The looks and names of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and King Charles Spaniel make it difficult to tell both breeds apart.
It’s not just people who are unfamiliar with these breeds that can’t tell one from the other, but professionals also find it hard to do.
The media often incorrectly describes most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the press as being King Charles Spaniels.
What is the difference between King Charles Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? Read on to find out the distinctions as well as the similarities of the 2 breeds.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs King Charles Spaniel: Are the two Breeds Related?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and King Charles Spaniel are related to each other. In fact, they used to be classified as one breed.
The first one that existed between the two breeds is King Charles Spaniel. His origins can be traced back to the 15th century in Great Britain. This toy dog breed was created to be a companion dog and became a hit to the British Royalty.
King Charles Spaniels, also known as English Toy Spaniels, gained famous fans. One of them was Queen Mary I of Scotland, who was deeply fond of the breed.
After she was beheaded, her black and white English Toy Spaniel refused to leave her side and died a few days later because of grief.
Another famous individual who fell in love with the breed is King Charles II. Both King Charles Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel were named after him.
In the 16th century, an emergence of a different-looking English Toy Spaniel with a longer muzzle, known as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, became popular.
Later on, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s popularity waned. However, there was a surge of interest in the 1920s when a wealthy American named Roswell Eldridge offered a cash reward to British breeders who could reproduce the breed.
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Are there 2 types of King Charles Spaniel?
No, there is only one type of King Charles Spaniel. King Charles Spaniel and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel were officially declared as two separate breeds by the UK Kennel Club in 1945.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs King Charles Spaniel: What Are Their Physical Differences?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed’s body is described as well-rounded with a hint of squareness. On the other hand, King Charles Spaniel has a pronounced square-shaped build.
Other features that distinguish these two toy dog breeds from each other are the shape of their heads and muzzles.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have flat heads and longer muzzles, whilst King Charles Spaniels sport domed heads and flat faces with upturned noses.
The Cavalier Charles Spaniel has compact, cushioned, and well-feathered feet. The King Charles Spaniel has the same, but occasionally, his central pad and nails fused together.
Some King Charles Spaniels are born with bobbed tails, and it is accepted in the breed standards. That’s because this is a trait that is unique to the breed and something that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cannot replicate.
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs King Charles Spaniel: Do Both Breeds Have the Same Coat Colours?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles Spaniel do share the same coat colours.
How many types of Cavaliers are there?
There are 3 variations of Cavaliers and are classified according to the coat colours that they have. This is also the same for the King Charles Spaniels.
Here are the different coat colours of the Cavalier and King Charles and their corresponding names:
- Blenheim: Red and white
- Prince Charles: A tricolour that consists of a white basecoat with large black patches and tan markings
- King Charles: Black and tan
- Ruby: Red
Both toy breeds may have the same coat colours, but their coats are distinct from each other.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed has a long and silky fur of moderate length. His coat should be straight. Any sign of wave or curling is undesirable.
Meanwhile, the King Charles Spaniel also sports a long and silky coat but heavy with a slight wave.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs King Charles Spaniel: Which Breed Sheds Heavily?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles Spaniel are both moderate shedders.
Owning one of these dogs means finding a good amount of hair all over your home. Luckily, brushing them once or twice a week will help manage their shedding.
It is recommended to use a pin brush or a soft slicker brush in combing their coats. These brushes are great at gently getting rid of mats and loose hair whilst massaging the skin and stimulating the distribution of natural oils.
Visiting the groomer every 4–6 weeks is also a great way to keep their coats tidy and reduce mats and tangles.
Will shaving aid in reducing dog hair in your home? No, it is not a good idea to shave double-coated breeds like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles Spaniel. Their fur will not grow back normally if it is shaved off.
Moreover, the double coat serves as a temperature regulator. Cutting it can also cause both breeds to have a hard time keeping themselves warm in winter and cool in summer.
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs King Charles Spaniel: Which Breed Is the Biggest?
Although both breeds are small dogs, they slightly differ in size. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a bit bigger than the King Charles Spaniel.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a height of around 30–33 centimetres (12–13 inches) and a weight of about 5–8 kilos (13–18 pounds). This breed is considered one of the largest toy dogs.
King Charles Spaniels are the opposite since they are the smallest Spaniel breed. These tiny dogs measure approximately 25–27 centimetres (10–11 inches) in height and 3–6 kilos (8–14 pounds) in weight.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs King Charles Spaniel: Which Breed Needs More Exercise?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles Spaniel are lapdogs. Unlike working dog breeds, they don’t have high levels of energy and only need minimal exercise.
However, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have more energy to exhaust than King Charles Spaniels. They need at least 45–60 minutes of exercise. On the other hand, King Charles Spaniels only require 30–45 minutes of exercise.
Both toy dog breeds will benefit from going on short walks and a few sessions of playtime daily. These activities alone will significantly expend their energy. Running off-lead in the back garden is also a simple but effective method to tire them out.
Care should be taken when exercising the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles Spaniel as they are brachycephalic breeds. Their smushed faces can cause breathing difficulties and heat intolerance.
Thus, overexercising should be avoided at all costs since it can result in heatstroke. Walking them outside during hot weather is not advisable too. It is best to do indoor exercise instead if the temperature is scorching outside.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs King Charles Spaniel: Will They Do Well in Apartments?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and King Charles Spaniels are toy dogs with low to moderate energy levels. Their compact bodies and low need for exercise make them highly adaptable for apartment living.
If you are worried about barking issues, it is not much of a problem since the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel rarely barks, whilst the King Charles Spaniel is a moderate barker.
Nevertheless, they should be trained at a young age to keep them from barking at anyone who passes by your flat.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs King Charles Spaniel: Are They Good Family Pets?
Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles Spaniel are adorable dogs with sweet and affectionate personalities. They were originally bred to be companion dogs, so they are great family pets.
Both toy breeds are lapdogs that cherish their time with their owners and spend long periods staying close to them.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and King Charles Spaniels are highly vulnerable to separation anxiety because of their strong fixation on their loved ones. They are not to be left at home for extended periods.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles Spaniel are great with children. However, they are better off as furry friends for older children than young ones.
As toy dogs, they are diminutive and fragile. Small children do not fully understand yet how rough-handling their canine companion can hurt and injure him.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs King Charles Spaniel: Which Breed Is for You?
These 2 breeds may be different from each other, but both of them are great canine companions. For dog owners who want a lively toy dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a good pick since he has more energy than the King Charles Spaniel.
In search of a small couch potato pooch? The King Charles Spaniel would be the better option. However, his exercise needs should not be neglected despite his low energy levels to keep a healthy and well-balanced toy spaniel.
