult.

If you’d like to learn more about hip dysplasia, I recommend checking out this article from the AKC (American Kennel Club) about the signs, prevention, and treatment of this health condition.

Luxating Patellar

Luxating Patellar, also known as Patellar Luxation and floating kneecap, is when the femur (kneecap) luxates (moves away) from the knee.

Dr. Karen Becker, a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian states that this condition is “often found in small and tiny dogs.”

Dr. Becker also states that the health condition can “sneak up on you” and that the dog “can be very active and play normally,” though the dog may skip or hop occasionally when they walk.

She also states that Patellar Luxation is also “very common” and that “sometimes you may not know it’s happening until there is an acute episode.”

If you do believe your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has this health condition, contact your local veterinarian immediately.

Other Health Conditions

Other health conditions that can effect how long they can hike and if they should at all are asthma and allergies.

Fortunately, asthma is much less common in dogs than in cats, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t have it.

Causes of Asthma include cat dander, air pollution, pollen, air fresheners, cat litter dust, along with other causes like perfume and mold spores.

Causes of allergies is of course pollen and anything your dog is allergic to. This may include food and flea allergies.

Signs of allergies include hives, vomiting, itchy ears, red and inflamed skin, diarrhea, along with other symptoms like chronic ear infections and sneezing.

I recommend checking this article out from the AKC about allergies as it goes into a lot more detail about the signs, causes, and treatment of this health condition.

If you’d like to learn more about asthma, I recommend checking out this article from PetMD about the signs, causes, prevention, and treatment.

Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Like Hiking?

While I can’t speak for every Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, most Cavaliers would probably like hiking.

It’s a great experience where they discover new animals, smells, sounds, and meet people and other dogs.

Just don’t tire your dog too much as this will make hiking a lot less enjoyable!

Should I Take My Cavalier On A Leash?

Yes, always keep your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on a leash at all times.

Why? Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are curious dogs and have a strong prey drive and you never know when a squirrel or another small animal comes it’s way and catches it’s eye.

While you may not want to have to keep him on a leash all the time, it’s certainly worth it!

Conclusion

So, can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels hike? Yes, they can! Just start out slow when you first get one.

Do you have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? If so, do you hike with them? If so, let us know in the comment section below!

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How Much Should A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Eat?

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When you’re planning on adopting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, you’re going to want to know how much it will cost to keep one and their food intake will play a big role on how much they cost to have.

On average, an adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will need 370-470 calories (that’s about 1-1.5 cups of dog kibble), while if you have a puppy, expect to feed them 100-200 calories less Do note that if you’d like to get the exact amount, you’re going to have to find out exactly how old the puppy is, it’s sex, along with a lot of other things that can change how much they should eat.

How Much To Feed A Cavalier Puppy 

A brown and black Cavalier King Charles Spaniel laying down on carpet

So, how much should to feed a Cavalier puppy exactly?

If you have a 1 month Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, he’s likely around a half of a pound, so you’re going to want to feed my about 30 calories (that includes treats) every day that month.

Typically speaking, a good pounds to calorie ratio would be 1:58. So, for every 1 pound they weigh, you’re going to want to feed them 58 calories.

For an example, if your puppy weighs 5 pounds, you’re going to want to feed him approximately 183 calories. If your puppy weighs 10 pounds, you’re going to want to feed them 580 calories.

I recommend that you weigh your puppy yourself so you know exactly how much to feed them. But, before you do that, you can look at this table to get a good idea of what to expect.

Age of Puppy:Calories Per Day:
3 monthsApprox. 201-256
4 monthsApprox. 245-313
5 monthsApprox. 288-366
6 monthsApprox. 313-394
7 monthsApprox. 337-426
8 monthsApprox. 347-444
9 monthsApprox. 357-457
10 monthsApprox. 361-462
11 monthsApprox. 366-471
12 monthsApprox. 371-475

Factors That Change How Much They Eat

Okay, we now know that for every 1 pound, a Cavalier should eat about 58 calories a day, but this can change depending on some factors like the sex and age of your dog, the activity of your dog, and whether or not your dog has been spayed or neutered.

Let’s look at each one.

Your Dog’s Sex

The first factor that can change how much your dog should eat is the sex.

Typically speaking, females are smaller than males, thus they will need less food than the males.

Your Dog’s Age

The age, as I mentioned before, plays a very important role into figuring out how much to feed your Cavalier.

As you saw, the older the puppy, the more food they need. Their growth levels off after about a year and a half, however, so they won’t need to keep eating more food.

They will need a better diet when they become seniors. though. Why? Just like when we get old, senior dogs often get health conditions like arthritis which affects the bones. Because of this, they will need a better diet that will meet their needs.

If Your Dog Has Been Spayed or Neutered

Another factor that comes to play when you’re trying to determine how much you should feed your Cavalier is whether or not they have been spayed or neutered.

Dogs that have not been will generally have more muscle and tendon mass. If they have been, they will typically lose a lot of it as an result as the reproductive hormones have been reduced.

Your Dog’s Activity Level

The last factor we will be talking about in this article is their activity level.

As you probably know already, the more a dog is active, the more nutrition that dog will need.

While Cavaliers aren’t overly active dogs, they are very active, typically speaking. If your dog is very active, make sure you are using a dog food that is high in the nutrients they need like protein, health fats, and vitamins.

You may also want to just feed your Cavalier more in general to give them the proper amount of nutrients.

Best Dog Foods For Adult Cavaliers

Alright, now what’s the best dog food for adult Cavaliers?

Generally speaking, good dog food contains the proper amount of protein, healthy fats (i.e. omega 3’s & 6’s), and vitamins (i.e. vitamins A, B, C, D, E, & K).

Personally, for your adult Cavalier, I recommend Iams. I actually use this brand for my dogs

Best Dog Food For Senior Cavaliers

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend any product for seniors, but in general, you’re going to want to get a dog food that has the proper nutrients they need like omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and proteins.

Also, a dog’s brain after around the age of 7, begins to lose it’s ability to produce glucose. and a good way to help with that is supplementing your dog’s diet with medium chain triglyceride oils (aka MCT oils).

Considerations Before Buying Dog Food 

Lastly, before you buy any dog food, take all of these considerations in mind.

The last thing you want to do is end up buying a dog food that is not right for you or your dog. So, what are the considerations?

Does It Contain Enough Nutrients?

Like I said many times in this article, no matter what dog food you buy, always be certain it contains the right amount of nutrients for your dog.

In general, a dog will need healthy fats, proteins, and vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, and choline.

In general, vitamin A is known as a vitamin that is good for vision and the eyes and is often found in carrots, spinach, and collard greens.

If you’d like to learn more about vitamins for dogs, I recommend checking out this article from the AKC about which vitamins are the best for dogs.

Can I Afford To Buy This Dog Food When I Need It? 

The next consideration you must make is if you can actually afford the dog food you buy.

The fact is, dog food can get really expensive, especially if you buy dog food that is actually healthy for your dog.

Make sure that you can actually afford the dog food you buy. The last thing you want to do is buy dog food that you won’t be able to afford when you need it and have to get a dog food that is of lower-quality.

If you’d like to learn more about cheap dog food and which ones to buy, I recommend checking out this article from Veterinarians.org

Will My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Eat It? 

Finally, the last main consideration you have to make is whether or not your Cavalier will actually eat it.

While not all dogs are picky, I know that my dogs are very picky and I’m sure there are picky dogs in every breed.

They should eat the dog food you buy if they get hungry enough, however. You may just have to wait for them to get hungry and then they should eat it.

Conclusion

So, how much should you feed your Cavalier? Well it depends on a lot of factors like age, sex, the activity level of your dog, and whether or not it has been spayed or neutered.

Do you have a Cavalier? If so, how much food do you give it every day?

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Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Good Hunting Dogs?

Some of us are hunters and like to take dogs on hunting trips. I’m not one of those people, but some are. So, you may be wondering, “Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good hunting dogs?”

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can hunt small game, though they are best kept as companion dogs and not hunting dogs. If you do plan on keeping these dogs as hunting dogs, however, you’re going to have to consider a few things when you’re taking him outside. If you’d like to learn more about Cavalier Kin Charles Spaniels hunting, I suggest you keep reading,

Considerations When Taking A Dog To Hunt

Before you go take your Cavalier hunting, you’re going to have to consider a few things.

First off, if you’re going to hunt with your dog, you’re going to have to get your dog used to gun shots. Second, fleas and ticks can be a big problem, even in the winter.

So, what are all of the considerations? Let’s find out.

Food & Water Supply

This is may be a no-brainer, but you need to always make sure you have more than enough food and water before you hunt.

The fact is, whenever you go into the wild, there is always at least a small chance that you can get lost and if you packed enough food and water, you should be fine, but if you didn’t, then you have a different story!

So, just pack more food and water than you need. It can save you a world of good!

Fleas, Ticks & Other Bugs

No matter what season or time of day it is, I’m sure you’re going to come across some fleas and ticks on your hunting journey.

Unfortunately, ticks can also cause health conditions like Lyme disease which currently has no cure.

So, the best way to deal with this? Well, one way is to simply get a tick and flea repellent.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend any tick or flea repellents myself, but I do recommend checking out this article from PetMD as it not only talks about the risks of getting tick bites and what kinds of ticks live in the United States but also recommendations for tick and flea repellents.

Getting Him Used To Gun Shots

One very important thing you do before you let your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is getting him used to get used to gun shots.

As I’m sure you know, you will likely have to shoot a gun when you’re hunting and saying even humans have to get used to gun shots, dogs will have to as well.

The last thing you want to do is scare your dog and make him run away!

Training Them How To Hunt

The first thing you have to do is do basic obedience training. This includes stay and sit.

They won’t be able to hunt anything when they won’t even sit still when they see an animal.

Another thing you need to train your dog to do retrieve the game that they have caught.

The best way to go about this is have decoys and make them retrieve them both on land and on water.

Unfortunately, there is simply too much to talk about for this subject and I recommend reading this article from the AKC about training your dog to hunt.

What Were Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bred For? 

Okay, Cavaliers do not make good hunting dogs, but what were they actually bred for?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were bred in the United Kingdom and are a mixture of a toy spaniel and Asian toy dogs (likely pugs or Japanese Chins).

The fact is, these dogs were bred to be companion dogs, not hunting dogs. Even if they were, they wouldn’t be able hunt any large game and would have to stick to squirrels and other animals around their size.

How Strong Is A Cavalier’s Prey Drive?

Another question you may ask is “How strong is a Cavalier’s prey drive?”

Cavaliers have a very strong prey drive and will run after squirrels and other animals when they see them.

Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Be Off-Leash?

The simple fact is no. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels should not be off-leash due to their strong prey drive.

While these dogs aren’t amazing hunting dogs, they still have a strong prey drive and will run after squirrels, rabbits, and other animals that they would like to kill.

What To Do If A Cavalier Is Running Away

Okay, now we know that Cavaliers can’t be off-leash because they will run away if they see an animal like a squirrel, but what if you make a mistake and he gets away?

Let’s find out.

Relax

The very first (and very important) step is to relax. Panicking will simply make the situation much worse.

You probably know that when you’re panicking, you rarely make good choices. This is one reason how people get into so much trouble because when they’re panicked and scared, they aren’t thinking straight.

Use Your Recall Word

If you’ve trained your dog properly, you should have taught your dog a recall word. A recall word is an emergency word so that when it is said, your dog will come to you immediately no matter what the situation is.

But, the fact is, you probably haven’t made a recall word and it’s very likely your Cavalier won’t respond to it if it’s chasing prey.

So, what do you do now? If all else fails, try the next step.

Entice Them To Come Back

If you’ve tried everything, consider enticing them to come back if you haven’t already.

Try getting a treat box or their favorite toy. Anything that will catch their attention and entice them to come to you.

If it’s a treat box, rattle it a lot and call their name. I know for a fact that my dogs love treats and I’m sure yours is too.

If it’s their favorite toy, get on the ground and play with it. You may even have to lightly toss it around to catch their attention.

If you tried everything else, you may have to try howling. I know my Chiweenie is always perked up by howling and I’m sure your dog is the same way.

How Did My Cavalier Run Away?

If your Cavalier has ran away, an obvious question you would ask is “how did my cavalier get outside?”

There are a number of reasons why. Let’s look at some.

They Dug A Hole Under The Fence

I know that my dogs almost always got out by digging a hole under the fence and it’s likely that your dog got out the same way.

Look around the fence line and look for holes that might’ve been dug. If you find one, make sure that you put a rock in it.

A Door or Fence Gate Was Open

Another way my dogs get out a lot is by going out a open door or gate.

If you think that your dog got out through an open gate or door, make extra sure that you keep all the doors and fence gates closed.

They Found An Open Place That Was Too Big

It’s also possible that your Cavalier found a hole or open area in a fence that was big enough for them to fit through.

While it’s not likely, you shouldn’t shrug the possibility off. Cavaliers are very small and can fit through small areas.

How To Prevent A Cavalier From Running Away

Lastly, how do I prevent your Cavalier my running away? The first thing to do is find out how they got out in the first place.

If they got out through a hole along the fence line, fill it up with a rock.

If they got out through an open area, you may have to put a few metal rods to prevent the dog from escaping.

If your Cavalier got out through an open door or gate, however, the only way to prevent this would be to make sure that you close all the gates and doors behind you.

Conclusion

So, are Cavaliers good hunting dogs? While Cavaliers have good hunting instincts, they won’t be able to hunt any big game, unfortunately.

Do you have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? If so, did it ever try to run away from you? Comment below!

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Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Aggressive?

When you’re planning on adopting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a logical question you may ask is “Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels aggressive?”

Typically, Cavaliers are not aggressive. In fact, they love the family and their owner. Do note, however, that they can be aggressive when they feel like they need to be. Also, a Cavalier may get aggressive if it has a disease like rabies. Make sure you know how to deal with an aggressive dog just in case you they do become aggressive so you can know exactly what to do.

Brown and white cavalier king charles behind a green blurred background (likely grass or trees)
Image by Alexa from Pixabay

Why Is My Cavalier Acting Aggressive?

Okay, now we know that Cavaliers aren’t typically aggressive, though they can be for various reasons. So, why is my Cavalier acting aggressive?

Let’s find out.

They Are In Pain or Discomfort

One of the reasons why your Cavalier is acting aggressive is because they are in pain or discomfort.

Think about one time when you were in pain. Were you nice or did you get irritated a lot? You probably didn’t feel very friendly. The same goes for dogs.

They Have A Health Condition

Your dog may also have an illness that is making them this aggressive. One health condition that comes to mind is rabies.

Other examples could be arthritis, lacerations, tumors, bone fractures, and internal injuries.

They See Something That Looks Like A Threat

Lastly,

Can Cavaliers Be With Children? 

Yes, the Cavaliers love children. Because these dogs are small and gentle, they shouldn’t hurt children.

However, what you may have to worry about is your children hurting your Cavalier. The fact is, young children typically don’t know the proper way to hold a dog and can hurt your Cavalier even if they don’t mean to.

Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Be With Babies? 

I don’t think your Cavalier would hurt a baby, though I recommend that there be adult supervision.

Cavaliers can hurt your baby on accident, however. The same goes for the baby as well. Even though the baby may not mean to hurt them, the baby can accidently be too rough with the dog or knock something over that can scare and hurt your Cavalier.

Can Cavaliers Be With Other Dogs?

Yes, Cavaliers can be with other dogs. Because these dogs are affectionate, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about them being mean to the other dog.

However, they can still be aggressive, and the other dog could be as well. So, make sure that the dogs are introduced carefully.

Can Cavaliers Be With Other Pets?

Personally, I would be more hesitant to have a Cavalier and another pet in the same house together.

The fact is, Cavaliers have hunting instincts and may even hurt another pet like a rabbit.

Are Cavaliers Aggressive To Strangers?

Fortunately, no. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not aggressive towards strangers, though I recommend that you always be careful when they are meeting new people.

Do note, however, that dogs with small dog syndrome (a behavior problem where the dog thinks he is the “leader of the pack” and will typically be aggressive to other people) will likely be aggressive to strangers.

Do Cavaliers Like To Be Held?

Cavaliers enjoy being held and being on their owner’s lap. Just make sure you know how to properly handle your Cavalier.

To properly hold a dog with one arm, put your dominant arm on their chest and tuck your hand between their two front legs. Then, tuck their bottom between your arm and torso.

To hold a dog with two hands, take your non-dominant hand under their chest and then hold their hand on their bottom so they aren’t hanging. Keep them close to your chest to help keep them from wiggling.

What To Do With An Aggressive Cavalier

While Cavaliers are nice dogs, it is possible for them to get mad. Now, what do you do if your Cavalier gets mad?

Typically, you’re going to want to do these 4 things: relax, back away, speak quietly, and give the dog some time to calm down.

Back Away

First, back away. The last thing you want to do is confront your dog and make him feel threatened.

Backing away will also give it some some space to calm down and relax. Making him feeling cramped will do nothing but make the situation worse.

Relax

Second, relax. If you’re nervous and make a lot of sudden movements, all this will do is make your dog feel nervous and likely more aggressive.

Take a deep breath and make small, slow movements. This should make your Cavalier less aggressive and assist you in making sound decisions.

Speak Quietly

Next, speak to it quietly. If you speak loudly, this won’t help anything. In fact, it can make the situation much worse than it already is.

Talk to it in a gentle and kind way. If you do this, your Cavalier should begin to calm down eventually.

Stop The Source

Lastly, make sure you understand what the source of your Cavalier’s anger is and stop it.

The source could be a dog, a cat, another animal, or perhaps even you if you’ve been irritating it.

If it’s a cat or another dog, try to distract your Cavalier. Also, if your Cavalier is on a leash, this will help give you some more control over it.

Your Cavalier may also have a health condition. Health conditions that may cause aggression include rabies, hypothyroidism, cognitive dysfunction, and brain disease.

Can Cavaliers Be Around Elders?

Another question you may ask is “Can Cavaliers be around elderly people?” The answer is yes.

These are very affectionate dogs, and they will love all people of all ages.

Conclusion

So, are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels aggressive? Fortunately, they usually aren’t. Just make sure you know what to do in case they ever get aggressive.

Do you have a Cavalier? If so, does it like to cuddle? Let us know in the comment section below!

Featured Image Attirbution: Image by Hamsterfreund from Pixabay 

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Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Swim?

A lot of us love to swim and want to swim with our dogs, so when you’re planning on getting a Cavalier, a logical question you’d ask is “Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels swim?”

Yes, Cavaliers can swim, though it is generally recommended that you know your dog can swim well before you take him out in any deep bodies of water. Consider taking your dog to swimming lessons if you’d like to ensure that your dog is good at swimming. You can also teach your dog how to swim on your own.

How Often Can My Cavalier Swim?

Personally, I wouldn’t take your Cavalier to swim more than once a day. Swimming is a very fun activity for your dog, and it shouldn’t matter how often your dog swims for the most part.

Just make sure you are always with your Cavalier so you know he is safe. The more he swims, the more chance he has of drowning, even if he is good at swimming.

Do Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels Like To Swim? 

It really depends on the individual. Some love to swim, while others don’t even like the water.

If your dog doesn’t like swimming, it’s best that you don’t force them. While it’s a good activity for your Cavalier, there are also other activities that they can do as well.

Pools, Lakes, Specialist Dog Pools & Beaches – Which Is Better?

A brown and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel looking up at the sky on a beach of white sand by the ocean
Image by Fran • @thisisfranpatel from Pixabay 

Now, what is the best place to take your dog swimming? Typically speaking, the most popular places to take dogs swimming are pools, lakes, and beaches, though there are also specialist dog pools.

Let’s look at each one.

Pools

Swimming pools are a great place to take a dog swimming. Pools are generally clean, safe, and while they can be deep, as long as you keep your dog on the shallow end, you should be able to easily retrieve your dog in case of an emergency.

– Pros

  • Common
  • Generally sanitary
  • Fairly shallow on the shallow end

– Cons

  • Expensive
  • High maintenance

Lakes 

Common bodies of water are also nice places to take your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel swimming, though do note that lakes can be unsanitary. Also, lakes can get fairly deep, and if you don’t watch your cavalier carefully, you can lose them.

– Pros

  • Common
  • Cheap to go to
  • Offers other activities for your Cav
  • A place for your Cav to meet other dogs

– Cons

  • Can be unsanitary
  • Deep body of water

Beaches

Beaches are beautiful and very picturesque, but they are also a great place to take your dog swimming. Just note that you can lose your Cavalier if you aren’t watching them carefully.

– Pros

  • Very beautiful place to go to
  • A place for your Cav to meet other dogs
  • Offers other activities for your Cav

– Cons

  • Your dog can get lost
  • Can be unsanitary
  • Can be expensive to go to

Specialist Dog Pools 

Also, there are dog or pet pools. These pools are generally smaller, but that is fine for Cavaliers. Getting a dog pool is a great option for someone who doesn’t have a pool or isn’t around any lakes or beaches.

– Pros

  • Cheap
  • Not too deep
  • Portable

– Cons

  • Generally not very big
  • Not all dog pools are durable

Teaching Your Dog How To Swim

You can take your dog to swimming lessons, but if you don’t want to spend the money, you can actually teach your dog how to swim yourself.

Now, you may be saying, “Why teach a dog how to swim? I thought they were born swimmers! ” While most dogs can swim, the fact is, some dogs are better than others due to their body proportions.

For example, a Siberian Husky is a lot better swimmer than a French Bulldog. Why? Siberians have long legs and can propel themselves in water, while French Bulldogs are short and stubby and have short legs, which is, of course, not good for swimming!

So, what are some tips for teaching a dog how to swim? Let’s look at a few.

Get A Life Jacket

Getting a life jacket is a must when you’re teaching your dog how to swim. When your dog has a life jacket on, he can feel more confident and will be more inclined to go into deeper water when he knows he’s safe.

Use A Toy To Encourage Him

Another way to encourage your dog to get into the water is by throwing a toy into the water.

This is preferably a ball, but another toy can do as well. This, along with a life jacket, should perk your dog up and get him into the water.

Get A Swimming Buddy

If all else fails, another way to encourage your dog to swim is to get a swimming buddy.

Have you ever felt scared of doing something, but then a friend did it and showed you there wasn’t anything to be afraid of? Well, the same goes with dogs.

Additional Tips

While you probably don’t want to think about it, you should always be prepared in case of an emergency.

For one, you must know how to perform CPR on your dog. I recommend checking out this article from the AKC about how to perform CPR.

Second, make sure that if you are going to swim outside, the weather is not severe. Choppy waters and heavy rain are not conditions that are suitable for swimming.

Swimming Safety & Health Precautions

So, before you start swimming with your Cavalier, there are a few swimming safety and health precautions. What are they? Let’s find out!

  • As mentioned before, never swim in severe weather conditions. Swimming in heavy rain, choppy water, or a thunderstorm is just not good swimming weather.
  • Always use a life jacket when you are first swimming with your dog, especially in deep bodies of water.
  • Always thoroughly dry your Cav after he has been swimming. If you don’t, it is possible that he could get hypothermia.
  • Lastly, get pet insurance. The brutal fact is, no matter how good you or your dog is at swimming, mistakes can and will happen (We Are Not Affiliates With Geico).

What To Do If Your Cavalier Doesn’t Want To Swim

Okay, but what if you tried everything and your Cavalier still doesn’t want to swim?

Personally, I wouldn’t push your dog. The fact is, some dogs just don’t like water, as I said earlier. Some dogs don’t even like getting a bath, so it’s no wonder some dogs wouldn’t want to swim, especially if they’re unsure if they can even swim!

Consider taking your dog swimming on another day. If he still doesn’t want to swim, then I think it’s best if you just don’t force him, as he probably doesn’t like water.

Conclusion

So, can Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels swim, then? Absolutely. Just note that not all dogs are perfect at swimming and that some dogs don’t even like the water at all.

So, do you have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? If so, does he like to swim? If so, let us know in the comment section below!

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Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark A Lot?

I’ve never heard of anyone who likes a dog that barks all day. Just having to listen to constant noise is annoying. So, a logical question you’d ask is, “Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels bark a lot?”

Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels aren’t generally excessive barkers, though they won’t hesitate to bark if they want something or think something comes across as a threat. If your Cav starts to bark all of a sudden, it’s important that you understand why so you can deal with the source appropriately.

So, why is my Cavalier barking? Let’s find out!

A face of a black, white and brown Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with his tongue out in front of a wood board background
Image by Volker Glätsch from Pixabay 

Why Does My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Bark?

So, why does your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel bark? Well, typically speaking, your Cav is likely barking for one of five reasons: they see a car, a person, or a dog; they have separation anxiety; or they are in pain.

They See A Car, Person, A Cat, Or Another Dog

First off, your dog may see a car, a person, a cat, or another dog.

The fact is, dogs tend to bark at people, cats, cars, and other dogs. It’s in their nature.

Why? Well, they probably think that it’s a threat (and sometimes it is a threat) and are trying to alert you.

They Want Your Attention

Another reason that they may be barking is that they want something like food or water.

It’s also possible that they just want a treat. I know my dogs love treats and will beg for them, and I’m sure your Cavalier does too.

They Are In Pain

There is also a possibility that your dog is in pain.

This is likely the case if your dog is on the ground, barking and howling. While dogs don’t always express pain or discomfort, they will if it’s bad enough.

There are a number of reasons why he may be in pain. They may have a broken bone, an illness, or an internal or external injury.

They Have Separation Anxiety

Another reason why they are barking is that they have separation anxiety.

If you don’t know what separation anxiety is exactly, it’s what it says; it’s a behavior disorder when they get anxious when they are separated from their owners.

All dogs are capable of getting this. If you believe your dog has this, don’t worry. It’s very common.

How To Help A Cavalier Puppy With Separation Anxiety

A black, white and brown Cavalier King Charles Spaniel laying down on a couch
Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay 

So, if you think your dog has separation anxiety, a logical question that comes to mind is, “How do I help my Cavalier feel safe and comfortable?”

Before we talk about how to help a dog with separation anxiety, let’s look at the signs according to the AKC first. They are …

  • Your dog whines, paces, or whimpers when you are gone or preparing to leave.
  • Excessive barking or howling when you are gone.
  • destructive when left alone and tears apart shoes and digs into couches, especially around windows.
  • Potty accidents in the house (urinating and defecating on the ground)
  • Excessive drooling, panting, and salivating
  • Desperate and prolonged attempts to escape confinement

So, how can you help your Cavalier with separation anxiety? Let’s find out.

Exercise Your Dog

Exercising your dog won’t cure separation anxiety (SA), though it can help treat and prevent it in the first place. This includes both physical and mental exercise. 

This is even more important for larger dogs that require more exercise, but even though your Cav is a small dog, that doesn’t mean exercise won’t help.

Crate Train Your Dog

Crate training is a good way to help treat SA. When your Cavalier is crate trained, it can be properly trained in the crate and will feel safe and calm in it.

The way to do this is to associate his crate with toys and fun so that he won’t feel confined or scared when he’s in his crate.

Play It Cool & Promote Independent Behavior

Another way to help SA is to play it cool and promote independent behavior.

The trick here is to train your dog so that they can sit and stay. These two commands will help a lot when you’re training your dog to be more independent.

While you’re home, get your dog being used to being in a room alone. After your dog has been trained to sit and stay, go to a room and tell him to stay and wait for a few minutes, then slowly lengthen the time he stays and begin to move farer away from your dog just a little every time you do this exercise.

Medication & Natural Supplements

Unfortunately, sometimes counter-condition just won’t do the trick and medication or natural supplements are necessary.

Some vets recommend amitriptyline, an anti-depressant used for dogs. A natural supplement you may consider giving your dog is CBD or valerian though always contact your vet when you’re considering medication or natural supplements.

How To Stop Your Cavalier From Barking 

So, we now know why your dog is barking. what do we do when we want to stop our dog?

There are a lot of ways you can do this. Let’s look at a few.

Gently Telling Them To Stop 

While this may be obvious, sometimes you can simply tell your dog to stop.

Just make sure you aren’t too stern, as it may scare your dog. Just gently tell them to stop. If they are really troubled, you may have to tell them to stop a few times.

Stopping The Source

If telling them to stop doesn’t help, then find out what the source is and deal with it appropriately.

If it’s a cat or perhaps another dog outside, wait for it to leave, though if it doesn’t leave, consider talking to their owner if they know them and ask them to take their dog out of your yard.

If it’s a passing car, truck, or person, they should leave soon. Simply wait for them to leave and the barking should stop.

Distract Them From The Source

If there is a car, truck, or person outside, but they aren’t leaving, find out what they are doing. But, if you find out what they’re doing and they don’t have to be worried about, distract your dog from the source.

You may have to just hold them or perhaps you will have have to get their favorite toy or a treat box and rattle it. Just find whatever you can that they like and will distract them.

Provide Them With What They Want

If they are simply barking because they want attention or something (like food, water, or a treat), then give them what they are wanting.

It’s likely that they just want attention, as these dogs love attention and always need it, but it’s also likely that they want food, water, or perhaps a treat.

Check their food and water bowl and see if they are full. If they are, they likely just want attention or treats.

Speak Quietly And Act Calm

If your dog is getting excited because they heard a dog howl or bark or a siren, for an example, then try to be as calm and quiet as you can.

When you are quiet, it shows them that they don’t have anything to worry about and that they should calm down.

Crate Train Your Dog

Something you might not have thought about is crate training your dog so that, when they are barking a lot, you can send them to their crate.

If you trained your dog properly, you probably already crate trained your dog. If you still need to crate train your dog, I recommend checking out this article from PetMD.

Take Them Outside

While this won’t stop your dog from barking, it can take them away from the source (for example, if it’s on TV) or will help them get their barking out of their system if it’s outside.

Should I Use A Muzzle? 

If you just tried everything and your dog still is barking, or if your dog is barking often, a question you may ask is “should I use a muzzle?”

Many dog owners don’t like the idea of putting a muzzle on their dog, and while I don’t recommend it, I don’t see any harm in it.

Just note that you may have a hard time putting the muzzle on your Cavalier. The fact is, dogs just don’t like having muzzles on their snouts!

Conclusion

So, do Cavaliers bark a lot? Cavaliers do like to bark, though they aren’t always excessive barkers.

Do you have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? If so, do they bark a lot? Let us know in the comment section below!

Featured Image Attribution: Image by -Rita-👩‍🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay 

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How Much Exercise Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Need?

We all know that all dogs require at least some exercise, but some dogs require more than others. So, a logical question when you’re planning on adopting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is “How much exercise does a Cavalier need?”

Generally, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very versatile dogs and can be either very sporty or your regular couch potato, but even couch potatoes need exercise. So, you’re going to want give your Cavalier daily exercise. For fun ways to exercise your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and how often you should walk your Cavalier, I suggest you keep reading.

Image by Alexa from Pixabay (Image Was Cropped For Quality Reassurance)

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Hyper?

As I mentioned earlier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be both couch potatoes or a very sporty dog, though all Cavaliers can be hyper at times.

This is especially true with puppies. All puppies, even though they do sleep a lot, are very energetic and love to run and play.

Fun Outdoor Activities For Your Cavalier

So, what are some fun outdoor activities that you can do with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

There are many, but today we will be looking at 7; playing fetch, walking and jogging, going to a dog park, having playdates, going swimming, geocaching, camping, and going on hikes.

Fetch

While fetch is a very common activity for dogs, that doesn’t mean that you have to disregard it.

Fetch is a fun activity that is entertaining for both your and your dog and will help give your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the exercise he needs.

Walks

Walking and jogging is also a common activity and it’s not always super fun, but it all has to do with where you walk!

Walking in your neighborhood won’t be nearly exciting for you or your dog as walking and jogging on a trail in the forest.

Walking is filled with new experiences for both you and your dog, especially if you walk in a new area you never went to before.

Going To A Dog Park

Going to a dog park has both pros and cons. On one hand, it’s a fun place for your dog to meet other dogs and to run and play with them, but on the other hand, it can easily be a bad influence.

Let me explain. When you take your dog to a dog park, it may feel to your dog that he can do as he pleases and may develop an independent and defiant nature.

Playdates

While going to a dog park is like taking your dog on a playdate with another dog, having a playdate is generally smaller and has fewer dogs.

Just, like going to a dog park, it’s possible that your dog will become defiant and stubborn.

Swimming

Swimming is a fun activity for both you and your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Not only is it fun, but it’s also a great way to get the exercise both you and your dog needs.

If you’d like to learn more about if Cavaliers can swim, I recommend checking out the article I made about this subject.

Geocaching

Geocaching is a lot like a treasure hunt, only you add to the treasure and take it for yourself. Also, the “treasure” is generally not that valuable.

If you’re still confused about geocaching, geocaching is an “outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world,” according to Wikipedia.

Geocaching offers new animals to see, smells to smell, and sounds to hear. Just be prepared in case you get lost.

Camping

Camping is another fun activity that you and your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can do together.

Just note that Cavaliers have a high prey drive and should always be on a leash whenever he is outside.

Hiking

Lastly, hiking is a fun way to get the exercise you and your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs.

Just remember if you still haven’t got a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel yet that you start out slow after you let your Cavalier settle in. It’s possible that their previous owner (if they had one) never even hiked before and that your Cavalier is completely new to it.

If you’d like to learn more about going hiking with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, I made an entire article on this subject.

It goes much more into depth about if they can, how long they can hike, what you need before you hike, and the health conditions that effect how long your Cavalier can hike. Here’s the link.

How Often Should You Walk a Cavalier?

Generally, you’re going to want to have 1-3 brisk walks with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel every day.

Note that these dogs don’t have to be exercised very much as they, while very active, aren’t the most active dogs ever.

How Long Can A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Walk?

In total, you’re going to want to walk your dog for about 1-2 miles every day.

I wouldn’t go more than 3 miles every day. It’s just not healthy for them to have to walk that far every day.

Fun Indoor Activities For Your Cavalier

So, now you know some fun outdoor activities, what about indoor activities?

Sometimes, we need to play indoors. We all know there was a time when had to not just to long ago and for some of us, we have to stay inside for various reasons.

Now, let’s look at some fun indoor activities!

Hide & Seek 

Hide and seek is a fun one that is easy to do. Simply tell your dog to sit and when you’re hiding, tell your dog to come to you and watch them try to find you.

While hide and seek doesn’t necessarily provide much physical exercise, it certainly provides mental exercise which is just as important.

Find The Treasure

Find the treasure is a fun game for your dog where there are 3 plastic cups, one with tricks under it and two without.

The aim of the game is to find the cup with the treats under them. This makes them use their nose and actually smell out the treats.

Obstacle Course

Making an obstacle course is one of my favorite indoor activities because you can use indoor objects that you usually don’t have any use for.

You can use boxes, lamp poles, or anything else you just have laying around your house. The goal is to make a fun obstacle course for your dog to go through to test his wits and strength.

Just note that not all dogs will necessarily want to go through an obstacle course so some dogs will while others don’t. So, don’t be too surprised if your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel doesn’t want to go through it.

Conclusion

So, how much exercise do Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need? Generally, you’re going to want to walk your dog about 1-3 times a day, but there are other fun outdoor and indoor activities you can do like hiking, camping, and making an obstacle course.

So, do you have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? If so, how much exercise do they get? Let us know in the comment section below!

Image by Anna Dankowska from Pixabay 

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Are Chiweenies Hyper? – What You Need To Know

Some people are very active, while others are just more laid back and don’t want to deal with a super active dog, so a question you may ask is “Are Chiweenies hyper?”

Chiweenies can be very hyper and playful when they want to be. Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren’t. They typically aren’t excited without a reason, however. They might just be in a playful mood or they may see a mate. Whatever it is, make sure you know what it is so you can deal with the source appropriately.

Daily Exercise Requirements For Chiweenies

Okay, Chiweenies are hyper, but what are their daily exercise requirements? Well, typically they aren’t extremely active, but they do require regular exercise.

Just make sure that they are properly exercised. This may just be a few brisk walks a day and a weekly visit to the dog park. But if you don’t want to have to walk them everyday, you should probably consider getting a fenced-in backyard if you haven’t already.

. We will talk more about exercise options in the next section.

a brown Chiweenie standing in grass between two rocks

Fun Outdoor Activities For Chiweenies

Great, now you know their daily exercise requirements, but how do you make exercising your dog actually fun outdoors? Well, in this section, we will be answering that question.

Let’s look at a few fun activities you can do with your Chiweenie.

Fetch

While fetch is a very common activity to do with your dog, I don’t think you should overlook it.

Fetch is not only easy to play, but it’s entertaining for both you and your Chiweenie and will give your dog the exercise he needs.

Walks & Jogs 

Walking and jogging is also a very common activity for dog owners, but it all has to do with where you actually walk and jog.

While walking in your neighborhood might not be super exciting, walking in the woods is a lot more exciting.

Walking and jogging will also open up the opportunity for your dog to meet other dogs, see new sights, and smell new smells. It’s also an opportunity for your Chiweenie to run away, so keep him on a leash!

Going To A Dog Park 

Going to a dog park has it’s pros and cons. While in the one hand, going to a dog park will give your dog the opportunity to play with other dogs, it can also give your dog the idea that he doesn’t need and can do whatever he wants.

So, should you even go to a dog park? Well it’s up to do you. Just remember the cons if you do decide to take your dog to a dog park.

Swimming

Swimming is also a fun activity that you and your dog can both do together.

Swimming is fun and gives your dog the exercise he needs. Just make sure that you’re sure that your dog knows how to swim well. While it’s typically said that dogs are born swimmers, not all dogs are exceptionally amazing at it.

Bird Watching

While bird watching may not be as of an popular activity amongst dog owners as fetch, hear me out.

Bird watching is a fun activity and your dog can go right along with you in your bird watching adventures. Bird watching will not only give you and your Chiweenie the exercise you need, but it can be a fun activity as well.

Fun Indoor Activities For Chiweenies 

Sometimes we can’t go outside, so what are some fun activities for indoors?

There are many different fun activities that you can do with your with Chiweenie, but in this article, we will be looking at 3.

Obstacle Course

Obstacle courses are one of my personal favorites on this list because you can make it as hard or easy as you please and you get to take advantage of household items.

Do note that there is no guarantee that your dog will actually go through the course, however! So, just keep that in mind!

Obedience Training

While obedience training doesn’t sound very fun, it will help you and your Chiweenie a lot, especially if you have a puppy.

Consider teaching your Chiweenie how to sit, stay, beg, “talk,” and roll over. While some of these are simply for fun and to teach your Chiweenie to be obedient, other commands like sit are very useful in every day life.

Hidden Treasure

Dogs have amazing senses of smell and what better way to actually use that smell than finding treasure?

In this game, you put your dog somewhere that he can’t see you while you take 3 containers, 2 with nothing in them then with one with your dog’s favorite dog treats. Then, let him pick the box that he thinks has the treat under it.

Why Is My Chiweenie Acting Excited?

Okay, I know what are some fun outdoor and indoor activities for my dog and I, but why is my dog acting so excited?

Well, they likely see a car, person, or a dog of the opposite sex. Whatever it is, make sure you know what is making him so excited.

How To Calm A Chiweenie Down

Now, let’s look at how to calm a Chiweenie down if he’s nervous. There are a few ways to calm a chiweenie down. Let’s look at them.

Speak Quietly 

The first thing you’ll want to do when calming down a Chiweenie is speaking quietly. Speaking quietly will help your Chiweenie relax because it shows that you are calm and confident and that they don’t have any reason to get so excited.

This makes sense saying that speaking very loudly will provoke a dog and make him more nervous, but talking quietly will sooth a dog and make him calm.

Hold Your Dog & Show It Some Love

If you’re Chiweenie is scared or excited, holding him and showing him some love will help calm him down.

When you hold your dog, he will feel safe and loved and should eventually calm down.

Stop The Source

Stopping the source of his excitement is ultimately the best way to stop your dog’s excitement or anxiety.

As I mentioned earlier, the source may be a person, another dog, or just a car passing by.

If it’s simply a car passing by or the UPS truck coming to deliver your packages, simply wait it out. They will leave soon and there isn’t much you can do about it.

If it’s another dog that you don’t know, wait for it to leave, but if you do know that you dog is friendly, you could probably run it off (in a nice way, of course). But, if you don’t want to, you could probably talk to it’s owner to get their dog.

Conclusion 

So, are Chiweenies hyper? Yes, Chiweenies can be very hyper, but it’s typically for a reason. Make sure that you know why he is hyper so that you can deal with the source appropriately.

Do you have a Chiweenie? If so, do they get hyper a lot? Let us know in the comment section below!

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Are Chiweenies Affectionate? (Answered)

We all like a dog that is affectionate, right? So, when you’re planning on getting a Chiweenie, a logical question you’d ask is “Are Chiweenies affectionate?”

Yes, Chiweenies are very affectionate. My Chiweenie loves to get on my lap and be petted. He also loves to get in bed with me and snuggle. Do note, however, that Chiweenies can get aggressive. I will be talking more about what to do with an aggressive dog later in this article.

a brown chiweenie dog sitting down on grass

Are Chiweenies Good With Children? 

Another question you may ask is “are Chiweenies good with children?” Typically speaking, you will want to have him around older children who can handle him properly.

The fact is, Chiweenies can have bad back problems, and children who can’t handle them properly can end up hurting their Chiweenie even if they don’t mean to. This is why I generally recommend that they be with children 12 or older.

Can Chiweenies Be With Babies?

Chiweenies should always be supervised with babies, especially if they are young. While your Chiweenie probably won’t try to hurt them, he may hurt them on accident.

On the other hand, your Chiweenie may accidently hurt your Chiweenie if they’re older. Though babies aren’t very strong, they can knock things over and scare or even hurt your Chiweenie if you do not watch them.

Are Chiweenies Loyal?

It really depends on the individual. While some Chiweenies are loyal, my Chiweenie, for instance, is everything but loyal!

I wrote another article on this subject if you’d like to learn more about it. If you’re interested, you can check out the article here.

Are Chiweenies Aggressive?

Typically speaking, Chiweenies are not aggressive, though they can be for various reasons, which I will talk about later in this article.

To avoid aggression, always be gentle with your Chiweenie and never rile him up and make him irritated. Also, make sure to keep him clean and healthy as some diseases, like Rabies, can make dogs aggressive.

What To Do If Your Chiweenie Is Aggressive

Now, we know that Chiweenies aren’t typically aggressive, though they can be if they feel like they need to be. So, what if your Chiweenie gets aggressive?

Let’s find out.

Back Away

If your Chiweenie is very aggressive, the first thing you should do is back away.

If you do this, your Chiweenie can have time to relax and won’t feel challenged in any way and end up hurting someone.

Talk To Them In A Soft Voice

Talking to them in a quiet and soft voice should help calm them down if you talk softly enough.

Whatever you do, never make any loud noises that can startle your dog. This can make them feel threatened and may even try to bite you if they’re angry enough.

Stop The Source of Their Anger

Lastly, find out why they’re mad and stop the source. It could be another dog, a cat, or even you. 

Of course, if it’s you, you have full control of what you do, but if it’s a cat or another dog, then you have another story.

If your dog sees a cat or another dog, try to distract him as best as you can. Also, putting him on a leash will give you more control over him. This is why leashes are recommended so often, especially for dogs who has a strong prey drive.

Can Chiweenies Be With Other Dogs? 

My Chiweenie loves his dog friend, Lexi, and I don’t think that you would have any problems with having another dog. Just make sure they are properly introduced.

But, I would still slowly introduce them to each other. While they are generally nice to other dogs, you never know when one might get aggressive.

Can Chiweenies Be Around Other Pets Other Than Dogs?

While Chiweenies can be around other dogs, I’d be a bit more hesitant to keep a Chiweenie and a different pet that is other than a dog.

While Chiweenies are very affectionate dogs, they can still hurt other animals. My Chiweenie, for example, tried to kill our chickens many times.

Conclusion

So, are Chiweenies affectionate? Yes, Chiweenies are very affectionate! Just be careful when he is around children and when he first meets another dog.

Do you have a Chiweenie? If so, do they like to cuddle? Let us know in the comment section below!

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Are Chiweenies Hypoallergenic? – Answered!

Some of us are allergic to dog hair, and we all know that most dogs shed a lot, while others don’t shed nearly as much. So, a question that you may ask is, “Are Chiweenies hypoallergenic?”

Unfortunately, no, Chiweenies are not hypoallergenic. In fact, Chiweenies shed a lot. Expect to find their hair on everything they sit and lie on, like the couch, the rug, their dog bed, your bed (if they lie on it a lot), and you.

A brown chiweenie dog in a blue blanket
Attribution: Photo by Michelle Colan on Facebook

What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?

Before we continue, I’d like to just clarify what “hypoallergenic” actually means.

Hypoallergenic means that the thing that it describes (in this case, a dog) is only slightly allergenic and is not likely to cause allergies.

Chiweenies do shed a lot of their hair, which people with dander allergies cannot be around, so Chiweenies are not hypoallergenic.

How Often Should I Bathe My Chiweenie? 

Okay, now we know what hypoallergenic means and if Chiweenies are hypoallergenic, but how often should you bathe a Chiweenie?

It really depends on how often he’s outside, but I recommend bathing a Chiweenie at least once a month or when he needs it.

Chiweenies are fairly clean, even if they can get into some messes at times, so you really don’t have to bathe them too much.

Can Chiweenies Get A Long Coat?

Chiweenies can have all three types of coats; long, medium-length, and short.

My Chiweenie, Miles, has a short, brown coat, but other Chiweenies may have longer coats. It really depends on the individual.

Should I Trim My Chiweenie’s Coat?

No, it simply isn’t necessary. In fact, the only time you should trim your Chiweenie’s coat is under recommendation from your veterinarian.

You see, many Chiweenies don’t even have a long coat, and the Chiweenies with long coats won’t have their coat grow past a certain length.

 Basic Chiweenie Grooming 

Now, we know that Chiweenies are not hypoallergenic and their coats don’t need to be trimmed, but what about their basic grooming requirements?

Let’s find out.

Bathing Your Chiweenie 

You’re going to want to bathe a Chiweenie once a month on average, or every time he gets into a mess.

You may also want to get a dog-safe shampoo. I recommend checking out this article from The Spruce Pets if you want to know more about the best dog shampoos.

Trimming Their Nails

Make sure that you trim your chiweenie’s nails. Why not trim their nails? Well, not only can they easily scratch people, but their nails can also grow into their own paws!

Also, remember to not cut past the quick. If you do happen to cut past the quick, your Chiweenie will always remember that time and will likely be hesitant to let you handle their paws again.

Checking & Cleaning The Ears 

Dogs will often get ear infections, so that’s why it’s necessary that you check your dog’s ears often.

The typical symptoms of ear infections include whining, scratching of the ears, and head shaking. I recommend checking out this article from the AKC if you’d like to learn more about the symptoms, treatment, and causes.

Cleaning Their Teeth

Lastly, while you may not think about cleaning your dog’s teeth, that doesn’t mean that you should consider it unnecessary.

I recommend that you brush your Chiweenie’s teeth regularly. By brushing your dog’s teeth, you can be assured that your dog’s teeth will be clean and will be less likely to rot and decay as your dog gets older.

Conclusion 

So, we learned that what hypoallergenic actually means and that Chiweenies aren’t hypoallergenic. We also learned that Chiweenies can get long coats, but they don’t have to be trimmed because it stops growing after a certain length.

Do you have a Chiweenie? If so, let us know in the comment section below!

Featured Image Attribution: Image By Cynthia Denham Wright on Facebook

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Are Chiweenies Loyal? – What You Need To Know!

We all want a dog that’s loyal, right? A dog that’s loyal will always stay by your side and will do what you tell them to, so a logical question you may ask when you are planning on getting a Chiweenie is “Are Chiweenies loyal?”

Sometimes, Chiweenies can be loyal, while other times, not so much! The fact is, it really depends on the individual and if they have been trained properly. My Chiweenie, Miles, is everything but loyal, though other Chiweenie owners seem to have more loyal dogs. Make sure you train him properly. Even though Chiweenies aren’t huge dogs, that doesn’t mean they don’t have to be trained properly.

black and white photo of a chiweenie dog standing on pavement
Attribution: Image By Carrie Reaves on Facebook

Should My Chiweenie Be On A Leash?

Chiweenies should be on a leash at all times unless he or she is in a fenced-in yard. Even though they can be loyal, I don’t believe in taking many chances.

I recommend that you have at least a small fenced-in backyard if possible. Chiweenies are active dogs and should have regular exercise, but you may not always have the time to walk your dog every single day.

Can Chiweenies Get Small Dog Syndrome?

Yes, Chiweenies can get small dog syndrome if you aren’t careful!

If you’re a confused about small dog syndrome, let me explain. small dog syndrome is a behavior issue that is developed in small dogs when the dog feels like he is the leader of the pack.

Typically, a dog with small dog syndrome will be disobedient and aggressive. If you’d like to learn more about this dog, I highly recommend that you check out another article I wrote about what it is, it’s causes, and how to fix it. If you’re interested, here’s the article.

What Should I Do If My Chiweenie Is Disobedient?

Now, what do you do if your Chiweenie is disobedient? First of all, try not to get angry. I know how it feels to deal with a disobedient dog (trust me, I had plenty of experience), but getting angry won’t help you or your dog. So, try to relax.

Second, you can gently tell your dog that he shouldn’t be disobedient. Personally, I might spank my dog just hard enough to tell him he did wrong. But, don’t hurt your dog, as he will become scared of you if you do.

Lastly, see if you can find a way to prevent him from doing what he did or didn’t do. For example, if he ran away from home, find out how he did it and find out how to stop him from getting out again.

What To Do If Your Chiweenie Runs Away

Okay, let’s just say your Chiweenie is actually running away from you (or perhaps you’re in this scenario right now). What do you do?

Let’s find out.

Relax

The first step is one of the most crucial steps. That is to relax! I’m not trying to say that you can simply forget about your dog, but panicking and running all around won’t do you or your dog any good.

Use Your Recall Word

Ideally, when you train your dog, you should always have trained your dog to recall a word or phrase. This recall word is basically an emergency call, so when you say it, your dog will immediately come to you.

Of course, not everyone has trained their dog to respond to a recall word, or perhaps he still won’t stop even if you say the recall word. If this is the case, go to the next step.

Entice Your Dog To Come Back

Sometimes, you may have to entice your dog to come back to you. Get him his favorite toy or perhaps a treat box.

If you have a toy, gently lie on the ground and pretend that you are playing with it. If it can squeak, then squeak it a lot.

If it’s a treat box, rattle it a lot and call his name. This should perk him up and if he’s interested enough he should come to you.

Why Did My Chiweenie Run Away From Me?

Typically speaking, when a dog runs away from you, it’s one or all of these three things: he’s bored, he sees a mate, or his prey drive is kicking in.

Dogs that are bored will tend to destroy things like couches and shoes. If you think your dog has been tearing up a lot of things, this is a sign that he has been very bored lately.

If you suspect he might have run away from home because he said something that he wanted to hunt, like a squirrel, for example, find out how he ran away and make sure that he can’t escape again.

Are Chiweenies Aggressive To Strangers?

My Chiweenie is not aggressive to strangers. In fact, he jumps into their laps and rolls over on his back and most Chiweenies are pretty friendly, but that doesn’t go for every individual.

As I stated before, a dog with small dog syndrome will likely be aggressive towards strangers. This is because they want to try to show them that they are the boss, or “leader of the pack.”

I recommend that you be very cautious when you are around strangers until you know how your Chiweenie will act.

Are Chiweenies Protective of Their Owners? 

Frankly, my Chiweenie is not protective of me and will probably run away at any chance he gets, though Chiweenies are very good at barking and will alert you if they think there is something they should be afraid of.

Just note that, unfortunately, they can’t protect you that well if you are being threatened. The fact is, Chiweenies are very small and won’t be able to defend anyone against anything very big.

Conclusion 

So, are Chiweenies loyal? It seems that it really depends on the individual. Many have had loyal Chiweenies, while others (like myself) don’t.

Do you have a Chiweenie? If so, is it loyal? Let us know in the comment section below!

Featured Image Attribution: Image by Sean Zarella on Facebook

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