AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an elegant, energetic toy breed that is compatible
for city or country life. Successful in conformation shows, obedience and agility, they also make wonderful therapy dogs due
to their sweet, gentle natures. The breed also became a TV star when featured on "Sex and the City" as Charlotte York’s
dog. Their silky coats come in four colors – Blenheim (chestnut and white), Tricolor (black, white, and tan), Ruby (solid
red) and Black and Tan.
A Look Back
For centuries, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (a namesake of King
Charles II of Britain) has been recorded in paintings and tapestries together with their aristocratic families. It is obvious
from these works of art that Cavaliers were a luxury item and lived "the easy life" as housepets. Though used successfully
for shooting small game, the Cavalier’s true purpose has always been that of companion.
Right Breed for You?
Friendly and easy to train, the Cavalier is a trustworthy companion
for children and thrives as part of a family. The coat requires weekly brushing, but no trimming. The breed is adaptable in
their need for exercise, happy with either sleeping on the couch or taking long walks.
If you are considering purchasing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, learn more here.
- Toy Group; AKC recognized in 1995.
- Average size: 12 to 13 inches tall at the shoulder and between 13 and 18 pounds.
- Companion.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an active, graceful, well-balanced
toy spaniel, very gay and free in action; fearless and sporting in character, yet at the same time gentle and affectionate.
It is this typical gay temperament, combined with true elegance and royal appearance which are of paramount importance in
the breed. Natural appearance with no trimming, sculpting or artificial alteration is essential to breed type.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - Height 12 to 13 inches at the withers;
weight proportionate to height, between 13 and 18 pounds. A small, well balanced dog within these weights is desirable, but
these are ideal heights and weights and slight variations are permissible. Proportion - The body approaches squareness,
yet if measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock, is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The height
from the withers to the elbow is approximately equal to the height from the elbow to the ground. Substance - Bone
moderate in proportion to size. Weedy and coarse specimens are to be equally penalized.
Head
Proportionate to size of dog, appearing neither too large nor too small for
the body. Expression - The sweet, gentle, melting expression is an important breed characteristic. Eyes
- Large, round, but not prominent and set well apart; color a warm, very dark brown; giving a lustrous, limpid look. Rims
dark. There should be cushioning under the eyes which contributes to the soft expression. Faults - small, almond-shaped,
prominent, or light eyes; white surrounding ring. 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.
Skull - Slightly rounded, but without dome or peak; it should appear flat because of the high placement of the ears.
Stop is moderate, neither filled nor deep. Muzzle - Full muzzle slightly tapered. Length from base of stop to tip
of nose about 1˝ inches. Face well filled below eyes. Any tendency towards snipiness undesirable. Nose pigment uniformly black
without flesh marks and nostrils well developed. Lips well developed but not pendulous giving a clean finish. Faults
- Sharp or pointed muzzles. Bite - A perfect, regular and complete scissors bite is preferred, i.e. the upper teeth
closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square into the jaws. Faults - undershot bite, weak or crooked teeth, crooked
jaws.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck - Fairly long, without throatiness, well enough
muscled to form a slight arch at the crest. Set smoothly into nicely sloping shoulders to give an elegant look. Topline
- Level both when moving and standing. Body - Short-coupled with ribs well spring but not barrelled. Chest moderately
deep, extending to elbows allowing ample heart room. Slightly less body at the flank than at the last rib, but with no tucked-up
appearance. Tail - Well set on, carried happily but never much above the level of the back, and in constant characteristic
motion when the dog is in action. Docking is optional. If docked, no more than one third to be removed.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back. Forelegs straight and well
under the dog with elbows close to the sides. Pasterns strong and feet compact with well-cushioned pads. Dewclaws
may be removed.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters construction should come down from a good broad pelvis,
moderately muscled; stifles well turned and hocks well let down. The hindlegs when viewed from the rear should parallel each
other from hock to heel. Faults - Cow or sickle hocks.
Coat
Of moderate length, silky, free from curl. Slight wave permissible. Feathering
on ears, chest, legs and tail should be long, and the feathering on the feet is a feature of the breed. No trimming of the
dog is permitted. Specimens where the coat has been altered by trimming, clipping, or by artificial means shall be so
severly penalized as to be effectively eliminated from competition. Hair growing between the pads on the underside of
the feet may be trimmed.
Color
Blenheim - Rich chestnut markings well broken up on a clear, pearly
white ground. The ears must be chestnut and the color evenly spaced on the head and surrounding both eyes, with a white blaze
between the eyes and ears, in the center of which may be the lozenge or "Blenheim spot." The lozenge is a unique and desirable,
though not essential, characteristic of the Blenheim. Tricolor - Jet black markings well broken up on a clear, pearly
white ground. The ears must be black and the color evenly spaced on the head and surrounding both eyes, with a white blaze
between the eyes. Rich tan markings over the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears and on underside of tail. Ruby - Whole-colored
rich red. Black and Tan - Jet black with rich, bright tan markings over eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, on chest, legs,
and on underside of tail. Faults - Heavy ticking on Blenheims or Tricolors, white marks on Rubies or Black and Tans.
Gait
Free moving and elegant in action, with good reach in front and sound, driving
rear action. When viewed from the side, the movement exhibits a good length of stride, and viewed from front and rear it is
straight and true, resulting from straight-boned fronts and properly made and muscled hindquarters.
Temperament
Gay, friendly, non-aggressive with no tendency towards nervousness or
shyness. Bad temper, shyness, and meanness are not to be tolerated and are to be severely penalized as to effectively
remove the specimen from competition.
Approved Date: January 10, 1995
Effective Date: April 30, 1995
