Adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are between 12 and 13 inches (30 and 33 centimeters) tall. They weigh between 13 and 18 pounds (6 and 8 kilograms). Their size depends on their age, genetics, health, and lifestyle.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are considered small and toy dogs, but they’re situated towards the larger end of the toy breed scale.
This article explores the size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels at every age, from birth to adulthood.
You will learn how to tell if your dog is obese or underweight, and how much they should measure in height and length.
How Big Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Get?
The average size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is between 12 and 13 inches in height and 13 and 18 pounds in weight. They are considered a small or toy breed.
This table lists the measurements of a fully grown Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
| Height | 12 – 13 in (30 – 33 cm) |
| Length | 19 – 20 in (45 – 51 cm) |
| Weight | 13 – 18 lbs (6 – 8 kg) |
Cavaliers are small or toy-sized dogs. Small-sized dogs weigh below 30 pounds, while toy dogs weigh less than 15 pounds.
Besides affecting their appearance, small dogs have different personalities than medium or large dogs:
- They are less obedient
- They are more excitable
- They are more anxious
- They are more fearful
What Influences Cavalier King Charles Spaniels’ Size?
The size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is influenced by four factors: genetics, health, nutrition, and physical activity.
1. Genetics
Cavalier Spaniels are toy dogs. As a result, the puppies of two Cavaliers will be toy dogs because their parents pass down their genes.
Breeders can predict the size of Cavalier Spaniels by analyzing the size of the parents and grandparents.
The breed characteristics are the most essential factor that determines the weight of a puppy[1].
If a Cavalier puppy suffers from a genetic disorder called “pituitary dwarfism”[2], it will be significantly smaller.
2. Health
The size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is affected by health. More specifically, certain disorder stumps their growth.
The growth disorders that can influence Cavaliers’ size are:
- Bowed legs
- Abnormal posture
- Joint pain
- Hip dysplasia
- Muscle wasting
- Difficulty walking
3. Nutrition
Nutrition is essential for normal growth. A balanced diet provides all the nutrients needed to develop strong bones and muscles.
Cavaliers need the following to develop properly:
- Protein
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Healthy fats
4. Physical activity
Cavalier Spaniels need moderate amounts of physical exercise. Some are more energetic than others, but they all need to move around.
If they don’t exercise, cavaliers can become overweight.
Cavaliers have a predisposition for obesity. Make sure to provide enough physical exercise to keep them healthy.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Weight Chart
Healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniels weigh around 8 ounces (230 grams) at birth and reach up to 17 pounds (8 kilograms) by the time they are adults.
Cavalier Spaniels weigh between 7 and 8 ounces (200 and 230 grams) at birth. Most puppies are around 8 ounces (230 grams).
Puppies that weigh 7 ounces (200 grams) or less have a higher mortality risk at birth.[3]
Cavalier Spaniel Body Composition
Cavaliers’ body composition shows whether their weight is healthy or not. This is measured using the Body Condition Score (BCS).[4]
There are two BCS types: the 5-point scale and the 9-point scale.
The BCS 5-point scale categorizes dogs’ weight as follows:
- 1 – Very thin
- 2 – Underweight
- 3 – Ideal weight
- 4 – Overweight
- 5 – Obese
The BCS 9-point scale categorizes dogs’ weight as follows:
- 1 – Emancipated
- 2 – Very thin
- 3 – Thin
- 4 and 5 – Ideal weight
- 6 – Overweight
- 7 – Heavy
- 8 – Obese
- 9 – Severely obese
This table lists the ideal weight of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels from 3 to 12 months.[5]
| Cavalier Spaniel Age | Average Weight in Pounds | Average Weight in Kilograms |
| 3 months | 5.7 – 7.9 lbs | 2.6 – 3.6 kg |
| 4 months | 7.6 – 10.03 lbs | 3.4 – 4.6 kg |
| 5 months | 9.2 – 12.8 lbs | 4.1 – 5.8 kg |
| 6 months | 10.3 – 14.1 lbs | 4.7 – 6.4 kg |
| 7 months | 11.4 – 15.6 lbs | 5.1 – 7.0 kg |
| 8 months | 12.0 – 16.5 lbs | 5.4 – 7.4 kg |
| 9 months | 12.3 – 17.1 lbs | 5.5 – 7.7 kg |
| 10 months | 12.6 – 17.5 lbs | 5.7 – 7.9 kg |
| 11 months | 12.8 – 17.9 lbs | 5.8 – 8.1 kg |
| 12 months | 13.0 – 17.1 lbs | 5.9 – 8.2 kg |
Cavalier King Charles Height Chart
Cavalier Spaniels are 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 centimeters) tall between 1 and 3 months of age. By 12 months old, they reach their maximum height of 13 inches (33 centimeters).
The height of Cavaliers is a predictor of their lifespan.
Researchers found a negative correlation between dogs’ height and weight and their lifespan[6]. This negative correlation indicates that the taller a dog is, the shorter their lives will be.
Cavalier Spaniels live between 9 and 14 years, which is a lot compared to other breeds.
Their height is measured starting at the withers, which is the highest area of their shoulder blades.
This table lists the height of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel according to their age.
| Cavalier Spaniel Age | Height in Inches | Height in Centimeters |
| 1 – 3 months | 5 – 7 in | 13 – 18 cm |
| 4 – 7 months | 7 – 9 in | 18 – 23 cm |
| 8 – 10 months | 10 – 12 in | 25 – 30 cm |
| 10 – 12 months | 12 – 13 in | 30 – 33 cm |
When Do Cavaliers Stop Growing?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels stop growing around the age of 12 months. This is when they reach their physical maturity. At this point, Cavaliers measure between 12 and 13 inches (30 and 33 centimeters) in height and weigh between 13 and 18 pounds (6 and 8 kilograms).
Small breeds fully mature earlier than large breeds. As small breeds, Cavaliers mature fast.
To better understand why Cavaliers stop growing by the time they are 12 months old, you should understand their evolution from birth to 12 months old.
This table illustrates the growth stages of Cavalier Spaniels.
| Cavalier Spaniel Growth Stage | Period | Description |
| Neonatal stage | 0 – 2 weeks | Puppies are blind, deaf, and toothless. |
| Transitional period | 2 – 4 weeks | Puppies begin to see and their ear canals open. They start exploring their surroundings. |
| Socialization period | 4 – 12 weeks | Puppies’ hearing and sense of smell fully develop. They can stand, run, and play. |
| Juvenile period | 10 – 16 weeks | Puppies’ teeth fully develop. |
| Early adolescence period | 4 – 6 months | Puppies begin to have a sexual drive. |
| Adolescence | 6 – 12 months | Puppies reach their sexual maturity. |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Size Comparison
Cavalier Spaniels are large compared to most toy breeds, but small compared to large breeds such as the Great Dane.
This table illustrates the size of Cavalier Spaniels compared to the 2021 10 most popular breeds in the United States.[7]
| Breed | Height in In | Weight in Lbs | Height in Cm | Weight in Kg |
| Cavalier Spaniels | 12 – 13 | 13 – 18 | 30 – 33 | 6 – 8 |
| Labrador Retriever[8] | 21.5 – 24.5 | 55 – 70 | 55 – 62 | 25 – 32 |
| French Bulldog | 12 | 16 – 28 | 30.5 | 7 – 13 |
| Golden Retriever[9] | 21.5 – 24 | 55 – 75 | 55 – 61 | 25 – 34 |
| German Shepherd[10] | 22 – 26 | 55 – 90 | 56 – 66 | 25 – 41 |
| Poodle (Standard) | Over 15 | 40 – 70 | over 38 | 18 – 32 |
| Bulldog[11] | 14 – 15 | 40 – 50 | 36 – 38 | 18 – 23 |
| Beagle | 13 -15 | 20 – 30 | 33 – 38 | 9 – 14 |
| Rottweiler | 22 – 24 | 80 – 135 | 56 – 63.5 | 36 –61 |
| German Shorthaired Pointer | 21 – 25 | 45 – 70 | 53 – 63.5 | 20 –32 |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 8 – 9 | 16 – 32 | 20 – 23 | 7 – 14.5 |
This table compares the size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the largest and smallest dog breeds.
| Breed | Height in In | Weight in Lbs | Height in Cm | Weight in Kg |
| Cavalier Spaniels | 12 – 13 | 13 – 18 | 30 – 33 | 6 – 8 |
| English Mastiff | 27 – 35 | 200 – 230 | 69 – 90 | 91 – 104 |
| Chihuahua | 5 – 8 | 3 – 6 | 12.7 – 20.3 | 1.3 – 3.6 |
Conclusion
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel size is between 12 and 13 inches in height (30 – 33 centimeters) and 13 and 18 pounds (6 – 8 kilograms). Their size is influenced by genetics, health issues, nutrition, and how much they exercise.
Cavaliers are part of the toy group and among the largest breeds in this group.
FAQs
Why Is My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel So Big?
Your Cavalier gets bigger than its standard height or weight for various reasons. This is often the case when they are not purebreds and one of the parents is larger. Cavaliers that are bigger than normal suffer from a disease called “Acromegaly”[12]. Also, They are heavier if they eat more than they need or don’t get enough physical activity to consume their calories.
Are Female Cavaliers Smaller Than Males?
No, Female Cavaliers are the same size as Male Cavalier Spaniels. To distinguish between the two, you have to look at their sexual organs. Males are sometimes heavier than females because they eat more. But, in terms of genetics, they have the same size.
How Much Should a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Eat?
Fully Grown Cavalier Spaniels need between 0.75 and 1 cup (85 and 113 grams) of dry food per day. A cookie can be added, but not more than that. If you feed your Cavalier normal food, this should include 75% meat (meat organs, and bones) and 25% plants (fruit and veggies).
Are There Different Sizes of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?
No, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels come in only one size. They measure between 12 and 13 inches (30 and 33 centimeters) in height and weigh between 13 and 18 pounds (6 and 8 kilograms). People often mistake King Charles Spaniels for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. They differ in size. King Charles Spaniels measure between 9 and 11 inches (23 and 28 centimeters) in height and weighs between 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 and 6.8 pounds).
