The exercise requirements of a Cavalier are not excessive, and the breed adapts
well to changing circumstances. He requires exercise, as do all dogs, but will
enjoy a wide range of activity, from just a good daily walk around the block or in
the park to an all-day hike. Although the Cavalier is classified among the toy
breeds, he is far from that when it comes to his sporting nature. If you are an
outdoor person, the Cavalier is sturdy enough to keep you company in all
weather and still be happy at the campsite at the end of the day.
Most Cavaliers, however, will be living in an urban or suburban area where
such exercise is not possible. A daily walk is essential to keep your dog in good
physical and mental health. Apart from that, several quick outings a day for necessary pees and poops is all that is required.
If you like to start the day with a run or a brisk walk, your Cavalier will keep
pace with you. To give your Cavalier the exercise he needs and keep him in good
condition, you should walk so that he must trot to keep up with you. If you live
in an urban area and your walks are around city blocks, be warned that your
Cavalier must be kept on a leash for his own safety, even if you have taken him
to obedience classes and he generally stays near you. Any dog can be easily distracted and run across a road to chase a squirrel or greet another dog, even if
there are two lines of traffic zooming down the road.
a city park, he needs to be on along line or a retractable leash so you have control. Being a sociable sort, he may want to greet every dog he sees, not realizing that some breeds can be aggressive or protective of their owners. Since he is much smaller than most of the dogs you will encounter, it is simple to reel him in at any sign of danger.
For the person who is limited in physical activity, the Cavalier will adapt to a more sedentary life, and be perfectly happy as long as he is with the person he loves. The Cavalier is also a very good ball or Frisbee retriever, and it takes little effort to stand or sit in one place while your dog does all the running—which provides enjoyment for both of you. In such a situation you may have another member of the family to give him the regular exercise he needs, or
you may decide to hire a professional dog walker.
Hunting Instincts If you are in a fenced area where your dog can be taken safely off the leash, you will notice that although he runs free, he will keep an eye on you to be sure you
are within reach. Given a large, grassy, open area, the Cavalier will naturally quarter the field, running diagonally back and forth with his nose low to the
ground. His hunting instincts are in full play as he picks up the hundreds of
scents wafting upward.
The Cavalier also confirms his sporting origin by being a very good retriever
if encouraged early. Of our ten dogs, five are natural retrievers, bringing back a
ball or catching a Frisbee with great enthusiasm. My 3-year-old Blenheim girl,
Joy, is amazingly skillful not only in her ability to retrieve on the fly and bring a
ball to hand, but also to find one that other dogs have lost in deep grass or bush.
If a dog has lost a ball, and I have some idea of its vicinity, I point to the area and
give Joy the command “find it.” She will search that patch of ground over and
over until I tell her to stop. Very often she finds the ball in a short time and
comes trotting over proudly, tail held high and eyes sparkling, to present it and
be told how very clever she is.
