Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Description: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is distinguished by their longer nose and heavier build from the King Charles Spaniel. They have beautiful large dark eyes. Their fur is long and silky, with the appearance of royalty. They can have black and tan colors, ruby, blenheim, or tricolor. They are short small dogs, although the largest of the toy breeds. Their muzzle is short and blunt, and have long drooping ears that are covered in feathery soft fur. Their tails can be left alone or docked if they do not have certain traits that are desirable. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a loving dog, they are good natured and fond of children. They make a good companion for the young and old alike, with a friendly and obedient disposition. They are companion dogs, mostly used for foot warming, keeping one company, and as lap dogs. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will be happy to run in the field or just sit by your side. They are not excessively energetic, but at the same time they love to play. A fearless, lively little dog with a cheerful disposition, they are sociable with both people and other dogs. One of the most popular of all the toy breeds, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a friendly, happy, loving companion.They originate from England and remain one of the most popular dogs in that country. Type: Gun Dog

Height: 12 – 13 inches. Weight: 10 – 18 lbs.

Colors: Black and Tan – black with bright tan marks above eyes, head, chest, legs, underside of tail; white marks undesirable. Ruby– Rich red; white markings undesirable. Blenheim – Chestnut markings, well broken up, on white ground; markings evenly divided on head, lozenge between ears. Tricolor – black and white, well spaced and broken up, with tan markings over head, inside legs, on underside of tail. Coat: Long, silky, straight or wavy, but free from curl. They have ample feathering.

Temperament: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are friendly, obedient, sensible and sweet. They have lovely temperaments. They are gentle, playful, affectionate and very wiling to please. They are usually quiet, but they can bark. They are good with other pets and with children, and most people. They are very easygoing. With Children: Good, although children should be older if just a puppy. Cavaliers are sweet and friendly to all family and friends. With Pets: Good. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are placid with pets. Special Skills: Family pet.

Watch-dog: Moderate. They are alert, but friendly. Guard-dog: Low. Cavaliers are friendly to nearly everything, including pets.

Care and Training: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need weekly grooming with a firm bristle brush. Special attention should be given to their ears. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels should only be bathed when necessary. Minimal exercise is needed for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, but they do enjoy a romp in the park or a backyard with a playmate. They should be exercised regularly. A short walk or romp daily will suffice. Special Needs:  Exercise, grooming, and an indoor lifestyle Learning Rate: High. Cavaliers are very intelligent. Obedience – High. Problem Solving – High.

Activity: Low to Medium. Living Environment: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an indoor dog. Best with fenced yard and walks on leash. Though a fenced yard and outdoor living is preferable, the CKCS is well known for being adaptable and does well with a family or individual, living in either the city or suburbs.

Health Issues: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may have problems with patellar luxation, heart murmurs, and hip dysplasia. Other health concerns include eye conditions, earinfections, allergies, syringomyelia, and mitral valve disease.

Life Span: 9 – 14 years. Litter Size: 2 – 6 puppies.

Country of Origin: Great Britain History: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels origins are from the King Charles Spaniel, who through selective breeding from the Toy Spaniel was produced to have a more exaggerated head with a great dome and flatter face, possible from the Pug, though it is uncertain. They also may have relations with the Japanese Chin, and some sources claim this dog to come from Japan. Their name is from King Charles II who kept a large number of Toy Spaniels, by which complaints rose when they continually paid more attention to his dogs than to his governmental matters. In the 17th century the dogs were popular with King Charles the first, and thus became popular with King Charles the II. The dogs were popular among all royalty, and many used them as lap dogs, companions, foot warmers and more. Some were referred to as “comforter spaniels”. They were a favorite of the aristocracy in the early nineteenth century as well. As the breed evolved, 19th century owners began to think the older looking type of Cavaliers were inferior. The preferential treatment of the newer version of Spaniels continued until the 1920s when a man named Roswell Eldridge, an American, wanted to see the old-style King Charles Cavaliers. He went to England and for five years at the Crufts Dog Show he gave 25 pounds to anyone who owned a spaniel similar to the ones in old paintings of King Charles’ spaniels. The popularity if this contest brought back many of the Cavalier’s original traits, giving society the dog of today. A dog called Ann’s Son became the model for the first breed Standards and in 1945 the English Kennel Club granted the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel separate registration from the King Charles Spaniel. One of the most popular breeds in England and America, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gained AKC recognition in 1996. Nancy Reagan, wife of President Ronald Reagan, owned a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

First Registered by the AKC: 1996 AKC Group: Toy Class: Toy Registries: AKC, CKC, FCI (Group 9), KC (GB)