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King Charles Spaniel

Loved by 87% of pet parents

Charming, affectionate, and gentle, this breed loves close companionship and adapts well to quiet or active homes. Delightful expressive eyes and a sweet temperament make every day brighter.

Breed Characteristics

Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Playfulness
Adaptability
King Charles Spaniel dog breed

Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed.

HEIGHT

30–33 cm (male)

30–33 cm (female)

WEIGHT

5.9–8.2 kg (male)

5.9–8.2 kg (female)

LIFE EXPECTANCY

9–14 years

King Charles Spaniel: Breed snapshot

Everything you need to know about this beloved breed at a glance

King Charles Spaniel

Key Breed Characteristics

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Canidae

Genus

Canis

Species

Canis lupus familiaris

Diet

Omnivore

"A King Charles Spaniel isn't just a pet — they're a loyal companion, a playful friend, and a loving family member all in one."

Temperament & personality

Understanding King Charles Spaniel's temperament is key to knowing if they're the right match for your lifestyle.

Personality Overview

King Charles Spaniels are affectionate, gentle, and friendly companions known for their sociable and easygoing nature. They typically bond closely with their families and get along well with children and other pets.

Key Personality Traits

Friendliness

Affectionate with people and other animals

Intelligence

Learns commands and routines fairly quickly

Energy Level

Enjoys activity but not overly energetic

Playfulness

Likes interactive games and gentle play

Adaptability

Adjusts well to new environments and routines

King Charles Spaniel playing

Strengths

  • Affectionate with family members
  • Good with children and other pets
  • Adaptable to apartment living
  • Generally easy to train
  • Moderate exercise requirements

Challenges

  • Prone to heart and eye problems
  • Can develop separation anxiety
  • Requires regular grooming and brushing
  • Sensitive to heat and humidity
  • May bark excessively if not trained
King Charles Spaniel with family

Protect your King Charles Spaniel

King Charles Spaniel can develop heart disease and ear infections. PetSecur covers unexpected vet costs with quick payouts and personal service.

Intelligence & exercise needs

King Charles Spaniels are both highly intelligent and energetic, requiring mental and physical stimulation to thrive.

🧠 Intelligence & training

Trainability

Learns with consistency

Overall rating

This breed is moderately intelligent and eager to please, making them generally responsive to positive, consistent training. They learn basic commands readily, though patience is needed for more complex tasks.

Trainable Tasks:

Sit and stay commands
Recall training
Leash walking manners
Socialization with strangers
Crate training
Therapy dog tasks

🏃 Exercise & energy levels

Daily Exercise

30–45 minutes daily

recommended per day

King Charles Spaniels have moderate energy levels and require daily walks and play sessions for their physical health. Mental stimulation through interactive toys or gentle training helps keep them engaged.

Recommended Activities:

Gentle fetch games
Short daily walks
Indoor scent work
Agility for small breeds
Interactive treat puzzles
Cuddle and bonding time

Is this breed right for you?

King Charles Spaniels are versatile dogs that adapt well to many lifestyles, but they're not the perfect match for everyone. Here's a quick guide to help you determine if a King Charles Spaniel would fit well in your home.

First-time Owner

Great choice

Gentle nature and easygoing temperament make them suitable for novice owners

Apartment Living

Perfect fit

Small size and moderate exercise needs suit apartment environments well

Active Lifestyle

Moderately suitable

Enjoy playtime but may struggle with very high activity levels

Kids

Very friendly

Patient and affectionate with young children, but supervision is still needed

Multiple Pets

Highly suitable

Generally sociable and adapts well to living with other pets

Being Left Alone

Prone to anxiety

Dislike being left alone and may develop separation issues

Frequently Asked Questions about King Charles Spaniel

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about this breed

Interactive Tools

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