Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Overview, Photos, History, & Facts
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, breed of toy dog developed from the English Toy Spaniel in the early 1900s. The English Toy Spaniel (also called the King Charles Spaniel), in turn, originated in England in the 1600s, probably from mixes of small spaniels with toy breeds from Asia. By the early 20th century, the English Toy Spaniel had so deviated from its longer-muzzled ancestors that a wealthy fancier offered prize money for the dog that most resembled the earlier King Charles Spaniels. Various breeders competed, and in 1945 these larger old-style dogs became recognized by the Kennel Club in England as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It soon became one of the most popular breeds in England and, much later, North America.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier is a solidly built spaniel-like dog, slightly longer than tall, with drop ears and a long tail. It stands 12 to 13 inches (30 to 33 cm) tall at the withers and weighs 13 to 18 pounds (6 to 8 kg). The silky coat may have a slight wave; it is medium in length. Long feathering on the feet is a breed characteristic and is left uncut for the show ring. The tail can be docked. The muzzle is not flat, and its sides are well padded. The dog’s expression is gentle and sweet. The Cavalier comes in four colour patterns: the most common, Bleinheim (red and white); ruby (solid red); black and tan; and tricolour (black and white with tan markings).
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed facts | |
|---|---|
| other names | Cavaliers, Charlies, Cavies |
| area of origin | England |
| breed group | toy |
| height at withers | 12–13 inches (30–33 cm) |
| weight | 13–18 pounds (6–8 kg) |
| life span | 12–15 years |
| Did you know? | The breed’s name is derived from King Charles II of Great Britain; his father’s supporters were known as Cavaliers during the English Civil Wars, and he continued using the name as a political designation after he was declared king. Charles was said to be so fond of his spaniels that he took them everywhere. U.S. President Ronald Reagan gave his wife Nancy a Cavalier named Rex in December 1985. Soon afterward Rex was tasked with turning on Christmas lights at the White House. |
The breed was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1955 and the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1995. The FCI places it in group 9: companion and toy dogs, in the section English Toy Spaniels. The AKC has it in the toy group.
What's Your Reaction?
