A small, active and extremely loving dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is most closely associated with King Charles II of England. The monarch absolutely loved this breed and always had several dogs running around the palace.
And the breed was equally popular with European aristocracy. featuring in numerous art works dating from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries.
Standing just 18 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 18 pounds, the Cavalier is an attractive dog. The coat is long and silky, and may be Blenheim, ruby, tri-color, or black and tan in color.
There is feathering on the legs, tail, and ears. The ears are long and silky, and the eyes are large and innocent, giving the dog an almost angelic look.In the past, the tail was usually docked by a third, but this practice is now outlawed in many countries, and is no longer a requirement.
The main difference between the Cavalier and the King Charles Spaniel is that the King Charles has a shorter muzzle. This dates back to a time when these dogs were cross bred with Pugs.
Unlike other Spaniel breeds, the Cavalier has never been a working dog. Ii is, was and likely always will be an affectionate lap dog with a happy temperament that makes it absolutely perfect for this role.
These dogs have the ideal personality to be family pets. They love everyone , and are exceptionally good with children. They are healthy dogs, but not immune to the congenital problems typically found in purebred dogs. Serious diseases that occur in the breed include mitral valve disease and syringomyelia. Typical lifespan for a Cavalier is between 9 and 14 years.
They are also prone to luxating patella, cataracts, and retinal disorders. To guard against your dog developing these diseases it is advisable to only buy a dog from a reputable, registered breeder.
With their long, luxuriant coats, it should not surprise you that the Cavalier King Charles is a high maintenance dog. The coat requires daily brushing and regular trimming, especially around the toes and footpads.
As with all Spaniels breeds, the ears are particularly prone to infection, while the eyes can also become infected if not cleaned regularly.
This is the ideal dog for apartment living, small of size and well behaved indoors. The Cavalier needs and craves human interaction and is most definitely not suited to living outdoors.
They do however require regular exercise and enjoy a daily walk with their owner. These playful, active dogs also love playing games like tag and hide-and-seek, which can be done either indoors or outdoors.
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