Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed Information:
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed retains the sporty nature of their spaniel ancestors. If they’re not sitting on a lap or getting a belly rub, nothing makes them happier than to flush a bird and then attempt to retrieve it. Although these are purebred dogs. Some have even shown their prowess as hunting dogs. The more restful members of the breed find success as family friends and therapy dogs.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Group: Companion Dogs.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Height: 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Weight: 13 to 18 pounds.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Life Span: 9 to 15 years.
More About This Dog Breed:
Cavaliers have a dependent personality. They love to be with people and shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time. Cavaliers may bark when someone comes to your door, but because of their friendly nature, they aren't good guard dogs. Cavaliers are housedogs and should not live outdoors.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel History:
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is the descendant of a small toy spaniel depicted in many 16th, 17th and 18th Century paintings of northern Europe. This dog was originally bred to warm laps in drafty castles and on chilly carriage rides. A prescription written in Olde English for the Queen of England directs her to keep this "comforte dog" on her lap to treat a cold.
The Cavalier's other job was to attract fleas and thereby spare their masters the flea-transmitted bubonic plague. During Tudor times, toy spaniels were common as ladies' pets and, under the Stuarts, they were given the royal title of King Charles spaniel.
King Charles II was seldom seen without two or three Cavaliers at his heels, and he wrote a decree still in effect today that his namesake spaniel be accepted in any public place, including the Houses of Parliament, which were generally off-limits to animals.
In the early days, breed standards were not recognized, although toy spaniels generally had flat heads, pointed muzzles and high-set ears. By the mid-19th century, the English fashioned a new look for the toy spaniel and standardized its appearance.
These modern King Charles spaniels, also known as "Charlies," had flatter faces, undershot jaws and domed skulls. In the early 1900s breeders attempted to recreate the earlier version of the breed; they were largely successful and so was born the Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
Breeding of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel in the United States took hold on a limited basis in the 1950s, but the breed was not fully recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1996.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Size:
Cavalier King Charles spaniel stands 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder and weighs 13 to 18 pounds.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Personality:
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.
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health:
Cavaliers are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all Cavaliers will get any or all of these diseases:
Mitral Valve Disease (MVD).
Syringomyelia (SM).
Episodic Falling.
Hip Dysplasia.
Patellar Luxation.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye).
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Care:
Their size and generally quiet nature make Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good candidates for apartment or condo living. They are moderately active indoors, and a small yard is adequate for their exercise needs.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Feeding:
Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Coat Color And Grooming:
Cavaliers come in four colors: Blenheim, a rich chestnut on a pearly white background. Some Blenheims have a thumb-shaped chestnut dot on top of the forehead, called a lozenge. Tricolor, black markings on a white coat with tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, and on the underside of the tail. Black and Tan, black with tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, and on the chest, legs and underside of the tail. Ruby, a solid rich reddish-brown with no white spots or markings.
Cavaliers are average shedders. They don't need any special trimming or clippering; in fact, it's preferred for the feathering to remain natural, although some people trim the feet for neatness' sake. Others of us like the furry-footed hobbit look.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with Children And Other Pets:
Cavaliers can be great playmates for kids who will enjoy throwing a ball for them, teaching them tricks, participating in dog sports, or simply having them on a lap while they read or watch television. They get along well with other dogs and can learn to play nice with cats and other pets if introduced to them at an early age.