Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed Standard
©
January 2004
Origin and Purpose:
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a much-admired Royal
Spaniel. Descended from the Toy Spaniels of Europe, the
breed was variously known as the "comforter" or
"Spaniel Gentle" and first appeared in the courts
of England with the reign of Queen Mary I. The breed, which
appears in many of the great paintings of the Masters,
received its name from King Charles II. It became virtually
extinct in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, as short-nosed
breeds took the fore. By 1923 the King Charles Spaniel
(today's English Toy) with its flat nose had replaced
the old-type Toy Spaniel. In 1926 the incentive for the
revitalization of the old-type Toy Spaniel was provided by
Mr. Roswell Eldridge, an American who offered prizes of 25
pounds for the Best Dog and Best 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. The popularity of these companion dogs has spread
around the world and in 1957 the breed gained Canadian
Kennel Club recognition.
General Appearance:
An active, graceful, well-balanced dog, very gay and free in
action.
Temperament:
Fearless and sporting in character, yet at the same time
gentle and affectionate.
Size:
Height 12-13 inches (30-33 cm.). Weight proportionate to
height between 12 and 18 lb. (5-8 kg.) Slight variations
permissible. Penalized only in comparison with equal
quality, appearance and type. A small well-balanced dog well
between these measurements is desirable.
Coat:
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. No trimming, or articificial colouring of the dog is
permitted. However, it is permissable, and often desirable,
to remove the hair growing between the pads on the underside
of the foot.
Colour:
Blenheim:
Bright chestnut red markings well broken up on a pearly
white ground. The red on the head must extend around the
eyes as well as down over the ears. There should be a
white blaze between the eyes and ears in the centre of
which is the lozenge or "Blenheim Spot" unique
within the Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a
highly desirable, but not essential, characteristic of
the Blenheim.
Tricolour:
Jet black markings well broken up on a pearly white ground.
The black on the head must extend around the eyes as well as
down over the ears. There should be a white blaze between
the eyes. Rich tan markings appear over the eyes, on cheeks,
inside ears, inside legs, under the tail and around the
vent.
Ruby:
Whole-coloured rich red.
Black and Tan:
Jet black with rich tan markings over the eyes, on the sides
of the muzzle, inside the ears, on throat and chest, on
forelegs from knees to the toes, and on the hind legs on the
inside of the legs, also extending from the hock to toes,
and on the underside of the tail and surrounding the vent.
Head
Head:
Almost flat between the ears, without dome. Stop shallow;
length from base of stop to tip of nose about 1-1/2 inches
(4 cm.). Nostrils should be well developed and the pigment
black.
Muzzle
tapered. Lips well covering but not hound-like. There
should be cushioning beneath the eyes, which contributes
much to the sweet, gentle expression characteristic of
the breed.
Mouth:
Teeth strong and even, preferably meeting in a
scissors bite, although a level bite is permitted.
Undershot mouths are greatly to be discouraged. It
should be emphasized, however that a slightly
undershot bite in an otherwise well-balanced head
with the correct sweet expression should not be
penalized in favour of a level mouth with a plain or
hard expression.
Eyes
should be large, round and set well apart;
colour a warm dark brown, giving a lustrous,
limpid look.
Faults:
White ring surrounding the iris. Bulging eyes.
Ears
set high, but not close to the top of the
head. Leather long with plenty of silky
feathering, and wide enough so that when the
dog is alert, the ears fan slightly forward
to frame the face.
Neck
Moderate length, without throatiness. Well enough muscled to
form a slight arch at the crest. Set smoothly into nicely
sloping shoulders.
Forequarters
Forelegs straight and set well under the dog. Bone moderate.
Elbows close to the sides. Shoulders should slope back with
moderate angulation to give the characteristic look of top
class and presence. Pasterns strong and feet compact,
well-feathered and with well-cushioned pads.
Body
Short-coupled with ribs well sprung but not barrelled. Chest
moderately deep leaving ample heart room. Back level.
Slightly less body at the flank than at the last rib, but
with no tucked-up appearance.
Hindquarters
Hind legs moderately muscled, well angulated at the stifles.
Hocks relatively short and at right angle to the ground when
standing. Hind legs should parallel each other from hock to
heel. The dog should stand level on all four feet.
Tail
Set so as to be carried level with the back. Tail should be
in constant characteristic motion when the dog is in action.
Docking is optional, but whether or not it is docked, the
tail must balance the body. If docked two thirds is the
absolute minimum to be left on the body, and the tails of
broken-coloured dogs should always be docked to leave the
tip white.
Disqualifications
- Colours other than the four above.
-
Clown faces (white around one or both eyes or white ears.)
- Undue aggressiveness, bad temper, snapping at a judge.
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