Captivating Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

by Ruwini Jayawardana

The King Charles spaniel originated in the renaissance era of Great Britain as a companion dog for royalty. The King Charles spaniel got its name due to a Blenheim-coated spaniel, the children's pet in the household of Charles I. King Charles II even preferred this Toy spaniel's company to that of his courtiers. Such spaniels can also be seen in many paintings of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.

Over time, the toy spaniels were replaced in popularity by short-snouted, dome-headed dogs of Asian descent, such as the Pug and the Japanese Chin. The King Charles spaniel was bred along with these dogs which results with the similar-shaped head of today's English Toy Spaniel breed.

The Cavalier is by most measures the largest toy breed. However, it is clearly a lap dog. It is nonetheless quite small for a spaniel. Breed standards call for a height of about 36 centimetres and weighing five to eight kilograms. Unlike most spaniels, the Cavalier has a full-length tail well-feathered with long hair, which is typically carried aloft when walking.

The breed naturally possesses a substantial silky coat of moderate length. A coat free from curl, with a slight wave permissible is a sign of a good breed standard. In adulthood, the Cavaliers grow lengthy feathering on their ears, chest, legs, feet and tail.

This breed has four recognised colours: Blenheim (rich chestnut on pearly white background), Tricolour (black and white with tan markings on cheeks, inside ears, resembling eyebrows, inside legs and on underside of tail), black and tan (black with tan markings), and Ruby (rich reddish-brown all over).

The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a highly affectionate companion and is considered as the ultimate lap dog. Most dogs of the breed are playful, extremely patient and eager to please. They make good companions for children and other dogs. A well-socialized Cavalier will not be shy about socializing with much larger dogs.

This breed suffers from a number of severe genetic defects. If you consider buying a Cavalier King Charles puppy, ask to see its parents' heart and eye certificates. Virtually all Cavaliers suffer from mitral valve disease. This cause progressive heart murmurs leading to heart failure. This is known as the leading cause of death of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Syringomyelia is a condition affecting the brain and spine. The symptoms range from mild discomfort to severe pain and partial paralysis. This is also a widespread disease in this breed though it is rare in other breeds.

Sensitivity around the head, neck, or shoulders, often indicated by a dog whimpering or frequently scratching at the area of its neck and shoulders are signs of the disease. These symptoms typically appear around the age between six months and three years.

The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is quite popular among the Western society. Neal, is the pet Cavalier King Charles which belongs to actress Liv Tyler. Jennifer Love Hewitt too has a Cavalier while the crown princess of Sweden owned one Cavalier.

Due to its inborn affectionate and gentle nature, it is no wonder that the Cavalier King Charles spaniel has captured hearts of many. ?