How much exercise does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need?
Daily exercise minutes, the activities a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel enjoys and signs of too much or too little.
Forty to 60 minutes of activity a day keeps most adults content, split between two walks and some play at home. Cavaliers have more stamina than their size suggests, and a conditioned adult can happily manage an 8 to 10 km (5 to 6 mile) country walk. Sniffing games, gentle retrieves and short scent trails in the garden suit them well.
They are still spaniels at heart. A pigeon or squirrel can wipe your dog's name from its memory, so practice recall often and keep the lead on near traffic. Keep summer outings short and shaded, because the breed copes poorly with heat. If your Cavalier tires much sooner than it used to, breathes quickly while resting, or coughs after exertion, book a vet check rather than putting it down to age.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel exercise in numbers
Activity ranges are editorial planning estimates. The five-minutes-per-month puppy rule lacks scientific evidence. Adapt activity to the individual and seek advice for pain or exercise difficulty. PDSA puppy exercise guidance.
Editorial activity estimate
60 to 90 min
Puppy activity
Individual plan
adapt to age, health and development
Senior activity
Individual plan
adapt to comfort and ability
Size
small
6 to 8 kg
Energy level
Playfulness
Handles heat
Handles cold