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Adopt a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel


Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed

Family:

spaniel, companion


Area of origin:

England


Original function:

flushing small birds, lapdog


Average size of male:

Ht: 12-13, Wt: 13-18


Average size of female:

Ht: 12-13, Wt: 13-18


Other names:

none


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    Energy

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    Exercise

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    Playfulness

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    Affection

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    Friendliness towards dogs

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    Friendliness towards other pets

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    Friendliness towards strangers

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    Ease of training

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    Watchdog ability

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    Protection ability

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    Grooming

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    Cold tolerance

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    Heat tolerance

Picture: Kent and Donna Dannen |

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Temperament

The cavalier in many ways fits the bill as an ideal house pet. He is sweet, gentle, playful, willing to please, affectionate and quiet. He is amiable toward other dogs, pets and strangers. Outdoors, his spaniel heritage kicks in, and he loves to explore, sniff and chase.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Care

The cavalier needs a fair amount of exercise every day, either in the form of a moderate walk on leash or a romp in a safe area. This is not a breed that should live outdoors. His long coat needs brushing every other day.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Health

Major concerns: MVI, CHD
Minor concerns: patellar luxation, entropion
Occasionally seen: retinal dysplasia
Suggested tests: cardiac, hip, knee, eye
Life span: 9-14 years

Dogs Related to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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Interested in the history of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed?

As his name implies, the cavalier King Charles spaniel is derived from spaniel roots. The European toy dogs were probably the result of breeding small spaniels to Oriental toy breeds such as the Japanese Chin and perhaps the Tibetan spaniel. These Tudor lap dogs, known as "comforter spaniels," served as lap and foot warmers, and even surrogate hot-water bottles. In addition, they served the vital function of attracting fleas from their peoples' bodies! The toy spaniels became especially popular because they appealed to all members of the family. In the 1700s, King Charles II was so enamored with his toy spaniels that he was accused of ignoring matters of state in favor of his dogs. The dogs were so closely associated with him that they became known as King Charles spaniels. After his death, the Duke of Marlborough took over as the major advocate of the breed; the red and white "Blenheim" color, which was his favorite, is named after his estate. The King Charles spaniel continued to grace the homes of the wealthy for generations, but with time a shorter-nosed dog was preferred. By the early 1900s, the few dogs that resembled the early members of the breed were considered to be inferior. A twist of fate occurred when a wealthy American, Roswell Eldridge, came to England and offered outlandish prize money for the best "pointed-nosed" spaniels, those most resembling the old type. Breeders bred their old-type dogs together in an effort to gain the prize, and in so doing, many came to appreciate the old type. Ironically, these dogs, named cavalier King Charles spaniels in honor of the "cavalier king," eventually outstripped their short-nosed counterparts in popularity, becoming one of the most popular breeds in England. They were slower to catch on in America, and many cavalier pet parents fought AKC recognition in an effort to control the problems that so often accompany popularity. In 1996, the AKC recognized the cavalier; it is too early to tell whether his popularity will soar as a result.


Shelters with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dogs

Some animal welfare organizations with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels ready for adoption:

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