Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Information & Dog Breed Facts | Pets Feed

This small spaniel has a short but well-defined muzzle, large brown eyes and silky fur; The colors of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are cinnamon, ruby, reddish and white (Blenheim) and tricolor (hazelnut marks on a background of white pearl). Adults are approximately 30 to 33 cm tall and weigh 5.5 to 8 kg.

The dog breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known for its appearance in several films, similarly, it has also been popularized thanks to celebrities who have chosen it as a companion dog, such as Coco Chanel, Oscar Wilde or Frank Sinatra. In addition, this breed is highly prized for its elegant appearance and for its silky and delicate coat. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a gentle and affectionate character, but it should not be forgotten that he is also a delicate breed, due to the various hereditary health problems it can present.

If you want to know more about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed, in this Pets Feed article, you will find all the necessary information, such as its origins, characteristics, character, care, health or the breed highlights. Read on!

Origin of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

There are many stories and legends about this fascinating breed, which peaked under the reigns of Charles I of England and Scotland and Charles II of England. It appears in various paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, where we can observe some differences from the current standard, mainly in the face, which shows a slightly more elongated muzzle, as well as in the body, which is thinner.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed originally from England and the first specimens date back to the time of Elizabeth I of England. It is likely that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was born from the cross between the Pekingese dogs and the Japanese water dogs, since there is evidence of the delivery of dogs as they are present to members of royal families in Europe. Already in the year 1.600 began to be appreciated among the English nobles.

He receives part of his name, “Charles”, thanks to Charles II, who was particularly attached to him. Historians point out that he was one more member of his entourage and that he never separated from his faithful four-legged friend, even during state meetings. This is why he is also called “Horseman”. Other parents of the English royal family were also great lovers of the breed.

In recent years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has spread around the world and is considered one of the most popular and valued breeds of English dogs, both for its affectionate character and for its tender appearance.

Character of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a docile and friendly dog, which makes it one of the most suitable breeds for living with children and the elderly. Its character is cheerful and, well socialized, without fear, anxiety or nervousness, on the contrary, it is an active but balanced dog.

Living with this dog is particularly simple, and thanks to its small size, it adapts smoothly to apartment life. It can live with any type of family, however, as with any other individual, we should not promote a particularly sedentary lifestyle, but we should provide it with walks, exercise and stimulation to keep it happy.

The family of these dogs is affectionate, undemanding and excellent with children and the elderly. They do not bark excessively but they will warn of the presence of strangers. However, they are not guard dogs because they welcome people with great affection. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s get along with everyone, including cats and other small pets. Being relatively small and calm, they are good traveling companions.

Finally, note that, with proper socialization, this dog can be wonderfully related to all kinds of people and animals, which also makes it an excellent breed for animal-assisted therapy.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health

The life expectancy of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is between 9 and 14 years, however, it is a breed that has a strong predisposition to suffer from various hereditary diseases, highlighting syringomyella, a particularly painful and serious pathology. It is estimated that approximately 33% of the King Charles Spaniel Cavaliers population suffers from it. This is mainly due to excessive growth of the brain mass, which does not have enough space in the skull.

The other common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel diseases are:

• Mitral valve dysplasia
• Cataract
• Corneal dystrophy
• Hip dysplasia
• microphthalmos
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Retinal dysplasia
• Brachycephalic dog syndrome
• Diabetes mellitus
• Idiopathic epilepsy
• ichthyosis
• Urolatiasis

It is very important to consult the veterinarian periodically, every 6 or 12 months, to try to prevent these pathologies and detect them quickly if they appear. It will also be essential to follow the vaccination schedule and the deworming schedule.

Exercise is another fundamental aspect of care, because as mentioned earlier, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an active dog. We will offer you a minimum of 3 walks per day, including one to combine with a little physical exercise. Likewise, we must not forget the importance of mental stimulation to keep your mind active.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s diet must be balanced. When choosing food, whether based on food or homemade recipes, we will ensure that it is of quality. Likewise, we will respect the amounts to guarantee an adequate weight and avoid being overweight. We can distribute the daily amount between 2 or 3 meals. Remember that the food should always be adapted to the age of the individual, his specific needs and his state of health, so it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian.

Feeding guide for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy (depending on the puppy’s construction)

As a guide, a Cavalier puppy should be fed the following amounts daily to ensure that it receives enough nutrients in its diet for it to grow and develop properly:

• 2 months — 96g to 127g
• 3 months — 108g to 149g
• 4 months — 113g to 158g
• 5 months — 113g to 161g
• 6 months — 103g to 159g
• 7 months — 92g to 144g
• 8 months — 81g to 129g
• 9 months — 81g to 115g
• 10 months — 80g to 114g

Once a puppy is 11 months old, it can be fed with food for adult dogs.

Feeding guide for an adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (depending on activity)

• Dogs weighing 5kg can be fed from 84g to 99g
• Dogs weighing 6 kg can be fed from 97g to 112g
• Dogs weighing 7 kg can be fed from 109g to 126g
• Dogs weighing 8 kg can be fed from 120g to 139g
• Dogs weighing 9 kg can be fed from 131g to 152g

Grooming the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

To keep his coat silky and in good condition, we must brush 2 or 3 times a week, paying particular attention to the formation of knots and possible tangles in the region of the ears and limbs. Periodic brushing will positively influence the health of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, not only to keep his coat shiny, but also to quickly detect the presence of parasites or injuries. The bath is usually done once a month, always using specific products for dogs.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed Highlights

Positive points

• Trustworthy, reliable and super loving with people and children of all ages.
• Smart, easy to train and quick to learn.
• Very adaptable, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is just as happy to live in an apartment as in a house, provided it is given lots of exercise and mental stimulation.
• Good choice for first time dog owners.
• Not known to be “barkers”.
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is very social by nature, which means that it tends to get along with everyone, including the other animals and pets it grew up with and those they meet.
• These dogs are wonderful companions for the elderly because they are loyal, loving but never too demanding.

Negative points

• The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not a very good watchdog because it loves everyone.
• May suffer from separation anxiety because it is so people oriented, which means it hates being alone.
• Fairly high maintenance on the grooming front.
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to ear infections due to its long hanging ears.

Originally published at https://petsfeed.co on December 14, 2019.