Cavalier King Charles Spaniel E-Book

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Smart Owner's Guide
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Seitenzahl: 224

Beschreibung

Dedicated to the world's most elegant, intelligent, and affectionate toy dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, this Smart Owner's Guide, created by the editors at Dog Fancy magazine, offers the most up-to-date and accurate information every dog owner needs to become a well-informed caregiver for his dog. Illustrated with color photographs of adorable puppies and handsome adults, this easy-to-read primer is designed in a modern, lively manner that readers will find user-friendly and entertaining.Each Smart Owner's Guide offers a description of the breed's character and physical conformation, historical overview, and its attributes as a companion dog. The reader will find informative chapters on everything he or she needs to know about acquiring, raising, and training this remarkable purebred dog, including: finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy; preparing for the puppy's homecoming, shopping for supplies, and puppy-proofing the home; house-training; veterinary and home health maintenance; feeding and nutrition; and grooming. Obedience training for basic cues (sit, stay, heel, come, etc.) and solving potential problem behaviors (barking, chewing, aggression, jumping up, etc.) are addressed in separate chapters, as are activities to enjoy with the dog, including showing, agility, therapy work, and more.Entertaining tidbits and smart advice fill up colorful sidebars in every chapter, which the editors call "It's a Fact," "Smart Tip," "Notable & Quotable," and "Did You Know?" Real-life heroes and rescue stories are retold in full-page features called "Pop Pups" and "True Tails." Recipes, training, and care tips are highlighted in the "Try This" feature pages.The Smart Owner's Guide series is the only series that offers readers an online component in which dog owners can join a breed-specific online club hosted by dogchannel.com. At Club Cav, owners of the breed can find forums, blogs, and profiles to connect with other breed owners, as well as charts and checklists that can be downloaded. More than just 20,000 pages of solid information, there's a host of fun to be had at the club in the form of downloadable breed-specific e-cards, screensavers, games, and quizzes.The Resources section of the book includes contact information for breed-related organizations and rescues, as well as practical guidance on traveling with dogs, identification, and locating qualified professionals to assist the dog owner, such as pet sitters, trainers, and boarding facilities. This information-packed Smart Owner's Guide is fully indexed.

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Title Page

Foreword

CHAPTER 1 - THE CAVALIER ATTITUDE

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

PERSONALITY POINTERS

IQ TEST

CHAPTER 2 - THE KING OF SPANIELS

AN AMERICAN IN LONDON

THE UNITED STATES OF CAVALIER

CHAPTER 3 - CHOOSING A CAV

FINDING THE RIGHT PUPPY

BREEDER PAPERS

SOCIALIZATION

NEUTERING/SPAYING

CHAPTER 4 - HOME ESSENTIALS

MEETING THE FAMILY

FIRST NIGHT IN HIS NEW HOME

LEADER OF YOUR PUPPY’S PACK

YOUR CAVALIER SHOPPING LIST

HOME SAFETY FOR YOUR PUPPY

CHAPTER 5 - HOUSETRAINING HIS HIGHNESS

ADULT DOGS

CRATETRAINING

CHAPTER 6 - HEALTH FOR HAPPINESS

FIRST STEP: SELECT THE RIGHT VET

FIRST VET VISIT

VACCINATION SCHEDULING

EVERYDAY HAPPENINGS

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

OTHER HEALTH CONCERNS

EXTERNAL PARASITES

INTERNAL PARASITES

CHAPTER 7 - FOOD FIT FOR A KING

CHOOSING THE BEST FOOD

WET OR DRY FOOD

FEEDING YOUR PUPPY

FEEDING THE ADULT DOG

SPECIAL FEEDING CONSIDERATIONS

DON’T FORGET THE WATER!

CHAPTER 8 - ROYAL GROOMING

BRUSHING A CAV’S COAT

BATHING

NAIL CLIPPING

EAR CLEANING

EYE CARE

A CLEAN SMILE

TAILS AND DEWCLAWS

CHAPTER 9 - TRAINING A TOY

CLICKER TRAINING

DOGGIE MANNERS

CHOOSING A TRAINER

PUPPY KINDERGARTEN

THE SIT CUE

THE DOWN CUE

THE STAY CUE

THE COME CUE

THE HEEL CUE

TAPERING OFF TIDBITS

CHAPTER 10 - CAVS GONE WILD

SEPARATION ANXIETY

DIGGING

BARKING

FOOD-RELATED PROBLEMS

EATING EXCREMENT

CHEWING AND NIPPING

JUMPING UP

PUPPY WHINING

CHAPTER 11 - DOG SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

EXERCISE OPTIONS

AGILITY TRIALS

TRACKING

OBEDIENCE TRIALS

RALLY BEHIND RALLY

FUN WITH FLYBALL

SHOW DOGS

MUSICAL FREESTYLE

CHAPTER 12 - THE GOLDEN YEARS

SIGNS OF AGING

COMMON SENIOR AILMENTS

CARING FOR YOUR SENIOR DOG

SAYING GOODBYE

WHAT’S NEXT

CHAPTER 13 - RESOURCES

OUT AND ABOUT

DOG-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS

PET SITTERS

ID FOR YOUR DOG

Copyright Page

FOREWORD

K9 EXPERT EDUCATION

If you’ve brought a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel into your home from a responsible breeder or a rescue group – or you are planning to do so – congratulations! You have fallen in love with one of the most appealing breeds in all of dogdom.

Historically, Cavaliers travelled in royal circles. Paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries show the breed with the children of aristocrats, yet today’s Cavalier does not require a castle to thrive. He is equally content in the city or the country, strutting down Rodeo Drive or stretched out on a bed of straw, cuddling with seniors or keeping gentle children entertained.

The American Kennel Club breed standard, a written description of an ideal Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, describes the Cavalier as “sporting in character” although he is a member of the Toy Group. Weighing between 13 and 18 pounds, the breed should be sturdy, with moderate bone. Since Charles I (1600-1649) of Britain was the “cavalier king,” the dogs were expected to keep up with his horses. Today, Cavaliers love to hike and swim with energetic owners. They’ll accompany you cross-country skiing but are just as happy to sit by the fire and snuggle while you read a book.

Looking into the Cavalier’s eyes, it’s impossible not to smile. The breed standard explains that the “sweet, gentle, melting expression” is a hallmark of the breed. With long, silky ears framing his face, there is no kinder, more loving dog.

Unlike many other glamorous breeds, the Cavalier doesn’t need a day at the spa to look his best. His coat is luxurious but of moderate length; ears, chest, legs and tail are generously feathered, but combing and brushing a few times a week will keep the tangles away.

The Cavalier comes in four colors: Blenheim, tricolor, ruby, and black and tan. The most frequently seen is Blenheim: rich patches of chestnut red on a pearly-white background. The name comes from Blenheim Palace in England, where the Cavalier was originally bred. The dramatic tricolor is a combination of jet-black markings well distributed on the same pearly-white background, with rich tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears and on the underside of the tail. The ruby is a solid-colored rich red. The black-and-tan coloring is jet black with bright tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, and on the chest, legs and underside of the tail. The Blenheims and tris tend to be laidback, while the rubies and black-and-tans are more headstrong.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are incredibly social dogs without a mean, dominant bone in their bodies. They will march up to any strange dog they see and expect it to react in the same, friendly manner. Since not all dogs will respond in kind, exercise caution at your local dog park. Be aware, too, that coddling this breed, while easy to do, can result in a needy, clingy Cavalier. Resist the urge to baby your puppy.

If you are the competitive type, Cavaliers can excel in a host of activities from conformation shows to obedience, agility and rally. They bond easily and remain utterly devoted to their owners.

With this Smart Owner’s Guide®, you are well on your way to getting your toy dog diploma. But your Cavalier education doesn’t end here.

You’re invited to join in Club Cav™ (DogChannel.com/Club-Cav), a FREE online site with lots of fun and instructive features such as:

• forums, blogs and profiles where you can connect with other Cavalier owners

• downloadable charts and checklists to help you be a smart and loving toy dog owner

• access to Cavalier e-cards and wallpapers

• interactive games

• canine quizzes

The Smart Owner’s Guide series and Club Cav are backed by the experts at DOG FANCY® magazine and DogChannel.com — who have been providing trusted and up-to-date information about dogs and dog people for more than 40 years. Log on and join the club today!

The breed’s popularity is understandable. This is a charmer. If you are looking for a sweet and gentle companion, you can’t go wrong with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Allan Reznik Editor-at-Large, DOG FANCY

CHAPTER 1

THE CAVALIERATTITUDE

There are many excellent reasons to choose a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as your new companion. This breed is affectionate, playful, intelligent and willing to repay an owner’s care and attention with complete devotion.

Although considered a lap dog because of his size, the Cavalier is a fearless, sporting little dog. The breed is friendly and nonaggressive, which makes an excellent and adaptable companion for many different homes and lifestyles.

Members of the breed combine their love for people with a sporting personality that, despite their size, makes them avid birders, hunters and hikers. Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are just as birdy as larger spaniels, and they point and flush instinctively. They’ve been known to squeal with frustration when not allowed to chase pigeons on city streets, and many are superb retrievers. Squirrels, mice, butterflies, bugs – anything moving attracts their attention and activates their prey drive.

Because the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is so people oriented, they are suited to homes where at least one family member is around most of the day. If that’s not possible, you should consider acquiring a pair of Cavaliers so they can keep each other company until their “laps” arrive home from work or school.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Although a small breed, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is neither too small nor too delicate. The largest of the Toy Group breeds, the Cavalier weighs on average between 12 to 18 pounds and stands 12 to 13 inches at the shoulders. He’s a small, well-balanced dog that can be easily picked up and carried by his owner when necessary. When showing, the breed is easily lifted onto a table for assessment by the judge.

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is also a highly suitable breed to carry in a dog crate, something that is especially useful when traveling by car because this safety measure prevents the chance of escape when doors are opened or in case of an accident. In short, the Cavalier is as handsome and portable a companion as anyone could wish for.

Another aspect of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that owners find endearing is their array of coat colors. Cavalier coat colors include Blenheim (red and white), ruby (all red), black and tan, and tricolor (black and white with tan markings). The Blenheim is the most popular and is generally the easiest to find from a reputable breeder. Ideally, Blenheim and tricolor varieties’ markings should be well broken up. Tricolors are black and white with tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears and legs, as well as on the underside of the tail.

Cavaliers crave company. Aside from humans, they often love other Cavs the best.

Meet other Cavalier owners just like you. On our Cavalier forums, you can chat about your toy dog and ask other owners for advice on training, health issues and anything else about your favorite dog breed. Log onto DogChannel.com/Club-Cav for details!

Deciding to get a male or female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is entirely your personal preference. The endearing Cavalier personality is present in males as well as females, so take the time to get to know the puppies in the litter well and choose the one that will best suit your personality, lifestyle and family.

Cavaliers exist in four main color variations (Blenheim pictured), but they all have the same sweet mug.

Black and tan can be yet another striking color combination. The black should be what is described as “raven black,” and the tan markings should be found above the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on the chest, on the legs and on the underside of the tail. These tan markings should be bright, but any white is undesirable. Technically, a Cavalier that is black and tan is described as a “whole color,” and any white found in the coat would be incorrect in the show ring.

The most fun my family has had with our Cav, Cooper, is watching him play with our other dog, Scully. Even though Scully is three times Cooper’s size, Cooper is constantly trying to grab things out of Scully’s mouth. Watching them play is hilarious.

—Cav owner Laura Roth-Shofron of Aliso Viejo, Calif.

Rubies are whole-colored in a rich red, and (like black and tans) any white on the coat is undesirable for the show ring. Sometimes a ruby puppy is born with a small fleck of white on the head, but this will usually disappear by 7 or 8 months of age.

Whatever the color of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, his coat will require regular grooming. However, compared with some other breeds, the required grooming is not excessive. The Cavalier is quite small and doesn’t have as much coat as a Maltese or rough Collie, for example. However, a consistent grooming routine is needed in order to keep the coat from mating and tangling.

PERSONALITY POINTERS

The Cavalier’s pleasant and adaptable personality will generally be happy with whatever lifestyle he’s offered, and he’ll be content with a regular walk around the block, a trip to the dog park or a good energetic game of fetch in your backyard. At other times of day, the Cavalier will be quite content to join his owner watching TV, curled up on the sofa or resting comfortably in a corner of the sitting room. The Cavalier is a breed that is often described as “a people dog,” one that appreciates, enjoys and indeed needs human company.

Cavaliers seem to have an ability to wrap their owners around their little paws. Although Cavaliers are easy to train, they get away with a lot because they’re so adorable. It’s important to set boundaries and provide consistent obedience training.

Cavaliers love spending time with their owners – be it for a day at the beach or curled up together on a couch at home.

Cavaliers love children. Unlike most toy breeds, they’re sturdy enough to roughhouse with kids. That said, interactions with younger children should be strictly supervised. A Cav, like any other dog, needs protection from being dropped, stepped on or teased.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel generally gets along well with other dogs and household pets. Of course, when introducing any dog to a new companion, exercise caution. In the case of Cavaliers, such introduction is rarely stressful for any party concerned. Like many other breeds, Cavaliers seem to thoroughly enjoy the company of other dogs, although many owners note that Cavaliers can be a bit snobbish and enjoy the company of other Cavaliers the best.

Many owners like to keep a couple of Cavaliers as pets, as they make for happy companions and are easy to look after. Owning and caring for multiple Cavs does require a little more work than just having one, but it’s easily managed. Although no one should regularly leave dogs alone for long periods of time, a Cavalier will usually appreciate the company of a canine companion if his owner has to be away from home for a few hours from time to time.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be equally at home with a large, boisterous family as he can with a single person, whatever that person’s age. Children, however, should always be instructed to handle any dog gently and never to tug on a dog’s coat or tail. Children should always be supervised around Cavaliers, especially puppies, for the safety and well-being of the dogs and children. The breed can be happy living with energetic owners who are likely to take their dogs out on long, exciting walks, but they can also live a comfortable and happy life following a more sedentary existence. In either case, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will need regular exercise and physical activity.

My Cavaliers, Ben and Nellie, are loving and great company. They add a lot of joy to our house. They like to sit on my lap and be cuddled, something my children have outgrown. They’re good company on a walk, too.

—Dario DellaMaggiore of Irvine, Calif.

If you choose to get a Cavalier, you’ll soon learn that your dog serves as an ambassador for his species. Even people who are fearful of dogs can come to love a Cavalier.

A Cavalier’s rightful place is in your home, included in your family’s daily life. In the mind of an adoring dog, one owner is quite sufficient as a family, provided that person gives him all the care and attention he needs and deserves.

There are always exceptions to every rule, but the Cavalier is not usually described as a “yappy” dog. Like most dogs, they’ll bark at strangers or unfamiliar noises, but they’re not suitable guard dogs because their nature is too soft to deter any intruder.

It’s always wise to walk your dog on a leash in unfenced areas. Although Cavs don’t have the long legs of breeds like the Whippet or Greyhound, it is surprising how quickly those little legs can move. It’s important to remember that your dog’s safety is of paramount importance and that a dog on the loose in the wrong place can end in tragedy.

IQ TEST

By normal canine standards, the Cavalier has a fairly high IQ, and many of his senses, such as smell and hearing, are more highly developed than those of humans. Generally speaking, Cavaliers are eager to please their owners, so they do very well learning performance activities like obedience, agility and flyball.

Cavaliers do easily assimilate the fears and joys of their owners, so it follows that a somewhat nervous person may convey that feeling to the dog, who might adapt a rather similar personality. Conversely, a highly boisterous or bubbly person is likely to end up with a Cavalier with a similar personality.

Show your artistic side. Share photos, videos and artwork of your favorite breed on Club Cav. You can also submit jokes, riddles and even poetry about Cavaliers. Browse through the various galleries and see the talent of fellow Cavalier owners. Go to DogChannel.com/Club-Cav and click on “Galleries” to get started.

True Tails

Joy to the World

Elizabeth Joy (Lizzie to her riends), a Blenhei Ca alier King Charles Spaniel owned by drienne Escoe of Tustin, Calif embodies a number of Cavalier traits, good and bad.

“She is extremely affectionate and free with kisses,” Escoe says. “She wiggles her butt madly from side to side when she meets someone new, and she licks everyone, especially if they have lotion or sweat on their skin. She is a doggie extremes. If she is sad or jealous, it shows all over her face. If she is happy she giggles audibly. If she sees bird feathers in the grass, she goes nuts, jerking madly from one to another. She becomes a maniac with cars, although she is getting better.”

When Lizzie sees something she wants, she pulls hard on her leash and barks loudly and constantly; no treat or verbal correction can bring her back to reality. The good news for Escoe is that this behavior usually

diminishes with maturity. The bad news is that emotional maturity may not come or another couple of years. Cavaliers retain pupy-like behaviors well into adulthood and sometimes never entirely give them up. Even the most sedate adult Cavalier will suddenly burst into play, chasing younger dogs around and around the dining room table, down the hall and onto the sofa.

Even a senior Cavalier will pull himself off the couch to chase something of interest.

THE COMPLETE CAV

Get to know the friendliest dog in the neighborhood.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Great Britain

WHAT HIS FRIENDS CALL HIM: King, Prince, Moo, Elvis, Charlie, Chuck, Chuckles, Buddy

SIZE: height – 12 to 13 inches; weight – 13 to 18 pounds

COAT & COLOR: The Cavalier’s long, silky coat and dropped ears are defining characteristics. His coat comes in black and tan, ruby (red), Blenheim (white with chestnut markings), and tricolor (black, white and tan).

PERSONALITY TRAITS: Easygoing and loyal, Cavs are a joy to be around. They’re friendly and outgoing to most everyone they meet.

WITH KIDS: Cavaliers crave attention; so they thrive in families with plenty of time to devote to them. The perfect lap dog, this gentle and affectionate breed just wants to spend time with his family.

WITH OTHER ANIMALS: Cavs typically play well with others, regardless of species.

ENERGY LEVEL: low to moderate

GROOMING NEEDS: Brush his coat at least two to three times weekly – more often when he sheds. Bathe him and trim his nails at least monthly.

TRAINING ABILITY: easy, intelligent breed

LIVING ENVIRONMENT: This toy breed doesn’t need much space, but be sure to take yours on daily walks to let him stretch his legs.

LIFESPAN: 9 to 11 years

CHAPTER 2

THE KINGOF SPANIELS

The charming Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can trace his ancestors back to small toy spaniels that are found in many paintings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Such dogs were favorites of the royals and nobles of the day, and because of this, many were depicted with their owners and with children, making for some delightful family portraits. The first portrait in England that depicts the breed is one of Queen Mary I with her husband, Philip of Spain, accompanied by a pair of small spaniels lying at their feet. It was painted in 1554 by Antonio Moro.

The devotion of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is legendary. In some accounts, it has been said that a little black and white toy spaniel hid beneath the skirts of Mary Queen of Scots at her execution in 1587. Even after her death, the little dog would not leave his dead mistress.

Hugh Dalziel wrote in his famous bookBritish Dogs, published in 1881: “The Merry Monarch [King Charles II of England] did many more foolish things than take under his royal care and favor, and thereby raising to court, the beautiful toy spaniel which still bears his name.”

During Tudor times (1485-1603), these small spaniels were highly popular as ladies’ pets, and under the House of Stuart (1603-1714), they were actually given the name King Charles Spaniels. King Charles I was accompanied by a small spaniel when he was imprisoned at Carisbrook Castle after the first English Civil War (1642-1646) between the Royalists (known as Cavaliers) and the Parliamentarians (known as Roundheads). Charles was later beheaded after he was defeated during the second civil war (1648 – 1649), and it is said that his dog Rogue was paraded around the city by a Roundhead, though the fate of the little dog is not known.

The breed’s biggest champion, however, was Charles’ heir, King Charles II (known as the Merry Monarch), who helped distinguish the breed from other toy spaniels. His extreme devotion to these beautiful and tractable companions is the stuff of legends.

As an adult, Charles kept a pack of spaniels in his bedroom, even allowing female Cavs to whelp puppies in his personal chamber, a practice many members of the household viewed with disdain. He kept many spaniels and probably took the larger, sturdier dogs on his travels by horse and ship. The smaller, more delicate dogs made perfect gifts for ladies of the court.

Charles and his brother, James II, had a pact to continue breeding the toy spaniels, even in the event of Charles’ death. James was so committed to the preservation of the dogs that one story tells of a shipwreck in which James was heard yelling, “Save the dogs!” and, as if an afterthought, “… and the Duke of Monmouth!”

Cavs have been known to live peacefully with pet birds, although it takes some training to teach these spaniels that indoor birds are not fair game.

The popularity of the King Charles Spaniels seemed to go somewhat out of fashion, especially once King William III and Queen Mary II ascended to power in 1689. The new monarchs preferred Pugs and other short-faced breeds imported from Asia.

Cavaliers endured in and around certain country estates, most notably at Blenheim Palace (home of John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough). The Blenheim variety of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – a white dog with chestnut markings – was favored by the Duke of Marlborough, and one legend explains the origin of the desired lozenge (diamond-shaped) mark on top of the toy spaniel’s head.

One evening, when the Lady Marlborough was particularly anxious about her husband, who was away during war, she sat up all night with her favorite female Cavalier, who was about to whelp a litter of puppies. The legend says that, in her anxiety, she continually stroked and pressed on the head of her pet, and when the puppies were born, they all carried her thumbprint on their heads. This mark, called the Blenheim spot, is still desirable in the Blenheim variety of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel today.

In other parts of England, the toy spaniel evolved over the next few centuries to look more like the Asian breeds favored by William and Mary: shorter face, undershot jaw, domed skull, and larger, protruding eyes. A flatter-faced version evolved to become the English Toy Spaniel (called the King Charles Spaniel in England).

AN AMERICAN IN LONDON

In 1926, a 68-year-old American breeder named Roswell Eldridge went to England and was dismayed to find that the toy spaniels he so admired in the paintings of the old masters had all but disappeared. The fashion of the day was so dramatically in favor of the flatter-faced toy spaniels that spaniels with the “old-fashioned” head were considered incorrect, and any that arose in litters of puppies were never bred.

From the pictures of early Cavaliers, you can see that some of the structure wasn’t quite what it might be now, but some of the dogs in old pictures look like they would be good dogs if you could see them at a better angle. The lovely ‘spaniel gentle’ seen in pre-Victorian paintings looks much like the breed we know today, perhaps a little lighter-boned with a finer muzzle. This old type was virtually lost when the flat-faced type became popular.

—breeder Joanne Nash of Los Altos Hills, Calif.

Eldridge preferred the look of the old toy spaniel. In order to seduce breeders into reviving this old type, he offered a prize of 28 pounds – a good sum of money in those days – at the 1926 Crufts Dog Show in England for the best female and male of the old type, with the Blenheim markings that most closely resembled those in the familiar paintings. His challenge was largely met with disdain, as this style of spaniel was no longer considered correct; yet the prize money – to be awarded at the next five shows – sparked the interest of breeders.

About a month after Eldridge’s death in 1928, Miss Mostyn Walker presented a dog called Ann’s Son at the Crufts show and was awarded Eldridge’s prize. Unfortunately, Eldridge never got to see the dog, but the appearance of this old-style toy spaniel spurred a group of interested fanciers to name the breed the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and to form a breed club to seek official recognition by England’s Kennel Club.

The club wrote a breed standard (a written description of the ideal specimen of a breed) to describe this “new” old breed, based on careful study of Ann’s Son and reproductions of many of the paintings picturing toy spaniels from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The goal of the club was to create, preserve and maintain a natural dog of the old type by breeding to longer-nosed toy spaniels – the very dogs who were considered undesirable because they didn’t match the current fashion of flatter-faced spaniels.

Purists claim that only these throwbacks of the older type from English Toy Spaniel litters were used to create and solidify the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Some believe that other breeds – such as the English Cocker Spaniel, the Scottish Spaniel and the Papillon – might have been introduced to quickly solidify the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel type, although nobody knows for sure.

In 1945, England’s Kennel Club recognized the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as a separate and distinct breed from the flatter-faced King Charles Spaniel (the breed later known in the United States as the English Toy Spaniel). The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s career began anew, and in 1970, a few decades after recognition, a virtually unknown Cavalier named Alansmere Aquarius won Best in Show at Crufts before he had even attained a championship title. Since then, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel continues to be one of the most popular toy breeds in England.

THE UNITED STATES OF CAVALIER