Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Information

What you need to know about the Cavalier King Charles

The Cavalier is by most measures the largest toy breed: though clearly a lap dog, fully-grown adults tend to fill one rather amply.  It is nonetheless quite small for a spaniel, with fully grown Cavaliers roughly comparable in size to an adolescent of a more convential spaniel breed.  Breed standards call for a height between 29 and 33cm (12-13 inches) with a proportionate weight between 5.5 and 8.5kg (13 and 19 lbs).  Unlike most other spaniels, the Cavalier has a full-length tail well feathered with long hair, which is typically carried aloft when walking.

Coat

The breed naturally grows a substantial silky coat of moderate length.  Breed standards call for it to be free from curl, with a slight wave permissible.  In adulthood, Cavaliers grow lengthy feathering on thier ears, chest, legs, feet and tail; breed standards demand this be kept long, with the feathering on the feet cited as particularly important feature of the breed.

Colours

The breed has four recognized colours;

    Blenheim (rich chestnut on pearly white background)

   Tricolor (black and white with tan markings on cheeks,  inside ears resembling  eyebrows, inside legs, and on underside tail)

    Black & Tan (black with tan markings) 

    Ruby (rich reddish-brown all over)

Parti colours are the colours that include white: Blenheim & Tricolor.  Whole Colours have no white:  Black & Tan & Ruby.  The Blenheim is the most common colour. although the others are not rare.

If you are wanting to show a Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel extra points will be given for a rich chestnut dot placed between the eyes on the top  of the forehead, called the lozenge.  it is rare which makes it desirable for show breeders.

Temperament

The breed is highly affectionate, and some have called the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel "the ultimate lap dog".  Most dogs of the breed are playful, extremely patient and eager to please.  As such, dogs of the breed are usually good with children and other dogs.  A well socialized Cavalier will not be shy about socializing with much larger dogs.  (However, on occasion, this tendency can be dangerous, as many cavaliers will presume all other dogs to be equally friendly, and may attempt to greet and play with aggressive dogs)

However, the extremely social nature of the Cavalier King Charles means that they require almost constant companionship from humans or other dogs, and are not suited to spending long periods of time on their own.  Once you get a Cavalier you wont be disappointed with their friendly loving nature and if its the first one your to own, it certainly wont be the last.

This breed is the friendliest of the toy group.