About Cavaliers
Is hair on your clothes and furniture acceptable?
Is it alright for your dog to share your house?
Do you want a dog to be at your side all day?
Do you want a dog that will play with the children?
Do you want a dog that will go for a 5km walk if you want to?
Do you want a dog that will keep your lap warm?
Do you want a dog that alerts you to visitors, then licks them to death?
Is spending 5 minutes a day brushing your dog okay?
Does sharing your favorite chair with your dog agree with you?
If you answered Yes to the above questions.
THEN THE CAVALIER COULD BE THE DOG FOR YOU.
A Little Cavalier History
The Cavalier is descended from the Toy Spaniels of Europe and first appeared in the courts of England with the reign of Queen Mary. The breed, which appears in many of the great paintings by the Masters, received its name from King Charles II. 'The Merry Monarch',Charles the Second was devoted to his dogs - almost to the point of addiction. They travelled everywhere and the sign "Beware of the Dog" probably originated in his court, meaning not that they were dangerous, but rather 'Don't tread on them!' They became virtually extinct in the Victorian and Edwardian eras as short-nosed breeds took the fore. By 1923 the incentive for revitalization of the old-type Toy Spaniel was provided by American Roswell Eldridge who offered prizes of 25 pounds for the Best Dog & Bitch of this type at Crufts. The name Cavalier was added when the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club was founded in 1928 to further develop the breed. It was not until 1945 that The Kennel Club (England) granted separate registration from the King Charles Spaniel.
A Cavalier Outlook on Life
Known in some circles as the Royal Spaniel, the Comforter Spaniel, or the Spaniel Gentle, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is truly among the nobility of toy dogs with his limpid eyes, quiet dignity, and love of all things great and small. Typically the Cavalier is fearless and sporting in nature, yet at the same time gentle and affectionate. He is completely guileless and does not seem to have the capacity to anticipate danger or to fathom that any creature might ever mean to do him harm. Children and Cavaliers are great friends and supporters of each other, though small children should always be supervised with pets of any kind. The Cavalier is not a dog who will boost your ego with his unflagging loyalty - though he will always have his most favorite people, he will also love whomever is serving dinner that night... A Cavalier does not do well in a kennel nor is he an outside dog. He will only thrive if he is an integral part of family life - and he will gladly live as either Prince or Pauper to be close to the people he loves.
Description of the Cavalier
Vital, energetic, active, loving, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel makes the perfect family pet, but it must be stressed they are dogs that belong with people. They are not dogs to be left alone or housed outside as they thrive on human contact.
The Cavalier is a sturdy animal measuring between 12-13 inches at the shoulder weighing between 12-18 pounds (5.4 -8.1kg) weight is proportionate to height with a slight variation permissable. The coat is long, silky and free from curl, though a slight wave is permissible. Feathering on ears, legs and tail should be long and the feathering on the feet is a feature of the breed (often referred to as bedroom slippers). No trimming or artificial colouring of the dog is permitted; however, it is permissible and often desireable, to remove the hair growing between the pads on the underside of the foot. The Cavalier comes in four colour varieties:
Blenheim - Rich chestnut markings well broken up on pearly white. The chestnut on the head must extend around the eyes as well as down over the ears. There should be a blaze of white between the eyes and ears in the centre of which may be a lozenge or 'blenheim spot' unique to the Blenheim Cavalier, highly desireable, but not essential.
Tricolour - Black and white well spaced, broken up, with tan markings over eyes, cheeks, inside ears, inside legs and on underside of tail.
Black and Tan - Raven black with tan markings above the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, on chest and legs and underside of tail. Tan should be bright. White marks undesirable.
Ruby - Whole coloured rich red. White markings undesirable.
Care Requirements
Apart from their excellent qualities, they do drop coat twice a year. They have poor road sense, so outside the well fenced family property they should always be kept on a lead. If you are contemplating buying a Cavalier please make certain that your fences are secure. All dogs will dig when young and will find a way out if it is at all possible.
Annual checks and innoculations are essential, as is regular worming. Your veterinarian will explain the dangers of heartworm and advise on the preventative measures. It should be noted that certain weeds and grasses might have adverse affects.