Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (or Cavaliers, as they are known to their friends, and for the rest of this article I don’t understand carpel tunnel) are small sporting spaniels that seem to get along with just about everyone. Children included!
A love of being included in all family activities makes them the perfect family dogs for the suburbs or city life. They like to show their appreciation with lots of doggy kisses.
They are gentle, sweet, and do well in most obedience training classes. They love compliments.
apparition of a knight
The Cavalier has a moderately long coat that is slightly wavy. It is usually chestnut on white, jet black on white with tan markings, jet black with tan, or solid red.
They stand between 12 and 14 inches tall and weigh between 12 and 18 pounds fully loaded.
Grooming and Exercise Needs of a Gentleman
Gentlemen only need to be brushed once a week and enjoy long walks, especially through a park or forest where they can “remember” their hunting origins. They are great dogs for a game of fetch.
Other times they are perfectly content to sleep on a warm lap or snuggle up on a soft rug.
Origins of the Knight
Yes, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was named after an actual King Charles, King Charles II to be exact. He is descended from the English Toy Spaniel and first appeared in the 17th century, where he was popular as a ladies’ lap companion.
It was also used for hunting rabbits and other small game animals.
One note: many Cavaliers tend to suffer from a nervous condition that vets call “fly catching.” This is where the dog will bite the air as if he were trying to catch a pesky insect.