Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppies for Sale
Recognized by: AKC, FCI, KC, UKC
About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel blends the sweetness of a toy breed with the playful spirit of a spaniel, and the result is one of the most adaptable companions in the toy group. Cavaliers are gentle, affectionate, and eager to please, happy to romp in the yard one moment and curl into your lap the next. They tend to love everyone they meet, which makes them delightful family dogs and easy first pets, but also poor guard dogs and unhappy loners; this is a breed that genuinely wants to be with its people. Their moderate energy suits apartments and houses alike, satisfied by daily walks and play, and their trainability and soft temperament make them a pleasure to teach. The silky coat with its feathered ears and legs needs regular brushing to stay tangle-free but is otherwise low fuss. The single most important thing a Cavalier owner can do is choose a health-conscious breeder, because the breed carries a well-documented risk of heart disease and a neurological condition, and careful screening of the parents matters enormously. Given good breeding, routine veterinary care, and plenty of companionship, a Cavalier is an affectionate, portable, wonderfully people-oriented dog.
Every dog is an individual — genetics, socialization, health, training, and environment matter more than breed averages.
Typical tendencies
Scored against PuppyList’s editorial rubric. Tendencies, not guarantees.
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Browse all puppiesWhere this breed shines
- Gentle, affectionate, and adaptable to apartments or houses
- Eager to please and easy to train, well suited to first-time owners
- Sociable with children, strangers, and other pets
Things to consider
- Well-documented breed risk of heart disease, making breeder selection critical
- Dislikes being left alone and can develop separation anxiety
- Silky, feathered coat needs regular brushing to prevent mats
- Trusting nature makes it a poor watchdog and vulnerable off leash
History
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel traces to the small toy spaniels favored by British nobility and depicted in Renaissance paintings. In the early 20th century, breeders worked to recreate the longer-muzzled spaniel of King Charles II's era, distinguishing it from the flatter-faced King Charles Spaniel. The AKC recognized the Cavalier in 1995, and it has since become one of the most popular toy breeds in the United States.
Temperament
Gentle, affectionate, and adaptable, the Cavalier is a quintessential companion that bonds closely with its family. It is friendly toward strangers, children, and other pets, and its eager, biddable nature makes training a pleasure. Happiest in company, it dislikes being left alone for long.
Questions to ask a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder
- Do the parents have cardiac clearances that follow the breed's age-based MVD breeding protocol?
- Have the parents been MRI screened for syringomyelia and Chiari-like malformation?
- Are there OFA patella and CAER eye clearances, and can you show the family's heart history?
Health considerations to discuss
Mitral Valve Disease (MVD). A degenerative heart-valve condition that is the leading health concern in the breed and can appear at a relatively young age; breeders are advised to follow cardiac screening protocols, and regular veterinary heart checks help monitor pets over time.
Syringomyelia and Chiari-like malformation. A neurological condition linked to skull and spinal-cord conformation that can cause pain and persistent scratching; MRI screening of breeding dogs informs responsible pairings, and ongoing scratching or discomfort warrants veterinary assessment.
Patellar luxation. Kneecap displacement occurs in the breed; OFA patella evaluation of breeding stock helps identify it, and a vet should assess any hind-limb hopping or lameness.
Inherited eye conditions. Cavaliers can develop hereditary eye problems; a CAER eye examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist supports early detection in breeding dogs.
Informational only — always consult a veterinarian and ask breeders for documentation. Sources: AKC Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed overview · American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club · OFA health testing database — written by PuppyList editorial
Questions worth asking about any Cavalier King Charles Spaniel litter
- Can I see the puppy and its mother — in person or on a live video call?
- What health checks, vaccinations, and vet visits has this litter had?
- How was the litter raised and socialized?
- What paperwork comes with the puppy (health records, registry papers if applicable)?
- What is your deposit, payment, and pickup/transport process?
Frequently asked questions
How do I buy a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy on PuppyList?
Browse the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel listings on this page, open one to see photos, details, and the breeder's information, then contact the breeder directly. PuppyList is a marketplace — you arrange the purchase with the breeder yourself.
How can I tell if a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder is trustworthy?
Contact the breeder, ask for recent photos or a video of the actual puppy, and confirm details before you commit. Never send money before verifying. See our listing guidelines for the full buyer-safety checklist.