Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed is known for its appearance in several films and has also become popular thanks to celebrities who have chosen it as a pet dog, such as Coco Chanel, Oscar Wilde and Frank Sinatra. In addition, this breed is highly appreciated for its elegant appearance and for its silky and delicate fur. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a friendly and affectionate personality, but do not forget that it is also a delicate breed, because of the various hereditary health problems it can present.
- If you want to know more about the race in this article of Animal Expert.
- You will find all the necessary information.
- Such as its origins.
- Characteristics.
- Personality.
- Care.
- Health and education.
- Read!.
There are many stories and legends about this fascinating race, which reached its peak during the reigns of Charles I of England and Scotland, and Charles II of England. The Charles King Cavalier Spaniel appears in several paintings from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, in which it is possible to observe some differences with the current motif, mainly on the face, which shows a slightly longer snout, as well as on the body, which is thinner.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed originating in England and the first specimens date from the time of Elizabeth I of England. It is likely that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was born from the cross between Peking and Japanese water dogs, as there is evidence of the delivery of these dogs as a gift to members of the royal families in Europe. In 1600, they began to be appreciated among the English nobles.
It received part of its name, “Charles”, thanks to Charles II, who was especially attached to the race. Historians point out that he was a member of his entourage and never separated from his faithful four-legged friend, even at state meetings. That’s why he got his other name, Cavalier. Other members of the English royal family were also great lovers of the breed.
In recent years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has spread all over the world and is considered one of the most popular and appreciated English breeds, both for its affectionate personality and for its cute appearance.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an elegant and well proportioned dog of small stature. Its weight ranges from 5.4 to 8 kg and its height at the cross between 30 and 33 cm. It belongs to group IX of the IFC, that of the companion dogs.
Its head is small and has a slightly elongated snout and an almost flat forehead, precisely why the frontal depression is quite obvious. The snout narrows at the end. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s teeth are strong and have the typical scissor bite, meaning the upper teeth overlap perfectly with the lower ones.
The eyes are round, dark and well spaced. The ears are a very characteristic feature of the breed and look slightly like those of the English cocker spaniel, as they are long and have fringes. However, in the case of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, his insertion is high.
The tail is proportional to the body, very hairy and is never above the level of the back line. It has a straight, horizontal back, as well as a moderate chest, characterized by a good circle of ribs. The legs are moderate skeleton, while the feet are covered with abundant hairs and have a good orientation.
The coat of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is long and silky, with abundant fringes, and can have different shades: black and cinnamon, ruby or tricolor.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a docile and friendly dog, which makes this breed one of the most suitable to live with children and the elderly. His personality is cheerful and, so well socialized, shows neither fear, nor anxiety, nor nervousness, on the contrary, he is an active dog, but balanced.
Living with it is especially simple and, thanks to its small size, fits perfectly to apartment living. It can coexist with any type of family, however, as with any other individual, a particularly sedentary lifestyle should not be promoted, but try to offer you walks, exercises and stimuli to keep you happy.
Finally, it should be noted that with a good socialization, this dog can relate perfectly with all kinds of people and animals, which also makes it an excellent breed for animal-assisted therapy.
The diet of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel must be balanced, that is, balanced. When choosing your diet, whether based on rations or homemade recipes, we need to make sure it’s quality. Similarly, we will respect the quantities to ensure an adequate weight and avoid being overweight. We can divide the amount of daily meal by 2 to 3 meals. Remember that food should always be appropriate to the age, specific needs and health of the individual, so it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian.
On the other hand, to keep your fur silky and in good condition, it is advisable to brush it 2 to 3 times per week, paying special attention to the formation of possible knots and tangles in ears and limbs. Periodic brushing will positively affect your health, not only by keeping your fur shiny, but also by allowing you to quickly detect the presence of parasites or sores. Bathing is usually given once a month, always using specific products for dogs.
Exercise is another fundamental aspect of your care because, as we mentioned above, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very active dog. It is necessary to offer a minimum of 3 walks per day, one of which should be combined with some physical exercise. Similarly, we must not forget the importance of mental stimulation to keep the mind active.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a smart dog, who learns with ease, however, it is important to educate him through positive training, thus avoiding positive punishments, which can generate stress and anxiety in the dog. This type of education is not recommended exclusively for this breed, but for all dogs. In fact, the use of positive reinforcement in training promotes learning and a good reaction with the owner.
Another fundamental aspect of education is the socialization of the puppy, a fundamental process for the puppy to learn to relate to other individuals, environments and people, such as children, adults, cats, dogs and ambulances, among others. Zero or altered socialization can cause fears and other behavioral problems. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel must also learn to urinate in the street.
Para terminar sua educação básica, prestaremos atenção aos comandos de obediência que, além de fortalecer nosso vínculo, permitirão estimulá-lo mentalmente e melhorar sua resposta a seus pedidos.
The life expectancy of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is between 9 and 14 years, however, it is a breed that has a strong predisposition to hereditary diseases, especially syringomyelia, a particularly painful and serious disease. It is estimated that about 33% of King Charles Spaniel Cavaliers suffer from the disease. This is mainly due to the overgrowth of brain mass, which does not have enough space in the skull.
Other common diseases of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel include
It is very important to visit the veterinarian periodically, every 6 or 12 months, to try to prevent these diseases and detect them quickly if they occur. Respecting the vaccination schedule and the deworming schedule will also be critical.