The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very popular toy breed.
Its appearance resembles that of a King Charles Spaniel (the English Toy Spaniel).
This small dog stands roughly 10 to 13 inches in height.
They weigh between 10 and 18 pounds.
This breed has a smooth silky coat that is of medium length.
This small breed can be found in the following colors:
Black and tan
Chestnut
Black, white, and tan
Blenheim (chestnut and pearly white)
Temperament
This breed can be very affectionate.
These small dogs are relatively playful and are wonderful with children. Moreover, they are neither timid nor shy around other dogs.
Cavalier Kings are also known for their ability to adapt to their surroundings.
This small dog is prone to hunting small animals and should be kept away from other household pets such as hamsters or birds.
Living Standards
Due to their ability to adapt to their environment, this breed can easily live in an apartment.
If you do have a home, a small yard is all that is needed.
Keep in mind that this breed does not enjoy the warm weather and extreme heat should be avoided.
Exercise
These dogs should be walked on a daily basis.
They are not overly active indoors, but will definitely enjoy playtime with their master and immediate family. Be sure to provide them with dog toys and bones to chew.
You may also let these dogs run in a safe area.
Litter Size
This toy dog breed will typically have between 2 and 6 pups per litter.
Health and Life Expectancy
These dogs are moderately healthy.
Certain health issues related to this breed include:
The life expectancy of these small dogs is typically between 9 and 14 years of age.
Trainability and Obedience
These dogs are not overly intelligent. However, they are quite eager to please and love spending time with their master. Therefore, training these dogs is not difficult.
In addition, this small dog breed is normally well behaved prior to having any training.
When training these small dogs simply be calm, consistent, positive, and patient. Your Cavalier King will respond well to these characteristics.
Keep in mind that you should begin training this breed when they are pups in order to have the best results.
Remember that any small dog breed can develop small dog syndrome if not properly trained.
Grooming
This breed sheds moderately.
They should be brushed at least once a week using a firm bristly brush.
Keep in mind that this breed tends to have matting on the ears. Thus, gently comb the ears in order to free up any mats.
Try to remove any curls in the fur. Their coat should be wavy.
It is also common to trim the hair between the pads of their paws.
When bathing your Cavalier King, be sure to use a high protein concentrated shampoo. Then dry him thoroughly.
History
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is directly related to the King Charles Spaniel dating back to the 1600s.
These dogs were named after King Charles II because they were known to be his favorite pet and he was seldomly seen without one.
In the late 1600s, these Spaniels were cross bred with the Pug. As a result, a much smaller sized dog was developed.
During the 1920s, an American named Roswell Eldridge began collecting and breeding the original versions of the King Charles Spaniels as found in several paintings of King Charles II.
By the 1940s these small dogs were renamed the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in order to separate them from that of the King Charles Spaniel.
The AKC first recognized the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the Toy Group in 1996.
