The adorable loving face of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a descendant of the King Charles Spaniel popular among the aristocrats of the Tudor era. Ancestors of the Cavalier King Charles have been depicted in paintings and portraits dating back to the 1440’s. The breed that we know of today as the Cavalier King Charles owes its existence to American financier, Roswell Eldridge. In the 1920’s Mr. Eldridge worked diligently to create the breed and did so by traveling to England and offering 25 pounds to the best male and best female resemblance to the “old breed” popular during the time of King Charles II. According to the American Kennel Club, the first Cavaliers arrived in America in 1952 and a national breed club was formed in 1956. Getting its desired recognition didn’t come easily. It wasn’t until January 1, 1996 that the Cavaliers became the 140th AKC recognized breed.
Cavaliers typically weigh between 13-18 pounds and are 12 to 13 inches tall at the shoulder. The American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club (ACKCSC) describes Cavaliers as having “large, round, dark brown eyes and long, silky hair on their ears, tails and legs”. Cavaliers have four distinguishing color types:
Blenheim: Red and white
Tricolor: Black and white with tan spots on eyebrows, cheekbones and under the ears and tail
Ruby: Solid deep Red with no white
Black and Tan: Solid black with tan on eyebrows, cheekbones, nose, under chin and on the chest, down all four legs and under ears and tail with no white anywhere on the dog.
Cavaliers are known to be people pleasers and it is often said their motto is “love the one you’re with”. So, while they may not be loyal to just one person, they will certainly make the person they are with feel truly adored. They get along well with other dogs, cats, small children and are especially good with the elderly as therapy dogs. Since they are Spaniels, their sporting nature may make them prone to go after smaller animals such as hamsters, gerbils or birds. Because Cavaliers are known for their love of their family, it is not advised to leave them along for long periods of time as they do not do well in isolation.
These dogs are particularly easy to train due to their eagerness to please. However, Cavaliers must be kept on a leash or within the limits of a fenced yard. They do not understand the dangers that surround them and often try to run off after other animals or people which could lead to injury or even being stolen. If such an incident occurs where the dog attempts to run off, a stern “No!” is sufficient as they do not respond well to harsh reprimanding. Cavaliers can be very sensitive and may become fearful if they are hit.
Caring for a Cavalier is rather simple. While they do need grooming, a weekly brushing and bath will keep their coat well groomed. Special attention should be paid to keeping their teeth and ears clean. It is also important to monitor their eyes for infection.
According to ACKCSC, the most prominent health concern for Cavaliers is Mitral Valve Disease which is a thickening or degeneration of the mitral heart valve. This condition leads to congestive heart failure and death. ACKCSC states that this is a particular concern among Cavaliers because they can show an earlier onset and rapid progression compared to other breeds. Other health concerns include luxating patellas (or better understood as slipping kneecaps), eye disease and rarely hip dysplasia. The average life expectancy is anywhere from nine to fourteen years.
Becoming an owner of this loving and playful breed is not as easy as walking into a pet store. The ACKSC advises against purchasing a Cavalier in a pet store or through any type of advertising. Instead, locating a breeder from the Parent Club List will ensure that you receive a Cavalier that has been bred by someone who adheres to a Code of Ethics and works to provide healthy puppies to the best possible homes. This type of breeder will never advertise because they don’t need to-their business comes from referrals and belonging to the Parent Club List. It is important to have patience when looking for the perfect Cavalier. Wait Lists are very common and rarely will a Cavalier be available to you upon your first inquiry. Depending on the breeder, you may be required to fill out an adoption application and go through a screening process.
Rescue Cavaliers are available for adoption for a donation by The American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rescue Trust. General inquiries can be made by emailing the Cavalier Rescue at cavalierrescue@
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