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When your dog isn’t busy such as walking, playing or eating, you’ll often find him asleep.

Most dogs will simply chill out and sleep if they have nothing else to do and sleep levels tend to vary across age groups and, in some cases, breeds.

How long do Cavalier King Charles spaniels sleep?

On average, a healthy adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can sleep anywhere between 12 to 18 hours a day.

However, it’s important to note that every dog is unique, and the amount of sleep they require can vary depending on their age, activity level, health, and individual personality.

Younger puppies may require more sleep, while older dogs may sleep more due to decreased activity levels.

It’s also important to ensure that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation during their waking hours to prevent obesity and promote overall health and well-being.

As always, if you have any concerns about your dog’s sleep habits or overall health, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian.

How much do Cavalier King Charles puppies sleep?

Most Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppies will spend a lot of time resting and sleeping simply as a result of the demands of puppyhood and rapid growth.

Puppies tend to play furiously for a short time after which they will sleep, followed by more playing and more sleeping.

As your Cavalier puppy grows older his playtime activities will increase in time and his sleep levels will decrease.

A puppy can sleep for as many as 20 hours a day – or just less than the average human teenager.

Older dogs will sleep for longer too

As Cavaliers reach adulthood they will sleep for around 12 to 18 hours a day, which is very similar to the levels generally experienced in humans (which explains why you may find yourself dozing off when your dog sits watching TV with you).

Some older dogs can find themselves sleeping even longer than this.

Just like us older dogs often experience changes in their sleep patterns which can lead to longer periods of slumber.

Cavalier King Charles spaniels are so lazy they snooze with their eyes open

There is an unusual phenomenon that seems to affect Cavalier King Charles spaniels, particularly those with large open expressive eyes.

These dogs have a habit of sleeping – or appearing to sleep – with their eyes open.

Although they appear to be fast asleep, these dogs are actually just relaxed and enjoying a gentle doze, but because of the breed’s trademark large open eyes it looks as though they are wide awake.

Most Cavaliers will sleep for at least some time with their eyes open – although it is not yet known whether they are asleep or just relaxed when they do so.

How do I get a Cavalier King Charles spaniel to sleep?

Cavalier King Charles spaniels are by nature very good sleepers who seem to relish the chance to hit the hay – even if it isn’t really bedtime!

Most Cavaliers will simply settle down wherever they happen to be and then drift off into a peaceful slumber.

It is a little easier to get them to sleep, however, if they have a comfy bed to snooze on.

If you find that your spaniel is overly active at night then it’s possible that he isn’t getting the chance to use up his energy during the daytime.

Increase his exercise levels by taking him for longer walks or out more often.

Training exercises are a great way to challenge a spaniel mentally, and this mental stimulation is often a great way to wear out an energetic dog.

As is often the case with dogs, the techniques that work with children can also be effective with canines.

Lots of exercise, fresh air, food and a comfortable bed should get even the most energetic Cavalier King Charles off to sleep.

Are Cavaliers lazy dogs?

Any dog can be lazy and Cavaliers are no exception but it would be unfair to say that the breed, in general is lazy.

Like all dogs they can be very active or, for that matter, idle.

It really depends on their owners and how active they are.

Having said that, they do enjoy their creature comforts.

Why is my Cavalier King Charles spaniel sleeping so much?

While it’s quite normal for dogs, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, to sleep for a large portion of the day, excessive sleep could be due to various reasons.

Here are a few potential factors:

Age: Puppies and older dogs tend to sleep more than young adults and middle-aged dogs. If your dog is in one of these age brackets, increased sleep may be perfectly normal.

Activity Level: If your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not getting enough physical or mental stimulation during the day, they may sleep more simply out of boredom.

Health: Some health issues, like hypothyroidism, can cause your dog to sleep more than usual. Other symptoms of health issues can include changes in appetite or behaviour, weight loss or gain, or physical discomfort.

Diet: If your dog’s diet is not providing enough nutrients or energy, they may sleep more to conserve energy.

Changes in Routine or Environment: Changes to your dog’s routine or environment can cause stress or anxiety, which can in turn affect their sleep patterns.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s sleep patterns, it’s a good idea to consult with a vet. They can help rule out any potential health issues and give you advice tailored to your dog’s specific needs.

FAQs

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a popular dog breed with a sweet and gentle temperament.

As one of the smaller spaniel breeds, they require less exercise than their medium to large counterparts, but still need regular walks or playtime outside in order to be happy and healthy.

Read more for information on how much exercise does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need per day.

How much exercise does a Cavalier King Charles puppy need?

Although puppies seem to have bags of energy, they get tired quickly and will soon stop to rest.

Your Cavalier puppy will get plenty of exercise through playing in the house and you will only need to take him out when he needs the toilet – you should let him scamper around while he sorts himself out.

Too much exercise at a young age can do more harm than good and could result in bone or joint problems when the dog is older.

As your puppy increase in age, strength and size you can gradually increase the length of walks, exercise periods and playtimes.

What about older Cavalier King Charles spaniel, how much exercise should they have?

Older Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are more sedate and need only an hour of exercise each day.

This should be a gentle walk with some off the lead time in order to play and explore.

A lot will depend upon the general health of your spaniel and his levels of fitness.

As is the case with humans, if your Cavalier has led an active and healthy lifestyle as a younger dog then he is more likely to be able to enjoy longer walks and periods of exercise than a dog that has led a sedentary lifestyle.

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How can I improve my Cavalier’s exercise levels?

You should provide your Cavalier King Charles with a suitable environment and opportunities to exercise and play outside of the walks.

A secure and safe garden is a good place for him to run around, as well as providing space inside the home where he can scamper up and down stairs or jump on and off the furniture.

Providing a variety of toys, both for you to play with and for him to play with independently will also help him to get exercise when he needs it.

What are the best forms of exercise for a Cavalier King Charles spaniel?

Any type of exercise that appeals to his ‘spaniel needs’ will be great for your Cavalier.

When thinking about what you can do with him you should consider his instinctive desires as a hunting dog.

So, when exercising your spaniel:

Let him enjoy free running exercise when he can explore and get his nose down.

Encourage him to explore bushes, rushes and thick grass, anywhere where he can get into to explore.

Scent related activities are great forms of exercise for most dogs, and are one of the best for a spaniel.

Games such as ‘fetch’ where you throw or roll a tennis ball into some cover, such as long grass and where he has to use his nose to find it, are incredibly satisfying for spaniels.

Try canvas dummies, tennis balls, rolled up socks and anything that is reasonably soft that carries a smell.

This form of exercise challenges your spaniel’s brain and the combination of physical and mental activity will tire him out and keep him happy.

How far should you walk a Cavalier King Charles spaniel?

An average, healthy Cavalier King Charles spaniel should be able to walk around 4 to 5 miles.

This isn’t a distance that you should aim for every day and, in reality, you should be looking to walk your Cavalier for around a mile every day.

This can be on the lead, off the lead or a combination of both.

If you can include other exercise such as swimming, training and other activities then the overall distance can be reduced.

Of course length of walks will depend on weather and how much time you have – but your spaniel won’t be too bothered about either of those.

Extreme weather conditions and spaniel exercise

Just as with humans, dogs have a limited tolerance for extremes of temperature.

If you are walking your Cavalier King Charles spaniel in hot weather you need to be aware of the heat and take care not to overdo it.

There are several things that you can do to help protect him from getting too warm:

Don’t exercise him in really hot weather if you can avoid it, better to wait until later in the day when it has cooled down to take him for a walk.

Keep track of your dog’s hydration. Keep plenty of fresh drinking water available at all times, particularly when he is exercising. Don’t allow him to drink from stagnant water.

If he begins to pant excessively take this as a sign that you need to slow down and reduce the intensity of your walk so that he can cool down more efficiently.

In very hot weather you should also avoid exercising your dog in the middle of the day, or at least be sure not to exercise him for longer than a normal walk, or you could take him for a paddle or swimming.

Slowly acclimatising your Cavalier King Charles spaniel to warmer weather will allow him to cope with this better.

In cold weather it is important to consider the temperature and how this could affect your dog.

If he gets wet ( which is likely from snow and other adverse weather ) then he will quickly get cold and, like people, dogs can suffer from hypothermia ( getting too cold ) which can quickly become serious, and even fatal.

Although he will need to go out, regardless of the weather conditions, if the weather is brutal and cold then keep time outside to a minimum.

Consider also getting him a form of dog coat which will help to protect him from rain and wind and will provide a layer of insulation.

If you have a Cavalier King Charles spaniel then you will have noticed that as well as being a cute and playful dog, he has loads of energy and will play and stay active for most of the day.

You may wonder if he will ever calm down and, if so, when this will be.

Do Cavalier King Charles spaniels ever calm down?

Yes, they do calm down, but if you are asking when this occurs then the answer is that that will depend on the individual dog.

The key thing to remember with a Cavalier King Charles is that he is a spaniel and, as such, he has a love for life that exceeds that of many other dogs.

Simply put he enjoys life so much that, like every other spaniel breed, he will live it at full throttle, day after day after day.

As he becomes older then, just like a human being, he will slow down physically, so, yes, he will calm down.

The real question is probably more one of how do you help your Cavalier King Charles to control his love of life and become calm.

What things can calm a Cavalier King Charles spaniel down?

Almost all dogs love day to day life and will spend each day living it as though it is their last.

Every breed of spaniel has masses of energy which, when combined with their high levels of intelligence, results in a dog that needs daily challenges.

When you share your life with a Cavalier King Charles then he will want to be included in all of the things that you do each day.

If this is to work well for everyone involved then it is important that you make sure that his daily activities challenge him and provide him with opportunities to use up all of his physical energy.

If he only has the opportunity to exercise indoors then he may not calm down.

It is important that you give him plenty of exercise and time to run around outside even if this is only for a few minutes each day.

What do you need to do to help a Cavalier King Charles spaniel calm down?

If you want to have a Cavalier King Charles that is a good companion then you really should think about:

Training – this does not need to be an ordeal. Some basic spaniel training activities are easy, will be enjoyed by your dog and, once you realise that you can do them will be good fun for you too.

Playtime – spaniels love to play. Games that involve finding things when he can use his incredible sense of smell, are great activities for all breeds of spaniels. Play fetch with your Cavalier – he will love it.

Walks – Cavalier King Charles are often viewed as armchair spaniels that sit in peoples’ laps and rarely get any exercise.

Your Cavalier will love getting out and about. Let him off his lead and allow him to sniff, explore and run free.

Remember that spaniels are hunting dogs and they love to follow their noses – let your Cavalier explore.

Do Cavalier King Charles spaniels have lots of energy?

Yes they do and the important thing to remember is that if your dog is not given the opportunity to use this energy, it is possible that he will become destructive, hyperactive and difficult to live with.

If these things happen then it will be your fault, as an owner, for not providing your dog with the chances to learn and use up his day to day energy levels.

Do all spaniels calm down with age?

Most dogs do slow down at some point. This is particularly true of larger breeds of dog that are not as fast on their feet when they get older.

However there are also some smaller breeds that may never appear to be anything other than hyperactive little bundles of energy throughout their entire lives.

The question to ask yourself is whether you are willing to adapt your lifestyle so that it matches up with the energy levels of your dog?

If you need a low key, calm dog then think about choosing a breed of dog that fits this description – don’t go for an active spaniel-type if you want something different.

How do you calm down a Cavalier King Charles spaniel?

As with any dog, it is important that they are given the correct amount of exercise each day.

This does not need to be excessively strenuous but it should provide your dog with an outlet for their energy levels.

If your cavalier is becoming hyperactive then you should look at the amount of time that he has for activity each day.

If this is not enough then you need to find some activities that he can take part in.

How long should you walk a Cavalier King Charles spaniel?

It has been found that a 20-30 minute walk each day will be beneficial for your spaniel.

However, if you find that he is becoming hyperactive or you are finding it difficult to cope with his boundless energy levels then this length of walk may not be enough.

If this is the case then looking at how often you walk him each day is probably more useful.

How often should you exercise a Cavalier King Charles spaniel?

Ideally you should be giving your dog regular opportunities to run around and use up his energy.

If he has been inside for much of the day then this might not be possible each day though.

In this case, it is good to have a couple of activities that he can take part in.

Maybe one day you will walk him twice, another day you could play with him in the garden.

How else can you calm a Cavalier down?

There are lots of things you can do to help your dog calm down.  

Here are a few suggestions:

No attention seeking behaviour – some dogs find it difficult to cope with being ignored by their owners and this can lead to bad temperaments.

If your dog is constantly moping around the house, looking sad or waiting for you then he will become bored and hyperactive – he wants your attention.

Make sure that you spend time with your dog each day, just chilling out together.

If he is not getting enough attention then maybe try adding in some extra one to one time with him each day – e.g. playtime after work?

Exercise before feeding – feed your dog at least an hour before bed so that any chance of him getting up in the middle of the night is minimised.  

Exercise before bedtime can work wonders for your little one and help with settling time.

Create rest time – some dogs find it difficult to settle for their rest during the day and constantly want to play.  

You can try creating a den somewhere around your home (under a table, behind a sofa etc.) and encourage your dog to go there and sleep.

How can I encourage my dog to play more?

Playing with your Cavalier is one of the best ways to keep him healthy, happy and entertained.  Here are some ideas for what you could do:

Hide & Seek – hide some treats around the house for your dog to find then call him over and encourage him to get them.

Chase games – you can play chase with your dog using anything that he is happy to run after (a ball, a toy, his lead?), make sure you are both having fun!

Action Games – try working your dog on some tricks to make the time even more fun, use verbal commands and clicker training.

Find it – you can play this game with toys or food; give your dog the toy/treat then throw it across the room for him to find (you can throw it under or behind things).

 If you are playing with food then you will need to put it in something that will only release the pieces slowly.

Exercise – use any opportunity during the day when your dog is most hyperactive to encourage him to run about, chase games are great for this.  If he goes crazy at feeding time then you can try playing with him afterwards instead of just feeding him straight away.

Obedience Games – use some of your everyday tasks as ‘games’ to keep the fun alive and improve his training such as working on ‘sit’ or ‘down’.

You can also encourage problem solving in younger dogs using items such as Kongs stuffed with food, these need your dog to roll them about and manipulate them in order to get the treats out.

FAQs

If you have a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and are looking to breed or are thinking of getting a puppy then you may wonder just how large their litters are.

The average litter

Cavalier King Charles have a smooth, relatively short gestation period of between fifty five and sixty three days.

In this time they will typically produce one to six puppies with an average of 3.5 puppies being born.

If you are considering getting a puppy from a litter then it is worth remembering that litters which have been sired by a first time father tend to be larger than those that the mother has produced with her previous mate.

The number of siblings in each litter is largely due to chance and whether she mates with one male or several, but overall it is not unusual for litters of puppies to range from one or two up to five or six pups.

Mother’s age

The age at which a female Cavalier will first produce her own litter can vary.

A Cavalier King Charles should not really have a litter until she is at least two years old, this is true of any of the spaniel breeds.

A six year old mother may have already had several seasons before she produces her first young, whereas another that is younger may have already produced some puppies prior to this.

The average age for a female Cavalier to give birth to the first of many litters is three years old.

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Litter size and the number of puppies in each litter

The average litter size for a healthy Cavalier is one to six puppies, although it is not unusual for a first time mother to only produce two or three puppies.

The number of siblings each litter will depend on several factors:

Whether she mates with one male or several.

The number of previous seasons she has been in heat which determines how many eggs have been produced by her ovaries and whether they fertilised or not.

Generally a younger, less experienced mother will produce a smaller litter than a more seasoned bitch.

Should I get a male or female Cavalier King Charles spaniel?

If you are interested in getting a puppy from a litter you should consider what sex of puppy you would prefer.

There is no right or wrong choice, and many factors will influence your decision.

It’s important to remember that un-neutered males will need more attention, they are likely to be more boisterous and play harder than their female counterpart.

Males tend to be larger than females so be mindful of this when looking at where you’re going to place your new pet.

If space is limited then the best option may be a smaller, female Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

If you want an easy-going pet that can live happily in either a busy family environment or on its own with one or two other dogs then a female will be the best choice.