Origin
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is among one of the oldest toy breeds boasting an illustrious history that can be traced back several centuries. The Kennel Club only recognised the Cavalier as a unique breed in its own right in 1944 and by the seventies, they were to become one of the most popular dogs in the UK. Cavaliers are larger than their King Charles cousins and they boast a longer, less snubbed nose too.
Cavaliers are known to be easy-going dogs that easily adapt to many lifestyles, whether it's living in a country environment or in an apartment in town. They are also known to be very good around children of all ages and become valued members of a family. They are also incredibly loyal and devoted companions, never too demanding. In general, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is unlikely to show any aggression towards people or other animals because of the ultra-kind and laid-back natures.
The breed's history is a bit hazy, but what is known is that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have been around for a very long time. There is some evidence of the breed originating in the Far East and Japan. The breed may also share their ancestry with other breeds from that region of the world, namely the Japanese Chin and the Pekingese.
It was customary for European royalty to be offered toy spaniels as gifts and images of them can be seen in 16th century paintings by masters like Titian. However, the earliest record of a toy spaniel in the UK is in a painting of Queen Mary 1 and King Philip. They were a particular favourite of well-bred ladies in Tudor times and valued as 'comforters' which saw these little dogs usually sitting on a ladies lap during carriage journeys which helped keep their hands warm.
It was under the Stewart reign that these toy dogs were given the name 'King Charles' Spaniels. Some people believe toy spaniels were crossed with pugs to produce a smaller face, more pronounced eyes and domed heads. The breed fell out of favour over a period of time, but regained their popularity during Queen Victoria's reign and has remained one of the most popular breeds right up till modern times.
