I've found Cavalier King Charles Spaniels to be the perfect companions in so many ways. Their small size makes them easy to handle and travel with. Their outgoing, loving personalities make them ideal for families with children, and pretty much everyone else. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's grooming needs are simple, making them an easy pet to care for. They get along with other animals, so introducing them into households with other animals is stress-free. Everyone from kitty to your grandma will love having a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as part of the family.

     Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very affectionate, playful and considered excellent companion dogs as a breed in general. As a Cavalier owner I have found that they are very devoted and repay your attention with loving affection.

     Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are toy spaniels that have occasionally been described as looking like a puppy Cocker Spaniel all through their lives. The Cavalier breed is considered well balanced, graceful and very free in action. They have a very fearless, sporting, fun-loving character and are very trustful around people and other dogs. We have often watched our Cavaliers throw caution to the wind when meeting larger dogs for the first time. They love to play! This should be taken into consideration when thinking of Cavaliers as guard dogs, as they see any stranger as a new friend that they haven't yet met.

     True to their origins as companions to royalty of Europe, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a very elegant and royal appearance. It is said that in addition to being bred as a companion dog, Cavaliers were originally bred to warm the laps of the royal families in drafty castles, chilly carriage rides and to attract the Plague infested fleas away from their masters. In Olde England the Queen of England was directed by her physician to keep her Cavalier close as a "comforte dog" in order to treat her cold.

       The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed standard height is 12 to 13 inches at the withers. Their weight is usually between 13 and 18 pounds. They have a natural coat that needs no trimming, sculpting or artificial alteration. They have long silky ears and their eyes are large and dark brown, giving them a soft, soulful expression.

     There are four color types for Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels. Although variations are expected the optimum is as follows:

Blenheim - Rich chestnut markings over white background. The ears should be chestnut as well as surrounding both eyes. There should be white between the eyes, often with a "Blenheim spot" of chestnut.

Tricolor - Deep black markings over the ears and around the eyes on a background of white. There should be tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears and under the tail.

Ruby - Whole-colored rich chestnut red.

Black and Tan - Jet black color with contrasting tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on chest and legs, and under the tail.

     Cavalier King Charles Spaniels breeders are very careful to monitor the health and quality of their puppies to protect purity of the breed. For this reason you should not see Cavaliers in pet stores. There is a strict code of ethics among Cavalier breeders and an effort to keep the breed away from "puppy mills". We do our best to make sure that our puppies are free from any medical problems before they go to their new homes. We also screen our prospective owners to make sure they understand the needs of our puppies and have the ideal environment for such an extraordinary dog.  

     If you would like more information on these wonderful dogs, please send me an e-mail annepuppy@yahoo.com or call me at (530) 272-1229.

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