Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Perfect Blend of Elegance and Affection
The name of the breed, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, proudly displays the dog’s heritage from Britain. Combining the enthusiasm and athleticism of a sporting spaniel with the delicate attentiveness of a toy breed, cavaliers are the best of all worlds. The Cavalier is considered one of Dogdom’s noblemen due to his all-around beauty, regal grace, and even temper. The Cavalier, a small spaniel that stands no taller than 13 inches, captivates you with his face because of his signature melting expression and big, wide eyes. It is well known that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have caring and affectionate dispositions.
They are wonderful companions for both individuals and families, as they thrive on social interaction. They are often kind and tolerant, which makes them a good fit for homes with kids and other pets because of their warm and kind disposition. The stunning beauty of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is another characteristic that sets them apart. Their long, silky ears, soft, wavy coats, and expressive eyes give them an irresistible charm that wins people over.
One important quality that increases their popularity is their versatility. These dogs don’t care whether you live in a large home or a small flat, as long as they get lots of love and care.
Cavalier History
The prototype for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which was resurrected less than a century ago, is the toy spaniel, which has been a companion of aristocracy and royalty for generations. The little spaniels that are portrayed in numerous paintings from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries by well-known artists like Van Dyck and Gainsborough are the ancestors of cavaliers. The spaniels depicted in those paintings have somewhat long noses, high-set ears, and flat skulls.
The English nobility and royal families had a special fondness for these small spaniels. The miniature dogs were also adored by Mary, Queen of Scots’s grandson Charles I, and great-grandson Charles II, who gave their names to the breed. Mary also had a toy spaniel with her when she walked to her beheading. King Charles II, who ruled from 1660 to 1685, is supposed to have always travelled with two or three of these tiny spaniels. He went so far as to order that Spaniards be permitted in all public spaces, including the Parliamentary buildings.
Following the passing of King Charles II, pugs and other short-faced breeds gained popularity among the royal family instead of King Charles Spaniels.
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Cavalier Size
This little yet robust dog weighs 13 to 18 pounds and has a shoulder height of 12 to 13 inches. A Cavalier that is a “toy” does not exist.
Cavalier Coat
The medium-length silky coat could have a small wave. The breed’s trademark long-foot feathering is left unclipped for the show ring. One can dock the tail. The muzzle has well-padded sides and is not flat. The dog has a kind and endearing expression. The Cavalier is available in four colour patterns: tricolour (black and tan with tan markings), ruby (solid red), and Blenheim (red and white), which is the most popular.
Cavalier Temperament
Caviler is a very popular breed, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known for his kind, gentle, and sweet disposition. Many say it is a perfect housedog. It acts cheerfully, lovingly, and amiably towards dogs and other animals, as well as strangers. Cavaliers are great companions for kids and senior citizens alike, and they live happily in homes with other dogs or alone. The breed has a moderate energy level and is reasonably playful and easy to train. Although they don’t bark much, Cavaliers aren’t often good as protection or watchdogs. It should be mentioned that while these statements represent a customary and commonly acknowledged generalization for the breed, individual Cavaliers may exhibit different behaviors.
Cavalier Personality
The outgoing Cavalier looks up to comedian Will Rogers, who is well-known for having declared that he had never met a stranger. Every person who comes across the Cavalier’s path is welcomed, and it’s even better if they sit down and provide a lap or a treat. Like other dogs, Cavaliers have a variety of dispositions, ranging from calm and collected to boisterous and gregarious. They’re not the best choice for a watchdog because they might or might not bark when someone arrives at the door unless they want to watch the thief cart off your stuff. Of course, there are outliers: some Cavaliers will tell you about every incident in your neighborhood and will bark hysterically at strangers.
Cavalier Grooming
Medium-length coats that are velvety to the touch and often somewhat wavy are worn by cavaliers. Feathers adorn the ears, chest, legs, feet, and tail of mature cavaliers. There are four colors for Cavaliers:
Blenheim: a deep brown against a snow-white backdrop. A lozenge, or thumb-shaped chestnut dot on top of the forehead, is seen in some Blenheim.
Tricolor: tan markings around the eyes, cheeks, and underside of the tail, with black markings on a white coat
Tan and black: tan with black patterns on the chest, legs, underside of the tail, cheeks, inside the ears, and above the eyes.
Ruby: a deep, rich reddish-brown color without any white flecks or patterns
Blenheim: This is most popular color, however, others are not so common. To get rid of bacteria and tartar buildup, brush your Cavalier’s teeth two or three times a week at the very least. It’s much better to brush every day to avoid gum disease and foul breath.
If your dog does not wear down their nails naturally, trim them once or twice a month. They’re too lengthy if you can hear them clicking on the ground. The condition of the feet is maintained by short, well-trimmed nails, which also shield your legs from scratches when your Cavalier excitedly leaps up to welcome you.
When your Cavalier is a puppy, start acclimating him to being brushed and examined. Dogs are sensitive when it comes to their feet, so handle their paws often and examine their lips and ears.
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Cavalier Health Issues
Mitral Valve Disease (MVD): Cavaliers are prone to this illness. The dog initially has a cardiac murmur, which gets worse and worse until the heart collapses. Heart disease is frequent in elderly dogs of all breeds, but Cavaliers are particularly prone to the early onset of MVD, often as early as one or two years of age.
Dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis Sicca: This illness is typically brought on by an immunological response to the dog’s tear glands, which results in fewer tears being produced. Once identified, daily drops in the eyes are an easy way to treat this problem. It can lead to blindness if neglected.
Periodic Falling: Although the dog is cognizant during the falling or seizure, this condition is sometimes mistaken for epilepsy. It results from the dog’s inability to let go of its muscles. The spectrum of symptoms includes short-lived, moderate episodes of falling and long-lasting, seizure-like events.
Hip dysplasia: This malformation of the hip joint is thought to be caused by a variety of factors, including food, environment, and heredity. The majority of affected Cavaliers can lead regular, healthy lives. Rarely, surgery may be necessary to resume a regular life.
Patellar Luxation: The kneecap is called the patella. Anatomical part dislocation, such as a bone at a joint, is referred to as luxation. Patellar luxation is a painful condition caused by the knee joint (usually of the hind leg) sliding in and out of position. Although many dogs with this illness live quite normal lives, it can be extremely devastating.
Syringomyelia (SM): It seems that Cavaliers are more likely to have this brain and spine ailment. From minor discomfort to excruciating agony and partial paralysis, symptoms can vary widely. It is brought on by a skull deformity that leaves less room for the brain. Usually, symptoms start to show up between the ages of six months and four years. The first symptoms you may experience could be sensitivity in the shoulders, neck, or head area.
Cavalier Feeding
Suggested daily intake: 1/2 to 1 cup of premium dry food, split between two meals.
Your adult dog’s size, age, build, metabolism, and degree of activity all affect how much food he consumes. Similar to people, each dog is unique, so their food requirements vary. Additionally, the type of dog food you purchase matters; the higher the quality, the more your dog will benefit from it.
Instead of giving your Cavalier free food, measure out their food and feed them twice a day to keep them in excellent shape. Give him the hands-on and eye tests to determine whether they are overweight if you’re not sure. Look down at them first. A waist needs to be seen.
Then lay your hands on their backs, fingers splayed downward and thumbs running along the spine. Without applying much pressure, you should be able to feel their ribs but not see them. They need to eat less and exercise more if they are unable to.
When your Cavalier is eating, it’s a good idea to cover his ears with a snood, headband, or scrunchy. This is especially true if you feed him canned or raw food. If not, they’ll find themselves with food in their fur, which is not nice. To prevent ears from dragging in bowls, use ones with a small diameter for both food and water. See our tips for selecting the best food, feeding your puppy, and caring for your Cavalier for additional information on feeding.
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