The gregarious Cavalier takes as his role model humorist Will Rogers, who famously said he never met a stranger. The Cavalier is eager to meet everyone who crosses his path, and if that person sits down and offers a lap (or a treat), so much the better.

Like any dog, Cavaliers come in a range of personalities, from quiet and sedate to rowdy and rambunctious. They might or might not bark when someone comes to the door, so they're a poor choice as a watchdog--except, that is, for watching the burglar cart off the silver. There are exceptions, of course--some Cavaliers will inform you of every event in your neighborhood and bark ferociously when strangers approach--but overall you're better off buying an alarm system than counting on your Cavalier to alert you to trouble.

« Overview | Next: Care »