The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed of dog that was developed in England and is descended from the English Toy Spaniel.  An American fancier, Roswell Eldridge wanted a dog that was closer in appearance to the original dogs favored by King Charles II, with a longer muzzle, and the result was eventually the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.




Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a small spaniel breed, although they are one of the largest dogs often classified as a toy.  They stand between 12-13 inches and weigh in at 13-18 pounds.  Unlike the English Toy they have a regular length muzzle and their tail is not customarily docked.  Their ears are long and feathered, and they have a silky coat that is moderate in length and is also well feathered.  There are four different coat colors, black and tan (King Charles), Tricolor of white, tan, and black (Prince Charles), red and white (Blenheim), and mahogany red (Ruby).


The history of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel coincides with that of the English Toy Spaniel until the 1920s.  At the Cruft’s Dog Show in London, Roswell Eldridge offered twenty-five pounds prize money to any person showing English Toy Spaniels with long noses.  He wanted to create a breed that closer resembled the dogs seen in Van Dyck’s painting of King Charles II.  His selective breeding not only lengthened the muzzle, but also created a larger breed overall.  These dogs were considered a separate breed by the 1940s; however, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels would not arrive in the United States until 1952.


Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are friendly and affectionate dogs.  They get along well with children, other dogs, and non-canine pets.  Being highly social, this is not a breed that should be left alone all day.  Caviler King Charles Spaniels bond quickly with their owners and family, and may be reserved towards strangers.


The lifespan of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is generally 9-11 years.  Unfortunately they are prone to several genetic defects and some of them are quite common, such as mitral valve disease and syringomyelia.  They also suffer from luxating patella, hip dysplasia, ear and eye infections, deafness, and can gain weight easily if overfed.  When purchasing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel it is extremely important to screen for the appropriate breeder.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can adapt easily to apartment life, but they do best with at least a small yard.  They need at least a daily walk and do not do well in warmer climates.

The coat of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is fairly easy to take care of if groomed often.  It is important they are brushed regularly with extra care taken on their long feathering to keep it from tangling.  They are average shedders.