The Breed
HISTORY
Developed from a cross between the King Charles and a Cocker Spaniel, the Cavalier differs greatly from its forebears. 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 Spaniels 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.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel of today is descended from the small Toy Spaniels seen in so many sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth century paintings by Titian, Van Dyck, Lely, Stubbs, Gainsborogh, Reynolds, and Romney. These paintings show small spaniels with flat heads, high set ears, almond eyes, and rather pointed noses. During Tudor times, Toy Spaniels were quite common as ladies' pets, but it was under the Stuarts that they were given the royal title of King Charles Spaniels. History tells us that King Charles II was seldom seen without two or three spaniels at his heels. So fond was King Charles II of his little dogs, he wrote a decree that the King Charles Spaniel should be accepted in any public place, even in the Houses of Parliament where animals were not usually allowed. more >
Dog Group Kennel Club
Toy
Dog Group
Ralston
Breed Classification
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the toy group
and is used as a companion and seen in the show-ring.
Feeding Requirements
These
dogs are relatively easy to feed, not requiring any
supplements or special diets. The main thing to remember
with the Cavalier is not to overfeed as they do have
a tendency to become overweight.
For all your dog's nutritional requirements, you don’t have to look any further than Purina’s trusted brands. Spoilt for choice? Then use the Purina Nutritional Calculator.
Lifespan
9 - 15 years
If healthy, the Cavalier can live 13 to 15 years.
Average Litter Size
The average size litter is 4 puppies.
General Physical Description
A small spaniel with a short, but definite muzzle, large
brown eyes and silky fur.
Bitch: 30cm (12ins) 33cm (13ins)
Dog: 30cm (12ins) 33cm (13ins)
Bitch: 5kg (11lbs) 8kg (18lbs)
Dog: 5kg (11lbs) 8kg (18lbs)
Size Category
Small
Weight Height Range
The average height of both dogs and bitches is between 30 to 33 cm and the weight is between 5.5 and 8 kg.
Ailments
Cavies
are prone to heart murmurs, cataracts and subluxating
patellas (slipping knee caps.) Cavaliers also have
the highest incidence of any breed of Mitral Valve
Disease. Pups should only be bred from specimens of
the breed who have shown no sign of the disease at
the older age of 3 - 5 years - a bit late for some
to wait to start breeding, but perhaps necessary in
order to eradicate the disease from the breed.
Susceptibility To Illness
Medium
History
In
its heyday, this breed was known as a 'comforte dog'
and doctors even wrote prescriptions with this little
dog as the remedy. The original Cavalier King Charles
was developed from the toy spaniels pictured in the
work of 16th, 17th and 18th century painters such
as Van Dyck, Titian, Stubbs and Gainsborough. These
portraits show a small spaniel with a flat head, high
set ears, almond shaped eyes and a pointed nose. They
were very common as a ladies’ pet and were used
to warm laps during cold carriage rides and while
waiting about in chilly castles. Another job the dogs
had was to attract fleas off their mistresses so that
the owner would not get bitten and die of the plague.
The royal name, 'King Charles Spaniel' was bestowed
during the reign of King Charles II, who was so fond
of his spaniels he could not be parted from them.
He made a decree that King Charles Spaniels must be
allowed in any public place, including the House of
Parliament. This decree is still in the law books
today
Intelligence
This
is an affectionate, undemanding and easy to train
family dog. Eager to please, it is wonderfully simple
to train and can do well in obedience trials. It is
a clean dog and will housebreak quickly.
Show
Characteristics
The
breed standard calls for an almost flat skull between
the ears and a very shallow stop. The distance between
the stop and the tip of the nose should be 1 and 1⁄2
inches and the nose must be black. The muzzle is tapered
but not pointed and the lips should not be pendulous.
A scissor or level bite is encouraged, while the undershot
jaw of their near relation, the King Charles Spaniel
is discouraged. Soulful eyes should be round and dark,
widely spaced and not bulging. There should be a slight
cushion under the eye, adding to their beguiling look.
Well feathered ears should be high set and fairly
long. The neck is relatively long for the size of
the dog and leads into shoulders that are not too
straight. A level back with a short body is desired.
The chest should be of moderate depth and the ribs
well sprung, while avoiding a barrel shape. Both fore
and hind legs should be straight and of medium weight
bone. The legs should be parallel so that the compact
and well cushioned foot is pointed straight forward.
Carried level with the back, the happy Cavy will keep
its tail in perpetual motion. Graceful in gait, the
dog’s cheery and positive disposition should
shine through at all times. A long and silky coat
is desired with much feathering.
Country
Of Origin
Ireland & England
Famous Examples
Records Held
Energy
Medium
Overall
Exercise
40
- 60 minutes per day. They will adapt to
whatever amount of exercise you feel able to give
but do need some regular exercise or they will put
on the pounds.Distress Caused
if Left Alone
Personal
Protection
Low
Suitability
As Guard Dog
Low
Tendency
to Bark
Medium
Ease
of Transportation
High
Level
of Aggression
Low
Compatibility
With Other Animals
High
Suitable
For Children
High
General
Character And Temperament
This
is an affectionate, undemanding and easy to train
family dog.They are excellent with children and the
elderly. They are not excessive barkers but will announce
strangers. They are no guard dogs however, as they
greet most people warmly. Cavaliers get along with
everyone, including cats and other small pets. Being
relatively small and easy going, they make good travel
companions.
Coat
Length
Medium/Long
Grooming
Requirement
Once
a week
Grooming
Cavaliers should be groomed thoroughly once a week.
The nails and the hair between the pads of the feet
should be trimmed once a month. This is a shedding
dog but good grooming should keep the hair load on
your furniture fairly low. Special attention must
be given to the ears are they are drop ears and there
is very little air circulation. No trimming is necessary
and is, indeed, disallowed for the show ring.
Colour
The colours are black and tan, ruby, red and white
(Blenheim) and tricolour (black and white with rich
tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, underside
of ears and tail).
Shedding
Little,
Tendency
to Cause Allergies.
