Cavalier King Charles Spaniels - Breed Introduction
Known also as “the Velcro dog,” the happy little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is sometimes referred to as the ultimate lap dog.
Because of its extreme attachment to its owner and overwhelming desire for companionship, this dog should not spend a great deal of time on its own. These beautiful, eager little dogs want nothing more than to please.
An adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will weigh between 10 and 18 pounds (5 to 8 kilograms), and will stand 12 to 13 inches high (30 to 33 centimeters).
History of Breed
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s existence can be traced back to the 1400’s. It became the favored companion dog of English aristocracy, especially among the ladies of the royal court. These ancient ancestors of our modern day Cavaliers were known not only for their devotion, but also for the beautiful features that made them unique – flat heads, high-set ears, and large eyes. They can be seen in the paintings of artists such as Van Dyck and Rembrandt.
King Charles II was particularly fond of his Spaniels, and nearly always was accompanied by two or three of his favorite dogs. In fact, he loved his Spaniels so much that he signed a decree stating the dogs would be accepted in any public place. This rule remains in effect even today. It was largely due to his devotion to the breed that they eventually came to bear his name.
The popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel grew so rapidly in Europe that it led to haphazard breeding practices, significantly changing the appearance of the breed. By the year 1900, the long snout had been replaced by a shorter one, the ears were lower on the head, and the skull became dome-shaped rather than flat. There was little left to recognize of the Spaniels that had been immortalized by the great painters.
By the mid-1920’s, American Roswell Eldridge sought to restore the breed to its original type. In 1926, he approached England’s Kennel Club and asked to be allowed to offer a prize for an old type Spaniel of the Blenheim coloring that had been so popular during King Charles II’s reign.
In order to win, the dog had to possess the original features. The prize was offered for five years running at the Crufts Dog Show – the most prestigious show in England.
In 1928, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Ann’s Son, owned by Ms. Mostyn Walker, was finally awarded the prize. Unfortunately, Eldridge had died a month before and was never able to see his goal fulfilled.
It was during that same year the breed officially was named and the first breed association was formed. Ann’s Son was then used as the blueprint for the breed standard, which is the standard still in use today.
Color and Coat
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a very fine coat of medium length, which should be straight or have only a slight wave. The ears, chest, legs, feet, and tail will grow long feathers, which must be groomed regularly.
There are four colors recognized by the breed. They are:
Blenheim – rich chestnut and white
Tricolor – black and white, with chestnut markings on the cheeks, inside the ears, inside the legs, and on the underside of the tail
Black and Tan
Ruby – a solid rich, reddish brown
Personality and Temperament
A well socialized Cavalier King Charles Spaniel loves everybody, human and animal alike. Because of this dog’s friendly and outgoing nature, care should be taken when encountering potentially aggressive dogs.
These are intelligent creatures, easy to train and eager to please. They are smart enough to figure out what is wanted of them, and willing enough to obey. They are safe around other animals and children, and want mostly to cuddle.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an excellent sense of both sight and smell, and once was used as a hunting dog. This dog will still track a scent if it finds one, so care needs to be taken that the dog does not single-mindedly run into the path of a moving car.
These dogs have been known to exhibit certain characteristics reminiscent of feline behavior, such as perching in high places, cleaning the paws, and birding.
Show Characteristics
The feathered feet are an important characteristic of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. These dogs should be shown with the feathers kept long and well groomed. Ears are long and also have abundant feathering.
The coat is silky, and a slight waviness is allowable. It should be in one of the four colors listed above, with extra points given for the “Blenheim Spot,” a chestnut-red spot on the head between the ears which marks a perfectly colored Blenheim spaniel.
This dog has a flat skull and a conical muzzle, with large, round, expressive eyes and a well developed nose with wide nostrils.
Typical Health Concerns
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to a number of genetic health problems. Two of these problems – mitral valve disease and syringomyelia – are both very common and quite severe. Buy a puppy from a reputable breeder who screens for these defects, and ask to see the parents’ heart and eye certificates.
Mitral valve disease is a loosening of the hinge of the mitral valve, inside the heart. Over time, a heart murmur develops as blood leaks through the valve between heartbeats. Eventually this condition will worsen to the point of heart failure.
Syringomyelia is caused by a deformation at the rear of the skull, which can compress the brain and force it through the opening at the base of the skull and into the opening for the spinal cord.
In symptomatic dogs, the symptoms will appear between the ages of 6 months and 4 years. Sensitivity of the head, neck and shoulders, often accompanied by whimpering – or a dog frequently scratching at the back of his neck, could be indications of this condition.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is also prone to Episodic Falling, an exercise induced condition similar to a seizure where the muscles are unable to relax. Other conditions which may be present include hip dysplasia, dry eye, and defects of the femur and knee.
Grooming
The fine, silky hair of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel requires regular grooming. This can be accomplished on your own, or by a hired professional groomer.
Since this dog’s fine hair is prone to matting, especially on the ears and the feathered feet, it should be brushed with a stiff-bristled brush on a daily basis.
These dogs should be bathed only as often as necessary, and they should be kept warm until thoroughly dry.
Country of Origin
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel originated in the United Kingdom.
Average Life Span
The average life span of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 9 to 14 years.
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