BREED HISTORY

The ancient ancestry of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel remains a mystery, though the history is long and filled with folklore.  The dogs have been pictured on old paintings and lived with royalty since the 16th century.  Esteemed owners include Queen Elizabeth I and King Charles II, for whom the breed is named.  As royal fashions changed to prefer Pugs and other Asian breeds, the King Charles Spaniel lost popularity and numbers, as well as their long faces in favor of shorter ones.

A contest in 1926 offered rewards to breeders who could best recreate the dogs known in the time of King Charles II with the original, long face shape.  From this event, the official club was organized and breed name granted.  The breed emigrated from Britain to the United States and other parts of Europe in the decades that followed.  As a breed with a long and dramatic history, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel remains popular and distinctive today.


IDEAL BREED CHARACTERISTICS

Size:  Males and Females 12 to 13 inches (at the withers).

Appearance:  Balanced, trim body with smooth, easy motion.

Coat and Color:  Long, silky, soft, straight or slightly wavy coat with long feathering on the ears, legs and tail.  Four color patterns accepted including Blenheim (white with chestnut markings), Tricolor (white, tan and black), Ruby (solid red) and Black and Tan (black with tan markings).

Head:   Gently rounded skull with a tapered muzzle; large, round, wide-set, dark brown eyes; wide-set, long ears set high.

Tail:  Long, straight and feathered; docking to 2/3 original length is optional.


BREEDER LISTING

ALABAMA, USA
Procyon Kennel
205-772-0390

CANADA
Variatus
416-384-9669

CANADA
Castlewood Cavaliers
204-488-8763

CONNECTICUT, USA
Martlet-Or Cavaliers
203-869-1064

CONNECTICUT, USA
Kenjockety
203-526-5515

FLORIDA, USA
Tomnee
305-247-1778

GEORGIA, USA
Castlekeep Cavaliers
404-995-0333

KENTUCKY, USA
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club
502-897-9148

NEBRASKA, USA
Sheeba
402-786-2792

NEW YORK, USA
Chanctonbury
607-648-8574

OREGON, USA
Laughing Cavaliers
503-352-6419

SOUTH CAROLINA, USA
Excalibur Kennels
803-859-6945

TENNESSEE, USA
Hob Nob
615-977-9573

TEXAS, USA
Corner Creek Cavaliers
817-589-2866

UTAH, USA
Redthea Cavaliers
802-484-7809

WASHINGTON, USA
Turnworth
604-853-6974