CAVALIER KING CHARLES Breed Standards
Paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds and others from the 16th through 18th centuries record Cavalier King Charles Spaniels alongside aristocratic families, who enjoyed their loyal companionship. Cavalier Spaniels were surely a luxury item, since the average person could not afford to keep and feed a dog that did not work. Toy Spaniels were common as ladies’ pets during Tudor times, but the breed would truly flourish under a Stuart, King Charles II. History notes that King Charles II was rarely seen without a few spaniels in tow. With the exception of the spaniels bred by the Dukes of Marlborough, however, time was not friendly to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and the breed eventually lost out to the increasingly popular Pug.
During the mid 1800s, the dog was altered to one with a domed head, long ears, a short pug-like muzzle, and large globular eyes. By 1900, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel had become what is today called the English Toy Spaniel, which bears little resemblance to the Cavalier we know today. These changes are documented in several Lanseer paintings.
The modern Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is directly modeled on its royal ancestors thanks to the efforts of an American by the name of Roswell Eldridge. In the early 1920s, Eldridge traveled to England planning to purchase two spaniels but could not find any that suited his tastes. Unable to find any of the “old type,” particularly those with the head type he desired, he offered prizes to the best male and best female of the “old type” exhibited at Crufts each year. In their attempts to win the prize, English breeders inadvertently helped to propagate the Cavalier and restore its popularity.
The first Cavalier King Charles Spaniels arrived in the US in 1952 but were slow to catch on with Americans. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1995. Present day Cavaliers live much as their ancestors did — as adored companions
SKILLS: . An active, graceful, well-balanced dog, very gay and free in action; Appearance: fearless and sporting in character, yet at the same time gentle and affectionate.
SIZE: Height: 12-13 inches (30-33 cm.) Weight: 10-18 pounds (5-8 kg.) Height 12 to 13 inches at the withers; weight, proportionate to height, between 13 and 18 pounds. These are ideal heights and weights; slight variations are permissible and a dog should not be penalized only in comparison with one of equal general appearance, type and quality. The weedy specimen is as much to be penalized as the oversized one.
COAT: Long and silky and very soft to the touch; free from curl, though slight wave is permissible. Feathering on the ears, legs and tail should be long, and the feathering on the feet is a feature of the breed. Trimming: NO trimming of the dog is permitted. However, it is permissible, often desirable, to remove the hair growing between the pads and the underside of the foot.
CARE REQUIRED: Comb or brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. The feathered hair on the ears is prone to tangling and matting, so this dog should be thoroughly groomed often. The hair between the pads on the feet should be kept trimmed and the ears should be cleaned regularly. Always make sure the dog is thoroughly dry and warm after a bath. Check the eyes carefully for any signs of infection. This breed is an average shedder.
CHARACTER: While Cavaliers are clean, intelligent, and easy to groom and train, they do shed, occasionally chew things, and sometimes forget their manners by barking, making a puddle, and so on. In other words, they really are first and always dogs, in spite of their ethereal faces!
TRAINING: Cavaliers are active and sporting little dogs that require regular exercise. They have an instinct to give chase to just about anything that moves, and should either be on a leash or in a fenced yard or they will surely come to grief under the wheels of a car. Because Cavaliers never become 'street-wise,' some Cavalier breeders require a fenced yard as a prerequisite for Cavalier ownership.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: Cavaliers are not kennel dogs. Because of four hundred years of close contact with their owners and their development as lap dogs, they make wonderful companions. They are happy, outgoing, loving little dogs who want to love you and be loved, to run and play in a safe place, and to sleep in a soft bed - preferably your bed, but they’re willing to negotiate on that point! They get along well with children, cats, and other dogs.
EXERCISE: Whatever exercise you can provide will be just fine with this adaptable dog, as they will adapt to your family's circumstances. However, they greatly enjoy a good romp in the park.
