Teacup King Charles Cavalier – Your Guide To The Mini Cavalier

The modern version of the breed has the official title of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or CKCS for short. In many respects they are the perfect pet, small enough for apartment living yet energetic enough to enjoy an active life. But there are some downsides you need to be aware of before you purchase a puppy. Especially if your heart is set on a miniature King Charles Cavalier. 

Where does the mini King Charles Cavalier come from?

The King Charles Spaniel gets its name from King Charles II of England, who owned many small spaniels, albeit with longer muzzles. The shorter muzzles became popular after the King’s death and are now a characteristic of the breed. 

The modern CKCS came a little later still and was a slightly larger version of the spaniel weighing in at around 15lbs and standing at around 12 inches high. The original version of the breed is now known as the English Toy Spaniel.

Teacup varieties of many breeds have become very popular in the last decade, and the Cavalier is no exception. It is possible to buy a miniature King Charles Cavalier that will never reach much more than 7lbs or 8lbs in weight. And these tiny dogs have great appeal.

The Appeal of Teacup Dogs

Originally bred to be a lap dog, the teacup King Charles Cavalier’s affectionate nature combined with its cute small frame is what attracts many potential owners. Their tiny size is not only seen as endearing but can be practical for certain lifestyles.

People living in small apartments may desire a smaller sized dog due to lack of space. A smaller stature typically means less exercise is required, an advantage to those who are busy or cannot provide long walks.

Achieving miniature size in animals without losing important benefits to health has always been a challenge. And that remains the case today. 

Three ways to get a teacup Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

There are several ways to miniaturize a dog, they include:

• Introducing the dwarfism gene
• Breeding from the smallest in each litter
• Mixed breeding

These methods have advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at each one in turn

Introducing the Dwarfism Gene

Dwarfism is a genetically inherited condition that stunts growth, resulting in abnormally small physical features. Sometimes, breeders will breed two dogs that carry the dwarfism gene to create a teacup dog.

There are different kinds of dwarfism genes and they usually occur due to random mutations. They all carry potential health complications that may be seen in a teacup King Charles Cavalier if bred using this method.

The health issues associated with dwarfism include:

• spinal abnormalities
• underdeveloped muscles
• dental complications
• cranial problems
• hair loss
• heart complications

It is unlikely a teacup King Charles Cavalier will be bred using this method as it is rare that breeders have access to two dogs of the same breed that carry this gene.

There is a test that can be carried out for the dwarfism gene, so it’s worth asking breeders for health records or asking them to get the test done.

This will reduce your chances of getting a teacup King Charles Cavalier that may experience these health problems.

Breeding From The Smallest

Another way that a teacup King Charles Cavalier can be bred is by breeding from runts.

The traditional meaning of a runt is a puppy that is of abnormally low weight and size when born. They are more vulnerable to health complications than the rest of their litter. Under usual circumstances a breeder would not consider breeding a litter form a dog that was disadvantaged in this way. But this is how some teacup dogs are created – by breeding from runts and sometimes by breeding a runt to another runt.

If a teacup King Charles Cavalier is bred this way, they are more likely to experience immune system difficulties and heart conditions later in life.

To reduce the risk of obtaining a runt-bred teacup King Charles Cavalier, you can ask breeders for a dog’s genetic history. But in truth, anyone producing dogs using this method is unlikely to be committed to animal health and welfare. 

Mixing with a Smaller Breed

The third way to breed the teacup Cavalier is to breed the standard Cavalier King Charles spaniel with a different, smaller breed.

This can reduce the risk of the offspring obtaining predisposed genetic disorders as it creates more genetic variation. However, the offspring will inherit traits from both breeds, meaning there’s a chance it will not look much like a King Charles Cavalier.

Here are some of the mixes commonly advertised as teacup King Charles Cavaliers by breeders.

Miniature Cavapoo

A miniature Cavapoo is a King Charles Cavalier mixed with a miniature Poodle.

The Miniature Poodle is a curly-haired breed that is 10-15 inches tall. This is around the same height as the King Charles Cavalier, so there is a possibility that the mix will not be “teacup” sized.

Miniature Poodles are vulnerable to a number of predisposed health issues including von Willebrand’s disease, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. Therefore, a King Charles Cavalier mixed with a miniature Poodle is more likely to suffer from these problems.

Miniature Poodles’ temperaments are smart and proud, so these positive traits are likely to be seen in a Cavapoo.

Chilier

A Chilier is a King Charles Cavalier mixed with a Chihuahua.

As the smallest dog breed, the Chihuahua is a viable and popular option when mixing breeds to breed the teacup King Charles Cavalier. They are 5-8 inches tall, so their mixes are likely to achieve the “teacup” size.

There are a few health issues that both Chihuahuas and King Charles Cavaliers are genetically predisposed to, including patella luxation (loose kneecaps) and eye conditions.

As both parent breeds are predisposed, a Chihuahua King Charles Cavalier mix is far more likely to experience these problems.

Miniature Cavamo

A miniature Cavamo is a King Charles Cavalier mixed with a miniature American Eskimo.

Perky and playful, the miniature American Eskimo’s loveable temperament is likely to be passed on to a King Charles Cavalier mix.

They are 9-12 inches tall which is slightly smaller than the King Charles Cavalier, increasing the chances of the mix having the “teacup” size.

They are active and require a lot of exercise, which may take away from the appeal of a teacup breed.

They are genetically predisposed to progressive retinal atrophy (a condition that causes vision loss) which could be passed down to a miniature American Eskimo King Charles Cavalier mix.

Pros of the miniature Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• The temperament of the Cavalier is outstanding.They are affectionate, friendly and generally free from aggression of any kind. You get this with a full-sized Cavalier too!
• Tiny dogs can be well suited to apartment living in that they don’t need much exercise or a large yard to play in. 
• Teacup dogs are very portable and easy to take on public transport
• Carriers, bedding and food costs are all reduced when they come in smaller sizes

We have to be very honest here now, and say that is about it for benefits. Not only does breeding from a miniaturized dog increase the risk of your dog suffering serious health issues, with the Cavalier, that risk is heaped on top of a lot of other issues that already exist within the breed.

The Cavalier is a breed that is currently in crisis due to the extensive and painful health issues that arise in so many of these lovely dogs. Here are a few problems you can expect if you buy a full sized cavalier

Cons of the Cavalier breed

• Cavaliers suffer from a condition called Syringomyelia where fluid filled cavities develop at the top of the spinal cord due to the dog’s brain being compressed by its unnaturally small skull. Syringomyelia causes dreadful pain and distress and some estimates put the risk at over 70% for Cavaliers over six years of age.
• The small skull also causes dental problems due to overcrowded teeth and eye problems, again due to the small skull size
• Cavaliers also suffer from a serious heart problem called mitral valve disease and some 50% of Cavaliers develop heart murmurs by the time they are five.

As you can see, buying a full sized Cavalier with a bright and healthy future is a challenge. There are breeders out there trying to combat these problems with screening and careful breeding but they are almost certainly not going to be adding to their problems by miniaturizing their dogs any further.

Is A Teacup King Charles Cavalier Right For Me?

The best way to ensure you’re getting a healthy teacup King Charles Cavalier is by getting a mixed breed dog. A reputable Cavalier breeder that is screening for diseases in the breed may occasionally have smaller puppies for sale but these won’t be advertized as teacup dogs.

If you do bring home a very tiny dog bear in mind that they are vulnerable to injury. The teacup King Charles Cavalier is best suited to a small home with little or no stairs, as their small size makes climbing stairs a struggle. And if you have young children, you’ll need to supervise them with your teacup puppy very closely.

Finding A Teacup King Charles Cavalier

As the teacup King Charles Cavalier is not a recognised breed, it might be hard to find one. Finding a healthy teacup King Charles Cavalier can be even more of a challenge.

Talk to local breeders and let them know you are looking for a smaller Cavalier. They might be able to help. And don’t forget to ask about Syringomyelia, Mitral Valve Disease, and health screening generally. A reputable breeder will be only to happy to answer your questions.

Dog shelters and animal rescues are also worth trying, as they typically have a lot of crossbreeds. And if having read this, you decide to change your mind about teacup dogs and buy a slightly larger dog, I think you won’t be disappointed.

References and Resources

• Kyöstilä K, et al. “Canine chondrodysplasia caused by a truncating mutation in collagen-binding integrin alpha subunit 10”. PLoS One. 2013.
• Kustritz M. “The Dog Breeder’s Guide to Successful Breeding and Health Management, 1e”. Saunders Publishing. 2006.