#Cavalier king charles spaniel. full#
#Cavalier king charles spaniel. free#

The promise of a cash prize proved a great motivator, and dogs matching the old-style Toy spaniel, free from the Pug like domed head and bulbous eyes, were soon produced. He offered a cash incentive to any English breeder who could recreate this iconic breed, to match the images he saw in paintings. However, In the 1920s, an American gentleman called Rosewell Eldridge became fascinated with the Toy spaniels he saw in portraits. The return of the traditional King Charles Spaniel However, the Victorian variation is now known as the ‘English Toy Spaniel’ in America.įor a time, it was the new Pug- style King Charles Spaniel that reigned supreme in popularity, and the traditional looks of the Toy spaniel could have been lost forever. These new Toy spaniels had a flatter face than the traditional King Charles Spaniel, their eyes were more pronounced, and their skulls were domed.ĭespite the deviation from tradition, it is the Victorian version of the Toy spaniel that carries the name ‘King Charles Spaniel’ in the UK. During the reign of Queen Victoria, the Toy spaniel was crossed with the newly fashionable Asian toys, most probably Pugs and the Pekinese. These early ‘King Charles’ spaniels remained popular well into the 19th century. In fact, he was rarely seen without one or more of the breed around his ankles. They gained the regal name ‘King Charles Spaniel’, from King Charles II, a 17th-century British monarch who, along with his father, had a great love of the Toy spaniel. A Toy spaniel was even rumored to have been found, nestled amongst Mary Queen of Scots petticoats, after her beheading. These Toy spaniels, who share a close resemblance to our modern-day Cavaliers, are immortalized in many paintings from this time period, right up until to the 19th century.īred as companion dogs, and to warm the laps of their owners, these small spaniels enjoyed great popularity amongst the nobility of Britain. Our modern-day Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can trace their origin to the Toy spaniels, popular amongst members of the European nobility from at least the 16th century. Contrary to popular belief, some Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do end up in shelters: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies should only be bought from responsible breeders Cavaliers are susceptible to some nasty health conditions: Cavaliers can are prone to suffering from ‘Separation Anxiety’: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a tendency to become overweight: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have been bred to wag their tail- a lot!

#Cavalier king charles spaniel. full#

In Fact, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are incredibly people-friendly- full stop: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great with children: There are only two breeds of Toy spaniel in the world: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at a glance:.The return of the traditional King Charles Spaniel.

They love nothing more than being with their humans, being equally happy to curl up with you on the sofa, and to join their human family on a hike. Because of their sporting character, they tow-the-line between lap-dog and active companion. And who could fail to love a dog with these qualities?Īlthough smaller than sporting breeds of spaniel (like the similarly popular Cocker and Springer Spaniels), they retain much of the spaniel physiology. The American Kennel Club characterises Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as an ‘active, graceful, well-balanced toy spaniel, very gay and free in action fearless and sporting in character, yet at the same time gentle and affectionate’. Weighing in at between 13-18 pounds, they are the perfect size to cuddle up with on the sofa, whilst their sturdiness prevents the delicateness associated with many of the Toy breeds. With their silky coat, and characteristic feathering across their legs, the American Kennel club recognize four coat patterns: Blenheim, a pretty mixture of red and white Ruby, a solid rich red Black and Tan and Tricolour, a mix of black, tan, and white. Standing between 12 and 13 inches, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the tallest of the Toy Breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most popular Toy Breeds in the world, and with good reason: with their meltingly sweet expressions even tempers and tendency towards gentleness, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can make the ideal family pet.