CAN CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIELS LIVE IN APARTMENTS?

Can I Live in an Apartment with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

The topic of having a dog in an apartment is always the subject of hot debate. Some believe this lifestyle is completely incompatible for any dog, regardless of its size. They argue that it should be avoided at all costs due to lack of space, boredom, no garden, etc. For others, the happiness of a dog is not necessarily derived from the surface area of its home. In fact, some large breed dogs, like the Bernese Mountain Dog, are much better suited to apartment living than smaller, more athletic breeds, like the Beagle, who would have a harder time with it.

However, we believe that it’s still quite possible to accommodate a dog in your home when you live in the city, in a space smaller than a house. This is the case for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who is perfectly suited to apartment living. After all, this dog breed is classified by The Kennel Club in The Toy Breed Group, which consists of small companion or lap dogs. This is the quintessential house dog. Cavaliers enjoy the comfort of the sofa, an armchair, or their dog bed. They don’t need a large garden to exercise, although they would appreciate access to a small outdoor space to stretch their paws and quickly relieve themselves.

Don’t Leave Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Alone Too Long

Although well-suited to apartment living, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot sit still for hours on end waiting for you to get home from work. This dog breed hates being alone more than anything. Left alone for too long, your Cavalier could develop problematic behaviours, such as destroying property or barking incessantly, which could cause issues with your neighbours. While it’s important to teach your dog to be alone for short periods, to prevent them from developing an over-attachment to you, we don’t recommend you adopt a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel if you do not have enough time to devote to them or you spend a lot of time away from home.

You can, however, try to find solutions. If you can, try to come home for lunch and take your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for a walk to break up their day. If you can't make it home, ask an acquaintance, friend, or neighbour to pop in on your dog; you can even hire a dog sitter. Purchase some brain games for your dog to play with while you're gone, to stimulate their mind and keep them occupied. Small though they may be, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need to be able to keep themselves busy in your absence. Finally, be sure to take your dog out for about thirty minutes before you leave in the morning. Thanks to their little legs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to wear themselves out quite quickly. They’ll probably want to take a nap as soon as they get home!

In an apartment, potty training is a little more complicated than in a house with a garden. You can't simply open a door to let your dog outside to relieve themselves. You will therefore need to be patient with your dog. Nonetheless, potty training your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in an apartment is quite possible with a few small adaptations. Take your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy out at set times each day, usually half an hour after meals and after each nap. Wait patiently for them to poop, then praise your pup profusely so that they begin to understand what you want from them. No matter how careful you are, however, there will always be accidents. Never scold a puppy when they poop in the house, especially if the accident happened while you were out. Your Cavalier puppy wouldn't understand why you're cross with them. 

The Ideal Master for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Whether you live in an apartment or a house, the ideal master for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is available, patient, and enjoys taking care of and playing with their dog. You need to have enough time to take your dog for a leisurely walk each day as well as play some games and activities with them. Why not try your hand at agility or musical canine freestyle, for example.