DogExpress
If you ever wanted to know what puppy eyes look like, you can be sure that it never gets better than a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
These dogs are referred to as Cavies lovingly. They may be on the tinier side, but you can bet your bottom dollar that they would steal your heart.
These tiny babies are so athletic that it would surprise you. Some of them are bred for shows as well! So, you may want to know if you can buy and raise such a pup in India too. Here are a few things that you need to know in that regard.
Is Cavalier King Charles Spaniel popular in India?
These days, the toy breeds – or the smaller and cuter dogs – are becoming commoner in India. The number of people going for these breeds is always on the up. They may need more maintenance but are as cute as it gets.
Since most people live in apartments in this country, the tiny size of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels makes them such an ideal option for them.
Of course, they may need a lot of maintenance, as we have said already. However, that is not a hindrance to people who have the time, money, and inclination to raise them.
They are increasingly opting for these dogs. It indicates they are gaining in popularity at a steady rate.
Is Cavalier King Charles Spaniel available in India?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are available in India. However, you would have to search quite a lot for them. In these cases, it is always better to go for a breeder that is trustworthy and established. You may even look for families giving away these pups for adoption.
How much does Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cost in India?
The price of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy in India could be anywhere between Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 100,000. The basic puppies are worth the minimum figure that we have quoted over here.
The pups registered with the KCI (Kennel Club of India) cost more. If the puppies are good enough to be on shows, they may cost even more than a lakh rupee!
How much do you have to spend each month to maintain them?
You may have to spend anywhere between 2000 and 6000 rupees to maintain these pups every month.
As such, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not need a lot of grooming. However, make sure you are bathing and brushing them regularly. Trim their nails regularly as well as brush their teeth.
Their popularity and history of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Toy Spaniels were once a favorite of the royal families in Europe. Kings Charles and Charles II, his son, were known for their love of a specific breed of toy spaniels. These babies had hair like silk and big eyes.
It was alleged that King Charles was interested more in them than taking care of the state of affairs in his kingdom. This is how the name of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels came about.
With time and breeding, the original breed was replaced by another breed, which had a flatter nose in general. The reason is that dogs were bred with toy dogs from Asia, such as the Japanese Chin and Pugs.
However, a rich American named Rosswell Eldridge decided to offer a cash price to any breeder who could bring back the original breed – the ones with longer snouts. Thanks to the cash on offer, the breeders got the encouragement to bring back the older variety.
These were the ones that were now dubbed the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel after King Charles. They became popular and are now a toy breed that is as well-known as any.
Characteristics
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are said to grow to a height between 12 and 15 inches. Their weight also tends to vary between 5 kg and 8 kg. As far as the toy breeds are concerned, they happen to be the bigger ones.
They have mid-length fur and are typically available in combinations such as tan, black, white & chestnut, tricolor, and ruby. The tricolor dogs are a combination of black, white, and tan.
How is their temperament?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are absolute softies and can melt your heart. The breed has different personalities – some are affectionate and fun-loving, while others are stubborn and reserved.
A great way to understand how they are as individuals is by looking at them when they are pups. The ones more aggressive and rowdier would tend to bully their mates.
The shy babies would keep to themselves. However, they mostly crave companionship and human touch. They respond well to training when you are encouraging, patient, and usually soft-tempered.
They are athletic, and so they like to be active as well. However, these are household dogs as well. It means you cannot make them stay in a backyard or a room as they would always want to be around people.
Also, they are not the best option to have as guard dogs as they would bark only when they deem fit. However, they are friendly with strangers and children.
How long do they live?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, on average, live from 10 to 14 years.
Are these dogs hypoallergenic?
As bad as it may sound, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not hypoallergenic. They shed frequently. They do it so much that you have to get a vacuum cleaner. But, if you brush them regularly, you can bring down their shedding, and their coat will be tangle-free and a lot softer.
What is the average litter size of these dogs?
On average, these dogs would have a litter of 3-5 pups.
in Chandigarh, India. 
