Breed Standard, History, Clubs, Health, Grooming,
Books, Pet Therapy, Agility, Cost, and much more!
What is a party color?
The Blenheim and tricolor of the breed.
What is a whole color?
The ruby and black and tan of the breed.(Coming soon: a special feature page all about whole colors!)
What is the AKC breed standard?
Described here is the general appearance of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel according to the AKC breed standard:
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an active, graceful, well-balanced toy spaniel, very gay and free in action; fearless and sporting in character, yet at the same time gentle and affectionate. It is this typical gay temperament, combined with true elegance and royal appearance which are of paramount importance in the breed. Natural appearance with no trimming, sculpting or artificial alteration is essential to breed type.
You can visit the AKC web site to read the entire breed standard, to see what I aim for in my breeding program. Here is the breed standard as written by the American Kennel Club:
Here are the highlights of the breed standard:
Weight: 13-18 pounds
Height: 12-13 inches at the withers
Bred for: lap dog and companion
Colors:
Blenheim: Rich chesnut markings well broken up on a clear pearly white background.
Tricolor: Jet black markings well broken up on a clear, pearly white background.
Ruby: Whole color, rich red.
Black and tan: Jet black with rich red markings over the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, on chest, legs, and on underside of tail.
From where is the Cavalier descended?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as we know it today, is a little less then 100 years old. It is descended from the small Toy Spaniels that we see in so many of the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth century paintings. In these paintings we see that they are small, have flat heads with a high ear set, almond shaped eyes and a fairly pointy nose compared to what we see today. Left: photo of young King Charles the II with Cavaliers by his side.
Here is a beautiful book all about the Cavaliers in art where you can see many more photos of Cavaliers through out history:
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:
A Tribute in Art
by Barbara Garnett-Wilson and Roy A. Wilson
LaughingCavaliers.com
Where did the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel get its royal name?
Historically these dogs became inseparable companions to the nobility, and they are often seen in many royal portraits. England become known as the home for the toy spaniels, mostly because of the love and dedication of King Charles I. However, it was his son, King Charles II, who ruled from 1660 to 1685, who was truly taken with these little spaniels and it was said that he was always seen with two or three at his heels. He was so fond of them that he wrote a royal decree that the King Charles Spaniel should be accepted in any public place, even in the Houses of Parliament where animals were not usually allowed. This decree is still in existence today in England.
To read a more detailed account of their history please visit this link:
www.ckcsc.org/ckcsc/ckcsc_inc.nsf/Founded-1954/breedhist.html
To read more about the history of the Cavalier in the US go to:
www.ckcsc.org/ckcsc/ckcsc_inc.nsf/Founded-1954/ushistory.html
How did the Cavalier become an AKC recognized breed?
In 1992, the original breed club, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA, (CKCSC) was invited by the AKC to become its parent club, but its members voted nine to one against accepting. A small group, however, from the CKCSC did form the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club (ACKCSC), and applied for parent club status. In 1995, the breed was officially recognized by the AKC.
Why do some breeders call a pup “show” quality versus “pet” quality?
All breeders should be aiming for the breed standard; however, perfection doesn't exist as most breeders come to find out over time. Reputable breeders carefully plan their breeding in the hope of achieving pups that closely resemble the breed standard, thus making them “show” quality. When a pup is born that has several “faults” with regard to the breed standard, breeders sometime call those pups “pet” quality. However, realize this does not mean they are ugly, or less healthy or not worthy of being a wonderful pet.
You will most likely never even know that your pups might have a “fault” . . . his tail set may be too high for show, or his eyes not round enough, or his rear angulation not good enough for show . . . however, you will most likely never even see that in your pup. Only the trained eye of a breeder striving for the breed standard will see this. As reputable breeders, we only keep to breed those dogs which most closely attain to the breed standard. By doing this, we enhance the breed and breed better and better dogs over time--at least this is our hope. Choose a breeder who is aware of the breed standard and whose dogs have been shown in the conformation ring. There they can prove themselves, by allowing them to be seen and judged by judges whose responsibility is to choose those dogs who most closely resemble the breed standard.
Will I prefer a Male or a Female?
There is a saying amongst Cavalier breeders: “Females love you and males are IN love with you.” This may seem true but I have also found over the years that each Cavalier shows its affection a little bit differently. They are each unique and have their own personality. Some Cavaliers, male or female, are born snugglers, others are more sporty and prefer to play more often than lie on your sofa.
Often people are concerned that a male will “mark” in their house. However, if a male is neutered at about six months of age, and trained to be housebroken, this will not happen. Some people do not neuter their males and simply with training, as with any female, they learn to be housebroken.
I advise when choosing a Cavalier to focus on temperament, rather then gender. A good breeder will know her pups and help you to find the Cavalier that suits your lifestyle and needs. If you focus too much on gender, you might miss out on a remarkable relationship with a remarkable puppy.
Do Cavaliers do well left alone if I work full time?
Most Cavaliers do not do well left alone for long periods or kenneled outdoors.
They thrive in our company, and need our daily loving presence. If you really want a Cavalier and work full time, I often suggest that you look for a “doggie day care.” This is a facility that cares for your pet during the day, with activities and lots of fun romping with other doggies. It is much like a human day care.
Another idea is a pet walker, who can come mid day to give your Cavalier a long walk and some human company and play time. Also, some people get another dog so that their Cavalier has company during the day and is not alone. This might be an option, and you might enjoy having two bundles of joy around. However, a lot of Cavalier breeders wont even consider placing a Cavalier in a home where one works full time. Some other breeds may do better with a person who works full time, or some might even consider a cat as an option for a pet; although I admit I know little about cats!
Do they need a lot of grooming?
Cavaliers are said to be a “wash and wear” breed, meaning they do not require a lot of grooming. However it all depends on what you want them to look like and how much time you want to spend. Although this breed calls for NO trimming, I have some pet owners who chose to take their Cavalier in for a “pet cut,” which minimizes their grooming time, and prevents mats.
(Here is a ruby Cavalier who just got his pet cut, you can see the shorter ears, and he looks very sweet.)
Keeping your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel healthy means providing regular grooming and care to his coat, skin, nails, ears, eyes, and teeth. Grooming is also a great time for you and your Cavalier to bond. A Cavalier's coat is soft and silky, and mats can build up behind his elbows and especially on and behind the ears. Regular brushing helps prevent these mats, keeps the coat shiny, and removes dirt and dead hair from the coat. Regular brushing also limits the amount that your Cavalier sheds around the house, and yes, they do shed, but not as much as a Labrador, for example. A proper high quality food and regular exercise also reduces the amount they shed. Good health radiates into their coat. Your Cavalier may require brushing anywhere from two or three times a week to a quick combing and brushing each day.
I recommend the following tools for grooming a Cavalier:
Slicker brush: A square, flat brush with needlelike bent pins sticking out from a rubber head. Use this brush first on the ears and the longer feathering.
Pin brush: Brush with widespread bristles with tiny round balls on top. Used on the body to gently remove any tangles on the tail and legs.
Combs: Use the comb last. It has teeth of various widths to remove dead hair that was left behind; also aids to pick apart mats.
Other items: nail clipper, scissors to trim fur under pads, doggie toothpaste and tooth brush, water bottle to mist coat prior to brushing, and optional, a snood to protect ears while they eat. The snood fits over the head and covers the ears, clean ear feathers will lessen your grooming time.
How is the health of the Cavalier?
The Cavalier is a generally healthy long-lived breed, but there are some health issues to be aware of when searching for your puppy:
Reputable breeders take great care in planning a breeding, by careful health testing and breeding away from health defects, with the hopes of breeding healthier Cavaliers. Although progress has been made, and the Cavalier is a generally healthy breed, there remain some potential health problems, as with any breed. The two that remain of foremost concern are Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) and Syringomyelia (SM). Visit www.aboutcavalierhealth.com to learn more about the breed health.
Please realize however, that all the health testing cannot guarantee you a “perfect” puppy. Although perfection may not exist, reputable breeders do their best to ensure that all the chances have been put on your side.
Are “designer dogs” or mixed breeds healthier then pure breeds?
A designer dog is a dog that comes from two purebred dogs, however both parents are not the same breed. For example, a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel bred to a purebred Poodle would be called a Cavapoo. Many people buy designer dogs or mixed breeds in the hopes of avoiding or having fewer health issues; however this is very far from the truth. Each purebred dog has health-related issues associated with its breed. When you breed two purebred dogs of different breeds together the offspring now have the genes for genetic disorders from two separate breeds. Thus, the offspring are now capable of having or being carriers of all those health issues. Purebred dogs have a genetic history that can be traced back through many generations. Buying purebred dogs from reputable breeders who are working together to breed away from health issues, is the safest route to follow.
In what other activities do Cavaliers do well?
Cavaliers are bred to be companions and lap dogs; however they excel in all sorts of activites. For example, they are known throughout history as the “Comfort Spaniel” and make great Therapy Dogs.
Here is one of our puppies bringing joy to a lady in a nursing home. Read this link to see my article about Pet Therapy.
They also excel in agility. Shay loves agility and earned two agility titles in March of 2009. Now her official name is: Grandville Rock-A-Bye-Baby NAJ NF. Congratulations to Shay for making us proud!
Read more here:
www.akc.org/events/agility/
What if I cannot afford a Cavalier? Are there other options?
Cavaliers are considered an expensive breed. It's best to ask the breeder you contact directly how much they charge, as prices can vary greatly from breeder to breeder and region to region. Please don't be tempted to chose your Cavalier based on a bargain cheaper price. Chose a reputable breeder and a quality Cavalier. It will usually be well worth your time and money.
In case you find you cannot afford a full-priced Cavalier, occasionally breeders have older puppies or adults available. Feel free to ask me about this option. Here are other links which may help you in your search for an older dog:
www.ckcsc.org/ckcsc/ckcsc_inc.nsf/Founded-1954/findcav.html
Link to Cavalier Rescue:
www.cavalierrescueusa.org/Rescue/
What is my favorite book on the breed today?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, in Fact and Fancy
by Barbara Garnett Wilson
To order:
www.ckcsc.org/ckcsc/ckcsc_inc.nsf/Founded-1954/otherbooks.html
A fun note: I have two photos of my black and tan pups presented in her book!
For more book ideas visit: www.ckcsc.org/ckcsc/booklist.nsf/category?openview&count=100
If you have more questions, check out our club web site question/answer page.
It has lots more information to help you!
www.ckcsc.org/ckcsc/ckcsc_inc.nsf/Founded-1954/faq.html
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