His intuitive nature also makes him a superb therapy dog. He can be a steady and willing competitor in obedience and rally, and excels in agility and flyball. He's a family dog who needs to be with his people and protected from excessive heat and cold.Ī Cavalier's natural animation and cheerfulness stand out in the show ring. It should go without saying that the Cavalier is not meant to live outdoors. All too often Cavaliers are hit by cars and killed when they chase a bird or ball-right into the street. When he sees a bird or other potential prey, everything else goes out of his head. He will also "hunt" butterflies and bugs and loves playing fetch with a ball or stuffed toy.Īlways walk the Cavalier on a leash. He often has the same "birdy" nature as his larger spaniel cousins, making him a good choice for people who want a dog who's not too big but still capable of going for hikes, chasing seagulls at the beach or even retrieving quail, given the training and opportunity. Although he's classified as a toy breed, the Cavalier is at the larger end of the size scale, weighing 13 to 18 pounds.
He's happy to loll around on the sofa with you all day but ready for action when it's offered. If you take a Cavalier puppy out on a regular schedule, reward him for pottying outdoors and limit his freedom in the home until he's reliable, there is no reason he can't be housetrained as well as any other breed.Īt his best, the Cavalier is an adaptable, flexible, hardy little dog. Toy breeds such as Cavaliers are sometimes difficult to housetrain, mainly because people don't put enough effort into it. They respond well to positive reinforcement techniques, especially when food rewards are offered, but harsh words will cause them to stop trying or even to hide. The sweet, placid Cavaliers sometimes have a reputation for being dumb, and the stubborn ones for being untrainable, but in general, these dogs are smart and learn quickly. Because of their small size, though, Cavaliers must be protected from clumsy toddlers who might fall on them or "pet" them with too much force.Ĭavalier temperament ranges from sweet and placid to hard-charging and, yes, stubborn. The dogs generally love kids and do well in families with older children who will throw a ball for them, teach them tricks or just hang out with them. The ideal home is one with a stay-at-home parent, work-at-home spouse or retired couple. A Cavalier will dog your footsteps throughout the day, from kitchen to bathroom to home office and back again and prefers not to be left alone for hours on end. Living with a Cavalier is like having your very own lady- or lord-in-waiting.
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