Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are friendly, social, and affectionate dogs. They have all the ideal qualities of a good family dog. So it is no surprise that they have been increasing in popularity across America and around the world over the past few decades.
But are they popular due to their high intelligence?
Well, according to Dr. Stanley Coren’s book, The Intelligence of Dogs, Cavaliers are considered to have average intelligence when compared to other dogs. They are ranked the 73rd smartest dog breed when it comes to working intelligence and obedience (out of 138). However, what they may lack in intelligence they make up for in love and affection for their humans.
When I first read that Cavaliers are of ‘average’ intelligence I was shocked. I would certainly think that my Cavalier, Ralph, presents as a clever dog that doesn’t miss a trick.
Intelligence compared to other dog breeds is only one factor to consider when choosing the right pet for you. If you’re thinking about getting a Cavalier and are wondering what they are like there are many things to consider…
Are they easy to train?
Do they need lots of mental stimulation?
Are they mischievous?
Let’s dive into these questions and many others in this article…
How Smart are Cavaliers?
Although Cavaliers did not rate highly in Dr. Coren’s survey, they are very popular as pets because of their friendly nature and ability to learn tricks. They also excel in obedience training and can easily adapt to living indoors.
It’s interesting to compare some of the most popular breeds in America to the intelligence ranking from the study. To help with this I have compiled the table below:
| Breed | Popularity Ranking | Intelligence Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Retrievers (Labrador) | 1 | 7 |
| French Bulldogs | 2 | 109 |
| Retrievers (Golden) | 3 | 4 |
| German Shepherd | 4 | 3 |
| Poodles | 5 | 2 |
| Bulldogs | 6 | 136 |
| Beagles | 7 | 72 |
| Rottweilers | 8 | 9 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 15 | 73 |
You can see from the table that some of the most popular dog breeds haven’t scored very well in the intelligence study. Interestingly, the second most popular dog breed, French Bulldogs, scored much lower than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Alright, what’s this ranking business all about? To get an idea of why the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not ranked as high as other breeds, let’s look at the study and the criteria used to measure a dog’s intelligence.
How is a Dogs Intelligence Measured?
Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, came up with a way to measure dog intelligence. He devised a system that ranks dogs according to how well they perform in obedience trials — tests where dogs are judged on their ability to obey simple commands like sit, down, heel and come.
Coren says he wanted to find out whether there was a correlation between dog intelligence and behavior problems. So he looked at data gathered from 2,000 purebred dogs bred specifically to compete in obedience trials.
The study showed that while smart dogs tend to behave better, less intelligent dogs don’t necessarily do worse. In fact, some of the worst performing dogs in the study were among the most intelligent.
Coren’s Dog Intelligence Criteria
The two main criteria used in Dr. Cohen’s study were how quickly can a dog breed learn commands and how obedient they are:
- The number of repetitions required to learn a new command was used to determine dog intelligence. Dogs that required less repetition to master tasks were deemed to be smarter than others.
- The success rate that a dog breed will obey a known command on the first attempt. This measures the “obedience” intelligence, with more obedient dogs being considered smarter.
Working intelligence refers to how well your dog performs in tasks that require concentration and focus. Obedience skills include learning commands such as sit, stay, down, come, and heel. Finally, tests of cognitive abilities include memory retention, problem-solving, spatial awareness, and visual-spatial skills.
Cohen admits in the study that a downside of the rating scale used to assess a dog’s intelligence is that it is heavily weighted towards obedience-related behavioral traits often found in working dogs.
In the case of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, it is fair to say that they are not particularly obedient or focused on work. This means that they do not score highly on this test. However, they do perform very well in the area of cognition. In fact, they rank among the top 10% of breeds tested for cognitive ability.
This means that they are able to learn quickly and remember things easily.
Are Cavaliers Easy to Train?
A young puppy needs training from an early age so that he or she learns good manners and becomes a well-behaved adult. Cavaliers tend to be friendly and affectionate dogs who enjoy having fun with their owners.
Cavaliers are highly motivated to learn new things because they enjoy praise and rewards. You just need to teach them what you want them to do and then practice until it becomes second nature.
Cavaliers are easy to train, but only if you understand the breed’s personality traits and behavior patterns.
Most dog breeders agree that Cavaliers are gentle, empathetic dogs who respond well to praise and affection. They don’t respond well to harsh treatment or yelling.
While they love attention, they do best with consistent structure and routine. Make sure you give your dog lots of praise and affection whenever he behaves properly, and reward him with treats when he acts like a good boy.
What Is A Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Personality Like?
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s personality is described as playful, energetic and happy. They are generally friendly and outgoing. They enjoy being part of the family and getting along with everyone. They are usually calm and relaxed unless they feel threatened.
They are known to be very loyal and protective of their owners. They are eager to please and will always try to help out.
They’re happiest when they get to go for long walks, but they’re just as happy lounging around at home if you need to skip one.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a Good Temperament?
Cavaliers are extremely loyal and affectionate dogs. Their personalities are described as playful, energetic, and happy. They are typically calm and relaxed unless they are feeling threatened. They are eager to help out and want to play with their owner.
They are very protective of their owners and will protect them from harm. They are very loyal and will follow their owner everywhere. They are very good around children and other animals.
Are Cavaliers Mischievous?
Cavaliers are known for their playful nature, but they can also be quite mischievous. Some Cavaliers may try to play tricks on unsuspecting owners, such as jumping on furniture or pulling off the blinds. Other Cavaliers may nip at ankles or ears, or bite hands or feet.
Cavalier puppies should be trained properly to avoid these behaviors. A good breeder will teach you how to handle your puppy correctly and will warn you against any behavior that could cause injury.
How to Mentally Stimulate Cavaliers
Cavaliers are known for their high energy levels and playful personalities. However, sometimes these dogs can seem aloof and uninterested in human interaction. If your Cavalier seems like he doesn’t care much for humans, try playing games with him.
Games such as fetching balls, tugging toys, and chasing sticks can keep his mind occupied and stimulate his brain. He may enjoy running around and jumping on furniture, too! Try taking walks together, and let him sniff different objects along the way. These activities will help him bond with you and feel comfortable around you.
Do Cavaliers Make Good Pets?
If you’re wondering if the Cavaliers are smart, then I’m guessing that you are asking if they are good pets and if they’re right for you.
The truth is that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels make excellent pets…. for the right people.
It’s difficult to imagine any breed that has a more loving personality than this handsome, affectionate little dog with its wonderful gentleness, intelligence, and desire to be loved by its human family.
They’re friendly towards people, not normally aggressive towards other dogs, and are extremely patient with kids.
They’re also great for keeping you company when you’re alone or in need of some extra companionship.
They need regular grooming to maintain their coat’s beautiful appearance.
Conclusion
Although Cavaliers are not known for their high levels of intelligence, they are friendly, very loyal, and affectionate dogs.
They’re the perfect companions for families who want a pet that has boundless affection and loves nothing more than snuggling up with them.
Although they are not known for their high levels of intelligence, with some time and effort invested into training from an early age, Cavaliers will learn to do exactly what you want them to.
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