Description of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed with reviews and photos

History of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Due to the similarity of names, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is often identified with the King Charles Spaniel. And yet, despite the common Asian ancestor, these are two independent breeds with significant differences in phenotype. Without going into the subtleties of selection, the Cavalier King is a thoroughly “redesigned” King Charles, born as a tribute to British canine traditions. At the same time, Tibetan spaniels are considered the progenitors of both breeds.

Around the middle of the 9th century, the European nobility became interested in the ancestors of today’s “kings” and “cavaliers”. Toy spaniels sat in the boudoirs of baronesses and duchesses, Titian and Van Dyck raced to paint their portraits, and the bloodthirsty tyrant Henry VIII even recognized the animals’ right to be at court. With the accession of Charles II to the British throne, the breed added the prefixes King and Charles to its name and began to enjoy an almost unlimited list of privileges. Why, spaniels were even allowed into the holy of holies - the British Parliament!

The King Charles family began to inevitably fade away with the coming to power of William III of Orange. The new monarch established his own rules at court, settling into his chambers a “party” of pugs, whom he sincerely adored. The rest of the London elite immediately rushed to imitate the preferences of the crowned lady, as a result of which short-faced, bug-eyed dogs came into fashion. Toy spaniel breeders also did not stand aside: in order to please picky aristocrats, they began crossing their own pets with pugs and Japanese chins. Ultimately, by the 20th century, the appearance of the animals had changed so much that only the most sophisticated specialist could recognize the former King Charles dogs in the snub-nosed, big-eyed dogs.

In the mid-20s, European breeders decided to revive the old type of English Toy Spaniels. Around the same time, the British Kennel Club approved a cash prize for the breeder who, within the next five years, manages to breed the classic King Charles variety. As expected, the promise of a reward fueled the interest of breeding specialists, and already in 1928 the first “specimen” of a King Charles Spaniel with a traditional European appearance was presented to the canine commission. The animal had an elongated muzzle and normally set eyes, bringing it closer to the dogs from the paintings of Edwin Landseer.

To avoid confusion in the future, the revived breed was given a new name. Thus, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel clan branched off from the King Charles tribe. By the way, the prefix cavalier was not chosen by chance. During the English Revolution, this was the name given to supporters of King Charles I, under whom the breed truly flourished. In 1945, the Cavalier Kings were included in the registries of the CC, after which they began to gain popularity in other European countries. The favorites of the British monarchs made their way to Russia even before the revolution, although they began to be fully bred only in 1986.

For your information: over the years, fans of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed have included Ronald Reagan, Johnny Depp, Frank Sinatra, Tary Hatcher, Natalie Wood and Hugh Hefner.

History of the breed

It’s hard to believe that in the distant past, cute Cavalier Kings were used as hunting dogs and fearlessly chased game. Of course, we didn’t go hunting wild boars with them, but it was easy to hunt birds with such an assistant. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed is considered to be very ancient. During its formation, representatives of the species have changed in terms of appearance and purpose.

The homeland of Charles Spaniels is Great Britain. The first mention of this breed was noted in the thirteenth century. Two centuries later, small dogs were at the peak of popularity. The exact origin and appearance of the first representatives of the species in Britain is unknown; there are several versions on this matter:

In the ninth century, small spaniels from the Iberian Peninsula were brought with them to Britain by the Celts.
It is believed that Toy Spaniels are descendants of Pekingese. They came to Britain from China in the same ninth century.
In the thirteenth century, toy spaniels were brought to Britain from Italy.

It was commonly said that the Cavalier King breed was created by the king himself, but the first representatives of the species were far from the royal chambers. Charles Spaniels were originally bred as hunting dogs for tracking small game, such as rabbits, ducks, grouse, etc. At that time, these dogs were larger and more resilient. They were valued for their agility, fearlessness and keen sense of smell.

Over time, spaniel lovers paid attention to the beautiful long hair of these animals, the ideal curves of the body, and the beautiful eyes. Cynologists came up with the idea of improving representatives of the species. As a result, Cavalier Kings became smaller, more gentle, their muzzle became shorter, their nose became more noticeably flattened, their eyes were wide-set, and their skull became domed. The exquisite animals were now unsuitable for hunting.

Now the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was a purely decorative pet. It can be seen in paintings painted by famous artists. He took a confident place in the royal chambers and in the living rooms of wealthy nobles. In prestigious establishments it was fashionable to keep cute spaniels that looked great on armchairs and sofa cushions.

For some time, larger hunting Charles Spaniels were still found in houses located on the outskirts. But there were fewer and fewer of them, and with the advent of the twentieth century they completely gave way to miniature indoor Cavalier Kings.

Appearance of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Both King Charles and Cavalier Kings belong to the English Toy Spaniel section, but, as mentioned earlier, have significant differences in appearance. Cavalier King Charles spaniels are larger (from 5.5 to 8 kg) and tall (up to 32 cm at the withers). The dogs' muzzles are moderately elongated, and their eyes lack the protrusion that their relatives inherited from pugs and other Asian breeds.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy

If the “kings” attract with their pronounced orientalism, then the “cavaliers” – with their unique grace and truly European charm. Silky, straight or slightly wavy fur, sparkling eyes and elegant movements make them ideal pets for all lovers of glamorous breeds. In addition, Cavalier Kings are born fashion models. You can shoot them sleeping, cutting through a dandelion lawn, or sitting in the arms of their owner and not worry about the shot being unsuccessful. These “British aristocrats” are photogenic anywhere, any time and in any mood.

Head

A small, flat skull between the ears with a shallow stop. Cone-shaped muzzle. The distance from the tip of the muzzle to the stop is no more than 3.8 cm.

Ears

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has long, high-set ears. The outer side of the ear flap is covered with abundant silky hair.

Eyes

Round, but without noticeable bulge. Large and very dark.

Nose

The lobe is large, uniformly black in color.

Jaws and teeth

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have powerful jaws with a scissor bite (the lower teeth are completely covered by the upper teeth).

Neck

Normal length, with a slight bend.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel muzzle

Frame

Compact body with a short lumbar area, flat back and normal chest width.

Limbs

The front and hind legs are moderately bony and smooth. The Cavalier King's paws are miniature, very soft, with the toes almost completely hidden by long dressing hair.

Tail

It is kept at the level of the back or slightly higher. Previously it was docked at ⅓, which is almost never practiced these days.

Wool

Silky to the touch and very long. Straight hair is considered the standard, but slight waviness of the coat is also quite acceptable.

Ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel tricolor

Color

The following types of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel colors are officially approved:

Blenheim (expressive chestnut spots on a white background);
black and tan;
ruby (rich red hue);
tricolor (black with white and tan markings on the eyebrows, cheekbones, back of the legs, ears and under the tail).

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel black and tan

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Blenheim

Disadvantages and possible defects

All individuals that have deviations from the breed standard are allowed to be considered defective. Of course, most external defects do not block an animal’s access to exhibition events, but the chances of it receiving an excellent mark are reduced to almost zero.

Another thing is developmental defects. A dog found to have them will not be accepted into any dog show. If we talk specifically about Cavalier Kings, they are disqualified for being underweight/overweight, non-standard colors and depigmented nose. Animals with a cleft lip, an atypical bite and an abnormal gait (hackney, ambling) will also have to forget about their exhibition career.

Photo of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Personality of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Oh yeah!
Scratchies Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the best healers of the blues and bad mood. They are literally obsessed with communicating with people and are completely unprepared to play the role of an outside observer in the family in which they live. Despite their generally not the most outstanding dimensions, there are always a lot of “gentlemen” in the house, as they are extremely curious and try to delve into everything that happens not only in front of their eyes, but also behind their backs.

The breed's need for human attention can be slightly annoying to the owner who does not have the opportunity to constantly contact the pet or who is tired of an overabundance of communication with him. That is why breeders recommend Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for large families with several generations of relatives. This will make it easier for the dog to find company without overloading one person with his sociability.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with children

Due to his natural curiosity and goodwill, the “gentleman” treats anyone well, even a stranger, so trusting him to guard your own home is obviously a bad idea. Bribing this playful “Englishman” is as easy as shelling pears: just chat gently with him or play a little. Such a feature of the breed as a ringing bark also does little to help the animal in security activities. Cavalier Kings often demonstrate their vocal talents in games than in the case of real danger, so forget about training this glamorous major to be a decent watchman.

In relation to other pets, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have unparalleled charm. They are completely devoid of leadership ambitions and the desire to dominate everything that moves, so they will gladly hand over the “reins of power” to any four-legged creature that desires it. A purebred “gentleman” will have no problem getting along with another dog, cat or some exotic creature, provided that they do not try to take away his status as everyone’s favorite.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with cat

Pros and cons of the breed

Many dog lovers like spaniels not only for their appearance, but also for their lack of aggression and wonderful character. But you shouldn’t think that such a pet is suitable exclusively for all people. A list of the main pros and cons of the breed will help you decide whether this is your dog or you should pay attention to another species:

Advantages:

1. Ideal dogs for apartment living. 2. They do not require much physical activity or long walks. 3. They get along well with children and pets. 4. Not aggressive. 5. Easy to care for and undemanding in nutrition. 6. Beautiful appearance. 7. Travels are easy.

Education and training

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very smart and easily comprehend all the intricacies of the educational process, which does not prevent them from turning on the “misunderstanding” mode from time to time. Owners often fall for this canine trick and bombard specialized forums with questions like: “Why doesn’t the Cavalier King follow commands?” The reason for this behavior lies not in obstinacy of character, but in banal boredom. Perhaps you simply went too far with the severity and duration of training, tiring the dog. Or they simply did not take into account the peculiarities of her temperament.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on a leash

Dog trainers assure that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel must be trained through play and as affectionately as possible. Most of these British “aristocrats” are characterized by innate timidity, so if you raise your voice during training, your pet may refuse to participate in classes forever. It is also not forbidden to stir up interest in training. For this, a supply of your dog’s favorite treats is enough.

“Cavaliers,” despite their rather gentle and peace-loving character, are not alien to some robber habits at heart. For example, if a dog encounters a cat or rodent on a walk, it will definitely try to chase it. Moreover, not every such “hunt” ends with the happy return of the pet. Captivated by the excitement of pursuit, the Cavalier King can easily get lost, so the commands “Ugh!” and “Nearby!” with a pet should be learned in advance and as firmly as possible.

From the age of 4-5 months, show-class Cavalier King Charles Spaniels begin to be accustomed to the show stand. First, the animal's success is rewarded with a treat. And only after the puppy has formed a stable association: stand = treat, you can use the command “Stop!”

Note: experienced handlers do not recommend teaching the “Sit!” command to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. until the animal takes part in exhibition events. Confused in an unfamiliar environment, the pet may confuse the meaning of the commands and, instead of the stance required from it, give the opposite action.

Lover to lie on the sofa

Maintenance and care

The first thing that owners of future champions should pay attention to is the flooring materials in the house.
On slippery parquet or laminate flooring, the puppy’s paws will move apart, which will become a prerequisite for the formation of incorrect gait and positioning of the limbs. It is best if the floor in the room is covered with a thick carpet or rugs, since Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are exclusively apartment dwellers. On the street they only walk and go to the toilet. If you sometimes have to leave your pet alone, buy him an enclosure and train him to sit in it. This way, the animal will be deprived of the temptation to chew your shoes or bite computer wires in your absence. Dogs of this breed are transported in cages, to which the pet will also have to be accustomed.

Important: do not use a cage or aviary as punishment in cases where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has bothered you too much with its excessive sociability. The dog will quickly realize what the true purpose of this accessory is and will earn itself an additional phobia.

Hygiene

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not groomed. You shouldn’t comb them too often either: the fur of representatives of this breed has a silky texture and almost does not tangle. Just brush your baby’s “fur coat” and enjoy freedom from this responsibility for 5-7 days. Another thing is the molting period. At this time, the hair of the “cavaliers” needs daily combing.

Washing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

You can smooth the animal's fur with a mitten: this will remove dirt, dust and dander from it. The furry “footprints” left by Cavalier King Charles Spaniels on sofas and carpets are also easy to deal with. Even the most powerful vacuum cleaner can suck up the hair of these dogs without any problems. In addition, the fur of the “Cavaliers” practically does not smell like a dog.

The frequency of bathing a dog is determined by its class. Show animals are washed once a week using a whole arsenal of products to smooth and nourish the hair, as well as giving it a noble shine. For pets, it is enough to give them a bath once a month with shampoo and conditioner to make their fur easier to comb. And don’t forget: the maximum permissible water temperature for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 39 °C. The washed animal is dried with a towel and dried with a hairdryer. It is strictly not recommended to wrap your dog in a diaper and leave it to dry in it. Such experiments lead to dampening of the hair and its subsequent loss.

The most problematic organ of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is the ears. Due to their hanging position, they are poorly ventilated, but they actively accumulate sulfur and dirt, so it is better to inspect and clean them more often. The pet's eyes should be checked every day, removing debris and mucus that accumulates in their corners with a cotton sponge. For inflammation of the eyes, you can wipe with chamomile infusion. If the inflammation is pronounced, it is not forbidden to drop a couple of drops of albumin onto the mucous membrane. But it is better to completely abandon the tea infusion and boric acid solution, which “home-grown ophthalmologists” recommend using on canine forums.

Representatives of this breed have their teeth brushed twice a week and their nails trimmed once every two weeks. After a walk, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's paws must be washed, and in winter they are lubricated with vegetable oil or cream to protect them from the toxic effects of reagents.

Walks

I found acorns for you here

Until 4 months of age, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are taken for walks as often as possible to teach them to go to the toilet outside. Starting from the 4th month of life, the number of walks is reduced, but their duration is increased. It is important to remember that Cavalier Kings do not need intense physical activity or too long promenades, but simply standing with your pet under a tree will not work either.

It is better to walk the dog in areas where there is no asphalt. There the animal can run properly without the risk of overwork and injury to its paws. If you really want to walk with your “gentleman” on the sidewalks, do not exceed the optimal limit for such walks of 40 minutes.

On a walk

Feeding

“Natural”, “drying” or both – all these types of feeding are considered acceptable for Cavalier Kings. And yet, most experts prefer a natural diet as more healthy. When working on creating a menu for your own pet, keep in mind the fact that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed prone to obesity. With an excess amount of high-calorie food, the dog will instantly gain weight, but it will not always be able to lose it.

We are waiting for something delicious!

The necessary products from the point of view of benefits for “cavaliers” are lean varieties of meat, cereals, and low-fat fermented milk. By the way, this breed is very partial to “vegan” dishes, so during the summer season, more often introduce vegetable stews, sliced fruits and salads into your pet’s diet. In addition, many Cavalier Kings readily eat berries, ground cucumbers and zucchini. From time to time it is useful to give dogs a yolk or quail egg.

Prohibited products:

sweets;
sausages;
salty and spicy dishes;
tubular bones;
pork and any fatty meats;
sour cream and cream;
mushrooms;
onion and garlic;
legumes;
pastries and white bread;
River fish;
pearl barley.

Owners who decide to feed their animals industrial food should not forget about the breed’s predisposition to food allergies. In this case, you can protect your pet only by carefully studying the composition of the food, so immediately discard varieties that contain “traces of the presence” of chicken or cereal crops.

This is probably for me

Om-Nom-nom

Toilet

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are difficult to train to a litter box, so to meet their “needs” representatives of this breed have two options: the street or the diaper. To instill in your pet the habit of going to the toilet during a walk, he is taken outside immediately after eating or sleeping. If the method turns out to be ineffective, you can add a newspaper or a piece of fabric to it, which the dog used “little by little” at home. An animal interested in a familiar smell usually remembers its own needs and sits down next to the wet diaper. Never scold your Cavalier King for puddles in the apartment, but exaggerated praise for the dog for doing its “business” outside the house is very useful.

Requirements for maintenance and nutrition

The absolute advantages of the breed include the unpretentiousness of the “gentlemen”. The only thing that the owner must provide to his pet in any case is a fair amount of attention. When getting such a dog, you need to understand that the greatest joy of ornamental animals is communication with the person who tamed them. Pets do not require anything else from their owners.

Features of care

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a sedentary breed. Doesn't like long walks or excessive physical activity. Two short walks per day are enough for the dog. The breed is good for a private home and city apartment. In any conditions, the “gentleman” will feel comfortable and will not burden the owner.

Wool. The hair of the “Cavaliers” is considered hypoallergenic and does not provoke allergic reactions in humans. However, it requires regular care. There is a lot of decorative wool. It should be combed daily with a special brush, and then untangled with a comb made of metal. After such hairdressing procedures, your pet will look as if it had just come from a grooming salon.
A haircut. About once every month and a half, the owner should trim the hair on the paws and between the toes. This procedure is hygienic in nature. Otherwise, the fur on the paws will roll up and turn into mats.
Ears. The ears should always be the focus of the dog owner's vision. The ears of the “Cavaliers” are long and densely overgrown with hair. For these reasons, the ears are ventilated extremely poorly. Therefore, the risk of developing purulent otitis is high. To prevent this from happening, sinks should be cleaned weekly of secretions and dirt using a cotton swab dipped in warm boiled water.
Bathing. The average frequency of bath procedures is once or twice every six months. In order not to spoil the hair, experts recommend using only professional washing products designed for dogs with long coats.
Eyes. Cavaliers, especially Blenheims under one year of age, often have runny eyes. If this problem is relevant to you, wipe the area around your dog's eyes with a homemade lotion made from elderberry. To do this, pour two tablespoons of berries with two glasses of hot water and leave until cool.

Feeding frequency

The easiest and most convenient way to feed your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is dry food. It is important that the food belongs to the “premium” class and is clearly selected in accordance with the age of the pet. An adult dog needs to be given two meals a day. You will find the frequency of feeding a dog up to a year in the table.

Table - Feeding frequency for “gentlemen” under the age of one year and older

Age	Number of meals per day
7-13 weeks	4
From 13 weeks to 9 months	3
From 10 months	2

Basic diet

“Cavaliers” are contraindicated in human food, as well as sausages. If you decide to give preference to natural nutrition, create a diet based on the following products.

Meat. It can be raw if it is beef without streaks, or boiled if you purchased any other lean meat (lamb or turkey).
Offal. Offal should not be offered to your dog in its raw form. They must first be boiled and chopped with a knife. Fat should not be left on this type of food. It won't do any good to the dog.
Cereals. The best option for porridge for “gentlemen” is boiled rice and buckwheat. You can try treating your dog with Hercules, but not more than once a week.
Flax seeds. This is a natural dietary supplement. It will improve the condition of the animal's coat and act as a digestive system stimulant.
Eggs and dairy products. The weekly norm for a “cavalier” is a couple of hard-boiled eggs, 200 g of low-fat cottage cheese and kefir.

Bones are not allowed for the Charles II Spaniel. Firstly, this product is devoid of any nutritional value. Secondly, tubular bones can be extremely dangerous for the animal due to the high risk of causing injury to the esophagus, incompatible with life.

Health and Diseases of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

All hereditary diseases of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the end result of so-called line breeding and an overly limited genetic base. The first on the list of ailments that affects about half of the “cavaliers” aged 5 years and older is myxomatous valve degeneration or prolapse. The second scourge of the breed is syringomyelia (Chiari syndrome). An animal that has inherited this disease experiences discomfort and severe pain in the cervical spine, which in the absence of timely treatment leads to “twisting of the neck.”

Episodic falling syndrome is more difficult to diagnose than the two previous ailments, which does not prevent it from affecting a huge number of animals. The behavior of Cavalier Kings suffering from this disease is somewhat similar to the habits of dogs that have suffered a back injury. They freeze in place for a long time, arch their back when running and pull up their limbs when lying on their side. Another weak point of the breed is the joints. With age, many "gentlemen" develop patellar instability, and this most often occurs in bitches. Dry eye and curly coat syndromes, which are very difficult to treat, seriously spoil the lives of pets.

How to choose a puppy

When choosing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, you can follow the same principles as when buying any other purebred dog.

Do not take babies from nurseries that are unsanitary and disorderly.
To insure yourself against purchasing a sick animal, ask the breeder for the results of tests aimed at identifying genetic diseases in the puppy (dry eye syndrome, curly hair, occasional falls).
The temperament of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is not gender dependent. Both females and males of this breed are equally affectionate and affectionate to their owner, so choose an animal according to your own preferences.
Get to know the puppy's parents and their pedigree to avoid purchasing an inbreeding animal (from closely related individuals).
Choose a playful, inquisitive baby who shows a keen interest in toys. Lethargy and hesitation in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies indicate that they are physically and mentally exhausted.

Dog health

Royal dogs are predisposed to the following diseases:

eye infections;
ear diseases;
glaucoma;
dislocation of the kneecap;
epilepsy;
entropion of the eyelid;
heart valve disease;
breathing problems;
hanging tongue syndrome.

Representatives of the breed, like other dogs, require annual vaccination. Quarterly worming of dogs is also required.

Overall, the Cavalier King Charles is a fairly healthy animal. Naturally, if you choose a puppy very carefully and monitor its health throughout its life, regularly visiting the veterinarian.

Photos of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies

How much does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cost?

The cost of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies directly depends on their pedigree and external parameters (class). Domestic breeders have an average price tag for a baby with a veterinary passport and RKF metric - 30,000 - 35,000 rubles. Prices for individuals with a standard appearance, promising to collect all conceivable and inconceivable championship titles in the future, start from 50,000 rubles. Traditionally, the most expensive are puppies from interbreeding (male and female from different countries). Such pets can cost 65,000 rubles and more.

Breed standard

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small dog breed with a well-proportioned build. The height of adult individuals is 25-35 cm , with a weight of 5-9 kg .

A round head rests on a not too long neck. Ears are drooping. The ear flap is long and covered with elongated hair. Large, beautiful, round eyes set wide apart are a distinctive feature of the breed. Preference is given to dark eye color. The small muzzle tapers towards the nose. Black or brown nose with wide, open nostrils. The teeth are sharp and have a scissor bite.

The body is stretched. The short, straight back forms an arch at the withers. The chest is oval-shaped, deep. The tail is long, fluffy, and not set high. Cupping is allowed. The forelimbs are straight, short, strong. Placed in parallel. Hind legs with moderately developed muscles and pronounced knee joints. Round paws are compact and small.

The long coat is straight, with slight waviness allowed. Curly coat is not allowed. The fur is silky to the touch. The decorative hair on the neck, tail, ears, and limbs forms lush fringes. The following colors are allowed: blenheim, ruby, tricolor, black and tan.