CKC Breed Standard
Origin & Purpose (back to top)
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a much-admired Royal Spaniel. Descended from the Toy Spaniels of Europe, the breed was variously known as the "comforter" or "Spaniel Gentle" and first appeared in the courts of England with the reign of Queen Mary I. The breed, which appears in many of the great paintings of the Masters, received its name from King Charles II. It became virtually extinct in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, as short-nosed breeds took the fore. By 1923 the King Charles Spaniel (today's English Toy) with its flat nose had replaced the old-type Toy Spaniel. In 1926 the incentive for the revitalization of the old-type Toy Spaniel was provided by Mr. Roswell Eldridge, an American who offered prizes of 25 pounds for the Best Dog and Best Bitch of this type at Crufts. The name Cavalier was added when the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club was founded in 1928 to further develop the breed. It was not until 1945 that the Kennel Club (England) granted separate registration from the King Charles. The popularity of these companion dogs has spread around the world and in 1957 the breed gained Canadian Kennel Club recognition.
General Appearance (back to top)
An active, graceful, well-balanced dog, very gay and free in action..
TEMPERAMENT (back to top)
Fearless and sporting in character, yet at the same time gentle and affectionate.
SIZE (back to top)
Height 12-13 inches (30-33 cm.). Weight proportionate to height between 12 and 18 lb. (5-8 kg.) Slight variations permissible. Penalized only in comparison with equal quality, appearance and type. A small well-balanced dog well between these measurements is desirable.
COAT (back to top)
Long, silky and 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. No trimming, or artificial coloring 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
COLOR (back to top)
Blenheim Bright chestnut red
markings well broken up on a pearly white ground. The red on the head must
extend around the eyes as well as down over the ears. There should be a white
blaze between the eyes and ears in the centre of which is the lozenge or
"Blenheim Spot" unique within the Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a
highly desirable, but not essential, characteristic of the Blenheim.
TricolorBright chestnut red markings well broken up on a pearly
white ground. The red on the head must extend around the eyes as well as down
over the ears. There should be a white blaze between the eyes and ears in the
centre of which is the lozenge or "Blenheim Spot" unique within the Blenheim
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a highly desirable, but not essential,
characteristic of the Blenheim.
Black and Tanet black with rich
tan markings over the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, inside the ears, on
throat and chest, on forelegs from knees to the toes, and on the hind legs on
the inside of the legs, also extending from the hock to toes, and on the
underside of the tail and surrounding the vent.
Ruby
Whole-coloured rich red.
HEAD (back to top)
Head - Almost flat between the ears, without
dome. Stop shallow; length from base of stop to tip of nose about 1-1/2 inches
(4 cm.). Nostrils should be well developed and the pigment black. Muzzle
tapered. Lips well covering but not hound-like. There should be cushioning
beneath the eyes, which contributes much to the sweet, gentle expression
characteristic of the breed.
Mouth - 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.
Eyes - should be large, round
and set well apart; color a warm dark brown, giving a lustrous, limpid look.
Faults - White ring surrounding the iris. Bulging
eyes.
Ears - Set high, but not close to the top of the head.
Leather long with plenty of silky feathering, and wide enough so that when the
dog is alert, the ears fan slightly forward to frame the face.
NECK (back to top)
Moderate length, without throatiness. Well enough muscled to form a slight arch at the crest. Set smoothly into nicely sloping shoulders.
FOREQUARTERS (back to top)
Forelegs straight and set well under the dog. Bone moderate. Elbows close to the sides. Shoulders should slope back with moderate angulation to give the characteristic look of top class and presence. Pasterns strong and feet compact, well-feathered and with well-cushioned pads.
BODY (back to top)
Short-coupled with ribs well sprung but not barrelled. Chest moderately deep leaving ample heart room. Back level. Slightly less body at the flank than at the last rib, but with no tucked-up appearance. .
HINDQUARTERS (back to top)
Hind legs moderately muscled, well angulated at the stifles. Hocks relatively short and at right angle to the ground when standing. Hind legs should parallel each other from hock to heel. The dog should stand level on all four feet.
TAIL (back to top)
Set so as to be carried level with the back. Tail should be in constant characteristic motion when the dog is in action. Docking is optional, but whether or not it is docked, the tail must balance the body. If docked two thirds is the absolute minimum to be left on the body, and the tails of broken-coloured dogs should always be docked to leave the tip white
DISQUALIFICATIONS (back to top)
Colors other than the four above.
Clown faces
(white around one or both eyes or white ears.)
Undue aggressiveness, bad
temper, snapping at a judge.
Puppies
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