DogMatchUp

Field Spaniel vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Comprehensive comparison of two popular breeds to help you decide which one might be the better fit for your lifestyle and preferences.

Field Spaniel
Medium

Field Spaniel

Sporting Group

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Toy

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Toy Group

Quick Comparison

Size

Field Spaniel Medium
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Toy

Lifespan

Field Spaniel 12-13 years
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 12-15 years

Exercise Needs

Field Spaniel 3/5
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 2/5

Grooming Needs

Field Spaniel 3/5
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 3/5

Breed Overview

Field Spaniel Overview

Field Spaniels showcase a noble sporting dog appearance with their distinctive silky coat and balanced proportions. Their medium-sized frame carries graceful lines, featuring long ears and a gentle expression. Known for their rich dark liver coloring and well-feathered legs, these dogs combine elegance with athletic ability, displaying a strong yet refined build suited to their sporting heritage.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 12-13 years
Size: Medium
Temperament: Sweet, Fun-Loving, Sensitive

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Overview

Graceful and compact, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels feature silky coats in four distinct color patterns, expressive round eyes, and gently domed heads. Their medium-length coat flows elegantly, while their friendly expressions and feathered ears create an endearing appearance. These gentle companions combine royal refinement with a sweet, affectionate nature, moving with characteristic grace and dignity.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Size: Toy
Temperament: Affectionate, Gentle, Graceful

Key Differences

  • Energy Level: Field Spaniels are more energetic than Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, requiring more daily exercise.
  • Grooming: Field Spaniels require less grooming attention compared to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
  • Temperament: While both breeds are intelligent, Field Spaniels tend to be more reserved with strangers than Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
  • Trainability: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels may be slightly easier to train due to their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's higher intelligence ranking.
  • Living Situation: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt better to apartment living, while Field Spaniels typically prefer homes with more space.

Detailed Comparison

Below is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the Field Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, covering everything from physical characteristics to care requirements.

Basic Information

Feature Field Spaniel Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Size Medium Toy
Life Expectancy 12-13 years 12-15 years
Country of Origin Unknown Unknown
Breed Group Sporting Group Toy Group

Physical Characteristics

Feature Field Spaniel Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Height
17-18 inches
43-46 cm
12-13 inches
30-33 cm
Weight
35-50 lbs
16-23 kg
13-18 lbs
6-8 kg
Coat Type Short, dense coat Short, dense coat
Coat Length Short Short
Shedding Regularly Occasional

Temperament & Behavior

Feature Field Spaniel Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Temperament Sweet, Fun-Loving, Sensitive Affectionate, Gentle, Graceful
Energy Level
3/5
2/5
Intelligence
2/5
2/5

Compatibility

Feature Field Spaniel Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Good with Children
5/5
5/5
Good with Other Dogs
4/5
5/5
Apartment Friendly
3/5
4/5

Temperament & Personality

Field Spaniel Temperament

Sweet Fun-Loving Sensitive

The Field Spaniel is known for being sweet, fun-loving, sensitive, making them excellent family dogs. Their moderate intelligence means they can be trained with consistent effort. They're typically friendly with strangers, making them poor guard dogs but excellent social companions. Their moderate energy level makes them adaptable to different lifestyles, though they still need regular exercise.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Temperament

Affectionate Gentle Graceful

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is characterized by being affectionate, gentle, graceful, which makes them great companions for families. With their moderate intelligence, they can learn with consistent training methods. They generally welcome strangers, making them sociable companions rather than protective guardians. Their moderate energy level makes them versatile companions that can adapt to your activity level, though regular exercise is still important.

Temperament Comparison

When comparing the Field Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, there are notable differences in their temperaments that potential owners should consider:

Sociability with Strangers

Field Spaniel
4/5
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
4/5

Good with Children

Field Spaniel
5/5
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
5/5

Side-by-Side Trait Ratings

GOOD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Field Spaniel

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 5/5

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 5/5

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Field Spaniel

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 4/5

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 5/5

ENERGY LEVEL

Field Spaniel

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Low High

Rating: 2/5

TRAINABILITY / INTELLIGENCE

Field Spaniel

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 2/5

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 2/5

GROOMING NEEDS

Field Spaniel

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Care & Maintenance

Field Spaniel Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

3/5

Field Spaniels require moderate daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This can include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Field Spaniels require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be beneficial.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

2/5

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need regular daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This should include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to maintain coat health and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be helpful.

Health & Lifespan

Field Spaniel Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 12-13 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Problems
  • Ear Infections
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Heart Issues

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 12-15 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Mitral Valve Disease
  • Syringomyelia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Problems

Pros & Cons

Field Spaniel

Pros

  • Gentle temperament
  • Good with families
  • Sporting abilities
  • Moderate exercise needs

Cons

  • Regular grooming required
  • Can be reserved with strangers
  • Prone to ear infections
  • Needs consistent training

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Pros

  • Exceptionally affectionate
  • Good with children
  • Adaptable to different living situations
  • Easy to train
  • Gentle temperament

Cons

  • Significant health concerns
  • Regular grooming required
  • Separation anxiety prone
  • Cannot be left alone long
  • Expensive medical care

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

Now that you've compared the Field Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, explore more breeds or use our breed matching tool to find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.