The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very cute and affectionate indoor dog that provides households with loving companionship.
To ensure the breed fulfills its potential, owners should use a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel growth chart to monitor their weight every month.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a toy dog breed that has become increasingly popular with city dwellers. There are over 10 color varieties of this dog to choose from including black, white, and ruby.
In this article, we will outline all the key details on the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel growth chart and provide you with some helpful tips to monitor and predict the growth trajectory.
When Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Stop Growing?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a toy dog breed, meaning it is small-sized and develops rapidly over the first year.
You can expect them to finish growing between the age of 10 to 12 months. Approximately 90% of growth is complete by eight months.
Although the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is small in size, there is a range of sizes within the toy size spectrum.
The differences in size affect the adult final weight ranges, which can vary from 13 to 18 pounds.
The breeder should provide information on which end of the spectrum your dog is to help you predict its final weight.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Growth Chart
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weight chart is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you track the weight growth of your puppy.
The weight chart is broken down by month, ranging from three months to 12 months.
As Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are available in different size options, the weight chart presents a predicted weight range per month, in both pounds and kilograms.
Males are heavier than females and should be on the mid to higher end of the weight range, while females are typically on the lower to mid-range.
Use the weight chart as a guide rather than a gospel. Every dog has its development path which can differ from the norm so if you find your puppy is outside of the predicted weight ranges on a certain month there is likely no major issue.
Generally, any weight 15% under or over the weight range boundaries would be considered worthy of a vet check-up.
By three months of age, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should weigh in the region of 5.5 to 8 pounds. This effectively doubles by the age of six months, with an expected weight range of 10 to 14 pounds.
By eight months around 90% of total growth has occurred so a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will weigh between 12 and 16.5 pounds.
At 12 months they should be fully grown and will weigh between 13 and 18 pounds.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Weight Chart
Age | Weight in lbs |
---|---|
3 Months | 5.5 - 8 lbs |
4 Months | 7.5 - 10 lbs |
5 months | 9 - 13 lbs |
6 months | 10 - 14 lbs |
7 months | 11.5 - 15.5 lbs |
8 months | 12 - 16.5 lbs |
9 Months | 12.5 - 17 lbs |
10 Months | 12.5 - 17.5 lbs |
11 Months | 13 - 18 lbs |
1 Year | 13 - 18 lbs |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy Development Stages
Birth – 2 Weeks
Like any newborn, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies are helpless and completely reliant on their mother for sustenance and warmth.
As they are unable to regulate their body temperature, close skin-on-skin contact with the mother is key while stimulation from the mother through licking helps them to excrete.
Initially, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies cannot see or hear but they have a strong sucking instinct which allows them to feed from the mother. By ten days, the eyes and ears should start to operate.
3 Weeks – 12 Weeks
During these initial weeks, the puppies grow very fast.
Weeks two to three are regarded as transitional weeks as the pups start to familiarize themselves with their surroundings and can start to recognize fellow littermates.
By three to four weeks, they can start to recognize humans.
From birth up to around eight weeks, owners must allow the puppies to spend maximum time with their mother and not be held excessively. This allows them to learn crucial doggy skills.
The seven-to-12-week period is known as the socialization stage where puppies should meet as many humans and other dogs as possible to help them acclimatize to the real world.
4 Months – 9 Months
Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will undergo radical changes from four to nine months of age.
They will evolve from puppies to teenagers to nearing adulthood. During this phase, they will grow independent and be ready to explore the world.
Between four and six months you may notice some rebellious traits as they grow in confidence, but by then you should have instilled good habits through training.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are big chewers which will be evident in this age, so avoid leaving your things within a chew’s reach.
10 Months – 18 Months
At 10 months of age, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will achieve 95% to 100% of their final weight, with the majority finishing their growth by 12 months.
Although physical maturity is complete, your dog is not mentally or sexually mature. This maturity is achieved from 18 months to two years of age.
During this period your dog will show signs of maturity and independence.
Providing they have been well-trained and socialized they should also be fairly well-behaved and calm, making them the sweet household companions many desire.
Adult
As adults Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a loving and affectionate temperament. They are very loyal and attached to human family members so will likely be distressed when left alone.
Their sweet personality makes the Cavalier King Charles great indoor dogs but not very good guard dogs. Their small size and weak aggressive power will not disturb intruders.
If you have young kids, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are especially good with youngsters, keeping them occupied for hours on end.
How Big Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Get?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels achieve most of their growth in the first eight months. As you acquire this breed as puppies, there are various approaches you can take to work out the expected size of your dog:
Look at the parents – reputable breeders will have growth data on the parents of the puppy. Puppies will most likely resemble their parents in terms of height and weight so getting this information will be a very helpful indicator.
Follow a weight chart – a free and easy way to track the growth trajectory of your puppy is by using a weight chart like the one presented in this article. Weight charts present the month-by-month expected weight ranges for you to compare against.
DNA test – a more advanced approach to predicting growth is through doing a DNA test. To do this test you can simply swab the cheek of your puppy and send it off to a lab for genetic testing.
The test focuses on the genes that affect the body shape and size of your puppy. To ensure you get quality test results, consult your vet for genetic testing company recommendations.
Paws – the paws of your puppy can also predict growth. Observe the paws in relation to the body composition and if they are smaller, your puppy still has some growing to do.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Size Chart
The female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is slightly smaller than the male.
By 12 months of age Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weighs between 13 and 18 pounds, females will be on the lower end of this range while males are on the heavier end.
In terms of height as adults, the breed will reach 12 to 13 inches tall, while the length will vary from 19 to 20 inches.
The most notable differences are in weight between males and females Cavalier King Charles Spaniels compared to the height and length.
To measure the height of your puppy, simply use a tape measure to capture the height from the withers (where the neck meets the shoulders) to the bottom of its feet.
Will Neutering/Spaying My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Affect His Growth?
Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures done on female and male dogs respectively to remove their reproductive organs.
These procedures help prevent unnecessary breeding but they also have other benefits.
Spaying helps reduce the risk of mammary cancer and pyometra while neutering help prevents testicular cancer and the development of aggressive behavior.
However, if you neuter or spay your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel too early before they are fully grown, its plates will not close and it will continue growing and become taller than it should be.
Therefore, you should speak to your vet to know exactly when to alter your puppy, but it is recommended that a Cavalier can be spayed or neutered from the age of 7 months.
Cocker Spaniel vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Size
On average, Cocker Spaniels are larger dogs compared to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
In terms of height, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels stand at 12 to 13 inches tall, while Cocker Spaniels typically measure slightly taller at 14 inches.
There is a greater weight range for Cocker Spaniels who can weigh between 15 and 30 pounds, while the range is smaller for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels who weigh between 13 and 18 pounds.
Factors That Affect Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Growth
Genetics & Gender
The genetic makeup of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can influence its growth and development.
For instance, if your puppy has inherited a genetic health condition from their parents, their growth can be slowed down, and may weigh less or even stand shorter than other puppies of the same age.
Another way in which genetics affect your puppy’s growth is its parents’ size. If the parents are smaller than average, then your puppy will be on the smaller side of the scale, and if they are larger, then you will have a bigger puppy.
When it comes to gender, females are known to be slightly smaller than their male counterparts.
Nutrition
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs to be fed a diet that is nutritious and high in quality.
The contents in your puppy’s food should provide them with the necessary nutrients that support their overall well-being.
The proteins in the food should be from nutritious sources such as chicken, lamb, and beef so that your puppy can develop strong muscle mass.
If you choose to buy commercially prepared dog food, ensure that the ingredients are high-quality, and they do not contain any fillers.
If you choose to feed them raw foods, consult with your vet to make sure that the food contains all the nutrients your puppy needs.
Physical Activity & Health
Including physical activity in your puppy’s daily routine is important as this ensures that they use up the energy that they have instead of being destructive.
Also, physical activity helps your puppy to stay fit and healthy, hence preventing the development of health conditions.
It is important that you take your puppy to the vet regularly for a medical check-up.
This will help in catching an illness at an early stage so that treatment can be administered and your puppy can have a healthy life.
How Much To Feed A Growing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy?
When your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a puppy, they need to be fed food specifically formulated for supporting growth and development.
Until the age of 6 weeks, your puppy depends on their mother for nutrition.
From 6 weeks to three months, your puppy needs to eat about ¼ to 1 cup of food, three to four times per day.
From three to six months old, they need to eat three times per day and you can increase the amount to about 1½ cups per day.
From six months onward, they can eat two to three times depending on their activity levels, and feed them 2 cups per day.
From the age of one year, you should start transitioning your dog to adult food and start feeding them twice per day.
How To Tell If Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Is Underweight Or Overweight?
There are various ways to tell whether your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is overweight or underweight.
The best way to tell whether your puppy has excess weight or not is to run your fingers on the sides.
Your Cavalier is underweight if you can easily feel the ribs over a very thin layer of fat.
Also, if their hip bones and vertebrae are sticking out and you can see them, then your puppy does not have a healthy weight.
On the other hand, if you have to push to feel the ribs or cannot feel them at all, and there is no visible waistline, your puppy is overweight and needs to lose some pounds to stay healthy.
If you are not able to help your puppy lose weight through exercise and fewer treats, talk to your vet and they can formulate a special food that helps promote weight loss.
What To Do If My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Is Not The Right Weight?
If the weight of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is higher or lower than the recommended weight range of their age category, then they are not the right weight.
The first thing to do when you notice that your puppy is not the right weight is to take them to the vet for an assessment.
The vet will then rule out any health issue that may be causing the weight change.
Once your puppy is cleared of any illnesses, your vet will recommend some ways which you can follow in helping your puppy have the right weight.
If your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is underweight, you can add supplements to its diet so that they get the required nutrients, reduce physical activity, and increase the amount of food.
On the other hand, if they are overweight, reduce the amount of food you are feeding them, stop feeding them treats, and increase physical activity.
How To Properly Weight My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
It is recommended that you weigh your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel every six months, but if they have a health condition then you should weigh them every three to four months to monitor their weight closely.
Knowing your puppy’s weight enables you to help them stay at the right weight and not become overweight or underweight.
You can weigh your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at home using your bathroom scale using the following simple steps:
- Place the scale on the floor.
- Step on the scale and weigh yourself then record the number.
- Step on the floor and pick up your puppy.
- Step on the scale and then record the number.
- Find the difference between the numbers, and that is your puppy’s weight.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Genetics And Common Health Problems
Generally, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a healthy breed, however, there are certain health conditions that they can inherit from their parents. They include:
- Mitral Valve Disease – this is a disorder of the heart where the Mitral Valve change shape and thickens up causing leakages and over time a blood pool develops behind the heart. There is no cure for this condition and can be fatal shortening your puppy’s life.
- Syringomyelia – if your puppy is scratching their shoulders and crying, it may be suffering from this condition. This is a condition where there is not enough room in the skull to house the brain. It is a painful illness, but fortunately, it can be treated through surgery if diagnosed early.
- Patellar Luxation or Slipped Kneecap – since they are a small breed, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel often suffers from this condition. It is the deformation of the thigh bone causing the kneecap to move out of place.
- Other conditions – includes hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
Final Words
Hopefully, you now feel confident to use the Cavalier King Charles growth chart to monitor the growth of your pup.
As owners of puppies, it is important that you monitor their growth closely especially in the first year to 18 months.
Although genetic factors are out of your control, you can do your best to keep your puppy on track by providing them with a quality balanced diet and regular exercise.
Follow the tips outlined in this article and your Cavalier King Charles puppy will no doubt live a fulfilling life.