Cavalier King Charles Spaniels - Dogs - Pictures

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels - Dogs - Background

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels originated in Great Britain. Toy Spaniels popular in the 16th century and the following centuries may have had the blood of the Japanese Chin and the Tibetan Spaniel. They were the favorites of court ladies and were often used to warm their owners. Those lap dogs were always welcomed because they attracted fleas and diminished the threat for their owners.

The popularity of Toy Spaniels is confirmed by the fact that the dogs performed the role of the model frequently. They were lucky enough to attract attention of such artists as Titian, Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Reynolds, and others. The breed seems to owe a lion's share of its success to the patronage of some titled persons.

Thus, King Charles II is said to have always been accompanied by a few of his Toy Spaniels. His passion for these dogs knew no limits, which caused a great deal of accusations. It seemed he paid too much time to his pets to the detriment of state matters. The dogs were so closely linked with the King Charles II that the breed started to be called the King Charles Spaniel.

Political changes brought a new fashion in pet preferences. The Dutch court developed a liking for the Pug, replacing interest to the King Charles Spaniel. However, a strain of red and white dogs was still being bred by Dukes of Marlborough at the estate called Bleinheim. The name of the estate resulted later in coining the name for the modern variety of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

King Charles Spaniels changed gradually in the course of time. Relatively long muzzles and flat heads were replaced with completely flat muzzles, low set ears, and large eyes. Their predecessors started to be treated as the "old type" Spaniels, breeding of which seemed to be a vain business. Consequently, their numbers declined to the point of extinction.

The interest in the breed was revived by an American named Roswell Eldridge. He came to England to find a perfect King Charles Spaniel depicted by the famous painters. In association with the Kennel Club Roswell Eldridge set a very high award for those breeders who have managed to preserve the old type dog. Yet, no sooner that in two years, in 1928, did breeders agree to acknowledge a King Charles Spaniel named "Ann's Son" to be the true type of breed seen in the paintings including the picture by Sir Edwin Landseer "The Cavalier's Dogs."

The new breed was called the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and acquired even greater popularity than its short-faced version. The AKC recognized Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in 1996 and was instrumental in promoting responsible breeding and ownership in united efforts with breed fanciers.

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