History of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Small toy spaniels have been known in Europe and Great Britain since the 16th century, and they were great favorites at the court of Charles II (1660 - 1685). With his wonderfully playful disposition and exceptional gentleness, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is considered by his many devotees to be the perfect companion. A direct descendant of the Toy Spaniels of Europe, he is a delightful combination of the affectionate nature of the Toy breeds and the hardy, sporting characteristics of the spaniel. Not the least of his appeal is the strikingly handsome appearance and sweet expression that has been "melting hearts" for over 400 years.

Found in many of the great paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries, the little spaniel was a favorite subject of the Masters. Artists such as Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Stubbs and Landseer have depicted him in his roles as children's playmate, lady's companion and hunt spaniel. One of the earliest pieces (1523), Titian's Bacchus and Ariadne now hangs in the National Gallery. "The first visual record of the breed with a member of English royalty is Antonio Moro's 1554 painting of Queen Mary I and her husband Philip, who are pictured with two small spaniels at their feet."

Packs of the little dogs are said to have been kept by members of the nobility as sporting dogs. As lap dogs they were popular with the ladies, and it is also claimed that they were of great comfort to those afflicted with febrile diseases. A pet of the nobility, the Cavalier first appeared in the courts of England during the Tudor period. "According to historians, the only dogs Henry VIII allowed at his court were 'small spaniels for the ladies'." The Cavalier was a common lady's companion, held on the lap to provide warmth and attract fleas. It is said the Queen's physician instructed her to keep a comforte dog on her lap to treat a cold. The reference was to the Cavalier, known also as the Comforter or Spaniel Gentle. "The title of comforter was well earned; the dogs were placed under ladies' skirts to act as foot warmers, and it was believed that they could cure stomach ailments and other diseases."

During the Stuart period, the breed enjoyed tremendous popularity, particularly under the reigns of Charles I and II. So enamored was Charles II of the little dog that he reportedly preferred playing and hunting with his beloved Royal Spaniels rather than tending to matters of state. He bestowed upon the breed the royal title of King Charles Spaniel and enacted a law allowing the dog in all public places, including the Houses of Parliament. The law is still in place today. "Samuel Pepys (the diarist) noted that Charles returned to England accompanied by his favorite spaniel and the little dogs were everywhere the king went - council rooms, his bed-chamber, and even church!" On the night Charles died, several of them lay by the fire in an adjoining room, creeping in to comfort their master whenever the door was opened.

In 1689 when William of Orange ascended to the throne, the Pug took over as court pet and it is assumed, but not recorded, that this breed was crossed with the toy spaniels; the Pug became the 'royal dog' and the long reign of the Cavalier ended. Breed type was thereby changed to the snub-nosed, domed breed known today as the King Charles Spaniel. "With the flat faced breeds now in vogue, the look of the spaniels so loved by the Stuart kings began to change." The breed entered a long period of decline, but emerged again in the 19th century from a strain bred by the Dukes of Marlborough. Named for Blenheim Palace, this red and white dog was highly prized for his sporting abilities and became a favorite pet of Queen Victoria. He appears in many of Landseer's paintings.

The movement to shorten the Toy Spaniel's nose saw the breed evolve into a flatter faced variety (known today as the English Toy Spaniel, in the USA & Canada, and as the King Charles Spaniel in the UK) that all but replaced the original King Charles Spaniel. In the 1920's an American, searching in England for , could find only the shorter nosed style.

Thus in 1926, when an American by the name of Roswell Eldridge visited Britain in search of dogs resembling the original toy spaniels of the type depicted in Landseer's painting The Cavalier's Pets, he was dismayed to find that the breed carrying the monarch's name bore little resemblance to the dogs in the early portraits. To rectify this he convinced the Kennel Club to allow him to offer cash prizes at Crufts for the best Blenheim dog and bitch of the original type. Eldridge offered money prizes to be awarded at Crufts' Dog Show (London) for the dog and the bitch that came closest to "the dogs as shown in the pictures of King Charles II's time."

Breeders accepted the challenge, but it was not until 1928 that a dog of the desired type won the prize. He subsequently became the model on which the breed standard was based. That same year saw the formation of a club and the breed officially became the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. "The word Cavalier was added because the followers of King Charles II were called Cavaliers." In 1928 a club was organized in England and the name for the recreated breed, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, chosen. A breed standard was drawn up which remains basically unchanged. The breeders' objective was to develop a completely natural dog which needed no trimming.

In 1945 the Kennel Club (England) granted the Cavalier separate registration from the King Charles Spaniel (known in North America as the English Toy Spaniel). The Canadian Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1957. In the U.S. there are two separate registries - the CKCSUSA and AKC

Retaining both the loving disposition that made him such a valued companion and his handsome appearance, today's Cavalier has changed little from his early ancestors. His silky coat, in rich colors of Blenheim, Ruby, Tri and Black and Tan, remains completely natural. His gentle face, framed by long feathered ears, and his large soulful eyes accentuate the soft expression that has long been a hallmark of the breed.

The Cavalier's increasing popularity as a pet is not surprising. He is excellent with children of all ages but equally happy living in an adult home. A good choice for seniors, his small size is ideal for city and apartment living. He gets along well with other pets both canine and feline. Described as a soothing dog, he wants nothing more than to be with you. This is a breed that must have human companionship. He does not have to be the middle of attention but he does need to be a part of his family. He cannot live in a kennel or be left alone day in and day out!

While he adapts well to any climate, he is not an outdoor dog. He wants to sleep in the comfort of a bed, preferably beside his owner. It is the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed over so many centuries and after all, if the King didn't mind sharing...

With his outgoing nature and love of people, the Cavalier is a poor watchdog. He may bark when someone arrives but, unlike some of the other small breeds, he is generally quiet. He is highly intelligent and relatively easy to train, but like all smart dogs, he needs motivation and a consistent owner.

The Cavalier's long, silky coat needs no trimming, other than between the pads of the feet. He does shed but hair loss can be kept to a minimum with regular brushing. He is a clean dog and should need infrequent bathing. Dietary needs are small but must be of good quality and he should not be allowed to become overweight.

Although he is a Toy breed, he does require at least some daily exercise. One also cannot forget the fearless, sporting instincts that are a part of his spaniel heritage. He should never be walked off lead and his yard, if he has one, must be securely fenced.

The lifespan of a healthy Cavalier can be upwards of 12-15 years but like any dog, there are certain health problems to which the breed is predisposed. The most serious is Mitral Valve Disease, a condition affecting the heart. To ensure a healthy pet, it is imperative to deal with a breeder who is knowledgeable and not motivated by profit. Do not purchase a Cavalier from a pet store or a newspaper ad! Reputable breeders do not have to advertise. Their puppies are in demand and are well worth the wait.

With a dog as appealing and attractive as this, there is a great temptation to make decisions on impulse or based on the irresistible charm of a puppy. There is no question that the Cavalier is an excellent companion but he has specific requirements and is not suitable for every situation. A responsible breeder will take great care to ensure that his needs are met. He deserves no less.

In the right home, the relationship between a Cavalier and his owner is a joyous one. Those who share their lives (and their beds) with this unique and captivating little dog will all agree that they are 'Royally Blessed'!

Bibliography:

Canadian Kennel Club, History of the Cavalier King Charles (Spaniel)