Cavalier King Charles Spaniel History
European aristocrats from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries loved to have toy spaniels around to keep them warm as lap dogs, to warm their feet, keep them company and drive fleas away. King Charles I and King Charles II both kept black and tan toy spaniels as particular favorites, and King Charles II would often be seen with several spaniels around him.
He even wrote a decree to say that they should be allowed in any public place, including the houses of parliament. They would have them with them when their portraits were taken – so that many years later when this breed was almost extinct, a reward was given for them to be bred again because of these paintings.
An American called Roswell Eldridge offered a cash prize for ‘Blenheim Spaniels of the old type’ as shown in those portraits, if they could be shown in a special class of a dog show. Breeders took this on as a challenge, and the ‘Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’ breed was born. They would breed with the discarded spaniels that had long faces, from the kennels of the King Charles spaniels with short faces. They used all the old paintings as a standard for the breed. After World War II only six dogs survived, because of the struggles of food shortage and bombings, so it is thought that all Cavaliers now descend from those 6 dogs.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Personality
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Characteristics
Four color patterns are associated with different British aristocratic families. Tricolor is black and white with tan markings, Blenheim consists of a white background with rich chestnut. Ruby refers to chestnut all over, and Black and Tan dogs have black bodies with tan highlights. They have beautiful soft and gentle eyes, and long silky ears.
Adaptability
Very adaptable, Cavaliers will mold themselves into your lifestyle – whether you’re more active, or like to sit around the house a lot. They shouldn’t be left alone for too long, as they like to be with people. But in the event that you are going to have to leave them alone for long periods, it is best to provide them with a dog or cat for company. An apartment would be just fine for this breed, as they are only moderately active indoors. Ideally a small yard would be good so they can run around.
Friendliness
The Cavalier will make friends with everyone – other dogs, strangers, and children. They may try to chase small creatures like birds, because of their spaniel nature – so it’s best to keep them on a leash when outside. They are playful and affectionate with children. They may or may not bark when someone comes to the door, so they don’t make good guard dogs.
Grooming
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels should be brushed weekly to keep the tangles out of their coat, and make it shiny. A bath can be given as needed, and their nails should be trimmed regularly. Their ears should be cleaned and checked weekly, because their length makes them more prone to getting infected.
Trainability
House training might take some time with this breed, as with other toy breeds, but you should be able to accomplish it with some patience and consistency. Cavaliers are eager to please, so are moderately easy to train in other ways, but they are sensitive so should be rewarded with treats and given positive reinforcement rather than harsh discipline. They do well in agility, obedience and rally competitions. Early socialization is good for them to get used to being around different people and circumstances.
Exercise Needs
As a spaniel at heart, the Cavalier enjoys being outside and active, but is also content as a lap dog with just a daily walk. A small yard is good for him to be able to play around in, but it should be fenced so he doesn’t run off exploring. You will want to use a leash when exercising them, because they still have hunting and prey drives and will happily go off after a trail that they find. Some daily exercise is important, as otherwise they will be more prone to anxiety and other behavioral issues. If you like to hike, you can build them up to longer walks over time.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Nutritional Needs
A high quality food should be fed to Cavaliers, that is formulated for small or toy breeds. There should be a good amount of protein contained in it, to help with growth and development, and of course a good balance of carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals. The protein should be whole protein, or protein meal. Good food should also contain whole grains and fruits and vegetables. They need a lot of calories because they have a fast metabolism. Fresh and clean water should always be available.
Puppy Stage
It is best to stick to the same food your breeders were feeding your Cavalier puppy to start with, or it may lead to an upset stomach. Dry food is best for their teeth, and they can be fed four times a day till 6 months old, then three times a day after that. Once they get to a year old, they will be fine with two meals a day – one in the morning and one in the evening. Don’t give puppies table scraps as it will give them a severe case of diarrhoea. They shouldn’t need supplements if they are getting outdoors and getting sunlight, and you’re feeding them properly.
Diet Needs
Avoid corn and wheat in their diet, as they often lead to food allergies and don’t contain a lot of nutritional value for the dog. If you do suspect a food allergy it might be worth switching to a limited ingredient diet till it clears up, and then gradually reintroducing other ingredients.
Feeding
Recommended daily feeding amount: 1 to 1.5 cups of food daily, split between two meals.
If you’re training your Cavalier to take part in agility or other types of competitions, you may want to switch over to a working or active dog type of food to ensure he has the nutrients he needs. On the other hand, if he lies around the house a lot then you need to watch out that he doesn’t gain weight by eating too much.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Common Health Concerns
Mitral Valve Disease can be a concern with Cavaliers as it is quite common. It starts off with a heart murmur and progressively worsens, turning into heart failure eventually. A cardiac exam is a recommended health test, and breeding parent dogs should be checked as there is a genetic component to this disease. Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is also common – where their hip joint doesn’t function correctly. However many dogs with this condition can still live a normal active lifestyle.
Patellar Luxation is a minor health condition that can affect Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. This is where the knee joint slides in and out of place. It can be a minor discomfort, but can also be crippling in some dogs. There are also eye conditions that they are prone to, so ideally an Opthalmic Evaluation would be given.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel How to Get One
Rescue Groups: Cavalier Rescue USA | Lucky Star Cavalier Rescue | American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rescue Trust
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are often purchased without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. There are many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in need of adoption and or fostering. There are a number of rescues that we have not listed. If you don’t see a rescue listed for your area, contact the national breed club or a local breed club and they can point you toward a Cavalier King Charles Spaniels rescue.
Breed Organizations: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club
Above are breed clubs, organizations, and associations where you can find additional information about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.