The Cavalier King Charles spaniel dog breed is known for its appearance in multiple movies, as well as being popularized by celebrities who chose him as a companion dog, such as Coco Chanel, Oscar Wilde or Frank Sinatra In addition, this breed is highly appreciated for its elegant appearance and silky coat and delicate. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog has a sweet and affectionate character, but we must not forget that it is also a delicate breed, due to the various hereditary he alth problems that it can present.
Origin of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel
There are many stories and legends about this fascinating breed, which reached its height of popularity during the reigns of Charles I of England and Scotland and Charles II of England It appears in various paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, where we can observe certain differences with respect to the current standard, mainly in the face, which shows a slightly longer snout, as well as in the body, which is thinner.
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a breed originally from England and the first specimens date back to the time of Elizabeth I of England. It is likely that the Cavalier King Charles spaniel was born from the cross between Pekingese and Japanese Spaniels, as there is evidence of dogs being given as presents to members of royal families in Europe. Already in the year 1600 they began to be appreciated among the English nobles.
He receives part of his name, "Charles", thanks to Charles II, who was particularly attached to him. Historians point out that he was just another member of his entourageand that he never parted ways with his faithful four-legged friend, not even at meetings state. That is why he also receives the name "Cavalier". Other relatives of the English royal family were also great lovers of the breed.
In recent years, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel has spread around the world and is considered one of the most popular and beloved English dog breeds, both for its affectionate nature and its cute appearance.
Characteristics of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a well-proportioned and elegant dog of small size. Its weight is between 5, 4 and 8 kilograms and the height at the withers is between 30 and 33 cm. It belongs to group IX of the FCI, that of companion dogs.
Its head is small with a slightly elongated snout and an almost flat forehead, precisely for this reason the frontal depression is quite evident. The muzzle tapers towards the end. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's teeth are strong and have the typical scissor bite, that is, the upper teeth perfectly overlap the lower ones.
The eyes are round, dark and well spaced. The ears are a very characteristic feature of the breed and are slightly similar to those of the English cocker spaniel, as they are long and have fringes However, in the case of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel they are highly inserted.
The tail is proportional to the body, has a lot of hair and is never situated above the level of the hind line. It has a straight and horizontal back, as well as a moderate chest, characterized by a good circle of ribs. The legs are moderately skeletal, while the feet are covered with abundant hair and have good bearings.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's coat is long and silky, with abundant fringes, and can come in different shades: black and tan, ruby, blenheim or tricolor.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Character
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a docile and affable dog, which makes it one of the most suitable breeds for coexistence with children and older people. His character is cheerful and, well socialized, he does not show fear, anxiety or nervousness, on the contrary, he is a dog active but balanced
Coexistence with it is especially easy, and thanks to its small size, it easily adapts to life in an apartment. He can live with any type of family, however, as with any other individual, we should not encourage a particularly sedentary lifestyle, but rather we should provide him with walks, exercise and stimulation to keep him happy.
Finally, it should be noted that, with proper socialization, this dog can relate wonderfully to all kinds of people and animals, which also makes it a great breed for animal assisted therapy.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Care
If we focus on the care of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, we can highlight:
- Feeding of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: must be balanced, that is, balanced. When choosing your food, whether it is based on feed or homemade recipes, we will make sure it is of quality. Likewise, we will respect the quantities to guarantee an adequate weight and to avoid being overweight. We can distribute the daily amount between 2 or 3 shots. Let's not forget that the diet must always be adapted to the individual's age, their specific needs and their state of he alth, so it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian.
- Exercise: is another fundamental aspect of care, because as we have mentioned before, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel is an active dog. We will offer you a minimum of 3 walks a day, one of which we must combine with some physical exerciseLikewise, we must not forget the importance of mental stimulation to keep your mind active.
- Grooming: to keep his coat silky and in good condition we must brush him 2 or 3 times a the week, paying special attention to the formation of possible knots and tangles in the area of the ears and extremities. Regular brushing will have a positive influence on its he alth, not only to keep its coat shiny, but also to detect the presence of parasites or wounds early. Bathing is usually done once a month, always using specific products for dogs.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Education
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is an intelligent dog that learns easily, however, it is important to educate him throughpositive training , thus avoiding positive punishment, which can generate stress and anxiety in our dog. This type of education is not recommended only in this breed, but in all dogs. In fact, the use of positive reinforcement in training favors learning and a good relationship with the owner.
Another fundamental aspect of education is puppy socialization, a process essential so that our dog learns to relate to other individuals, environments and people, such as children, adults, cats, dogs or ambulances among others. A null or deficient socialization can cause the appearance of fears and other behavioral problems. The Cavalier King Charles spaniel must also learn to urinate in the street.
To finish his basic education we will pay attention to the obedience orders, which in addition to strengthening our bond will allow us to stimulate him mentally and improve their response to our requests.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel He alth
The life expectancy of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ranges between 9 and 14 years, however, as they are small breed dogs, they have a high predisposition to suffer from various hereditary diseases, highlighting syringomyelia, a particularly painful and serious pathology. It is estimated that around 33% of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel population suffer from it. It is mainly due to an excessive growth of the brain mass, which does not have enough space in the skull.
Other common diseases of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel are:
- Mitral valve dysplasia
- Waterfalls
- Corneal dystrophy
- Hip dysplasia
- Microphthalmia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Retinal dysplasia
- Brachycephalic dog syndrome
- Mellitus diabetes
- Idiopathic epilepsy
- Ichthyosis
- Urolatiasis
It is very important to visit the vet periodically, every 6 or 12 months, to try to prevent these pathologies and detect them promptly if they appear. It will also be essential to follow the vaccination schedule and the deworming schedule.
You may be interested in taking a more detailed look at this post on our site about Common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Illnesses.
Where to adopt a Cavalier King Charles spaniel dog?
After having read the characteristics of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel and its care, you may be considering the option of adopting one. From our site we want to mention first that, regardless of the traits they have, all dogs deserve an opportunity to be adopted and have the best possible life.
As a small breed of dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is highly sought after. Therefore, one of the options to adopt a Cavalier King Charles spaniel is to use a breed club or an animal shelter that is close to your area to be able to consider different options. You can also resort to a dog shelter or society.
