How Much Does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cost? 2022 Guide

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is classified as a small or toy breed spaniel. It originated in the UK but soon became extremely popular worldwide thanks to its cute looks and endearing personality. In fact, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is ranked 18th in the list of most popular dog breeds by the American Kennel Club.

Deciding whether to buy or adopt a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a great decision. These small dogs are highly adaptable and they get along with kids. However, you must commit to taking care of your pet’s needs which entails spending time, energy, and money on raising it.

Owing to its popularity, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel costs about $1500 if you buy yours from a reputed breeder. Some breeders even charge up to $3000 if the pup is from champion dogs. If you choose to adopt your pet, then you will only have to pay a small adoption fee of about $500 to help the shelter recover the costs it may have incurred.

In addition to its buying price, you also need to consider how much it costs for the Cavalier’s upkeep. In the first year itself, the cost of raising your cute puppy could be twice as high as the cost incurred in each subsequent year. You need to take your fur baby for routine vet checkups and also have it neutered or spayed. A single trip to the vet can sometimes cost as much as $50 even if it is just a routine checkup.

Let us study these cost breakups in detail.

How Much Does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy Cost?

Because of the high popularity of the breed, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1500 and $6000 for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The price mainly depends on the breeder you choose.

Here is a table showing the cost of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pups:

Factors Affecting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy’s Price

Color

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies are available in colors like Blenheim (chestnut and white), Black and Tan, Tri-color (black/white/tan), and Ruby. The Blenheim color is the most popular and pups in this color cost more than others.

Sex

Female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies are often priced more because of their breeding capacity. If a potential dog owner opts to mate their dog, then there is potential to make money. Also, some dog owners prefer female dogs because they are generally more docile. Male dogs also have the propensity to lift their leg indoors and mark their territory which makes it a hassle for potential owners.

Lineage

A breeder that has litters of champion studs or show-winning female dogs, they are likelier to charge a higher price for these pups.

Health guarantees

Reputed breeders conduct health checks on their dogs to ensure they do not carry the genes for developing certain health issues like PRA, hip dysplasia, etc. These puppies are priced higher to recover these costs.

Where to Buy your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from?

If you choose to buy your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, then search for reputed breeders. Such breeders will be well-known in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel community. You can start your search on the AKC website – they will have a list of reputed breeders registered with them. Many of these breeders carry champion bloodlines.

While the Internet is a good place to start your search for “Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies for sale” – this might present you with a slew of breeders. Some of these, no doubt, you’d want to avoid. They may be backyard breeders that are only interested in making profits.

To know if your breeder is genuinely interested in the dogs’ welfare, consider asking your shortlisted breeders the following questions:

•       Can I visit your facility?
•       How long have you been breeding Cavaliers?
•       What genetic conditions do you test the parent dogs for before breeding? Also, what conditions do you screen your pups for?
•       What kind of guarantee do you provide?
•       Do you have vet records of both parents?
•       Do you sell to pet shops?

You can also adopt your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) from a rescue home. The Cavalier Rescue of USA is a good place to start your search. You can also contact vets or breeders in your area to find rescue Cavaliers in your area. Note that majority of these could be old, disabled, or ill. But despite these issues, adopted Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will still provide you with the love and loyalty that are so ingrained in their nature.

Basic Dog Supplies Costs

Before bringing home your puppy, be sure to prepare your home for it. By spending time getting everything in order, the first few days of your Cavalier will go much smoother.

Collar and leash

Invest in a high-quality, soft, fabric collar that is adjustable in size and fits snugly around your pup’s neck. This is an important part of your puppy’s training. Every dog must also have some ID tags too. The approximate cost of a collar with ID tags – $20.

Crate

A wire or plastic crate will provide your Cavalier with a safe and secure place to sleep. It will also come in handy during potty training. Cost – $45 to $75.

Balls and outdoor toys

These smart dogs need the mental and physical stimulation that toys and balls can provide. Invest in Kong toys as well. Your buddy can spend hours alone in its crate with a treat-stuffed Kong. Cost of toys for your Cavalier – $50-$75.

Bed

The choice of bedding for your Cavalier depends on two things: whether it chews its stuff and its age. If your buddy is an aggressive chewer, you need to invest in a sturdy chew-resistant bed made from durable nylon. If not, a plush bed will do. Some dog owners simply provide a quilted blanket or a crate pad inside the crate for their pet to sleep. Cost – $40 to $74 depending on the kind.

Chews and dental treats

All Cavalier puppies and adult dogs need chew toys and dental treats to minimize plaque and tartar. This is in addition to daily brushing of course. Dental toys and chew treats can also keep your little one engaged.

Grooming tools

Plan to spend some time grooming your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel daily or at least 2-3 times a week. You will need a flea comb, brush, grinders for trimming down the nails (or nail clippers), ear cleaners, pet wipes for the ears and eyes, etc.

Here is a table to show you the approximate costs of basic dog supplies:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Training Costs

Dog training is of different types – basic obedience training, positive reinforcement, specialized training, training for service dogs, behavior modification training, and impulse control training. Depending on the trainer and your city, these training sessions can cost anywhere between $35 to $500 per session.

Private training can cost between $25 and $50 per session depending on the trainer and your area. Some trainers even charge up to $120 for one session of basic one-on-one training. You can also enroll your pet in group training. However, some dogs tend to do poorly in groups due to the many distractions around them.

Obedience training, which includes basic commands like come, heel, stay, etc. is also a great place to start your Cavalier’s training. These commands can pave the way to further training. It can cost about $35 to $75 per day. A trainer will work with you and your pet so you know exactly how to continue training at home.

Some dog owners even go the extra mile and enroll their fur babies in doggy boot camps. These include boarding for several weeks and can cost up to $1250 per week.

Here is a table showing different dog training costs:

Cost of Food for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Your growing Cavalier puppy will need to eat at least 3-4 times a day. In the beginning, it is best to feed the same food that it was eating at the breeder. Your vet can also guide you about the right food to feed.

As your pet transitions into adulthood, you need to reduce the number of times you feed it. Most Cavalier owners feed their pets 2 meals per day but this will depend on its weight and activity levels. A well-proportioned adult Cavalier will measure between 12-13 inches at withers and weigh about 13 to 18 lb. Here are some general guidelines regarding feeding a CKCS:

•       Your small dog needs about 1-1 ½ cups of kibble per day. You can divide this into 2 meals per day. One pound dog food bag contains 4 cups of dog food.
•       If you feed canned food, your pet will need about 10 ounces of food per 10 lb. body weight per day. Thus, if your Cavalier weighs about 15 lb., feed it 15 ounces of wet food per day. You can divide this into two small meals.
•       You can also feed it freeze-dried food. This is available in nuggets which you soak in water and mix with your pet’s regular food. Feed approximately 2.25 ounces or 30 nuggets of freeze-dried food per day to your 15 lb. Cavalier.
•       If you feed raw dog food, you need to feed at least 150g of it daily to a Cavalier weighing 15 lb. and having moderate activity.

The following table will show you the monthly cost of feeding your Cavalier:

Dog Food Comparisons for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The experts at Cavalier Health recommend feeding biologically appropriate food or homemade special foods that will help strengthen your Cavalier’s heart, kidney, and lungs. They also recommend looking for food with human-grade ingredients and having the first ingredient as protein – fish or meat.

Based on these needs, you can get many commercially prepared dog foods that will suit the needs of most Cavaliers. Always check your pet’s weight and body condition score or BCS from time to time. This will tell you whether your pet is too thin or obese, so you can tweak its diet accordingly.

Here is a table that shows the comparison of the top dog food brands for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

Medical Costs of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

In your puppy’s first year, it will need many vaccinations to protect against several canine diseases such as distemper, hepatitis, etc. It may also need some non-core or optional vaccines like Lyme Disease, rattlesnake, and so on as advised by your vet and depending on the area you live in.

In addition to vaccinations, you must also get your vet checked regularly to ensure it is in the proper weight range. You must also have your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel neutered/spayed. This will protect your little dog from various canine cancers. It will also prevent behavioral issues like territorial aggression, excess barking, territory marking, etc.

Every dog needs deworming from time to time. This can help prevent parasitical infestations like pinworm, hookworm, tapeworm, etc. These deadly parasites cause weight loss, bloody diarrhea, and many other debilitating symptoms in dogs. Deworming must be done right from the time your pet is a few weeks old and continue into adulthood. Most vets recommend a deworming schedule which you must follow strictly.

In addition to deworming, your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will also need protection against fleas, ticks, and mites. These tiny external parasites can cause intense itching, hair loss, blisters, secondary skin infections, and even diseases like Lyme disease in dogs.

Based on these, here is a table showing the approximate costs of vaccinations and the age to administer them.

Core vaccines

Non-core vaccine costs

Other medical costs dog owners incur

Emergency costs

Common Inherited Diseases in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

When you buy your Cavalier from a reputed breeder, then your chances of getting a healthy, hardy dog are much higher. This is due to the fact that good breeders conduct health checks on their dogs and prevent breeding ones that are prone to genetic conditions.

Having said that, a Cavalier is known to have a genetic predisposition to certain diseases including the following:

Hip dysplasia

CKCS with hip dysplasia will have a change in gait and pain while walking and running. It might also walk in an unusual manner. Treatment for this disease will depend on your dog’s age and condition. The cost for surgery is around $3000.

Eye diseases

Two of the common eye issues seen in Cavaliers are cataracts and Progressive retinal atrophy. Good breeders will have tested their pups tested for these issues before selling them. Cataract treatment for canines can cost anywhere between $2700 and $4000 and may or may not include diagnostic tests.

Mitral valve disease

Mitral valve disease is very common in small dogs like CKCS. Symptoms include fainting spells, lethargy, breathing problems, collapsing, etc. The cost of surgery for treating MMVD can range between $1000 and $10000.

Pet Insurance for your CKCS – Wise or Not?

It is estimated that 1 out of 3 Cavaliers will need veterinary treatment in a year. So, if you are wondering whether you need pet insurance, then the answer, for most CKCS parents, is yes.

Pet insurance can cover most costs and provide you with peace of mind. If your Cavalier is not too old and does not have any pre-existing conditions, then the right plan can cover many basic costs.

Some pet parents choose to set aside a small amount of money each month for their Cavalier’s old age. However, this may not always be sufficient. Many good pet insurances cover several unexpected costs and can help you save thousands of dollars on vet bills and unexpected medical expenses.

Here are 3 of the best pet insurance companies in the US, their pros and cons, and approximate costs:

Additional Costs of Raising your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

In addition to food, training, and medical costs, there are several miscellaneous costs CKCS parents may incur while raising their pets. These include:

Travel costs or pet-boarding costs

Should you choose to travel with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, then prepare to shell out at least $125-$250 one way on air-fare. You will also need to buy a travel-friendly, airline-approved crate.

In case you decide to leave your pet behind, you can choose to board it in a pet hostel or hire a dog sitter for it. Charges for pet hostels are between $30 and $75 per night. Pet sitters charge around $50 per visit depending on the tasks they perform dog walking, litter box cleaning, changing the water, etc.

Microchipping and registration

This can cost up to $45 – depending on the area you live in.

Dog grooming

Your Cavalier has a beautiful coat that is prone to tangles and mats. Therefore, regular grooming is a must. You must brush your pet daily and shampoo it monthly. If you choose to get it professionally groomed, you can expect to pay between $35-$50 for basic grooming packages which include services like nail trimming, bathing, ear cleaning, anal gland expression, etc.

Pet walking

Cavaliers need daily exercise to stay mentally and physically fit, so you need to exercise your dog twice a day (at least) for 30 minutes each. Without exercise, this energetic dog can get restless or even destructive. If you do not have the time to walk your pet every day, you can hire a dog walker. This service could cost between $20 to $50 per walk of 30-45 minutes depending on your city.

Key Takeaways – How Much Does a King Charles Spaniel Cost?

Cavaliers cost as much as most small breed dogs. Here is a summary of costs you can expect to pay over your pet’s lifetime:

First-year cost

The cost of buying a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is about $1500. This price depends upon the breeder. Some breeders even charge up to $6000 for puppies from winning dogs. In addition to the purchase cost, you’d also spend on its vaccinations, basic supplies like toys and bed, spaying or neutering surgery, and other medical costs. Your dog will also need healthy food and treats. This can bring your first-year costs to nearly $3000.

Monthly costs

Monthly costs of dog ownership include medical and food expenses and flea and tick medicines. You might also spend on grooming, dog walking, and training. Expect to pay between $150 to $500 depending on your lifestyle.

Annual costs (after the first year)

After the first year, the ASPCA figures that small dog ownership can cost anywhere between $500 to $1000 each year. This may include dental cleaning and routine medical costs, food and treats, grooming, and pet-sitting.

Over its lifetime

The life expectancy of the Cavalier is about 9-14 years. Therefore, the lifetime cost of owning it can be between $10000 and $14000.

We hope this guide helps you financially plan for your Cavalier’s expenses.