Choosing a Male or Female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Both male and female Cavalier King Charles Spaniels make great pets.

But are there any major differences between the male or female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

Things to consider when choosing a Dog

When you are deciding whether or not to get a male (dog) or a female bitch make sure you consider all of the reasons you want a dog in the first place:

• Do you want a companion at the house?
• Are you after a guard dog? Perhaps try a different breed!
• Do you want a dog with which to be active?
• Are you interested in breeding dogs?
• Do you have children or other pets?

All of these things came into play when deciding to get a Cavalier over another breed of dog. They will also be a factor in deciding whether you want a male or a female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Similarities between Male and Female Cavaliers

Both male and female Cavaliers have a habit of marking so this is one issue you will need to think about.

Males tend to only mark when they are around a female who is in heat. They begin the behavior when they are old enough to sire a litter and as such it starts around twelve months of age. If you get your male neutered around this age you may be able to prevent marking all together.

Female Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to mark for a variety of reasons and it could be a little more difficult to correct the behavior in a female.

If you want a female it may be a good idea to crate train her so that she is not marking while you are away. In this way she will not have the undesirable behavior that you will have to work on correcting later on.

Differences between Male and Female Cavaliers

Males and females seem to have the same temperament up until about 12 months of age. As they mature males tend to remain more outgoing and open to socializing with strangers and doing activities outside of the home. Many females seem to become a little more sedentary and like to stay at home with family.

If you have children who are young and want to grow up playing with a puppy you may be better off with a male since they do seem to remain more active after the 12 month period. Females tend to become more relaxed while the male Cavalier seems to maintain more of the “puppy energy” later into life.

Breeding Considerations

If you are considering breeding your Cavalier that could be one of the biggest factors in whether you choose a male or a female.

If you stud out your male, you get paid and your job is done. Often you will be given the choice of either a stud fee, or pick of the litter.

If you have a bitch who has the litter there is a lot of work involved when the puppies are born.

You will need to care for the pups until they are old enough to be sold. You’ll need to complete paperwork, and find the best home for each puppy.

In order to have a female and breed her you really need to become an expert on the breed. This will ensure that you can home each pup properly.

You’ll also want to make sure that the new owners will be responsible and provide a caring and loving home. You’ll probably need to educate them to ensure they know what they are getting when they choose a Cavalier for their own home.

Importance of Health Insurance

We would always recommend contacting your trusted veterinarian if you want specific advice on anything relating to your animals health and well being.

Likewise, we highly recommend a good lifetime pet insurance policy.Read more

So should you choose a male or female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

With some breeds of dogs there seem to be many differences between a male and a female. But this is not really the case with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Males and females of the breed tend to be equally loving and equally nurturing. Both will work exceptionally hard to please their owner.

Much of the decision about whether to get a male or a female is actually about your personality and lifestyle rather than that of the dog.

The most important thing is to find a happy and healthy pup from a reputable breeder. Or better yet, why not consider rescuing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?