Little Pawz -- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

Many people find it difficult to distinguish between the King Charles and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; the Cavalier is larger, and there are marked differences in the head formation — the skull is almost flat between the ears and its stop is much shallower than that of the King Charles. However, it has the same characteristics of courage, hardiness and good nature, which makes it a suitable pet for anyone.

Size
Height: 12 – 13 inches (30 – 33 cm )
Weight: proportionate to height 12 – 18 lbs (5 – 8 kg)
Slight variations permissible. A small, well-balanced dog well between these heights and weights is desirable. Overall type and quality should not be sacrificed for size alone. A weedy specimen is to be penalized as severely as a coarse one.

Coat and Colour
Long, silky and free from curl, though a slight wave is permissible. Feathering on ears, legs and tail should be long, and the feathering on the feet is a feature of the breed. It is common and permissible for bitches to carry less coat than dogs. No trimming, scissoring, clipping or artificial colouring is allowed and this should be severely penalized.

Blenheim Colour (pictured)
Bright chestnut red markings well broken up on a pearly white ground. The red on the head must extend around the eyes as well as down over the ears. A pure white muzzle is preferred. There must be a distinct white blaze between the eyes. Between the ears may be the lozenge or spot unique to the Blenheim, which is a highly desirable, but not essential, characteristic.

Tricolour Colour
Jet black markings well broken up on a pearly white ground. The black on the head must extend around the eyes as well as down over the ears. There must be a distinct white blaze between the eyes. A pure white muzzle is preferred. Rich tan markings appear over the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, under the tail and around the vent. Tan should appear inside the legs where it is adjacent to black.

Ruby Colour
Whole-coloured rich red. White marks are undesirable.

Black and Tan Colour
Jet black with rich tan markings over the eyes, on cheeks and muzzle, inside the ears, on throat and chest, on forelegs from knees to toes, on the inside of the hind legs also extending from hocks to toes, on the underside of the tail and surrounding the vent. White marks are undesirable.

Exercise
The Cavalier has normal exercise requirements. It will adapt easily to town or country living. It should not, however, be kennelled out of doors.

Grooming
Regular brushing with a bristle brush is essential. Examine paws for any trace of interdigital cysts and ears for canker, often detectable by an unpleasant odour. Wipe eyes with a cotton ball dipped in a mild saline solution (saline for contact lens wearers is fine) to keep them clear of unsightly tear streaks.

Feeding
About 1/2 – 1 can name-brand dog food (13.3 oz 376 g size), with a biscuit, or 1 – 1 1/2 cups dry dog food with added meat scraps in moderation. Always ensure that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an ample supply of fresh water.

Origin and History
Reports by Samuel Pepys and other British diarists tell us that King Charles II spent more time playing with his toy spaniels during council meetings than he did dealing with matters of state. He even took his dogs to his bedchamber.

The Cavalier and the King Charles originate from common stock. When it became fashionable to produce a King Charles Spaniel with a short nose, the original type almost disappeared; but in the late 1920's a group of breeders combined to bring back the old type of King Charles, prefixing its name with the word 'cavalier' to distinguish it from the newer, quite separate variety.

Celebrity Owners
Former president Ronald Reagan owned a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Rex.

Read more about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.