Reasons your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is so big include, not exercising enough, consuming too many calories, having a genetic predisposition, neutering or spaying, disease, or growing loads of fur which becomes matted.
If you’re a new dog owner, you don’t always know what to expect. Do you find yourself wondering why your dog is bigger than others of the same breed and sex? Do you worry that your dog is above the ideal size and weight?
We’ve got you covered.
Your Cavalier may be energetic as a pup, but weight can become an issue later.
In the rest of this piece, we will discover whether the Cavalier King Charles, or the King Charles Spaniel is the bigger dog, when you can expect them to reach their full size, and whether there are different sizes of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel available.
First though, let’s address the question of how big Cavaliers can grow.
How big can a Cavalier King Charles get?
A standard Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the only size recognised by both the Kennel Club in the UK and the American Kennel Club, will typically grow to be about 12 - 13 inches tall and range from 13-18lbs in weight.
It is common for them to become calmer and more sedentary after they reach the age of 2-3 years. Getting them to exercise may prove tricky and is one reason this breed tends to gain weight after this point.
Why not take your dog to a play group to get him moving? Check out this great piece on puppy play groups for more.
What age is a Cavalier fully grown?
When determining if your dog is overweight, you need to consider his age and how mature he is. It is perfectly normal for a pup’s body weight to fluctuate as they grow.
Don’t be tempted to feed them more if they look a little skinny when they are still maturing. If you start feeding your dog too much at an early stage, it is more likely that they will become overweight later in life.
A Cavalier is not fully grown until they are about 10-12 months old, but their weight will fluctuate for a while longer. Your dog should reach their potential size and weight at between 18 and 24 months, but don’t expect him to grow taller after he’s about 10 months.
At six months, a standard Cavalier should already weigh between 11 and 13lbs.
Now let’s find out if there are different sizes of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel out there.
Are there different sizes of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?
Though the standard Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the only size recognised by the Kennel Club, Miniature or Teacup Cavaliers have been gaining popularity in recent years, particularly in the US.
Teacup Cavaliers are smaller versions of the original breed and typically grow to be no more than 10 inches tall and 10lbs in weight.
To make sure you’re getting a healthy Teacup King Charles Cavalier, ask the breeder for the dog’s health records and history, and be prepared to take your pup for regular health checks.
These dogs adore snuggling, so are great for owners who spend lots of time at home. Your pup may struggle with stairs and their small size makes them more vulnerable to injury, especially if you have a house full of little children.
It should be noted that some people who breed miniatures are unscrupulous and sometimes choose dogs for their size, rather than for their health, personality, or temperament. They may also charge excessively high prices and leave you in doubt about the overall soundness of the dog.
To be on the safe side, the Kennel Club recommends people stick to the recognised standard-sized Cavalier King Chares Spaniel.
Next, let’s find out which breed is bigger, the King Charles Spaniel or the Cavalier King Charles.
Which is bigger: A Cavalier or King Charles Spaniel?
Though they may look similar, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles Spaniel are two distinct breeds. There are significant differences between them.
The King Charles Spaniel is smaller, reaching between 9 and 11 inches in height and weighing anything from 10 to 15lbs, as opposed to around 15-20lbs for a Cavalier.
Their differing facial features are discernible. The skull of a King Charles Spaniel is domed, while a Cavalier’s skull is flat, and its ears are set higher on the head. The muzzle of a Cavalier tends to be slightly longer than that of a King Charles Spaniel too.
Cavaliers may need a bit more exercise than the King Charles, but both are known for being energetic little dogs with plenty of character who are always eager to please.
Are you unsure how much exercise your dog might need? If you have a Cavapoo or other small breed, check out this piece talking about how much exercise a Cavapoo needs. You may be able to use it as a rough guide for breeds like the Cavalier.
King Charles Spaniels have a slightly longer lifespan, living between 10- 16 years on average, compared to the 9 to 14 years you can expect a Cavalier to live.
The UK Kennel Club places both Spaniel breeds in the Toy category.
Wrapping up
We hope this article helps set your mind at rest regarding how heavy your pooch should be, and how much he is likely to grow. You’ll be able to tell the difference between a King Charles Spaniel and a Cavalier, even if it’s not evident at first glance.
You can keep an eye on your dog’s weight so he can live a happy fun-filled life with you, his owner and new-found best mate.