Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like to cuddle?
Dog breeds have different characteristics. Therefore, it is not easy to choose the right breed of dog. Do you want a guard dog for running and cycling or a dog that likes to lie on the couch and cuddle with you? In this article, I will discuss whether Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like to cuddle.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels love to cuddle and get petted. They were bred as pure companion dogs for humans and preferred to stay with him. In the past, the Cavalier was the playmate of the king’s children and served as a bed warmer. Nevertheless, one should not underestimate the Cavalier King Charles’ urge to move. It is not a pure lap dog.
Why do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like to cuddle?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a very old dog breed, which was already kept as a pure companion dogs. This means that they had no particular task. It is not a hunting or guard dog.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels should “accompany” people and spend time with them. They used to serve as a playmate for the king’s children or as bed warmer.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are generally affectionate, cuddly, friendly, fond of children, and lively. They approach strangers openly and would prefer to be petted all day.
So they were always close to their owners. For this reason, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone. However, a few hours should be possible with the proper training from the beginning.
It sounds like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a typical lap dog that wants to be petted all day. But that is only half the truth. Contrary to popular belief, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs regular exercise and activity.
You should be able to offer him at least two walks a day.
Petting and cuddling relaxes your Cavalier King Charles
Besides the fact that dog breeds like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are naturally very cuddly and love to be petted, petting has a positive effect on dogs.
When you pet your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, he releases oxytocin. This is the so-called cuddle hormone.
Cortisol is a stress hormone that is harmful to the body. Oxytocin makes sure that cortisol is reduced. Oxytocin also lowers blood pressure and strengthens the immune system.
So petting your dog is relaxing for you and provides relaxation and health for your Cavalier.
Especially in situations where your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is under a lot of stress, petting him can help him calm down and relax the problem.
A significant factor for many dogs is undoubtedly driving. However, sitting next to your Cavalier and petting or touching him while driving can help him become calmer and more relaxed.
Other situations in which petting can help:
- You can calm your dog during a thunderstorm by petting him.
- If you’ve moved, the location change can cause stress in your Cavalier. Petting and cuddling can also help here to make it easier for him to get used to the new place.
How to cuddle your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
To avoid scaring your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel away by petting or cuddling him the wrong way, paying attention to what he likes and dislikes is essential.
Not all petting is the same.
Many dogs don’t like it when you pet them over the head or touch them on their paws. So if you notice your Cavalier turning away, retracting his paws, or making other gestures to signal that he doesn’t like something, you should stop.
Even if the Cavalier is known to like to lie on your lap, it does not necessarily apply to your specimen.
If your Cavalier loves to lie next to you on the couch and be petted on the neck, you should continue to do so. Do not force him to lie on your lap if he would rather lie next to you.
I can reassure you if you are concerned about letting your Cavalier on the couch because you fear he may smell. Healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not have a strong smell. However, poor-quality dog food can make your dog feel stronger than usual.
Reasons why your Cavalier King Charles doesn’t like to be petted
However, there can always be reasons your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel doesn’t want to cuddle or be petted.
Cavalier does not like to be petted on the head.
When someone pets a dog, it is usually over the head. Especially with children, you often see this.
But only a few dogs like to be petted on the head. You can usually tell because they duck away. Petting your Cavalier on the chest, belly, back, or neck is better.
Cavalier has been mistreated.
If you have rescued your Cavalier King Charles from the shelter, you don’t always know exactly what he has experienced up to that point.
It may be that he has been beaten or otherwise mistreated. That he is then afraid and does not like to be petted is more than understandable.
Give your dog time and show him that he can trust you. With time he will become more affectionate and will also like to be petted by you.
Cavalier King Charles was scared as a puppy.
Children tend to grab a puppy and hold it in their arms. If your puppy is surprised by this, for example, because he was sleeping, this can be why he does not like to be cuddled or petted later on.
Avoid pulling your puppy out of sleep because you feel like petting him. A dog is not a toy.
If you scare him off, you will have a lot of work to get him to trust you again and enjoy being petted.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is in pain.
Pain due to an injury can be why your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does not like to cuddle or be petted.
Even if you can’t see anything outside, he may have hurt himself playing and running and find touching uncomfortable.
In this case, it is important to see your veterinarian to rule out significant injuries.
Related Cavalier King Charles Posts:
Your Cavalier does not like to be petted.
Even though it is true of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in general that they like to cuddle and be petted, there is still the possibility that yours doesn’t like it.
As sad as it is, you chose this breed specifically because you wanted a dog that loves to cuddle; it can happen that a specimen does not behave in a breed-typical manner.
Give your Cavalier time; above all, accept your Cavalier as he is and make the best of it. With time, your dog may still change and enjoy the cuddles more.
Conclusion: Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cuddly?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for loving to be petted. They love to cuddle and could do so all day long. So, the Cavalier is ideal for anyone who wants a lap dog. However, it would be best not to underestimate their urge to move. Regular walks are still the order of the day.
@ Bane.m-depositphotos.com (Contributing image)
