Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Origin	United Kingdom
Traits Weight 13–18 lb (5.9–8.2 kg) Height 12–13 inches (30–33 cm) Life span Average 9 to 14 years
Classification / standards FCI Group 9, Section 7 English Toy Spaniels #136 standard AKC Toy standard ANKC Group 1 (Toys) standard CKC Group 5 – Toys standard KC (UK) Toy standard NZKC Toy standard UKC Companion Breeds standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small spaniel classed as a toy dog by The Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club. It originated in the United Kingdom and is one of the more popular breeds in many countries. Since 2000, it has grown in popularity in the United States and ranks as the 18th most popular pure-breed in the United States (2013 Registration Statistics). It has a silky, smooth coat and commonly a smooth undocked tail. The breed standard recognizes four colours: Blenheim (chestnut and white), Tricolor (black/white/tan), Black and Tan, and Ruby. The breed is generally friendly, affectionate and good with both children and other animals; however, they require a lot of human interaction. Since they are a family dog, it is recommended to not leave them alone at long periods at a time. The expected average lifespan of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is under ten years.

The King Charles changed inordinately in the late 17th century, when it was interbred with flat-nosed breeds. Until the 1920s, the Cavalier shared the same history as the smaller King Charles Spaniel. Breeders attempted to recreate what they considered to be the original configuration of the breed, a dog resembling Charles II's King Charles Spaniel of the Restoration. Various health issues affect this particular breed.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is descended from small toy dogs, like the pug, that were brought to Scotland from continental Europe in the 1500s, where they became fashionable lap dogs for the noble class.

King Charles II was a huge fan and lent his name to the breed.

During the early part of the 18th century, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, kept red and white King Charles type spaniels for hunting. The duke recorded that they were able to keep up with a trotting horse. His estate was named Blenheim in honour of his victory at the Battle of Blenheim. Because of this influence, the red and white variety of the King Charles Spaniel and thus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel became known as the Blenheim.