Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel originated in Great Britain. The dog was named after the King Charles I, who had this dog in his household, and the dog enjoyed great love among children. The King Charles II went further in promoting the breed as he signed a decree, according to which these dogs were welcome in all public places, including governmental institutions. Early Cavalier King Charles Spaniels had longer muzzles, leaner bodies, and they were larger in size.

Today, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are considered to be the largest of all toy breeds. Although the dog is quite large for a toy dog, it is still quite small for a Spaniel, and hence it can hardly be used as a hunting dog. However, these dogs do exhibit behaviors that are related to their hunter’s background. They have a good sense of smell, possess great intelligence and often chase small pets. Some Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were reported to have caught small birds in midair as they were flying low above the ground.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels measure 12-13 inches high at the withers, and weigh around 10-18 lbs. They have long feathered tails and substantial silky coat, which comes in four colors: Blenheim, Tricolor, Black and Tan, and Ruby. The coat is not supposed to be curly, but it can be a little wavy. Mature dogs develop substantial featherings on the tail, limbs, chest and ears. Featherings should be trimmed on a regular basis. The coat requires regular grooming, because it mats easily. These dogs have large expressive eyes.

These dogs are renowned for their extremely friendly and affectionate disposition. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels thrive on communication, and they cannot imagine their lives without human company. They enjoy all sorts of interaction with other dogs, and, if socialized properly, they can get along with non-canine pets. In an effort to make buddies with dogs regardless of their size, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can get dangerously close to large, strong and aggressive dogs.

Unfortunately, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are extremely susceptible to a number of serious diseases, and therefore they have a short life span, not exceeding 7-10 years. Elderly dogs often develop serious heart and brain disorders, such as mitral valve disease and syringomyelia. Mitral valve disease stems from a valve dysfunction, which worsens with age and eventually leads to severe heart failures, which often end lethally. Syringomyelia results from the malformation of the back of the skull, which leads to the compression of the brain and affects the functioning of the brain and spine. All responsible breeders screen their dogs, as they are working around the clock to reduce the risk of such diseases by picking up healthy breeding stock. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is also susceptible to hip dysplasia, seizures, eye problems, infections, patella luxation, etc.