Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: History, Temperament, Exercise

(King Charles Spaniel)

Group: Toy Dogs.

Ranking: 27 in AKC, 6 in KCGB

Also Known As: Cavalier, Cavie

About Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Origin of the Breed The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is descended from the King Charles Spaniel and other small Toy Spaniels seen in many sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth century paintings.

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Description of the Breed

This beautiful small spaniel has large, dark, round, expressive eyes. It has a conical muzzle and a flat skull. It has a shallow stop, with well developed nose and wide nostrils.

Cavaliers grow lengthy feathering on their ears, chest, legs, feet and tail.

Coat

It has a silky coat, sometimes with a slight waviness that comes in ruby, black & tan, tri-color and blenheim (rich chestnut on a pearly-white background). On Blenheim dogs, a chestnut-red spot on top of the head between the ears is preferred by breeders.

Blenheim = red and white
Prince Charles = tricolor
King Charles = black and tan
Ruby = rich mahogany red

Height: 12-13 inches (30-33 cm.)

Weight: 10-18 pounds (5-8 kg.)

Personality

This breed is highly affectionate, and some have called them "the ultimate lap dog" or the "Love sponge" of dogs. The dog is eager, lively, outgoing, well-behaved, fearless, eager to please and sportive. Cavaliers love people and need lots of companionship to be happy. They should not be left alone all day.

This breed sometimes displays a chasing instinct and should be kept well enclosed or leashed. They do best with older considerate children, are good with other animals and can be reserved with strangers. It has a noteworthy sense of smell and vision and can be used in short hunts in open country.

Living Conditions

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good for apartment life. They are moderately active indoors and a small yard will be sufficient. The Cavalier does not do well in very warm conditions.

Exercise & Training

Though playing will take care of a portion of their exercise needs, they need to be taken out for long, daily walks, the lack of which can lead to behavioral problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard.

They are intelligent enough to understand what you want and therefore are usually easy to train and respond well to gentle obedience training. They do well in competitive obedience.

Grooming

A cavalier's coat may be beautiful, but, because it can be long, it is very important to keep it well groomed. This can be done by the owner or a professional groomer. The dog is an average shedder but if the coat is not properly cared for, the dog will shed quite a bit.

Daily brushing and combing with a firm bristle brush is recommended to ensure that the coat does not get matted and that foreign objects, such as grass and sticks, do not become entangled in the feathering.

The hair between the pads on the feet should be kept trimmed and the ears should be cleaned regularly. It also should not be bathed more than twice a week otherwise it may cause skin irritation.

Health Issues

Prone to syringomyelia, hereditary eye disease, dislocating kneecaps (patella), back troubles, ear infections, early onset of deafness or hearing trouble, hip dysplasia. This breed tends to gain weight easily. Some lines are genetically disposed early onset to a serious heart problem, which sometimes causes early death.

National Breed Club

British – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club – www.thecavalierclub.co.uk
US – American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club - www.ackcsc.org

Rescue Link: http://ackcsc.org/rescueinfo.htm