Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles spaniel was a favorite of European nobility from at least the 14th century. Originally believed to be introduced to Scotland by the French, Mary Queen of Scots brought them to England, where they quickly gained attention.

Eventually popularized by King Charles I and his son Charles II, this toy group canine is small in stature. However, it makes up for it with its boundless affection. Bred from hunting spaniels and a distinct breed from King Charles Spaniels, this variety of spaniels retains its forebears’ scenting and athletic traits. Four distinctive colors are recognized for the breed: Blenheim, ruby, tricolor, and black and tan.

At home, both on the couch and competing in a variety of events, the Cavalier has an agreeable temperament. It makes for a wonderful family pet. Regal, loyal, and graceful, the Cavalier’s noble stature is a visual representation of its history and breeding.

A popular breed in the UK and the US, this spaniel comes at a high price if purchased with papers. However, numerous rescues exist for both Cavalier puppies and adults.

Evolution

Little lapdogs have been beloved status symbols for European royalty since the Renaissance. Two 17th-century Kings — Charles I and his son, Charles II — favored a black and tan spaniel that was eventually named in their honor. Some said that King Charles II was more concerned with breeding spaniels than ruling Great Britain! This love of little spaniels continued into the 19th century, when aristocrats from all over Europe bred spaniels to their liking. A breed of red and white spaniels was produced at Blenheim Palace. During Queen Victoria’s time, spaniels were bred with pugs and Japanese Chin — now known as the English Toy Spaniel or King Charles Spaniel. Because of the pug influence, these spaniels evolved a flatter face than the dogs of King Charles’s era.

Spaniel lovers of the 1920s wanted dogs that looked like the ones depicted in the paintings of the 17th century, and sought breeders who could reverse the changes. After a sizable prize was offered by the American aristocrat, Roswell Eldridge, the British breeders rose to the challenge and produced what we now know as the Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Size and Weight

Per American Kennel Club (AKC) standards, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel can’t be taller than 13 inches and ranges in weight from 13-18 pounds. These ranges may vary slightly for non-show animals.

Some Common Health Issues

There are a number of health issues that are common to the Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Eye conditions like cataracts and degenerative retina issues negatively affect their vision. Hip dysplasia and kneecap issues are the most frequently occurring orthopedic complaints of this dog; hip dysplasia affects the function and mobility of the hip joint, and patellar luxation is the tendency for the kneecap to move out of place.

Syringomelia is a neurological condition that results from the cerebrospinal fluid being forced through an opening into the spinal cord that is too small. It is both hereditary, progressive and present in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Reputable breeders should test all breeding stock for any of these conditions, and many breeders also include testing for their puppies to screen for common health problems.

Temperament

The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is an extremely versatile pet. While they were bred as lapdogs and have the associated calm and loving personality, they also retain the scenting and hunting behaviors of their ancestors. They perform well in a number of canine sports such as agility, rally, and obedience. Yet they also enjoy living the couch potato life. It is really all based on the personality of their owner.

This breed is highly intelligent and easily trainable. You should capitalize on this by starting training early. This will help to prevent separation anxiety should they need to be left alone regularly for any length of time. The insatiable desire to please propels this dog breed to success, and it is a hallmark trait of the breed.

How to Take Care of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Caring for a Cavalier King Charles spaniel entails a wide range of considerations. This holds true for both puppies and more senior dogs. These pets will lead a happy and healthy life if you stick to these best practices.

The Best Dog Food for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Just as human nutritional needs change as they age, so too do the dietary requirements of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Due to the potential for orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia, dog food high in calcium or appropriate dietary supplements are especially beneficial for puppies. Care should be taken to avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates, particularly if your dog leads a more sedentary lifestyle, as this breed has a tendency towards obesity.

For adults, calcium supplementation may still be beneficial, but you should discuss that with your veterinarian. Next to freshly prepared options, canned, high-quality dog food typically provides the best mix of nutrients while limiting carbohydrates. Weight control is even more of a concern as these toy dogs age because obesity only exacerbates any orthopedic issues that may already be present.

Maintenance and Grooming

The long hair of this spaniel needs to be regularly brushed in order to prevent the collection of debris that can create unpleasant odors. This also helps to reduce any shedding. Proper care of the coat of your Cavalier will go a long way to ensuring its luscious shine remains. Ruby, tricolor, Blenheim, and black and tan spaniels all look their best when properly groomed.

Aside from monthly baths and nail trimmings, regular brushing is the extent of the maintenance and grooming requirement for this breed. Overall, it is a relatively low-maintenance dog, and no special tools are required beyond a brush and nail trimmer.

Training

These dogs are so bright that training is typically very easy. Their high drive to please their owner, coupled with some positive reinforcement, is all that you should need to accomplish even a high degree of obedience training.

Socialization and preventative training for separation (should it be necessary) must be addressed early on in the puppy stage for the highest degree of success. Cavaliers adopted from rescues may need a slightly different approach due to unknown circumstances before adoption.

Exercise

A daily walk of moderate length is all that is necessary to make sure that your spaniel is properly exercised and healthy. While they are content to be lapdogs and even thrive in apartment living, regular exercise is good for your Cavalier.

Due to their hunting dog ancestry, these pups may not heed their owner’s commands if they catch an interesting scent. It is critical that they never be allowed off-leash or in an unfenced yard for this very reason.

These dogs can also adapt to much more exercise, and the breed is a regular competitor in several canine sports. Their go-with-the-flow temperament allows them to conform to whatever lifestyle their owner leads.

Puppies

There are no special considerations for puppies of this breed over any normal puppy care instructions. Regular checkups, appropriate nutrition, and standard training are the name of the game.

Children and Cavaliers are a Match Made in Heaven

Children and this breed are a match made in heaven. They thrive on affection and are huge fans of snuggling. The most important concern is that children have the appropriate knowledge of how to behave around any dog breed. The same traits that make this dog a wonderful therapy dog also make it great for life with children.

Dogs Similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Dog breeds similar to this spaniel are the English cocker spaniel, the pug, and the Japanese chin.

• English cocker spaniel: This sporting dog breed is an ancestor of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel and bears similar colors. It is the source of the breed’s hunting instincts and high drives.
• Pug: The Pug is another loving homebody. They are much stronger-willed and have myriad more health concerns when compared to the English King Charles spaniel. Their short coat requires less maintenance and is less prone to shedding as well.
• Japanese Chin: The Japanese equivalent of the English King Charles spaniel is the Japanese Chin. Bred to be loving lapdogs, these canines were a favorite of high-class Japanese citizens. In colors and hair, they bear a strong similarity to the English King Charles spaniel, but they have a flatter face and pronounced eyes like a pug.

Famous Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Arguably, the most famous King Charles spaniel is Rex, who belonged to Mary Queen of Scots. She was beheaded with Rex beneath her skirts, and it is rumored that he refused to leave her body until he died from grief several days later.

Although not technically a Cavalier, as that is a moniker given to the renewed breed of the 20th century, Rex’s story makes him more than worthy of his fame. President Ronald Reagan also owned a Blenheim Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Rex!