This breed was named for the Cavalier King, who ruled Great
Britain in the 1700s.The Cavalier
King Charles Spaniel is usually a pampered house dog that requires
frequent and careful combing and brushing to prevent matting. It
is an ideal house pet and family companion that socializes well
with other family pets. The Cavalier King Charles is noted to be
particularly good with children. He has very few quirks in his
personality and not many hang-ups either, which helps to make him
a good companion for children.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is active
and high-spirited. He enjoys pleasing his family in every way
possible. The Cavalier King Charles is loving and loveable. Among
his assets are intelligence and obedience. He is usually ready for
walks or play time but will be just as content by himself dozing
near his family when asked. This dog is charming and usually
undemanding. The Cavalier King Charles also makes a good companion
to senior citizens, young families and singles as well.
His exercise requirements are easily
accomplished in daily household activities. His need for exercise
is not great, although as mentioned above, the Cavalier King
Charles Spaniel does enjoy walks with his loved ones. If walking
with his loved ones is not available he is just as content romping
around in the backyard.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel enjoys
consistent training. He will bond well with the entire family. He
is blessed with an even and fairly predictable temperament. The
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel adjust well to most situations. They
are especially good for agility and obedience training. They are
fine athletes.
The roots of the Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel as with all true Spaniels are probably found in Spain,
although the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel claims origin in
seventeenth-century England. It is felt by some historians that
the breed probably has some of the ancient Oriental toy breeds
among its ancestors as well. King Charles II favored a Cavalier
type that evolved into a dog with a shorter muzzle and lighter
body. In the early 1900s selective breeding created a swing back
to the original head and body type.
Originally, Spaniels were sporting dogs used
mostly to flush and retrieve game birds. In the 1600s the Cavalier
King Charles Spaniel served a similar function, but the principal
purpose at this time was to provide pleasure for its English
royalty owners. They would lie at the feet in the beds of Kings
and provide warmth to the master's feet. They provided
companionship for dukes and earls.
The English Kennel Club distinguished them
from the King Charles spaniel in 1945 as a separate breed by the
addition of the Cavalier to its name. There was a long period of
discord among American Cavalier fanciers. However, the breed was
recognized by AKC in 1996.
The Cavalier King Charles stands 12 to 13
inches tall and weighs 10 to 18 pounds. He resembles a miniature
hunting spaniel with a moderately long, full muzzle, long,
high-set ears and a long or docked tail.
The coat of a Cavalier King Charles is soft,
gently-waving and longish hair that is almost like silk. The red
and white color type is called Blenheim after the Duke of
Marlborough's estate. Other acceptable colors of the Cavalier King
Charles are solid red, black and white and tricolor. The tricolor
is a combination of black and white with russet brown accents.
This article is FREE to publish with the
resource box.
