Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Smart?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed of dog characterized by its soft and silky coat. It has an elegant and attractive appearance that is also usually very adorable thanks to its size. It is a canine that loves to be affectionate and kind to all members of its human family. In addition, it is an excellent pet for families with children and the elderly. 

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is quite active but not in a disproportionate way. They are playful and do not usually feel fear or nervous as they have excellent aptitudes for socializing with people and other animals, especially dogs. 

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Smart? 

The beauty of this canine is not its only distinguishing attribute. One of the things this breed is known for is its average intelligence. Although it is not the most intelligent dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a tendency to learn easily and quickly. They are excellent at learning tricks and following the orders of their owners when training. 

This breed of dog uses its intelligence according to the circumstances. We have already said that they are dogs that have the facility to learn during training and follow whatever order their owner gives them. 

However, they can also use this attribute to get what they want. We know that these dogs have a beautiful and cute appearance with quite soulful eyes. Knowing their own physical characteristics well, they tend to use them intelligently as a method of getting something from their owners, be it going for a walk, eating, playing, etc. 

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel also has the ability to understand your mood. If you notice that you are tired or sad, they will immediately come to your side to cuddle with you and give you love without demanding anything. This breed is quite special, so it is a good choice for any family. 

We have to bear in mind that although many dogs of this breed are born with intelligence that exceeds people’s expectations, there are others that are only potentially smart.

That means that even if they have these types of traits, they will not be able to develop them without the help of a person. The owner of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel must dedicate time and effort to train it properly and maximize its intelligence. 

Classification of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed for Smart 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs are considered intelligent, but they are not the most intelligent. In fact, there is a classification determined by the neuropsychological researcher Stanley Coren in his book “The Intelligence of Dogs” published in 1994. 

This classification includes 138 different dog breeds, among which the 73rd place belongs to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Because of that, we can say that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an average intelligence compared to other breeds. According to this study, this position in the ranking refers to the level of this canine in terms of obedience and intelligence. 

How was This Average Level of Intelligence Determined in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels? 

It was necessary to carry out several repetitive sessions in which the dogs had to learn a new command to determine the average intelligence not only of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel but also of the other breeds. The responses that these canines showed to this new command were very helpful in determining the position in the ranking each of them. 

In the case of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, it was concluded that it had perfectly understood this new command after an average amount of 25 to 40 repetitions. 

When a person tries to teach a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel a command, this dog is likely to respond positively to it 50% of the time or a little faster, which is not very impressive.

That figure is acceptable, but it may not be enough compared to other smartest breeds. It is for that reason that although it is an intelligent breed, there are chances that there are some, depending on their training and personality, who have more difficulty learning quickly. 

On the other hand, we can say that the 5 most intelligent dog breeds compared to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are the Border Collie, Poodle, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and Doberman Pinchers. In this case, these breeds have a faster learning response. That means any of those dogs will obey the command 95% of the time. 

Tips for Training a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 

We have already seen that this breed of dog has an average intelligence which is quite acceptable compared to many other canines. We also know that they are not the most intelligent dogs since there are others that we have mentioned above that do not need an order to be said twice to understand it. 

Because of this, it is possible that there is some difficulty in training some dogs of this breed. Obviously, everything will depend on its training from puppyhood and the lifestyle that its owner has provided.

However, it is essential to always keep in mind certain methods that can help you efficiently train a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and enhance its intelligence. 

One of the most effective ways to train a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is through positive reinforcement. You may already know that this method is about rewarding your dog with a treat every time it has done an activity correctly or when it has obeyed an order. That will enhance its ability to learn faster. 

It is crucial that you keep in mind that if you are having difficulty training this breed, you should never use violence or yelling, which could be counterproductive. The only thing that you will achieve is that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel feels fear and does not obey the order. That is why food rewards are essential.

The same happens when we try to educate a child since if we behave aggressively, he or she could be traumatized, so the best option is to tell them that they will be rewarded once they have done things well. 

One thing is for sure, and it is that these dogs will always try to please their owners so they will be willing to learn whatever you try to teach them. All you have to do is give them enough time to train them and do it with good energy and attitude.