It is believed that the ability to relieve stress belongs to cats. But among dogs there is also a breed that has the same gift. It is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. In England, these animals are called “creating comfort.” They are royal pets; they are kept in many royal families.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known for its appearance in several films, similarly, it has also been popularized thanks to celebrities who have chosen it as a companion dog, such as Coco Chanel, Oscar Wilde or Frank Sinatra.
In addition, this breed is highly prized for its elegant appearance and for its silky and delicate coat. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a gentle and affectionate character, but it should not be forgotten that he is also a delicate breed, due to the various hereditary health problems it can present.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel photos
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Physical characteristics
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a well-proportioned and elegant little dog. Its weight is between 5 and 8 kilograms, and its height at the cross is between 30 and 33 cm. It belongs to group IX of the FCI, that of companion dogs.
Distinctive features
- Head: The head appears flat between the ears. The forehead is well developed. The muzzle is conical, flattened.
- Jaws: Strong teeth with a regular scissor bite.
- Ears: The ears are long, fully covered with hair, set high.
- Eyes: The eyes are round, large with a wide set. The color of the iris is dark brown.
- Frame: The body is short, the back is straight with rounded ribs. The neck is of medium length, with a slight curvature. Medium sized chest. The loin is short.
- Limbs: The legs are parallel with well developed bones. The paws are compact, the pads are well developed.
- Coat: The coat is long, very silky, sometimes slightly wavy. Color black and piebald tan, black with intense tan luminosity, brilliant dark ruby and white-chestnut (blenheim).
Character and behavior
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel exudes an endless stream of activity, very playful and affectionate. He is distinguished by a calm character, almost never shows nervousness.
He likes to be the center of attention, requiring active communication from all members of the household. For his part, he shows tenderness and patience. He feels happiest when someone scratches behind his ears.
They love to bark, because barking is a way for them to let everyone know that they are in a good mood. Foreigners are perceived as friends, therefore, due to their excessive friendliness and small size, they are absolutely not suitable for the role of security guard.
It is difficult for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to bear the lack of attention and loneliness, which provoke the animal’s listless behavior. The dog falls into a drowsy state, loses interest in life.
With the children
They treat children well, rarely show aggression towards them, but, in any case, the child must learn the correct behavior with the animal.
With other animals
They get along well with all pets, but they can be shy around other dogs.
Health
It is a breed that has a strong predisposition to suffer from various hereditary diseases, highlighting syringomyella, a particularly painful and serious pathology. It is estimated that approximately 33% of the King Charles Spaniel Cavaliers population suffers from it. This is mainly due to excessive growth of the brain mass, which does not have enough space in the skull.
The other common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel diseases are:
- Mitral valve dysplasia
- Cataract
- Corneal dystrophy
- Hip dysplasia
- microphthalmos
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Retinal dysplasia
- Brachycephalic dog syndrome
- Diabetes mellitus
- Idiopathic epilepsy
- ichthyosis
- Urolatiasis
Life expectancy
The life expectancy of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is between 9 and 14 years.
Care
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed has a long coat that requires regular combing and brushing. You will need to do this at least 2 or even 3-4 times a week. In addition, it is necessary to daily clean the eyes from deposits, as well as monitor the cleanliness of the ears. Bathe the dog once or twice a month, cut the claws on average 3 times a month.
Exercise
Exercise is another fundamental aspect of care, because as mentioned earlier, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an active dog. We will offer you a minimum of 3 walks per day, including one to combine with a little physical exercise. Likewise, we must not forget the importance of mental stimulation to keep your dog’s mind active.
Fun facts
- Although it is not distinguished by its intelligence, since it ranks 44th in the ranking of Stanley Coren on the intelligence of dogs, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a perfect dog for people of all kinds because of its temperament. It is commonly used as a therapy dog for patients, the elderly or depressed, as it is very patient and affectionate.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs are depicted in many paintings. In addition, the figures of these dogs are sculpted from clay. Now these clay figurines are in great demand among collectors.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were bred right in the royal palaces. There they gave birth to puppies, after which the babies were transferred to the training and education of specially trained people. They prepared the dogs for life under the royal persons, taught them good manners.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Duke, who lives in California, is world renowned for its ability to heal. It helps many people cope with extreme stress, whether they are children from dysfunctional families or victims of a terrible fire. Before moving on to practice, an intelligent, talented dog underwent serious training under the guidance of a trainer-psychotherapist.
History of the breed
There are many stories and legends about this fascinating breed, which peaked under 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 some differences from the current standard, mainly in the face, which shows a slightly more elongated muzzle, 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 the Pekingese dogs and the Japanese water dogs, since there is evidence of the delivery of dogs as they are present to members of royal families in Europe. Already in the year 1.600 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 one more member of his entourage and that he never separated from his faithful four-legged friend, even during state meetings. This is why he is also called “Horseman”. Other parents 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 valued breeds of English dogs, both for its affectionate character and for its tender appearance.