Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small breed of dog usually considered one of the toy dog breeds.

Appearance

The breed has four recognized colors: Blenheim (reddish brown and white), Black and Tan (black and reddish brown), Ruby (reddish brown), and Tricolor (reddish brown, black and white).

Temperament

The breed is highly affectionate, and some have called the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 'the ultimate lap dog'. However, they require a great deal of human companionship and do not do well if left alone for long periods of time. Most dogs of the breed are extremely patient and eager to please. As such, dogs of the breed are usually good with children and other dogs.

Health

The breed suffers from a number of congenital defects, most significantly, mitral valve disease. This condition can begin to emerge at an early age, and is present in many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels by 5 years of age. Responsible breeders are attempting to breed only from dogs that exhibit a later onset of the disease.

Another common defect among Cavaliers is keratoconjunctivitis sicca, colloquially known as "dry eye". The usual cause of this condition is an autoimmune reaction against the dog's tear ducts, reducing the production of tears. The condition requires continual treatment and if untreated may result in partial or total blindness.

History

For many centuries, small breeds of Spaniels have been popular in the United Kingdom. In the eleventh century, in the reign of King Canute, it was illegal to hunt with any dog that could not fit through a gauge that was but eleven inches in diameter. So, the 'birth' of the Toy Spaniel in the United Kingdom. Some centuries later, Toy Spaniels became popular as pets, especially as pets of the Royal family. In fact the King Charles Spaniel was so named because the Blenheim was the children's pet in the household of King Charles the First. In the beginning of the 1900's, an American offered twenty-five pounds as a prize to any King Charles Spaniel 'of the old-fashioned type' with a longer nose, flat skull and a spot in the middle of the forehead, commonly called 'the kiss of Buddha'. So, the breed was developed by selective breeding of short-snouted King Charles Spaniels (also known as English Toy Spaniels).

Two breed clubs are found in the United States: the Cavalier King Charles Club USA and the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club. The latter club is the breed club of the American Kennel Club.

Miscellaneous

Puppy Mills

The increasing popularity of the breed has led to breeding of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in puppy mills. As for all breeds, prospective owners interested in purebred dogs should carefully research any potential puppy breeder.

Famous Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

* Rex, pet of Ronald Reagan

Books about Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dogs