Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Canada Breed Standard

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 old Masters, received its name from King Charles II. It became virtually extinct in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, as the short nosed breeds took the fore.

There has been much speculation about the origin of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as we know it today.  It is possible that the Cavalier developed from a red and white spaniel indigenous to Malta or Italy, which was crossed with a spaniel type from the Far East in the 13th century.  Another popular theory is that all spaniels, as the name indicates, originated in Spain, and that the small, black truffle-hunting dog was also part of the gene pool. 

It is a fact, however, that the toy spaniel was refined and established as a breed in England, and there is no doubt that there were inclusions of sporting spaniel types in the bloodlines too.  Whatever its origin, it is plain that the Cavalier is a descendant of the “Spaniel Gentle” companion dogs seen in so many pictures of the gentry from the 16th to the 19th century.  It was in the reign of King Charles II that the toy spaniel came to prominence in England.  The King was so fond of his little dogs that, according to Samuel Pepys’ diary, he neglected the business of the kingdom to play with them.  A member of the court, complaining about the general doggy disorder in the King’s apartments, declared with disgust that the King even “suffered them to pup” in his own bedroom.

The start of the demise of the original “nosey” King Charles Spaniel started around the early to middle of the 19th century, due to interbreeding of the Toy Spaniel with the short-nosed Pug brought to England by King William of Orange.  At about the same time, the English Kennel Club was established, the breeding of dogs became more regulated, and specific breed standards appeared.  The King Charles Spaniel’s nose gradually became shortened, his face flattened and his head more domed, but he was still the King Charles Spaniel – and this betwixt and between type still existed well into the first decade of the 20th century. 

The short-muzzled dog became the type shown at early British shows and at Crufts.  Breeders would occasionally find a long-muzzled puppy in a litter and it would be sold as a pet.  The reappearance of the original type of Toy Spaniel must be credited to Mr. Roswell Eldridge, an American who came to England to the Crufts dog show.  He was very disappointed not to see any of the “nosey little spaniels he remembered from his boyhood.”  He offered a prize of 25 pounds to be awarded at Crufts from 1926 to 1929 for “A Blenheim Spaniel of the Old Type, as shown in the pictures of Charles’ time, long face, no stop, flat skull not inclined to be domed, with a spot in centre of skull.” 

Interest in the Old Type toy spaniel was fostered particularly by Amice Pitt, the daughter of the painter, Sir Everett Millais, who remembered the little spaniels depicted by the Old Masters, and took up the challenge.  Amice Pitt was a well-known breeder of Chow Chows, and her father had bred Basset Hounds, so she was well versed in the breeding of dogs.  It is quite true to say that, without Amice Pitt, there would be no Cavalier King Charles Spaniel today. 

In 1926 a breeder of short-faced King Charles Spaniels, Miss Mostyn Walker, had bred a dog called Lord Pindi to a bitch call Ann.  In that litter were two puppies that appeared to be throwbacks to the long-faced type of spaniel.  These two were Ann’s Son and Wizbang Timothy.  Miss Mostyn Walker brought Ann’s Son to a meeting and others attending brought all the old paintings they could find that showed toy spaniels with longer noses.  The standard for the breed was based on a composite of Ann’s Son and the dogs in the paintings.  A photograph of Ann’s Son appeared on the front of the first leaflet on the breed put out by the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club. 

In 1928, when the Club was founded, the members did not want to give up the name King Charles Spaniel because this was the name of the old original breed.  They decided to add the word “Cavalier” and this probably derived from “Cavalier versus Roundheads” rather than from any connection with the “Cavalier King” Charles II.  In 1946 the Kennel Club finally granted separate registration from the flat-faced King Charles Spaniel.  Prior to this time, early Cavalier breeders added “Cavalier Type” to their registration forms to denote a dog with a longer muzzle.  In 1948, Daywell Roger, owned by Amice Pitt’s daughter Jane Bowdler, became the first English Champion.  The breed in England has gone from strength to strength, and is very popular with the general public.  It is a common sight in town or country to see a little Cavalier trotting happily beside its owner.

The first Cavalier Club in North America was the CKCS-USA, which was established in Kentucky in 1956. It is a private club with no affiliation with the American Kennel Club, and has its own championship points system.  In 1995 a group of well-established breeders formed the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel club in order to have the breed recognized by the American Kennel Club.  Now that Cavaliers can be AKC registered they may take part in conformation shows and obedience and agility trials throughout the country.  The ACKCSC club also holds national and regional specialty shows.

In Canada, Cavaliers were granted recognition by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1957.  Deanhill Panda, a blenheim male bred by Lady Ivor Spencer-Churchill and imported by Mrs. C. Cunningham, was the first Cavalier to be shown in the breed ring.  By 1965 a small number of Cavaliers were being shown across the country.  Charles Frew and Sheila Anderson in British Columbia had both imported Pargeter stock, and the Rowans in New Brunswick had imported Kilspindie Snowdrift from the USA.  Pargeter Flashback, owned by Sheila Anderson, became the first Canadian champion in 1965.  The early 1970s saw a considerable increase of Cavaliers in the show ring, particularly in Ontario.  Ch. Newforest Rufus, bred and owned by Poppy Steel, became the first to attain an all-breed Best in Show.  The first Obedience Trial champion was Ch. Picbrand Mardi Grais, owned and handled by Paul Oslach of Guelph, Ontario.  Other noteworthy representatives of the breed have kept the Cavalier banner flying high since then, achieving Group wins and Best in Show honours.

In central Canada, Cavaliers typically make up the largest entry in the Toy Group.  In other regions as well, Cavaliers are being shown in healthier numbers.  Growing popularity is a double-edged sword, and conscientious breeders remain vigilant, to ensure that their dogs are raised with care and placed with loving owners.

What is a Cavalier?

How large is a Cavalier?

Is the Cavalier a good pet?

Is the Cavalier trainable?

Do Cavaliers shed?

What about grooming?

Where should I buy a Cavalier?

How do I locate a reputable Cavalier breeder?

Question: What is a Cavalier?

Answer: A Cavalier is a charming toy spaniel, elegant but sporting in nature. It is a versatile dog, equally happy living in the urban lap of luxury or on a hiking trail with its owner. A Cavalier makes an excellent pet for families with children, professional couples or senior citizens. Those who are lucky enough to own a Cavalier will have a dog who is a friend and loving companion.

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Question: How large is a Cavalier?

Answer: A Cavalier is a toy dog. Both males and females should be about 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 12-18 lbs.

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Question: Is the Cavalier a good pet?

Answer: The Cavalier makes an excellent pet. It would be difficult to find a dog with a more delightful temperament, both sweet and affectionate. It is very biddable, always wanting to please. It is small enough to suit the city-dwelling dog lover, but equally at home in the country.
Though most spaniels were originally bred as hunting dogs, the Cavalier has been bred exclusively as a companion since the days of King Charles II.

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Question: Is the Cavalier Trainable?

Answer: Cavaliers are a joy to teach. They are intelligent, readily absorb all they are taught and always eager to please. Gentle methods of training must be used, since they are sensitive by nature. Harsh methods and punishment will frighten them and ruin the lovely temperament.

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Question: Do Cavaliers shed?

Answer: Yes, like any other dog with a similar coat, Cavaliers shed a little all year round. Regular grooming is a key to keeping the coat gleaming and the hair off your clothes and furniture.

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Question: What about grooming?

Answer: Every dog, no matter what the breed, needs some regular basic maintenance grooming including nail clipping and coat brushing and combing. The Cavalier is no exception. Twice weekly regular grooming down to the skin should maintain the coat and prevent matting. Should a bath be needed, be sure to take out all tangles in the coat before proceeding.

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Question: Where should I buy a Cavalier?

Answer: The Cavalier is still basically an uncommon breed in North America. A puppy is not easy to find as they are not bred in large numbers. As with all purebred dogs, the worst place to find one is in a pet shop or a large puppy retailer who advertises and regularly in the newspaper. To get a good quality puppy, go directly to a breeder who is a member of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, the Cavalier Fanciers of Southern Ontario or other regional breed clubs. As a rule the Cavalier breeders does not breed merely to sell dogs, but to continue to improve upon a lineage which he/she considers to be the best. Buying from a breeder is not just a business transaction. The breeder's interest in you and your puppy does not end when you walk out the door.

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Question: How do I locate a reputable Cavalier breeder?

Answer: Cavalier breeders can best be found by getting in touch with the national or regional breed club, or by attending dog shows and speaking to the people showing there. It will require some time and effort on your part, but it will be worthwhile. When you locate breeders in your area, talk to them about the breed and ask if you may visit to meet the dogs. Most breeders will be more than happy to answer your questions and have a brief visit at a prearranged time.

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