The Teacup Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a miniaturized cute King Charles Cavalier variation. This Teacup dog weighs less than 10 lbs and stands between 5 and 12 inches. The Teacup Cavalier Spaniel also has a 10 to 15-year lifespan.
In recent times, this teacup canine has gained popularity among dog lovers fond of smaller variations of popular breeds.
With his affectionate demeanor, this pooch is great for apartment dwellers as a Lapdog.
King Charles Spaniel may be small but his personality is not. However, as much as he may be endearing, he may not be suitable for all individuals or families.
Why is that the case? read on to learn more.
Teacup Cavalier King Charles Spaniel information
You may not know this but the King Charles Spaniel breed almost went extinct during the second world war. But thanks to six dogs from this breed that survived the war, we have a miniature version and mixes from this dog.
The Teacup Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1995.
The miniature version is also known as the “Mini/Teacup Cavalier King“, or “Teacup Cav“. They are super cute canine friends with wide eyes and flowing coats.
However, this cute appearance comes at a high price making the Teacup Cavalier King Spaniel expensive.
So, how did the Mini Cav come to be?
There are several methods that breeders use to create this dog including the following;
- Mating King Charles Cavalier with smaller breeds.
- Breeding of runts.
- Dwarfism.
Let us look at each of these breeding methods in more detail.
1. Repeated breeding of Runts
This breeding practice is considered unethical, hence I would not recommend getting a Teacup King Charles Cavalier bred through this method as the pup may develop serious health complications later on.
Let me explain.
When Cavalier Spaniel puppies are born, some are underweight and smaller than the rest. These puppies develop to become smaller over time and are known as runts.
So, runts are simply the smallest dogs in a litter.
These puppies don’t grow as big as they are supposed to as they are not able to compete for their mother’s milk as well as the other puppies and other reasons.
There is also a reason why these puppies are born underweight in the first place and it is mostly health-related. Thus, they are prone to developing health complications such as heart diseases and immunity issues.
Therefore, it is essential that you avoid a Mini King Charles Cavalier bred from a runt.
2. Dwarfism
Dwarfism is a genetic mutation that randomly and naturally occurs or can be deliberately introduced by the breeder.
The deliberate introduction of the dwarfism gene to create Mini Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is also highly discouraged and unethical. It occurs when a breeder mates two dogs with the dwarfism gene.
When this is done, the offspring’s growth is restricted giving him an abnormally small body and short feet.
This method of breeding teacup can also cause health problems in the dog such as;
- Hair loss
- Heart complications
- Underdeveloped muscles.
- Spinal problems.
- Dental problems.
If you suspect that you purchased a Miniature Cavalier bred using this method, carry out a DNA Dwarfism gene test.
3. Crossing King Charles Cavalier with smaller dog breeds
This is arguably the best method of breeding Teacup Cavs as it reduces the risk of health complications.
However, when this is done there is also the chance the resulting offspring may be more like the other breed and less like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
The offspring has to have more Cavalier Spaniel traits and looks and should weigh under 10 pounds to be considered a Miniature Cavalier King.
Breeds that are commonly used are;
- Teacup Poodle
- Chihuahua
- Mini American Eskimo dog
- Maltese
Pros and cons of a Teacup Cav
Pros
- Relaxed and easy-going.
- Playful.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Prone obesity.
- Fragile.
Mini Cavalier King Charles Spaniel characteristics
| Teacup King Charles Cavalier characteristics table | |
|---|---|
| Height | 5-12 inches |
| Weight | Under 10 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
| Breed Type | Mixes and more |
| Purpose | Companion dog |
| Suitable For | All families |
| Grooming requirements | Moderate to high |
| Color Variations | Red, White, Black, Black, and Tan |
| Health concerns | Mitral Valve Disease, Syringomyelia, Thrombocytopenia |
| Temperament | Sweet, Loving, Intelligent, Playful, Affectionate |
| Other names | Teacup Cav, Teacup Cavalier king |
Teacup Cavalier Appearance
One of the most adorable features of the Teacup Cavalier King is his large brown eyes with his ears that should hang sweetly beside his head, being the most notable.
This dog should have a toy-sized but compact body covered with a beautifully flowing coat that is soft and silky.
However, this pooch sheds and this can be managed through frequent brushing.
Colors of the Teacup Cavalier
The Teacup Cavalier comes in a variety of different colors including:
- Red
- White
- Black with mahogany marking on the face, chest, legs, and tail
- Black and Tan
- White with red patches (Blenheim)
Mini Cavalier King Temperament and personality
The Miniature Cavalier Spaniel is generally good-natured with a good personality and has a sweet temperament that will easily win you over. Not forgetting his large adorable eyes.
The Cav is great for apartment dwellers but is well suited for most living situations.
Teacups love to meet and make new friends whether it’s with other pets or humans alike. However, you should ensure you socialize with them early and consistently.
They are understanding and mellow-tempered dogs which makes them great companions for children. Teacup Cavaliers also bond well with other dogs and are extremely loyal making them a perfect family dog.
Teacup Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppies
Litter size:
2 to 4 puppies.
These puppies take about 9 months to reach their full size but some may take up to 12 months.
How much does a Teacup Cavalier King cost?
This miniature version of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will cost you between $1000 and $2500.
It is important to find a reputable breeder as it is common to come across many unreliable backyard breeders.
How much does a Mini Cavalier King Spaniel eat?
Being a small dog, the teacup Cav also has a small appetite but you can easily overfeed or underfeed them.
They can be prone to obesity and overfeeding them could affect their health. A general rule of thumb is to give your Miniature Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 30 calories for every pound that he weighs.
| Mini Cavalier Spaniel Daily Food Consumption | |
|---|---|
| Guide | 200 to 350 calories |
| Cups of Kibble | ~1 |
The food should be high-quality and should be formulated for smaller breeds.
You should split the meals into two or more portions a day to help your pup digest better. Avoid any temptations to give this dog extra treats even if he looks at you with those cute eyes as you may easily overfeed them unknowingly.
How to groom
The Min Cavalier Spaniel’s coat should be brushed daily to prevent it from knotting and tangling.
Start grooming your pup at an early stage to get them used to it and to be more tolerable of grooming practices.
It is also recommended that you take him to a groomer after every 2 months to get his eyes, and ears cleaned and nails clipped.
Teacup Cavalier King Charles Spaniel exercise requirements
This dog will need a total of 20 minutes of daily exercise.
There is should be no intense exercise or rough play while dealing with this dog as this could easily get him hurt.
Also, when taking him for walks make sure that you use a leash with a harness but not a dog collar to reduce the risk of tracheal collapse.
During winter make sure that you get some sweaters for this dog as he cannot stand cold weather and avoid taking him out when it is extremely cold.
| Number of walks | 2 ( 10 minutes each) |
| Exercise needs | 2o minutes |
Training
Proper training and guidance are crucial for this dog to prevent him from developing small dog syndrome.
With that said, you should know that this pooch is a fast learner and simple training will not be complicated.
Prepare a training schedule with 3 to 5 minutes to start with.
All you need is patience and positive reinforcement training methods to develop a desirable mini Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Keep the training sessions for the Teacup Cavalier King short, sweet and gentle so that he does not get bored.
Summary
The Teacup Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an intelligent and down-to-earth canine and a perfect family addition.
He is also great for single individuals and seniors.
However, you should handle this couch potato with a lot of care as he can easily get injured, and also make sure that you watch his diet to prevent him from getting obese.
Is the Teacup Cav the right dog for you?
Share your thoughts and opinion in the comment section below and let us know if you would love to get this dog as your next pet.
There you go, WOOF!
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