Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are both derived from the same breed. The breed originated in England and came to be greatly associated with King Charles II. It was an aristocratic breed kept as a companion dog and was at times also used for flushing out small birds. Over time, different variations of the breed began to develop. A version with a rounder head and shorter nose became popular in America and came to be called the English Toy Spaniel. This version of the breed was too different from the original breed kept by King Charles II so a wealthy American held a contest to find the most idealistic version of the older breed. When found, he replenished the original breed which is called the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel today.

Although the English Toy Spaniel was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1886 (changed its name to the English Toy Spaniel in 1903), the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was not recognized by the AKC until 1995 - over a hundred years later.

The breed variations were also originally separated by color. The Prince Charles Spaniel, King Charles Spaniel, Ruby Spaniel, and Blenheim Spaniel were all variations of the English Toy Spaniel. The AKC grouped together the breed as the English Toy Spaniel in 1903. The English Toy Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are still named as such when it comes to their colors. A solid red Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is called Ruby in color. A red on white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is called Blenheim in color. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel also comes in black and tan and tricolor. As a special note, the Blenheim color was named after the Blenheim estate of the First Duke of Marlborough in the 18th century.

An adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should stand about 12-13 inches high and weigh between 13 and 18 pounds. He should have a long silky coat which needs to be brushed every other day or so. The ears of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are long and set high on the head. The hair on the ears should be long and feathered. He should also have long feathering on the feet and tail. The tail may be docked but by no more than a third should be removed. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has large round eyes, but the eyes should not protrude. Much of the description of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is similar to the English Toy spaniel, but the shape of their head and muzzle is distinctively different. The English Toy Spaniel has a rounder head and shorter muzzle than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has many great qualities which make him a perfect house pet. He is very affectionate, great with other pets, and easier to train as compared to many other small toy dog breeds. He is also not much of a barker and does not generally have that "big dog" bold mentality which many small dog breeds tend to have. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very gentle and amiable breed. He is good with every member of the family, including children. He tends to be playful and has a very happy personality. Even though he is a house dog, he still needs daily moderate walks.

Like most purebred dogs, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel tends to have certain hereditary personality traits and health problems. This is most common with dogs who have been bred through irresponsible breeders and puppy mills. By researching breeders and finding those who take the time to produce a quality breed rather than breeding in order to make a fast buck, you can find a quality dog which is less likely to have such temperament or health issues.

Health issues common in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel include heart problems, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and syringomelia. The most common health issue is the heart problems - more specifically, mitral valve disease. Many of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeds tend to get this disease, even the ones who are bred responsibly. If you get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, expect your dog to develop this issue and plan accordingly.

Hip dysplasia and patellar luxation can also develop in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Both of these diseases are skeletal diseases. The dysplasia can develop in the hips while the patellar luxation can develop in the knee. Syringomelia is a neural disease where a cyst forms in the spinal cord. This not only causes pain but weakness or lameness as well.

While generally a very happy-go-lucky dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can have issues with separation anxiety. He is very attached to his owners and needs almost constant companionship. An ill-bred dog is more likely to exhibit this trait than a well-bred dog. By implementing proper training at a young age, this issue may be prevented.

Another temperament issue which can develop in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is timidity. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is supposed to be a fun-loving breed, but irresponsible breeders who don't socialize their puppies properly are more likely to sell dogs which develop this undesirable trait. By purchasing from a breeder who raises the dog in their home, timidity is less likely to be an issue.

Because the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is bred from hunting spaniel dogs, he may have a tendency to wander in search of prey or run off in pursuit of prey. As such, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should always be kept on a leash when not in a secured area.

With a few minor exceptions, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a perfect house pet and companion. He is great with every family member, will win the heart of every stranger he meets, will get along great with other pets, he is intelligent, and he is a generally quiet and gentle dog. If you are interested in adding a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to your family, consider adopting one from a breed rescue group or purchase one from a responsible breeder.