Jordan Honeycutt - The Complete Guide to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

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Publication Data

Jordan Honeycutt

The Complete Guide to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels ---- First edition.

Summary: Successfully raising a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog from puppy to old age --- Pr ovided by publisher.

ISB N: 978-1-70885-6-052

[1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels --- No n-Fiction] I. Title.

This book has been written with the published intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter included. While every reasonable precaution has been taken in preparation of this book the author and publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained inside. The techniques and suggestions are to be used at the readers discretion and are not to be considered a substitute for professional veterinary care. If you suspect a medical problem with your dog, consult your veterinarian.

Desig n by Sorin Rdulescu

First pap erback edition, 2019

The Complete Guide to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Jordan Honeycutt

Special Thanks:

A debt of gratitude is owed to Charlie Weidig of BlackFire Cavaliers for his help and exceptional contributions to this book. Your expertise and advice were a vital resource and I am extremely grateful and honored to have had your help.

Chapter 1

Breed History

What Is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

Cavaliers are such a great family dog, and will give constant companionship to all who walk through the door. They are also great with other dogs and cats. Basically they just get along with anyone or anything.

Kacey Leitheiser

Kaceys Cavaliers

T he Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed that commands attention wherever it goes. Its regal appearance attracts onlookers, adult and child alike. It seems no one can resist those big, curious brown eyes. The Cavalier has piqued the interest of royals throughout history for many reasons, but it is impossible to deny that this quintessential lapdog is about as sweet as they come.

History of the Cavalier

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel acquired its name because it was a great favorite of King Charles I of Britain in the 1600s.

Jenn Brisco

Cardinal Cavaliers

The origins of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have been traced back to the 16th century, when the first toy spaniels are thought to have been brought to Europe from East Asia. These dogs had domed heads, high-set ears, and pointed noses. It is believed these spaniels shared origins with the Pekingese and Japanese Chin. Commonly used by upper-class women as lap warmers and flea catchers, these dogs quickly gained favor with t he royals of Europe.

The toy spaniel first appeared in England in 1558 in a painting of Queen Mary I and King Phillip. This new spaniel-type dog was also a favorite of Mary, Queen of Scots, and King Frances III of France. It wasnt until the 17th century that the breed began to rise in popularity because of King Charles II. He was well known for his love of the breed and is said to have allowed the dogs to roam freely at Whitehall Palace, even d uring palace events.

Samuel Pepys, a member of Parliament during the reign of Charles II, wrote, All I observed there was the silliness of the King, playing with his dog all the while and not min ding the business.

The toy spaniel continued to grow in popularity in Europe and was frequently featured in art and literature. It wasnt until after the Glorious Revolution in 1668 that the breed began to see dramatic changes in its physical characteristics. Around this time, the Pug was introduced to Britain. As the Pug gained popularity among the upper class, the toy spaniel was bred to the Pug in order to create the flatter nose and rounded head that was trendy at the time. The spaniel now featured a rounded head, short, flattened snout, and large round eyes; these dogs no longer resembled Kin g Charles IIs dogs.

In 1903, Edward VII named the breed the King Charles Spaniel, based on that monarchs renowned love of the dogs. Over twenty years later in 1926, an American, Eldridge Roswell, wanted to revive the old look of the breed as seen in paintings from Charles IIs era. He challenged breeders and offered a prize for the best Blenheim Spaniels of the old type, as shown in pictures of Charles II of Englands time, long face, no stop, flat skull, not inclined to be domed, with spot in centre of skull. Eldridge died before seeing the Cavalier come to life, but interest in this old type spaniel had regained attention.

The prize money was awarded to a dog named Anns Son in 1928. That same year, the first Cavalier club was created. Anns Son was a living specimen at the Cavalier Club meeting where the breed standard was set for the breed recognized by the Kennel Club as King Charles Spa niel, Cavalier type.

In 1952, the first Cavalier was brought to America. It was a black and tan bitch given to Mrs. Sally Lyons Brown. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club USA was founded in 1954, and incorporated in 1956. The breed went on to gain recognition from the American Kennel Club in 1995 and has gained popularity in the United States ever since.

Physical Characteristics

Most people dont realize that the Cavalier type of Spaniel, so popular in England in the 16th to 18th Century (and seen in classical paintings of that period) actually disappeared in the 19th Century, when their characteristics were bred out, and the English Toy Spaniel emerged. It was only in the early half of the 20th Century that the breed was recreated through careful breeding, and todays Cavalier was not generally seen in the United States until the second half of the 1900s.

Charles Weidig

BlackFire Cavaliers

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the largest Toy breeds in the group as determined by the American Kennel Club. Breed standard says the Cavalier should stand between 12 and 13 inches tall and weigh between 13 and 18 pounds. The head should be proportionate to the dog, not appearing too large or too small. Head should be rounded but not domed, almost flat on the top and ears set high but not too close. Ears should be long and have lots of feathering, a key iden tifier for the breed