His Royal Majesty- the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Overview

The Cavalier King Charles, a descendant of toy spaniel breeds of the 16^th century,  is  a wide-eyed cutie who enjoys being around people. The Cavalier King Charlesis named after King Charles II of England. King Charles admired the toy spaniel and they followed him around during his daily routine.  Breeding changes in the 17^th and 18^th centuries led to the flat-nosed version of the dog we have today. They were even allowed in the House of Parliament, a law that’s still on the books today! These good-natured canines have a medium coat and undocked tail. The breed comes in four variations. The Blenheim has chestnut markings on a pure white coat.  Some of these adorable doggies  sport a chestnut-colored  Blenheim spot in the middle of their forehead. Black and Tan Cavaliers boast a black coat with tan markings.  Ruby Cavaliers have an all-chestnut coat with occasional white markings. Tricolors are black and white with tan markings above the eyebrows, inside the legs and/or on the cheeks.
 
 
Only recognized by the American Kennel Club as an official show breed in 1995, the Cavalier King Charles is gaining popularity in America, rising from 56^th place in 1998 to 25^th in 2008. Adult dogs weigh ten to eighteen pounds and grow to 13 inches tall, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prized for their loyalty, companionship and good looks!
 
 
 Characteristics

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels perceive every visitor as a friend, so if you need a guard dog or live in an unsavory neighborhood, consider another breed. If you’re merely looking for a loving companion, a Cavalier will fit the bill.

Cavaliers mature slowly, and should spend ten to twelve weeks with their Mom and siblings before entering their new home.
 
 Give a Cavalier King Charles pup a rollicking social life at a young age, introducing him to neighbors, relatives and folks at the veterinarians’ office. He’ll need to be around people beside his master early on to avoid behavior problems later in life.  Isolating a Cavalier pup may lead him to be shy around strangers. Spoiling him may lead to believe he’s the boss of you!
 
Cavaliers are suited to both house and apartment living. They need a moderate amount of exercise, including a long walk once a day. A small outdoor play area or fenced-in backyard will give this happy canine enough space to move around and keep fit. If you have a staircase, let your Cav bound up and down every so often. It will help him expend some of his cheerful energy.

Watch your Cavalier King Charles when he’s around around birds and small animals. He is a spaniel by  nature and loves to hunt and chase. If you work long hours, buy a cat or dog companion and introduce it to your Cav when he’s a pup., Cavs love playing with an animal companion, and they’ll become best buddies, especially when raised together.

Leaving a Cavalier alone for long periods-without other animals (or people) to keep him company can make him nervous and extremely jumpy upon your return. Cavaliers are classified as a lap dog even though they’re natural hunters, so you’ll have the best of both worlds. They’ll cuddle with you on the sofa or sit contentedly on a cushion on the floor while you watch TV.

Due to their trusting nature and small stature, Cavs aren’t recommended for families with children under five. Youngsters may unwittingly tease or prod the Caviler and hurt him. Like other lap dogs, the King Charles Cav is too cute for its own sake sometimes, and young children may treat him like a toy.
 
Cavaliers make great traveling companions. They’re happy to be around their owners and adapt well to pet-friendly motels and new surroundings, as long as there’s a familiar person around to guide them.

Owners should groom Cavaliers on a regular basis, bathing their pet and brushing and combing the dog’s coat once a week..  Cavs shed occasionally, and can develop tangled hair on their ears and eye infections. Check for these conditions while performing weekly upkeep. They’re clean dogs, and an occasional trip to the groomer will keep them trim and handsome
 
 
Health


While Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are beautiful, affectionate dogs, they are prone to a more health problems than many other breeds. Prospective owners should take this into consideration before purchasing a Cavilier. Some of the most common health issues include:

Mitral valve disease, a heart disorder, is the most common cause of death among the Cavalier King Charles breed.  Most Cavaliers develop this condition at some point in their lives, usually by age five.  Owners should have their dogs screened once a year for heart murmurs from age one year onward.

Syringomyelia (a cyst within the spinal chord), though unusual in most breeds, may affect up to 90 per cent of all Cavaliers. Symptoms include scratching ears or paws until they are raw, whining when being picked her up, sleeping in cold areas of the house, like a cement floor. Syringomyelia  is diagnosed through an MRI. This test may be prohibitive for many families, costing between $600 and $2,000.

Glue ear, or PSOM (Primary Secretory Otitis Media),a  build-up of mucus in a Cavalier's middle ear, causes neck and head pain, hearing loss and fatigue. The Cavalier may tilt his head, cry, yawn or scratch his ears. Since some of the symptoms are similar to Syringomyelia, vets must carefully consider all factors before making a diagnosis.


Learn more about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at  the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club

About the author: Marianne Moro is a freelance writer and publicist living in Hollywood, CA. She has written for many publications, clients and websites, including USA Today, Blogcritics Magazine, Modamag and Entertainment Today, among others. She's the proud co-o... more >>

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