Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

By Dog Fancy Magazine

Dedicated to the world’s most elegant, intelligent, and affectionate toy dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, this Smart Owner’s Guide, created by the editors at Dog Fancy magazine, offers the most up-to-date and accurate information every dog owner needs to become a well-informed caregiver for his dog. Illustrated with color photographs of adorable puppies and handsome adults, this easy-to-read primer is designed in a modern, lively manner that readers will find user-friendly and entertaining.

Each Smart Owner’s Guide offers a description of the breed’s character and physical conformation, historical overview, and its attributes as a companion dog. The reader will find informative chapters on everything he or she needs to know about acquiring, raising, and training this remarkable purebred dog, including: finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy; preparing for the puppy’s homecoming, shopping for supplies, and puppy-proofing the home; house-training; veterinary and home health maintenance; feeding and nutrition; and grooming. Obedience training for basic cues (sit, stay, heel, come, etc.) and solving potential problem behaviors (barking, chewing, aggression, jumping up, etc.) are addressed in separate chapters, as are activities to enjoy with the dog, including showing, agility, therapy work, and more.

Entertaining tidbits and smart advice fill up colorful sidebars in every chapter, which the editors call It’s a Fact,” Smart Tip,” Notable & Quotable,” and Did You Know?” Real-life heroes and rescue stories are retold in full-page features called Pop Pups” and True Tails.” Recipes, training, and care tips are highlighted in the Try This” feature pages.

The Smart Owner’s Guide series is the only series that offers readers an online component in which dog owners can join a breed-specific online club hosted by dogchannel.com. At Club Cav, owners of the breed can find forums, blogs, and profiles to connect with other breed owners, as well as charts and checklists that can be downloaded. More than just 20,000 pages of solid information, there’s a host of fun to be had at the club in the form of downloadable breed-specific e-cards, screensavers, games, and quizzes.

The Resources section of the book includes contact information for breed-related organizations and rescues, as well as practical guidance on traveling with dogs, identification, and locating qualified professionals to assist the dog owner, such as pet sitters, trainers, and boarding facilities. This information-packed Smart Owner’s Guide is fully indexed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CompanionHouse Books
• Release date: May 3, 2011
• ISBN: 9781593788490

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

THE CAVALIER ATTITUDE

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There are many excellent reasons to choose a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as your new companion. This breed is affectionate, playful, intelligent and willing to repay an owner’s care and attention with complete devotion.

Although considered a lap dog because of his size, the Cavalier is a fearless, sporting little dog. The breed is friendly and nonaggressive, which makes an excellent and adaptable companion for many different homes and lifestyles.

Members of the breed combine their love for people with a sporting personality that, despite their size, makes them avid birders, hunters and hikers. Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are just as birdy as larger spaniels, and they point and flush instinctively. They’ve been known to squeal with frustration when not allowed to chase pigeons on city streets, and many are superb retrievers. Squirrels, mice, butterflies, bugs – anything moving attracts their attention and activates their prey drive.

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Because the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is so people oriented, they are suited to homes where at least one family member is around most of the day. If that’s not possible, you should consider acquiring a pair of Cavaliers so they can keep each other company until their laps arrive home from work or school.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Although a small breed, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is neither too small nor too delicate. The largest of the Toy Group breeds, the Cavalier weighs on average between 12 to 18 pounds and stands 12 to 13 inches at the shoulders. He’s a small, well-balanced dog that can be easily picked up and carried by his owner when necessary. When showing, the breed is easily lifted onto a table for assessment by the judge.

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is also a highly suitable breed to carry in a dog crate, something that is especially useful when traveling by car because this safety measure prevents the chance of escape when doors are opened or in case of an accident. In short, the Cavalier is as handsome and portable a companion as anyone could wish for.

Another aspect of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that owners find endearing is their array of coat colors. Cavalier coat colors include Blenheim (red and white), ruby (all red), black and tan, and tricolor (black and white with tan markings). The Blenheim is the most popular and is generally the easiest to find from a reputable breeder. Ideally, Blenheim and tricolor varieties’ markings should be well broken up. Tricolors are black and white with tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears and legs, as well as on the underside of the tail.

Cavaliers crave company. Aside from humans, they often love other Cavs the best.

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Meet other Cavalier owners just like you. On our Cavalier forums, you can chat about your toy dog and ask other owners for advice on training, health issues and anything else about your favorite dog breed. Log onto DogChannel.com/Club-Cav for details!

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Deciding to get a male or female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is entirely your personal preference. The endearing Cavalier personality is present in males as well as females, so take the time to get to know the puppies in the litter well and choose the one that will best suit your personality, lifestyle and family.

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Cavaliers exist in four main color variations (Blenheim pictured), but they all have the same sweet mug.

Black and tan can be yet another striking color combination. The black should be what is described as raven black, and the tan markings should be found above the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on the chest, on the legs and on the underside of the tail. These tan markings should be bright, but any white is undesirable. Technically, a Cavalier that is black and tan is described as a whole color, and any white found in the coat would be incorrect in the show ring.

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The most fun my family has had with our Cav, Cooper, is watching him play with our other dog, Scully. Even though Scully is three times Cooper’s size, Cooper is constantly trying to grab things out of Scully’s mouth. Watching them play is hilarious.

—Cav owner Laura Roth-Shofron of Aliso Viejo, Calif.

Rubies are whole-colored in a rich red, and (like black and tans) any white on the coat is undesirable for the show ring. Sometimes a ruby puppy is born with a small fleck of white on the head, but this will usually disappear by 7 or 8 months of age.

Whatever the color of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, his coat will require regular grooming. However, compared with some other breeds, the required grooming is not excessive. The Cavalier is quite small and doesn’t have as much coat as a Maltese or rough Collie, for example. However, a consistent grooming routine is needed in order to keep the coat from mating and tangling.

PERSONALITY POINTERS

The Cavalier’s pleasant and adaptable personality will generally be happy with whatever lifestyle he’s offered, and he’ll be content with a regular walk around the block, a trip to the dog park or a good energetic game of fetch in your backyard. At other times of day, the Cavalier will be quite content to join his owner watching TV, curled up on the sofa or resting comfortably in a corner of the sitting room. The Cavalier is a breed that is often described as a people dog, one that appreciates, enjoys and indeed needs human company.

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Cavaliers seem to have an ability to wrap their owners around their little paws. Although Cavaliers are easy to train, they get away with a lot because they’re so adorable. It’s important to set boundaries and provide consistent obedience training.

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Cavaliers love spending time with their owners – be it for a day at the beach or curled up together on a couch at home.

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Cavaliers love children. Unlike most toy breeds, they’re sturdy enough to roughhouse with kids. That said, interactions with younger children should be strictly supervised. A Cav, like any other dog, needs protection from being dropped, stepped on or teased.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel generally gets along well with other dogs and household pets. Of course, when introducing any dog to a new companion, exercise caution. In the case of Cavaliers, such introduction is rarely stressful for any party concerned. Like many other breeds, Cavaliers seem to thoroughly enjoy the company of other dogs, although many owners note that Cavaliers can be a bit snobbish and enjoy the company of other Cavaliers the best.

Many owners like to keep a couple of Cavaliers as pets, as they make for happy companions and are easy to look after. Owning and caring for multiple Cavs does require a little more work than just having one, but it’s easily managed. Although no one should regularly leave dogs alone for long periods of time, a Cavalier will usually appreciate the company of a canine companion if his owner has to be away from home for a few hours from time to time.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be equally at home with a large, boisterous family as he can with a single person, whatever that person’s age. Children, however, should always be instructed to handle any dog gently and never to tug on a dog’s coat or tail. Children should always be supervised around Cavaliers, especially puppies, for the safety and well-being of the dogs and children. The breed can be happy living with energetic owners who are likely to take their dogs out on long, exciting walks, but they can also live a comfortable and happy life following a more sedentary existence. In either case, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will need regular exercise and physical activity.

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My Cavaliers, Ben and Nellie, are loving and great company. They add a lot of joy to our house. They like to sit on my lap and be cuddled, something my children have outgrown. They’re good company on a walk, too.

—Dario DellaMaggiore of Irvine, Calif.

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If you choose to get a Cavalier, you’ll soon learn that your dog serves as an ambassador for his species. Even people who are fearful of dogs can come to love a Cavalier.

A Cavalier’s rightful place is in your home, included in your family’s daily life. In the mind of an adoring dog, one owner is quite sufficient as a family, provided that person gives him all the care and attention he needs and deserves.

There are always exceptions to every rule, but the Cavalier is not usually described as a yappy dog. Like most dogs, they’ll bark at strangers or unfamiliar noises, but they’re not suitable guard dogs because their nature is too soft to deter any intruder.

It’s always wise to walk your dog on a leash in unfenced areas. Although Cavs don’t have the long legs of breeds like the Whippet or Greyhound, it is surprising how quickly those little legs can move. It’s important to remember that your dog’s safety is of paramount importance and that a dog on the loose in the wrong place can end in tragedy.

IQ TEST

By normal canine standards, the Cavalier has a fairly high IQ, and many of his senses, such as smell and hearing, are more highly developed than those of humans. Generally speaking, Cavaliers are eager to please their owners, so they do very well learning performance activities like obedience, agility and flyball.

Cavaliers do easily assimilate the fears and joys of their owners, so it follows that a somewhat nervous person may convey that feeling to the dog, who might adapt a rather similar personality. Conversely, a highly boisterous or bubbly person is likely to end up with a Cavalier with a similar personality.

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Show your artistic side. Share photos, videos and artwork of your favorite breed on Club Cav. You can also submit jokes, riddles and even poetry about Cavaliers. Browse through the various galleries and see the talent of fellow Cavalier owners. Go to DogChannel.com/Club-Cav and click on Galleries to get started.

True Tails

Joy to the World

Elizabeth Joy (Lizzie to her riends), a Blenhei Ca alier King Charles Spaniel owned by drienne Escoe of Tustin, Calif embodies a number of Cavalier traits, good and bad.

She is extremely affectionate and free with kisses, Escoe says. She wiggles her butt madly from side to side when she meets someone new, and she licks everyone, especially if they have lotion or sweat on their skin. She is a doggie extremes. If she is sad or jealous, it shows all over her face. If she is happy she giggles audibly. If she sees bird feathers in the grass, she goes nuts, jerking madly from one to another. She becomes a maniac with cars, although she is getting better.

When Lizzie sees something she wants, she pulls hard on her leash and barks loudly and constantly; no treat or verbal correction can bring her back to reality. The good news for Escoe is that this behavior usually

diminishes with maturity. The bad news is that emotional maturity may not come or another couple of years. Cavaliers retain pupy-like behaviors well into adulthood and sometimes never entirely give them up. Even the most sedate adult Cavalier will suddenly burst into play, chasing younger dogs around and around the dining room table, down the hall and onto the sofa.

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Even a senior Cavalier will pull himself off the couch to chase something of interest.

THE COMPLETE CAV

Get to know the friendliest dog in the neighborhood.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Great Britain

WHAT HIS FRIENDS CALL HIM: King, Prince, Moo, Elvis, Charlie, Chuck, Chuckles, Buddy

SIZE: height – 12 to 13 inches; weight – 13 to 18 pounds

COAT & COLOR: The Cavalier’s long, silky coat and dropped ears are defining characteristics. His coat comes in black and tan, ruby (red), Blenheim (white with chestnut markings), and tricolor (black, white and tan).

PERSONALITY TRAITS: Easygoing and loyal, Cavs are a joy to be around. They’re friendly and outgoing to most everyone they meet.

WITH KIDS: Cavaliers crave attention; so they thrive in families with plenty of time to devote to them. The perfect lap dog, this gentle and affectionate breed just wants to spend time with his family.

WITH OTHER ANIMALS: Cavs typically play well with others, regardless of species.

ENERGY LEVEL: low to moderate

GROOMING NEEDS: Brush his coat at least two to three times weekly – more often when he sheds. Bathe him and trim his nails at