Description | This beautiful small spaniel has dark round expressive eyes that are large but not prominent. The tail is sometimes
docked to no less then three times its length. It has a conical muzzle and a flat skull. It has a shallow stop, with well
developed nose and wide nostrils. The ears are long with abundant feathering. It has a silky coat, sometimes with a slight
waviness that comes in ruby, black & tan, tri-color and blenheim (rich chestnut on a pearly-white background). On Blenheim
dogs, a chestnut-red spot on top of the head between the ears is preferred by breeders, but not critical.
Blenheim =
red and white
Prince Charles = tricolor
King Charles = black and tan
Ruby = rich mahogany red |
Temperament | The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an eager, affectionate tail-wagger. Lively, outgoing and sportive.
These fearless lively little dogs want to please. They are intelligent enough to understand what you want and therefore are
usually easy to train and respond well to gentle obedience training. They are said to be naturally well behaved and get along
well with other dogs and non-canine pets. Cavalier's love people and need lots of companionship to be happy. They should
not be left alone all day. They are descended from hunting dogs and love to romp in the great outdoors. This breed sometimes
displays a chasing instinct and should be kept well enclosed or leashed so he does not get lost or run over by a car!
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a pleasant companion dog. It has a noteworthy sense of smell and vision and can be used
in short hunts in open country. They do well in competitive obedience. |
Height, Weight | Height:
12-13 inches (30-33 cm.)
Weight: 10-18 pounds (5-8 kg.) |
Living Conditions | Cavalier
King Charles Spaniels are good for apartment life. They are moderately active indoors and a small yard will be sufficient.
The Cavalier does not do well in very warm conditions. |
Exercise | Cavalier King
Charles Spaniels need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however,
as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more
likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced
in yard. |
Life Expectancy | About 9-14 years. |
Grooming | Comb or brush with
a firm bristle brush, and bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. The feathered hair on the ears is prone to tangling and matting,
so this dog should be thoroughly groomed often. The hair between the pads on the feet should be kept trimmed and the ears
should be cleaned regularly. Always make sure the dog is thoroughly dry and warm after a bath. Check the eyes carefully for
any signs of infection. This breed is an average shedder. |
Origin | The Cavalier
King Charles Spaniel is descended from the King Charles Spaniel and other small Toy Spaniels seen in
many sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth century paintings. Its breeders were trying to reproduce a toy dog similar to
those seen in portraits from the time of England's Charles II, who was said to dote on these small dogs. In the
1920's the American, Roswell Eldridge, offered prize money during a Cruft's Dog Show in London, to any person exhibiting
King Charles Spaniel with long noses. He was looking for dogs similar to those appearing in Van
Dyck's paintings of King Charles II and his spaniels. By the 1940's these dogs were classified as a separate
breed and were given the prefix Cavalier, to differentiate them from their forebears. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was
shown in the Toy Group of the AKC beginning in 1996. |
