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Pet Insurance for King Charles Spaniels

Find out all about King Charles Spaniels and their common health conditions, and then compare pet insurance options from some of Australia’s leading insurers.

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, updated on September 15th, 2023       

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Price range

$2,000–$3,500

Height

22cm - 28cm

Weight

5kg - 7kg

Personality

Affectionate, gentle, loyal

Coat length

Medium, double wavy

Exercise needs

Moderate

Kid-friendly?

Yes

Life expectancy

12 - 16 years

King Charles Spaniel

Overview

The King Charles Spaniel, often also called the English Toy Spaniel, is a small breed renowned for its quiet and affectionate nature. Originating in the United Kingdom as early as the 1400s, these dogs have a long history dating back to the reign of King Charles I and King Charles II, which is how they acquired their royal name. King Charles Spaniels are known for their endearing personalities. They are affectionate, gentle, and highly sociable dogs that are very loyal to their owners. They love the company of other dogs, so for this reason they are often kept in pairs. They thrive on human companionship and are excellent family pets. Their friendly demeanour also extends to other pets, making them great companions for other breeds of dogs and even cats. They are a distinct and separate breed from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, known simply as the Cavalier, which has a longer snout, longer tail, larger body size and straight silky coat. 

King Charles Spaniels have an expressive face with large soulful eyes and a short, snubbed nose. They have a medium-length wavy coat that comes in various colours. Due to their small size and friendly nature, King Charles Spaniels make wonderful pets for families with young children. They enjoy being a lap dog and are less active than the Cavalier. Their adaptability makes them suitable for apartment living.  

Common diseases and conditions of King Charles Spaniels

  • Mitral Valve Heart Disease: English Toy Spaniels are predisposed to mitral valve heart disease, a genetic heart condition that is the leading cause of death amongst this breed. 
  • Luxating Patella: Luxating patella is a condition where the kneecap (patella) dislocates from its normal position. It can cause lameness and discomfort.  
  • Ear infections: Due to their long floppy ears, King Charles Spaniels can be prone to ear infections, so care must be taken to keep them clean and free from bacteria. 
  • Syringomyelia: This is an accumulation of fluid in the spinal cord spaces, which can result in head shaking and rubbing, pain on defecation, poor coordination and eventually curvature of the spine. 

Breed-specific issues:

The affectionate nature of King Charles Spaniels makes them sensitive to being left alone for long periods, and they can suffer from separation anxiety. They can have a strong prey drive and should be supervised around smaller animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits.

How much does pet insurance cost for a King Charles Spaniel?

Most Australians can expect to pay between $20 and $60 a month for pet insurance. There are many factors that can influence the cost of pet insurance for your King Charles Spaniel, including the following:

  • Age: The older your dog is, the more pet insurance is likely to cost. This is because senior dogs tend to have more physical health conditions and illnesses due to age, and so present a higher insurance risk.    
  • Type of insurance you choose:  There are three basic types of pet insurance available in Australia; accident-only, accident and illness, and comprehensive insurance. An accident-only policy is the cheapest type of insurance available, with comprehensive coverage costing the most.  
  • The policy annual limit: Each pet insurance policy has an annual limit, which is the maximum amount that will be paid out on the policy in one financial year. Annual limits range from around $10,000 up to $25,000 or more.   
  • Sub-limits: In addition to an annual limit, there may also be sub-limits that apply to the policy, for example, a $300 sub-limit for consultation fees, or a $5,000 limit for cruciate ligament conditions.   
  • Benefit percentage: Pet insurance does not cover 100% of the cost of your vet bill. Instead, it may pay a percentage of the total bill. This can range from 50% for cheaper policies, up to 90% for the best policies available.   
  • Excess amount: This is the amount you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket each time you make a claim on your policy. Some pet insurance policies do not come with an excess amount, whilst others do.  
  • Any add-ons you choose: It’s possible to add on more cover options to a basic policy, such as emergency boarding fees, routine care and dental care. These add-ons extend the scope of your pet insurance, but do increase the overall cost of the policy.  
  • Discounts: some insurers offer discounts of between 5% and 15% if you have multiple pets insured together, if you pay your premium annually, or if you bundle your pet insurance with other forms of insurance with the same company.

Types of pet insurance you can choose from

Why compare pet insurance with Savvy?

Common questions about King Charles Spaniels

Do King Charles Spaniels require a lot of grooming?

Yes, King Charles Spaniels have a wavy moderately long coat that requires regular brushing to prevent matting and to keep it looking shiny and healthy. 

Do King Charles Spaniels bark a lot?

They can be vocal at times, especially when they sense something unusual, but are not generally known as a yappy breed of dog. They are not known to be excessive barkers due to their placid and gentle nature.

 
 
Are King Charles Spaniels easy to train?

Yes, they are intelligent and eager to please, which generally makes training quite manageable. Positive reinforcement techniques work well with this breed as they are sensitive by nature. 

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Do they make good apartment dogs?

Yes, King Charles Spaniels adapt well to apartment living if they receive enough exercise and attention. They are relatively small in size, making them suitable for indoor spaces.

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King Charles Spaniel

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