What is the Difference Between Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and King Charles Spaniel?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles Spaniel are two distinct breeds, although they share some similarities. Here are the main differences between the two:

Size and Height: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is slightly larger, with a height ranging from 12 to 13 inches (30-33 cm), while the King Charles Spaniel is smaller, reaching 9 to 11 inches (25-27 cm) in height.
Facial Features: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a flat skull, high-set ears, and a longer muzzle, while the King Charles Spaniel has a domed skull, lower-set ears, and a shorter muzzle.
Coat: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a straighter coat, while the King Charles Spaniel has a wavier coat.
Tail: The King Charles Spaniel sometimes has a docked tail, while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel never has this feature.
Ancestry and Purpose: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was developed to closely resemble the original spaniel owned by King Charles II, while the King Charles Spaniel has a longer history, dating back to the 15th century.

Both breeds are companion dogs, known for their friendly and affectionate nature. They are great family pets and do not require a lot of exercise.

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What is the Difference Between Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and King Charles Spaniel?

Comparative Table: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs King Charles Spaniel

Here is a table comparing the differences between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles Spaniel:

Feature	King Charles Spaniel	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Size	9-11 inches tall, 10-15 pounds	12-13 inches tall, 15-20 pounds
Appearance	Slightly wavy coat, proportional head, snubbed, turned-up nose, sometimes docked tail	Straight coat, long, straight muzzle, large eyes, never docked tail
Ancestry and Origin	Originated in England during the 1500s, also known as the English Toy Spaniel	Descends directly from the King Charles Spaniel, separated as a distinct breed in the 1920s
Behavior	Highly energetic, active, enjoys swimming, great lap dog	Slightly more energy than the King Charles Spaniel
Training	Easy to train	Easy to train
General Appearance	Compact, cobby, and essentially square toy dog	Well-balanced toy spaniel, slightly longer than tall
Head and Face	Domed head, flat face	Flat head, longer nose

While both breeds share similarities, they have distinct differences in size, appearance, and origin. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a slightly larger and more modern breed compared to the King Charles Spaniel.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.