Cavalier King Charles Spaniels - A Complete Guide

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are incredibly charming little dogs and they are the biggest breed in the toy category. Filled with love and joy, they are generous with their affection, showering it on everyone they encounter, not just those they share a home with.

These little dogs are friendly and will get along well with other dogs and pets. They are amazing family pets and also incredibly sweet companions for anyone living alone.

These little dogs enjoy lounging and would happily spend all day snuggled up with their favorite human. Despite their love for spending hours cuddling, they are not idle. Expect daily walks and lots of playtime from these lively and energetic pups. Beneath their regal appearance, there is a hidden sporting spaniel that may lead them to try chasing birds and squirrels!

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are fairly low-maintenance when it comes to grooming and training. They are smart and eager to please, making them easy to work with. However, they are prone to various health issues, so it's important to research their specific needs, especially as they age.

(More Cavalier history can be found here)

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a relatively new breed that emerged in the mid-20th century. They share a close relationship with King Charles Spaniels.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel came into existence as a separate breed when Roswell Eldridge offered a prize of £25 to anyone who could successfully breed a dog resembling the toy spaniels depicted in old artwork, particularly those owned by King Charles II. This prize was quite significant, worth over £1500 in today's currency, and there were separate awards for the best male and female dogs.

During Roswell Eldridge's time, the King Charles Spaniel differed greatly from the original toy spaniels owned by King Charles. This was because, in the Victorian era, they were crossbred with popular toy dogs like Pugs to create a breed with a snub-nosed appearance, large round eyes, and a highly domed head, which was fashionable at the time. These dogs still exist today as King Charles Spaniels, but they were quite different from the spaniels depicted in historical paintings.

 (You can explore examples of early spaniels depicted in art here.) 

Eldridge had a strong desire to find a King Charles Spaniel that resembled the dogs depicted in paintings of King Charles II. These dogs had flatter heads and longer snouts compared to the modern King Charles Spaniel. However, only a few breeders were willing to take on the challenge. It is believed that they achieved this by crossbreeding the now-extinct Toy Trawler Spaniel with King Charles Spaniels.

In 1928, a breed club for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels was established, along with a set of breed standards. Unfortunately, Eldridge passed away before witnessing this significant development, and the prize was awarded posthumously.

By 1945, the Kennel Club officially recognized the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as a distinct breed separate from the King Charles Spaniel. Although the new breed faced a decline after the Second World War, it was later revived and gained immense popularity. Since then, it has remained a beloved and cherished breed among dog enthusiasts.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1995. 

King Charles II had a great love for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and their close cousins, the King Charles Spaniel, which were named after him. He was known to always have at least three of these tiny toy spaniels with him, even in parliament. Legend has it that the dogs were named after the king's curly wigs, as their ears resemble them. The term "Cavalier" in their name comes from the Royalist supporters of King Charles I and his son Charles II.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and King Charles Spaniels share a long and uncertain ancestry. Hundreds of years ago, they descended from Toy Spaniels that were beloved by royalty during the Renaissance and Restoration periods.

These canine companions were especially beloved by upper-class women and frequently appeared in portraits alongside their owners. With their delightful personality and majestic appearance, it's no surprise that they were in such high demand.

However, their presence in old paintings is the extent of what is known about the breed. It is obvious that they have been around for centuries, but their ancestral breeds and origins are uncertain. Old painting depict Cavaliers in their original colours including chocolate, black and Black and White. 

(Want to understand more about the historical colors of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel?)

The answer varies based on how long ago you want to go. In the 20th century, the modern breed of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel originated in England.

Nevertheless, the breed's ancestors have had a long history, spanning for centuries. The belief is that they originated in Asia and were brought to Europe by merchants who were engaging in the spice trade. It is theorized that these elderly dogs may have a connection to breeds such as the Pekingese or the Japanese Chin.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were specifically bred to be loyal and affectionate companions.

In the past, these dogs were beloved by aristocrats who used them as cuddly hot water bottles to keep their laps and feet warm. This meant the dog had to enjoy spending long hours resting on their owner to provide warmth. Reportedly, they also assisted in decreasing fleabites in their owners, as the fleas were drawn to the dog and fed on them instead. The pup is so poor!

Cavaliers have been used for hunting in a few cases, despite the activity being typically associated with larger spaniel breeds.

During the 18th century, the Duke of Marlborough was known for breeding King Charles type spaniels and taking them hunting to flush and retrieve game. The dedication of this Duke to these small spaniels has had a long-lasting influence, as dogs with the "Blenheim" color (chestnut and white) are named after his estate, Blenheim Palace.

Nowadays, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are more likely to be found snuggled up on a lap than working in the field. These furry friends take their role as companions and lap-warmers very seriously, but some still enjoy participating in dog sports such as obedience and agility.

Cavaliers with a Blenheim spot on their forehead are said to be linked to Blenheim Palace and the Duke of Marlborough. Legend has it that the Duchess sought comfort from their pregnant Cavalier King Charles Spaniel before a great battle, and the puppies born the next day each had a little red spot on their forehead where the Duchess' thumb had pressed on the mother dog's head. Coincidentally, the news of the battle being won and the Duke surviving broke on the same day. These dots, or Angel's Kiss can also be found on Tri Colored Cavaliers.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are well known for their loving and devoted nature. Their entire world revolves around humans, and they truly flourish in the presence of human companionship. Typically, they are gentle, quiet, and docile dogs, so they don't seek trouble.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a sociable and cheerful breed, not prone to showing aggression towards humans, other dogs, or animals. Their friendly and sociable nature makes them always eager to make new furry friends. The breed standard actually labels them as "non-aggressive", making them a trustworthy and friendly pooch that you can feel confident and affectionate towards. While a dog's individual personality, experiences, and upbringing can still have an impact on their character, it's undeniable that this dog's gentle nature is simply ingrained in their genes.

The little pups are full of energy and happiness, always with a tail that never stops wagging. The enthusiastic Cavalier will be ready to go and may bounce around as they go out for a walk. According to the breed standard, it is expected that they remain "sporting", so your dog should still be lively and may exhibit a hunting instinct despite being a companion breed.

The temperament of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is often noted as "absolutely fearless", and it is a fitting description. They are not 'fearless' due to their assertiveness or boldness, as they are neither.

The Cavs exhibit fearlessness through their unaffected demeanor and their approach of every situation and person with curiosity, joy, and enthusiasm.

Indeed, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels typically make excellent family pets with their paws-itively lovable nature. They have a gentle and sociable nature, making them well-suited for interacting with children and other pets.

In reality, they are enthusiastic about showing love to anyone and anything they welcome into their home. Additionally, they are fairly simple to train and are a good fit for inexperienced dog owners, making them an ideal first pet for the appropriate household.

Cavaliers are flexible and content with apartment living as long as they receive regular walks. They don't require a garden to be happy. This implies that they have the ability to live in any location and with almost anyone, making them excellent family dogs.

The disposition of Cavaliers can differ from dog to dog, but in general, they are known to be a quiet and modest breed. On the other hand, certain puppies may have a tendency to bark at anything that seems unusual.

These breeds of dogs have a tendency to experience separation anxiety, and when left alone, they are more prone to barking or howling. Typically, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not known for excessive barking.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels struggle to cope with being alone. Since they are bred to be companions, they are naturally inclined to spend their days with their owner and seek physical contact with them.

Cavaliers find it especially difficult to be without their humans for long periods of time, and they are more likely to experience separation anxiety.

After undergoing appropriate training, you should be capable of leaving your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel by itself for a few hours. However, these dogs require human interaction to thrive, so you will still need to dedicate plenty of time to cuddling and playing with them.

The appearance of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is reminiscent of a smaller version of the Spaniel breed, featuring prominent, round, dark eyes and droopy ears. Similar to other spaniels such as the Cocker, they have a gentle and melting expression that gives them a constant doe-eyed look, adding to their overall cuteness.

Their snout is short and their stop is shallow. The defined snout is an important feature, as it is what sets them apart from the King Charles Spaniel. The Cavalier also has a flat skull between the ears, which means they should not have a highly rounded or domed forehead.

A well-rounded face with full, developed lips is also desirable for a sweet and pleasing appearance. This dog is designed to appear sweet and soft in every way.

Their fur should be soft, silky, and glossy. Speaking of which. Their coat is of medium length and is adorned with an abundance of long feathers on the legs, chest, and tail, giving them a regal and majestic appearance. Similar to other spaniels, they possess ears that are set high and hang down, adorned with curls.

Even though Cavaliers are considered toy dogs, they should not appear weak or delicate. They ought to simply resemble a petite spaniel. Make sure your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a moderate bone structure, is well-built with a level back, and has enough muscle to give them the drive of a sporting dog rather than just a lapdog!

Generally speaking, there are not many dogs that possess the same level of elegance and cuteness as a Cavalier, and even fewer that exude such a regal presence without seeming distant. This pup may look cute and cuddly, but they are just as sweet and friendly in their personality. There's nothing arrogant about them.

They can vary in color from Standard Colors which include Blenheim, Ruby, Tri-Colored or Black and Tan. Historically colors include Black, Chocolate and Black and White.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to genetic heart disease as well as the common problems that often plague most small breeds, such as luxating patella. 

Some of the health problems Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have are:

• Heart mitral valve disease (MVD)
• Other heart conditions
• Skin conditions
• UTI (Specifically Xanthinuria)
• Gum disease & dental problems
• Ear Infections
• Dry eye
• Obesity
• Episodic falling

The grooming requirements for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are similar to those of any other spaniel breed. Make sure to brush your bird's feathers with a comb at least once a week to prevent tangles and mats. Brushing more frequently is even better.

If you intend to display your dog, you will not want to trim their feathers. If you don't trim their feathers, make sure to brush them every other day.

Regularly trimming the fur between your pup’s paw pads is important to prevent it from growing out and covering their pads, which can make it difficult for your pooch to gain traction. It's true that many dogs don't like getting their feet trimmed and can be ticklish, but it's necessary for their well-being. Therefore, it's important to do it. Just like any other dog breed, it's important to regularly trim your dog's claws.

Another method you can use is counter-conditioning to show them that grooming can be a pleasant experience.
However, it is necessary for their well-being and should be done. Additionally, like any other breed, you will need to regularly trim your dog's nails.

If you start introducing grooming and trimming during your puppy's socialization period, they will become accustomed to it as they grow up. This will make grooming a less stressful experience for both you and your dog. You can also use counter-conditioning techniques to make grooming a positive and enjoyable experience for them.

You can adjust the frequency of bathtime for your dog, ranging from once a month to once every three months. It's important to wash them only if they're very dirty or starting to smell. Washing them less often is generally better because excessive bathing can remove the natural oils from their skin and fur, which may lead to skin problems.

After taking your dog for a walk, simply towel them off to keep them clean in between baths. This is usually sufficient to maintain their cleanliness. Their paws and fur act like sponges, so towelling them off is a good practice. If they have any mud on them, you can also use a little warm water to spot clean those dirty areas.

In addition to bathing and brushing, it's crucial to regularly clean your dog's teeth. Good oral hygiene is essential for all dogs, and their teeth should be brushed at least once a week, but ideally every other day.

 The Cavaliers are not hypoallergenic. Nevertheless, no dog can be considered completely hypoallergenic since they all shed, drool, dander, and fur that could potentially cause allergic reactions. Certain breeds and mixed breeds, such as the Cavapoo, tend to shed less and are less likely to cause allergies. If you adore these adorable little spaniels but suffer from allergies, it's a good idea to spend some time with them to see if they affect your allergies or not.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a double coat and shed moderately throughout the year, which means you may find some loose hairs on your clothes or around the house. However, regular grooming can help reduce shedding as the dead fur will come off on the brush instead of on your furniture. During seasonal changes, they may shed a bit more and moult their undercoat twice a year to prepare for summer or grow a thicker coat for winter. You can use a shedding rake to remove some of the dead fur or ask your groomer to help strip the coat while giving your dog a haircut.