| Country of origin: | Great Britain |
| Registries: | AKC, UKC, CKC |
| Occupation: | Companion |
| Size: | 12 to 13 in tall; 13 to 18 lbs |
| Longevity: | 13 to 15 years |
| Exercise: | Calm to moderately active |
| Training: | Challenge to housetrain |
| Grooming: | Moderate |
One of the world’s most popular small breeds, Cavaliers are easy to train, affable, and energetic dogs. It’s a shame that there is a high incidence of inherited heart disease within the breed, restricting their median life expectancy to 10.7 years, which is short for such a small dog. The idea of breeding King Charles Spaniels with long noses was a 19th-century concept. It wasn’t until the 1920s, however, when an American by the name of Roswell Eldridge offered prize money at Cruft’s Dog Show in London, that this kind of selective breeding intensified. By the 1940s, these dogs were classified as a unique breed and given the prefix “Cavalier”, to differentiate them from their forebears. This is an ideal urban dog, reliable with children and friendly with strangers, although males can be surprisingly bold with other male dogs. They also have a great tendency to urine-mark their territories. Swedish vets have observed that the onset of heart disease, likely to occur in the majority of individuals, can be postponed until later in life through selective breeding. When choosing one of these dogs, it is extremely important to check the medical history of several previous generations. Throat problems, causing intense snoring, are very common. In spite of their serious potential health concerns, however, this is a breed perfect for families unfamiliar with dogs.
Breed name synonyms: Cavalier, Cav, Charlies
HISTORY
Although the Cavalier’s prototype the Toy Spaniel existed for a long time and can be traced back to the 16th century in England, the Cavalier itself is a relatively new breed, recreated less than a century ago. However there is no consensus as to the exact origin of the breed.
During Tudor times, Toy Spaniels were popular as ladies’ pets, but it was under the Stuarts that they were selectively bred and given the royal title of King Charles Spaniels. Throughout many centuries they served as a companion and luxury item to royalty and nobility.
It was not until the role of Charlotte York’s dog, named Elisabeth Taylor, in the popular TV show ,,Sex and the city,, that the Cavaliers became popular as everyday pets.
PERSONALITY
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are playful, gentle, loving, carefree, attentive and intelligent dogs. Because they are enchantingly affectionate, they are often nicknamed “love sponges”. They are eager and happy dogs always seeming to be wagging their tails. Cavaliers are active, sportive and outgoing little dogs. They are naturally well behaved and get along well with other dogs and non-canine pets including cats and small rodents.
The Cavalier is extremely friendly and eager to meet everyone who crosses his path. And if that person sits down and offers a treat or a lap so much the better. Cavaliers are wonderful with children because they are patient, adaptable, sociable and do not mind being ,,tortured,,.
TRAITS
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is often described as sophisticated yet cute. The Cavs have a graceful and well-balanced appearance. The hallmark of the breed is its gentle, sweet and melting expression. Their bodies are slightly longer than they are tall, but some Cavaliers may be more square in proportion.
Cavaliers have medium to long, soft and silky coats. The most common color is Blenheim, which is pearly white background with rich chestnut patches. A small white dot on the forehead, called lozenge is permissible.
The Cavalier King Charles stands around 12-13’’ (30.5-33cm) at the withers and weights between 13-18Ib (6-8kg). Household male Spaniels may weigh more than the standard, but show dogs should fit the standard limits.
HANDLING
Cavaliers do not respond well to scolding and harsh treatments, so when training this breed positive reinforcement should be used. They need firm but gentle hand.
Cavaliers are often motivated by food, and with the right treat can be trained to do just about anything. They love pleasing their owners. The only problem when training Cavaliers is keeping their attention, since they get easily distracted.
Cavaliers are people-oriented dogs and should not be left alone for longer periods. Socialization is a crucial component of the training regimen. Meeting and getting used to new dogs and people should be fun experience for the dog.
HEALTH
Breed health concerns may include cardiovascular conditions (endocardiosis, patent ductus arteriosus), dermatological conditions (ichthyosis, persistent scratching in Cavalier King Charles spaniels), immunological conditions (undefined immunodeficiency syndrome), infectious conditions (Pneumocystis carinii infection), musculoskeletal conditions (myopathy associated with falling Cavaliers, inguinal/scrotal hernia, shoulder luxation), neurological conditions (episodic falling), ocular conditions (entropion, distichiasis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, corneal dystrophy, cataract, multifocal retinal dysplasia, geographic retinal dysplasia, generalised progressive retinal atrophy, multiple ocular defects), physiological conditions (giant platelets and thrombocytopaenia) and respiratory conditions (brachycephalic upper airway syndrome, pneumonia due to Pneumocystis carinii infection).
The average life expectancy of the Cavalier is between 10 and 14 years.