History of the Breed

This history of the Cavalier dates back to England in Tudor Times, and history states that a toy spaniel was a companion of Mary, Queen of Scots when she was imprisoned my Elizabeth I.  The breed was also a favorite of King Charles I & II (with whom they are indelibly associated).  However when William and Mary rose to the throne the toy spaniel lost popularity.

During the reign of Queen Anne, the duke of Marlborough maintained kennels at Blenheim Castle where he established a line of red and white spaniels and so was born the colour now know as “Blenheim”.

By the late Victorian era, the old style of the toy spaniel has been lost to a more flat faced, dome skulled version, now known as the King Charles spaniel.  It was not until 1925 that a revival of the old style of toy spaniel came about.  An American offered a prize of twenty five pounds at Crufts dog show for such an exhibit, English exhibitors took us this challenge and by 1928 the English Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club had been formed.  The name Cavalier was used to distinguish it from the flat faced King Charles.

In 1945 The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was granted separate breed status by the English Kennel Club and its popularity was steadily on the increase.

Cavaliers first came to Australia around 1960.  In Victoria by 1972 there were sufficient numbers to form a club.  The popularity of the breed has increased to such an extent that it was among the top 10 registered breed with the Victorian Canine Association.

Traits of the Breed

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an energetic and friendly dog with an intelligent disposition.  They get along easily with other animals, adult and children alike, and being a small dog (weighing between 5-9kg) they fit it well with families.

Both the male and the female cavalier have the same easy going temperament, and are quick learners when it comes to house and obedience training. Cavaliers have also been known to do well in the sport of agility as well.

The four recognized colours of the breed are as follows:

Blenheim - Rich Chestnut markings well broken up on a pearly white ground. The markings should be evenly divide on the head, leaving room between the ears for the much valued lozenge mark or spot (a unique characteristic of the breed).

Tricolour - Black and white well spaced and broken up with tan markings over the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, inside legs and under the tail.

Black and Tan - Raven black with bright tan markings above the eyes, on the cheeks, inside ears, on chest and legs and underside of tail

Ruby - Whole coloured rich red.

For a more comprehensive description of the breed please follow the link Breed Standard.