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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Author
Sharon Hope, May 5, 1993 [shope@artnet.net]
with material supplied by the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club USA
Revisions
* Material added to reflect full AKC recognition as of January 1996
(CTM)
* Additional material for Canadian Cavalier clubs, Mar 1996 (CTM)
* CKCSC-USA contact information updated June 1996 (CTM)
* Material on MVD supplied Oct 1996 (CTM)
_________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents
* General
* Frequently Asked Questions
* History of the Breed
* Special Medical Problems
* Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed Standard (CKCSC-USA)
* Showing Cavaliers in breed and Obedience
* Clubs
* Code of Ethics for The Cavlier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA
* Bibliography
_________________________________________________________________
General
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a delightfully affectionate,
playful, intelligent little dog that repays his owner's care and
attention with an endearing devotion.
A toy breed, they have a natural coat which needs no trimming, long
silky ears, and large soulful eyes. More than one person has described
them as looking like a Cocker Spaniel puppy all their lives. The tail
is often left natural. The standard makes tail docking optional, but
two thirds of the tail must be left intact. Dew claws are removed as
they are thought to be a hazard to the prominent eyes.
They come in four color combinations: Blenheim (Red and White, with a
red mask and ears, and red patches on a white body); Tricolor (Black
and White with Tan Points), Ruby (Solid Red), and Black and Tan
(without white).
In addition to being a fine companion, one of the jobs the Cavalier
King Charles Spaniel was originally bred to do was to warm laps in
drafty castles and on chilly carriage rides (the other job was to
attract fleas & thereby spare their masters in the days of the
Plague). While so many other breeds of dog no longer perform the tasks
for which they were bred (pulling milk carts, herding sheep, hunting
lions, for example), Cavaliers still take their responsibility quite
seriously. A prescription written in Olde English for the Queen of
England directs her to keep a "comforte dog" (now known as the
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) on her lap to treat a cold. It is
almost as if the breed's motto is "so many laps, so little time."
Cavaliers take cuddling so seriously that "If you want your pillow you
must get there first" is often heard when Cavalier owners gather.
_________________________________________________________________
Frequently Asked Questions
_Is this the breed called "the ultimate snob dog"?_
Yes, an article appeared in Town and Country Magazine a few years
ago. The title referred to the attitude of owners, not the
Cavaliers. It was mentioned that Monarchs, Presidents, Captains of
Industry and Movie Stars own Cavaliers. Further the fact that the
CKCSC-USA shunned AKC recognition for many years, keeping its own
registry, and that puppies are sometimes hard to find contributed
to the title. Further, prospective puppy buyers are often surprised
by the "third-degree" administered by breeders trying to determine
their suitability to owning a Cavalier.
_What people do well with a Cavalier?_
The Cavalier has been the companion of choice to high stress people
for 400 years. Every crowned head of England had one as a companion
as a child, as did many in the Dutch court. More recent celebrities
who own or have owned Cavaliers are Ronald and Nancy Reagan,
William F. Buckley, Ms. Frank Sinatra, Candice Bergen, Robert
Wagner & Natalie Wood and many others. The Cavalier has a calming
effect on many people. Stress reduction/relaxation can be
noticeably felt when a Cavalier curls up peacefully on a lap.
_Are they good with kids?_
The Cavalier is excellent with children. Their tendency to interact
with their owners makes them an especially close friend and
confidant for a child. They enjoy playtime and activity. Children,
of course, need supervision to be certain that the child does not
hurt the dog.
_Are they good with seniors?_
Retirees, or "empty nesters," find the companionship, temperament,
small size and easy maintenance ideal. More than one woman has
mentioned that a Cavalier resting on her lap or in the crook of her
arm is almost as peaceful as holding a (human) sleeping infant.
More than one active senior with a Cavalier has experienced the
receipt of two invitations for a Cocktail Party/Get Together-one
addressed to the Senior and one to the Cavalier.
_Are they good guard dogs?_
No. While the Cavalier will alert his owner to an arrival of
someone new, they seem to regard all strangers as friends they
haven't met yet. Although a noisy greeting may be enough to ward
off a prowler, it would be difficult picturing anyone being scared
off by a Cavalier.
_Do they travel well?_
People who travel often find it easy and pleasant to take the
Cavalier along. Their strong desire to be with their owners makes
them willing travelers. Their size and personality contribute to
their welcome at "dogs allowed" hotels, marinas & campgrounds.
_Are they an AKC breed?_
As of January 1996, the Cavaliers have full recognition by the AKC.
This has resulted in two national breed clubs, the original
CKCSC-USA and the AKC-recognized ACKCSC. It remains to be seen what
the long-term results will be.
They have full recognition by the British Kennel Club and the
CanadianKC does not recognize Cavaliers registered with the
CKCSC-USA, but does recognize those registered with the AKC.
_Can I find one in a pet store? _
Hopefully, NEVER! Every attempt has been made by the CKCSC-USA to
prevent Cavaliers from falling into the hands of puppy mills or
anyone who would resell the dog. The Cavalier breeders adhere to
the Code of Ethics (see that section of this FAQ) which
specifically excludes providing any puppies for resale. Responsible
Cavalier breeders do their best to screen any prospective puppy
buyer and often refuse to sell to a less than "ideal" home.
_What medical problems do Cavaliers have?_
For the most part Cavaliers are quite healthy dogs. There are a few
problems which are known to appear in the breed: heart murmurs,
cataracts, and Subluxating Patellas. Mitral Valve Heart Disease is
something to ask the breeder about, as well.
_What kind of grooming is necessary for Cavaliers?_
The Cavalier does require regular grooming. A great deal of time
and effort is not necessary if the dog is brushed and combed
thoroughly at least once a week. Cavaliers do shed, particularly in
spring and fall, but a little all the time. Nails should be clipped
and the hair between the pads trimmed once a month. No other
trimming is necessary (or allowed) in the show ring. The ideal
brushes to use are the softer slicker brushes or a pin brush (not
nylon or plastic) and a metal comb. Knots and tangles are kept to a
minimum if the Cavalier is free of parasites and is combed
regularly. Brush out all knots and tangles before bathing.
Cavaliers are naturally clean dogs. Too much bathing dries out the
skin and haircoat so certainly do not bathe more than once a week.
Don't use human shampoo on dogs. Rinse thoroughly. A human blow
dryer (not on hot) and brushing at the same time works well for
drying. Keep blower moving so any one spot does not get overheated.
Commercial preparations are made that will help remove tear stains
under the eyes. Keep eyes clean and dry. Vaseline applied to the
dog's nose occasionally will keep it from getting dry and rough. A
vet should be consulted if the condition becomes severe.
_________________________________________________________________
History of the Breed
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel of today is descended from the small
Toy Spaniels seen in so many of the 16th, 17th and 18th Century
paintings by the likes of Titian, Van Dyck, Lely, Stubbs,
Gainsborough, Reynolds and Romney. These paintings show the small
spaniel with a flat head, high set ears, almond eyes and a rather
pointed nose. During Tudor times, Toy Spaniels were quite common as
ladies' pets but it was under the Stuarts that they were given the
royal title of King Charles Spaniels and history tells us that King
Charles II was seldom seen without two or three at his heels. So fond
was King Charles II of his little dogs, he wrote a decree that the
King Charles Spaniel should be accepted in any public place, even in
the Houses of Parliament where animals were not usually allowed. This
decree is still in existence today in England. As time went by, and
with the coming of the Dutch Court, Toy Spaniels went out of fashion
and were replaced in popularity by the Pug. One exception was the
strain of red and white Toy Spaniels that was bred at Blenheim Palace
by various Dukes of Marlborough.
In the early days, there were no dog shows and no recognized breed
standard, so both type and size varied. With little transport
available, one can readily believe that breeding was carried out in a
most haphazard way. By the mid-nineteenth century, England took up dog
breeding and dog showing seriously. Many breeds were developed and
others altered. This brought a new fashion to the Toy Spaniel - dogs
with the completely flat face, undershot jaw, domed skull with long,
low set ears and large, round frontal eyes of the modern King Charles
Spaniel, also called "Charlies," known in the USA today as the English
Toy Spaniel. Due to this "new" fashion, the King Charles Spaniel of
the "old type" as seen in the early paintings was almost extinct.
It was at this stage that an American, Roswell Eldridge began to
search for foundation stock in England for Toy Spaniels that resembled
those in the old paintings, including the painting by Sir Edwin
Landseer, "The Cavalier's Dogs," but all he could find were the short
faced "Charlies." He persisted, persuading the Kennel Club in 1926 to
allow him to offer prizes for five years at Crufts Dog Show -- 25
pounds sterling for the best dog and 25 pounds sterling for the best
bitch -- for the dogs of the Blenheim variety as seen in King Charles
II's reign. The following is a quotation taken from Cruft's catalog:
"As shown in the pictures of King Charles II's time, long face no
stop, flat skull, not inclined to be domed and with the spot in the
center of the skull" and the prizes to go to the nearest to the type
described. No one among the King Charles breeders took this challenge
very seriously as they had worked hard for years to do away with the
long nose. Gradually, as the big prizes came to an end, only people
really interested in reviving the dogs as they once had been, were
left to carry on the breeding experiment. At the end of five years,
little had been achieved and the Kennel Club was of the opinion that
the dogs were not in sufficient numbers, nor of a single type, to
merit a separate breed registration from the "Charlies."
In 1928 a dog owned by Miss Mostyn Walker, "Ann's Son" was awarded the
prize but unfortunately Roswell Eldridge died at age 70, only a month
before Crufts in 1928, so he never saw the results of his challenge
prizes. It was in the same year that a Club was founded and the title
"Cavalier King Charles Spaniel" was chosen. It was very important that
the association with the name King Charles Spaniel be kept as most
breeders bred back to the original type by way of the long faced
throwouts from the kennels of the short faced variety breeders. Some
of the stock threw back to the long faced variety very quickly and
pioneers were often accused of using outcrosses to other suitable
breeds to get the long faces, but this was not true and crossing to
other breeds was not recommended by the Club.
At the first meeting, held the second day of Crufts in 1928, the
standard of the breed was drawn up and it was practically the same as
it is today. Ann's Son was placed on the table as the live example and
members brought all the reproductions of pictures of the 16th, 17th
and 18th Centuries that they could muster. As this was a new and
tremendous opportunity to achieve a really worthwhile breed, it was
agreed that as far as possible, the Cavalier should be guarded from
fashion, and there was to be no trimming. A perfectly natural dog was
desired and was not to be spoiled to suit individual tastes, or as the
saying goes, "carved into shape." Kennel Club recognition was still
withheld and progress was slow, but gradually people became aware that
the movement toward the "old type" King Charles Spaniel had come to
stay. In 1945 the Kennel Club granted separate registration and
awarded Challenge Certificates to allow the Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel to gain their Championships.
Meanwhile, in the USA, Mrs. W. L. Lyons Brown of Kentucky brought a
Cavalier home from England. She found others in America who owned
Cavaliers and organized the CKCSC-USA in 1956 with the idea of keeping
a Stud Book and getting together with other American Cavalier
Fanciers. At the beginning of the 1960's, friends gathered at
"Sutherland" in Prospect, Kentucky, for the first Cavalier King
Charles Spaniel Specialty Show in America. By then 118 dogs had been
registered, 68 of them born in the USA of 24 litters. To this day, the
CKCSC-USA keeps complete and accurate records of litters, imported
Cavaliers, the Stud Books, etc. in addition to organizing Specialty
Shows (for Cavaliers only) around the country so that Cavalier owners
have the opportunity for an objective evaluation of their dogs by
knowledgeable judges and so that their dogs can compete for a
Championship in the USA. The Club's stringent Code of Ethics, applying
to all Club Members, makes the Cavalier in the USA a protected breed.
This means that the Club expects its members to act responsibly with
regard to the welfare and breeding of Cavaliers. It is hoped that the
Code of Ethics would also help keep the Cavalier out of unethical
hands which might turn the dogs over to puppy mills or pet shops. In
1985 the CKCSC-USA held a Silver Jubilee Show in Prospect, Kentucky,
marking the 25th consecutive CKCSC-USA Specialty show.
In 1995, under increasing pressure by the AKC to move out of the
Miscellaneous class, the Cavalier fancy split into two national breed
clubs, and the Cavalier was fully recognized by the AKC in January of
1996. The original CKCSC-USA has repeatedly voted against recognition
by the AKC and declined the offer to be the AKC recognized national
breed club. The American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club was
subsequently formed, recognized by the AKC and wrote the current AKC
Standard.
_________________________________________________________________
Special Medical Problems
Currently the most serious problem facing Cavlier breeders today is
Mitral Valve Disease. It is estimated that this may affect as much as
50% of the dogs in the breed in North America at this point. MVD leads
in many cases to premature death or compromised quality of live and
occurs in Cavaliers at a rate unknown in any other breed in the world.
Dr. Mike O'Grady, cardiologist affiliated with the Ontario Veterinary
College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada has been collecting
data since 1993.
You should quiz the breeder about the steps they are taking to avoid
MVD in their lines. Remember that this is a relatively new problem to
be recognized in the breed and no firm or consistent policies have
been set as data is still being collected. It appears that color
doppler ultrasound exams are the best for picking up evidence of MVD,
but auscultation exams are also often done. In addition, the evidence
appears to be mouinting that puppies bred from parents who show clear
of MVD at older ages (3-5 years) are more likely to be clear
themselves or to develop the less virulent form of MVD.
Request to SEE the documentation for the dam. You should also be able
to see copies for the stud dog even if it doesn't live with the
breeder.
_________________________________________________________________
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed Standard (CKCSC-USA)
General Appearance: An active, graceful well-balanced dog, very gay
and free in action; fearless and sporting in character, yet at the
same time gentle and affectionate.
Head: The skull is slightly rounded, but without dome or peak; it
should appear flat because of the high placement of the ears.
Eyes: Large, round and set well apart; color a warm, very dark brown,
giving a lustrous, limpid look. There should be slight cushioning
under the eyes, which contributes much to the sweet, gentle expression
characteristic of the breed. Faults: Small, almond-shaped, prominent
or light eyes; white surrounding ring.
Nose: There should be a shallow stop and the length from the base of
stop to tip of nose should be at least 1 1/2 inches. Nostrils should
be well developed and the pigment uniformly black. Putty, or "dudley"
noses and white patches on the nose are serious faults, as are small,
pinched nostrils.
Muzzle: Well tapered; mouth level; lips well covering. Faults: Sharp,
pointed or snipey muzzle. Full or pendulous lips. Flesh marks, i.e.
patches of pink pigment showing through hair on muzzle.
Teeth: Strong and even, preferably meeting in a scissors bite,
although a level bite is permitted. Undershot mouths are greatly to be
discouraged; it should be emphasized, however, that a slightly
undershot bite in an otherwise well-balanced head with the correct,
sweet expression should not be penalized in favor of a level mouth
with a plain or hard expression. Faults: Weak or crooked teeth,
crooked jaws.
Ears: Set high, but not close, on top of the head. Leather long with
plenty of feathering and wide enough so that when the dog is alert,
the ears fan slightly forward to frame the face.
Neck: Fairly long, without throatiness, well enough muscled to form a
slight arch at the crest. Set smoothly into nicely sloping shoulders.
Shoulders: Sloping back gently with moderate angulation, to give the
characteristic look of top class and elegance.
Body: Short coupled with ribs well sprung but not barrelled. Chest
moderately deep, leaving ample heart room. Back level leading into
strong, muscular hindquarters. Slightly less body at the flank than at
the rib, but with no tucked-up appearance.
Legs: Forelegs straight and well under the dog, bone moderate, elbows
close to the sides. Hindlegs moderately muscled; stifles well-turned;
hocks well let down. The hindlegs, viewed from the rear, should
parallel each other from hock to heel. Pasterns strong and feet
compact with well-cushioned pads. The dog stands level on all four
feet. Faults: loose elbows; crooked legs; stifles turned in or out;
cow hocks; stilted action; weak pasterns; open feet.
Tail: Set so as to be carried level with the back. Tail should be in
constant characteristic motion when the dog is in action.
Docking: Docking is optional, but whether or not the tail is docked,
it must balance the body. If docked, tail must not be cut too short;
2/3 is the absolute minimum to be left on the body, and the tails of
broken-colored dogs should always be docked to leave a white tip.
Coat: Long and silky and very soft to the touch; free from curl,
though a slight wave is permissible. Feathering on ears, legs and tail
should be long, and the feathering on the feet is a feature of the
breed.
Trimming: NO trimming of the dog is permitted. However, it is
permissible and often desirable to remove the hair growing between the
pads on the underside of the foot.
Size: Height 12 to 13 inches at the withers; weight, proportionate to
height, between 13 and 18 lbs. These are ideal heights and weights;
slight variations are permissible, and a dog should be penalized only
in comparison with one of equal general appearance, type and quality.
The weedy specimen is as much to be penalized as the oversized one.
Colors: The following colors are the only colors acceptable:
1. BLENHEIM - Rich chestnut markings well broken up on a pearly white
ground. The ears must be red and the color evenly spaced on the
head, with a wide white blaze between the ears, in the center of
which is the much valued lozenge (diamond), or "Blenheim Spot".
The lozenge is a unique and highly desirable, though not
essential, characteristic of the Blenheim.
2. TRICOLOR - Jet black markings well broken up on a pearly white
ground, with rich tan markings over the eyes, on cheeks, inside
ears and on underside of tail.
3. RUBY - Whole-colored rich red.
4. BLACK & TAN - Jet black with rich tan markings over eyes, on
cheeks, inside ears, and underside of tail.
Faults: White marks on whole-colored specimens, heavy ticking on
Blenheims or Tricolors.
It is important to remember that a dog can have one or more of the
faults listed in the Standard, in moderation, and still be an overall
typical, gay, elegant Cavalier. On the other hand, bad temper or
meanness are not to be tolerated and shall be considered disqualifying
faults. It is the typical gay temperament, combined with true elegance
and "royal" appearance which are of paramount importance to the breed.
_________________________________________________________________
Showing Cavaliers in Breed and Obedience
Don't be afraid of entering Club sponsored Cavalier Fun Matches. Any
Cavalier can be entered, including those that are neutered. Fun
matches often include handling sessions and advice on ring procedure
and grooming.
In championship point shows professional handling is not permitted in
CKCSC,USA shows, so everyone is an amateur. A Cavalier must be
registered with, and the owner must be a current member in good
standing of, the CKCSC,USA in order to enter. The Cavalier cannot be
restricted from showing (this would be noted on the CKCSC,USA
registration papers).
There are two categories: Conformation (this is to show breed type and
soundness), and Obedience. Both require going to class to learn the
proper procedure. Most Sunday papers will give the names of local
kennel clubs and these clubs will advise as to what classes are
available in the area or ask your breeder.
There are several things a Cavalier should know before entering a
show: a) should be leash trained; b) should be used to standing on a
table for examination; c) should be used to having his/her teeth
looked at; d) in the case of males, should be used to being checked
for two descended testicles.
The 1992 CKCSC-USA Championship Point System is as follows:
OBJECTIVE
To enable and encourage breeders/owners to evaluate the product of
their breeding programs under competent, knowledgeable judges with
widespread competition and to encourage the sponsoring of regional
shows under CKCSC rules.
To become a Champion today, a dog or bitch must accumulate ten points
at CKCSC sponsored or CKCSC Regional Club sponsored shows held under
CKCSC rules. Those ten points must include two major wins (3 points or
better) under two different judges in two different shows, in addition
to at least one extra point under a third judge. (There is no separate
class for Champions, which may compete in any class for which they
qualify.)
SYSTEM
At CKCSC, USA or CKCSC Regional Championship shows held under CKCSC,
USA Regulations, points will be awarded as follows:
BEST IN SHOW (BIS) One point more than the highest number of points
available to either sex based on the Major Points from the Scale of
Points-below.
RESERVE BEST IN SHOW (RBIS) One point less than Best in Show.
WINNERS DOG AND BITCH (WD & WB) Highest number of points available in
sex based on the Major Points from the Scale of Points below.
RESERVE WINNERS DOG & BITCH (RWD & RWB) One point less than Winners
Dog or Winners Bitch.
At any given show, the dogs chosen BIS and RBIS shall only retain the
points for that win.
Scale of Points
Dogs in Bitches in
MAJOR POINTS: Competition Competition Points
12-15 12-15 3
16-20 16-20 4
21-30 21-30 5
31-40 31-40 6
41 or more 41 or more 7
Total Dogs & Bitches Dogs or Bitches Points for
CLASS POINTS: in Competition Competing in Class Class Winner
1-29 N.A. 0
30-49 at least 4 1
50 or more at least 4 2
No dog may receive more than 2 class points at any one show. Class
point winners also winning major points at any given show would not
retain the class points won at that show.
CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP SYSTEM
Effective January 1, 1980: To become a Canadian Champion, a dog must
receive 10 Championship points under three different judges and must
be registered with the Canadian Kennel Club. To determine the number
of Championship points earned, total all the dogs in competition which
the dog defeated, directly or indirectly, for the highest of the
following official breed awards: Winners, Best of Winners, Best of
Breed, or Best of Opposite Sex and then consult the schedule set forth
below. Additional Championship points can be awarded if the dog places
in the group, following a prescribed schedule but no more than five
points can be awarded at a single show. Dogs in Competition for
Championship points are almost invariably non-Champions, since in
Canada there is a Specials Class for Champions only.
Dogs Competing Points Allocated
(includes dogs awarded Winners)
1 0
2 1
3-5 2
6-9 3
10-12 4
13 or more 5
AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB
With current full recognition, the Cavaliers can compete in the
conformation, obedience, agility and other available trials and tests
for the breed.
_________________________________________________________________
Clubs
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA, is the original national
Club governing matters for the entire United States and is the
original registering body for the breed in this country. It is not,
however, recognized as the national breed club by the AKC as it
declined the position. The CKCSC was not interested in pursuing AKC
recognition.
It sponsors the newsletter "The Bulletin" to keep members informed of
club matters and upcoming activities, in addition to an annual
yearbook and the National Championship Show. The CKCSC, USA has a very
active Cavalier rescue service. Individuals finding themselves unable
to care for their Cavalier may contact the rescue service for help in
rehousing. Acceptance of membership in the CKCSC, USA requires members
to abide by the club's code of ethics (which is included below) and
which should be read and understood by all members.
The CKCSC, USA sponsors four regional clubs. All four regional clubs
welcome new members and sponsor championship point shows, fun matches
and other activities. In addition to the national bulletin, all four
regional clubs also produce their own informative bulletins that
provide an additional perspective on local activities. The only
requirement for membership in a regional club is membership in the
CKCSC, USA.
CKCSC-USA Contacts:
President
Robert Smith (Mt. Hood, OR) 541-352-6549
Registration Information
Anne Shapiro (LA, CA) 818-988-9130
Breed Information:
Kathy Gentil (loveland, OH) 513-831-6755
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