Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not hypoallergenic. Despite the fact they are low to moderate shedders, Cavaliers are not suited for people who are allergic to dogs. If you want to live with a Cavaliere, you can manage your allergy by reducing the allergens in your home.
If you suffer from dog allergies but love Cavalier Spaniels, don’t despair. You can live with a Cavalier by reducing your allergic reactions.
This article explains why people are allergic to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. If you understand the mechanism behind your reactions, you will be able to manage your allergies better.
You will learn what steps you need to take to be able to live with a Cavalier, and more.
What Does It Mean That A Dog Is Hypoallergenic?
Hypoallergenic dogs have a lower probability of causing allergic reactions.
The perception that hypoallergenic dogs never cause allergies is false. The allergic reactions to hypoallergenic dogs are less frequent and milder.
10-20% of the worldwide population in 2018 was allergic to dogs or cats[1], and it’s constantly increasing. Tht’s why it is essential to understand what hypoallergenic means.
This table illustrates the etymology of the word “hypoallergenic”.
| Word roots | Meaning |
| Hypo- | This prefix means that something is below, under, or beneath. |
| Allergenic | An adjective that indicates something is likely to cause allergic reactions. |
People who are allergic to dogs should understand that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic.
If you have severe allergic reactions to dogs, you shouldn’t buy one without the recommendation of your physician.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Hypoallergenic?
No, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not hypoallergenic. They are not listed by the American Kennel Club as a hypoallergenic breed. They shed and drool, which makes them likely to cause allergies.[2]
Cavalier Spaniels are not suited for people who suffer from dog allergies.
They are affectionate and love human company and express their affection by laying close to their owners and licking them. This can trigger allergic reaction.
Cavaliers love to be petted and are unhappy if you don’t show affection towards them. But you will not be able to offer your Cavalier the attention they need if you suffer from dog allergies.
What Causes Allergies to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?
Allergies to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be caused by proteins found in four secretions: saliva, dander, sweat, and urine.
The myth that allergy is caused by hair has been debunked by science[3]. Humans can be allergic to 7 dog component allergens.
Allergens are components that cause allergic reactions.
Dog allergens are named “Can f” and are numbered from 1 to 7, distributed as follows[4]:
- Can f 1: dander and saliva
- Can f 2: dander and saliva
- Can f 3: dander, saliva, epithelia, salivary gland, serum, liver
- Can f 4: dander
- Can f 5: urine
- Can f 6: dander and saliva
- Can f 7: epididymis secretions[5]
As you can see, most allergens are found in dander and saliva.
Dander is released from Cavaliers’ skin and attaches to their hair. When their hair falls off, dander follows.
As a result, a Cavalier Spaniel’s living space is full of dander that becomes airborne.
Heavy shedder dogs cause allergic reactions not because of their hair, but because of the dander that is attached to it. The more hair a dog sheds, the more dander it spreads.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Shed a Lot?
No, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not shed a lot. On a shedding scale from 1 to 5, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a two. They shed small amounts of dead hair every day and shed less than most breeds.
Hypoallergenic breeds are minimal shedders. They usually have a shedding process similar to humans. Their dead hair usually only detaches when they are brushed.
While Cavalier King Charles Spaniels aren’t hypoallergenic, they still don’t shed a lot.
Cavalier Spaniels are single-coated. This means they shed less than double-coated breeds, such as Jack Russells.
They shed the same amount of hair every day. Even if their shedding is intensified during the shedding seasons, the difference is insignificant.
Beause of Cavaliers’ medium hair length, they release more dander when it falls off.
This table illustrates how much Cavaliers shed compared to other hypoallergenic dogs.
| Breed | Shedding Score (1 to 5) |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 2 |
| Poodle | 1 |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 1 |
| Maltese | 1 |
Do Cavalier Spaniels Drool a Lot?
No, Cavalier Spaniels don’t drool a lot. On a scale of 1 to 5, Cavaliers are a two. While it doesn’t sound like much, but it is enough to trigger allergic reactions.
People who are allergic to dog saliva experience symptoms when their dog licks them or when the saliva touches their skin.
Dogs that drool a lot also cause skin allergies, even when they don’t lick their owners.
Dog saliva can trigger a number of allergic reactions on your skin:
- Skin rashes
- Skin hives
- Itchy skin
- Red or swollen skin
This table compares Cavalier Spaniels drooling to the most popular hypoallergenic dog breeds.
| Breed | Drooling Score (1 to 5) |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 2 |
| Poodle | 1 |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 1 |
| Maltese | 1 |
Do Cavalier Skin Allergies Influence Owners’ Allergic Reactions?
Yes, if your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has skin allergies, they can influence your allergic reactions. When dogs have skin allergies, they release more dander. As a result, you will be exposed to more allergens. This will increase the number and intensity of allergic reactions.
Cavaliers have a predisposition for food allergies that result in skin rashes. They also have a genetic predisposition to a skin disease called ichthyosis.
While ichthyosis is not curable, food allergies can be managed.
Manage your Cavalier’s food allergies by:
- Having a vet figure out what your dog is allergic to.
- Removing the allergen from their diet.
- Avoiding ultra-processed dog food.
Where Are Cavalier Spaniel Allergens Found?
Cavalier Spaniel allergens are found everywhere in their living space. Allergens are present on all horizontal surfaces, the walls, and in the air. Allergens become airborne because of air currents and movement. Dog allergens are so sticky, they can remain in their living space for 6 months after the pet is gone.
Allergens on Fabrics
Dander sticks to any fabric in your home:
- Your dog’s bed
- Carpets
- Your clothes
- Pillows
- Mattresses
- Upholstered furniture
- Curtains
And more.
The concentration of dog allergens is higher on carpets than on plain floors.[6][7]
If you are allergic to dogs, removing the carpets from your home is highly recommended.
Allergens on Furniture and Plain Floors
Counterintuitively, the concentration of dog allergens is higher on the furniture than on the floor.[8]
If you want to keep your Cavalier Spaniel, even if you are allergic, you should remove dust from your furniture every day.
You should also vacuum your floors daily. Using a broom to remove dog allergens only makes them airborne, causing more allergic reactions.
Allergens in the Air
Airborne dog allergens are the main cause of allergic reactions. This includes dander and saliva.
After your Cavalier licks a surface, the saliva on it dries. Due to air currents or movement, the saliva particles detach from the surface and lift up into the air.[9]
Here are the symptoms of allergic reactions caused by airborne allergens:
- Stuffy nose
- Postnasal secretions
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Red eyes
- Runny nose
- Swelling of the eyes
- Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
What Can I Do to Reduce My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Allergies?
Cleaning your home regularly is effective in combating allergic reactions to Cavaliers. [10][11][12]
There are many ways to reduce allergic reactions to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels:
- Removing your carpets or vacuuming them daily
- Removing furniture dust every day
- Washing their bed and toys weekly
- Brushing your Cavalier daily
- Using an air purifier[13]
- Sleeping in a separate room from your Cavalier
- Washing your clothes after each use
- Wearing a mask when grooming your cavalier
- Wearing a mask while cleaning the house
- Washing your dog weekly
- Not allowing your Cavalier to sit on fabric furniture
- Changing your clothes after spending time with your Cavalier
- Washing your hands after petting your dog
If you have experienced severe allergic reactions to dogs, ask your physician before buying a Cavalier Spaniel.
These measures might not be enough, as every person reacts differently to allergens.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Mixes Hypoallergenic?
Some Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mixes are hypoallergenic. But, even if you mix a Cavalier with a hypoallergenic breed, there is no guarantee that you will end up with a hypoallergenic dog.
The only way breeders can get hypoallergenic Cavalier mixes is by crossbreeding a Cavalier with a hypoallergenic breed. But the results aren’t guaranteed.
Breeders often need to mix Cavaliers with hypoallergenic breeds for multiple generations, as the first generations usually aren’t hypoallergenic.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Hypoallergenic breeds all have certain traits in common:
- They produce low amounts of dander
- Their coats are not dense
- They don’t drool
- They are hairless (not all of them)
- They are not prone to skin allergies
The American Kennel Club lists 23 breeds as hypoallergenic:
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Poodle
- Maltese
- Bichon Frise
- Schnauzer
- Barbado da Terceira
- Bolognese
- Chinese Crested
- Coton de Tulear
- Affenpinscher
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Löwchen
- Afghan Hound
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
- Xoloitzcuintli
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
- Bedlington Terriers
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Russian Colored Lapdog
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- American Hairless Terrier
- Irish Water Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Hypoallergenic Mix
The most popular hypoallergenic Cavalier cross breeds are:
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle mix
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier mix
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Maltese mix
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Bischon Frise mix
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Miniature Schnauzer mix
Conclusion
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not hypoallergenic. People are allergic to proteins found mainly in Cavalier’s dander and saliva. Cavaliers shed enough for dander particles to be spread into their living space. You can manage your allergic reactions to Cavaliers by regularly cleaning your environment.
