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The beauty, regal grace and even temperament around the Cavalier has marked her as one of the nobles of Dogdome. A toy spaniel no more than 13 high, the Cavalier draws you in with its face: the sweet, gentle, melting expression emanating from the large, round eyes is the hallmark of a breed. Another is the silky, rich-colored coat that can be one of four different varieties.
The Cavaliers may be aristocratic, but they gladly descend from their royal high horse to chase frolls or squirrels that occur in the backyard. They get on well with children and other dogs. Adaptive Cavaliers do equally well with active owners and homebodies – they can be spirited athletes or shameless couch potatoes depending on the lifestyle of an owner.
Toy Spaniels were the province of European nobility, at least since the Renaissance period. Two 17th-century British emperors, King Charles I and his son Charles II, were particularly devoted to the black and tan type of toy spaniel, which was eventually named in the latter’s honor. According to the famed litterateur of the Restoration era, Samuel Pepes, Charles II was more concerned with the breeding of the Spaniards than the ruler of Britain.
The Toy Spaniel remained a major favorite of the British aristocracy in the early 19th century. His upper-earth side of this era was the Marlborough family, who banned a line of red-and-whites at the Blenheim Palace. Later in the century, at the age of Victoria, the breed was crossed with Asian toys, perhaps pugs and Japanese chins, and became the English Toy Spaniel (or, known as the King Charles Spaniel in the United Kingdom) in the United States.
This new style toy spaniel had a domed skull and a flatter face than Charles’s time. Before long, this type was dominated, and the traditional toy spaniel of the Restoration was almost extinct – but not forgotten.
Fanciers of the 1920s wondered if there still existed the old type of toy spaniels immortalized in paintings of ancestors hanging in the halls of the English Manor. A wealthy American named Roswell Aldridge offered cash prizes to British breeders who could produce “”Blenheim Spaniels of the Old World type””. The possibility of prize money prompted the breeders to revive the old style. These dogs were dubbed the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. (The name Cavalier is outspoken for the monarchical party that supported the Stuarts during the Civil War, which cost me the head.
The breed is notable for its four different color patterns, each of which, at times, was associated with a particular noble family: blenheim (chestnut marks on a white bacround), tricolor (black markings on a white bacround), black And tan (black with tan markings), and ruby (a rich red).
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an active, beautiful, well-balanced toy spaniel, very gay and free in action; Fearless and playful in character, yet gentle and affectionate at the same time. It is this distinctly gay nature, combined with true elegance and royal presence that are most important in the breed. A natural appearance is necessary with no trimming, sculpture, or artificial alterations.
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time’.
The cavalier’s shiny, silky coat requires an occasional bath to regularly brush and keep it in beautiful condition. Brushing not only helps keep the coat shiny and tangle-free but also acts as a full body massage that the dog likes. Grooming sessions enhance the dog-owner bond and provide an opportunity to inspect the dog’s entire body for any new or unusual bumps or other issues. The ears should be checked weekly for signs of infection, and the nails trimmed at least once a month, as more elevated nails can cause pain and structural problems.
The Cavaliers are a sweet, tender and affectionate breed, very keen to please their human. They are friendly with strangers and other animals, and they can do very well with children. They are smart and train easily, and the Cavaliers excelled in many canine sports, including obedience, rally and agility. With their sweet temperament they also make fantastic therapy dogs. As with all breeds, early socialization and puppy training classes will help young cavaliers learn good manners and become comfortable with a wide variety of people and situations.
Although the Cavalier was forbidden to become a beloved lap dog, he is descended from sports dogs and enjoys moderate exercise and outdoor activities. He happily walks with his boss and also performs well in several canine games, but he is happy to be on the couch all day. Cavaliers should not be exempt from leases because they maintain a scent and hunting instinct, and cannot be called upon if they have found an interesting trail or an organism to chase. A fitted yard is recommended.
Cavalier should be given a high quality dog food suitable for the age of the dog (puppy, adult or senior). Some cavaliers are overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. If you choose to give treatment to your dog, do so in moderation. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Give very little to table scraps, if not at all, especially avoid cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. If you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet, check with your vet.
There are many health issues that the Cavaliers suffer from. These include some eye conditions (including retinal problems and cataracts), patella laxation, hip dysplasia, middle ear infections, mitral valve heart disease, and a neurological condition known as syringomyelia. Cavaliers can be examined for all of these conditions, and most live comfortably in old age. Owners should discuss any potential health issues with their dog breeder. A responsible breeder will conduct a health test of all possible breeding stocks.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: