General Appearance
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an active, graceful, well-balanced toy spaniel, very gay and
free in action; fearless and sporting in character, yet at the same time gentle and affectionate. It is
this typical gay temperament, combined with true elegance and royal appearance which are of
paramount importance in the breed. Natural appearance with no trimming, sculpting or artificial
alteration is essential to breed type.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - Height 12 to 13 inches at the withers; weight proportionate to height, between 13 and 18
pounds. A small, well balanced dog within these weights is desirable, but these are ideal heights
and weights and slight variations are permissible. Proportion - The body approaches squareness,
yet if measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock, is slightly longer than the height at the
withers. The height from the withers to the elbow is approximately equal to the height from the
elbow to the ground. Substance - Bone moderate in proportion to size.
Head
Proportionate to size of dog, appearing neither too large nor too small for the body. Expression -
The sweet, gentle, melting expression is an important breed characteristic. Eyes - Large, round, but
not prominent and set well apart; color a warm, very dark brown; giving a lustrous, limpid look.
Rims dark. There should be cushioning under the eyes which contributes to the soft expression.
Faults - small, almond-shaped, prominent, or light eyes; white surrounding ring. Ears - Set high, but
not close, on top of the head. Leather long with plenty of feathering and wide enough so that when
the dog is alert, the ears fan slightly forward to frame the face. Skull - Slightly rounded, but without
dome or peak; it should appear flat because of the high placement of the ears. Stop is moderate,
neither filled nor deep. Muzzle - Full muzzle slightly tapered. Length from base of stop to tip of nose
about 1½ inches. Face well filled below eyes. Any tendency towards snipiness undesirable. Nose
pigment uniformly black without flesh marks and nostrils well developed. Lips well developed but not
pendulous giving a clean finish. Faults - Sharp or pointed muzzles. Bite - A perfect, regular and
complete scissors bite is preferred, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set
square into the jaws.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck - Fairly long, without throatiness, well enough muscled to form a slight arch at the crest. Set
smoothly into nicely sloping shoulders to give an elegant look. Topline - Level both when moving
and standing. Body - Short-coupled with ribs well spring but not barrelled. Chest moderately deep,
extending to elbows allowing ample heart room. Slightly less body at the flank than at the last rib,
but with no tucked-up appearance. Tail - Well set on, carried happily but never much above the
level of the back, and in constant characteristic motion when the dog is in action. Docking is
optional. If docked, no more than one third to be removed.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back. Forelegs straight and well under the dog with elbows close to the sides.
Pasterns strong and feet compact with well-cushioned pads. Dewclaws may be removed.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters construction should come down from a good broad pelvis, moderately muscled;
stifles well turned and hocks well let down. The hindlegs when viewed from the rear should parallel
each other from hock to heel.
Coat
Of moderate length, silky, free from curl. Slight wave permissible. Feathering on ears, chest, legs
and tail should be long, and the feathering on the feet is a feature of the breed. No trimming of the
dog is permitted. Specimens where the coat has been altered by trimming, clipping, or by artificial
means shall be so severly penalized as to be effectively eliminated from competition. Hair growing
between the pads on the underside of the feet may be trimmed.
Color
Blenheim - Rich chestnut markings well broken up on a clear, pearly white ground. The ears must be chestnut and the color evenly spaced on the head and surrounding both eyes, with a white blaze between the eyes and ears, in the center of which may be the lozenge or "Blenheim spot." The lozenge is a unique and desirable, though not essential, characteristic of the Blenheim.
Tricolor - Jet black markings well broken up on a clear, pearly white ground. The ears must be black and the color evenly spaced on the head and surrounding both eyes, with a white blaze between the eyes. Rich tan markings over the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears and on underside of tail.
Ruby - Whole-colored rich red.
Black and Tan - Jet black with rich, bright tan markings over eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, on chest, legs, and on underside of tail. Faults - Heavy ticking on Blenheims or Tricolors, white marks on Rubies or Black and Tans.
Gait
Free moving and elegant in action, with good reach in front and sound, driving rear action. When
viewed from the side, the movement exhibits a good length of stride, and viewed from front and rear
it is straight and true, resulting from straight-boned fronts and properly made and muscled
hindquarters.
Temperament
Gay, friendly, non-aggressive with no tendency towards nervousness or shyness. Bad temper,
shyness, and meanness are not to be tolerated and are to be severely penalized as to effectively
remove the specimen from competition.
Country of Origin: England.
Size: Shoulder height: 12 - 13 inches
Weight: 13 - 18 pounds.
Coat: Consists of light to
firmly-waved soft hair.
Character : This dog is lovable,
energetic, intelligent, obedient, and
adaptable.
Temperament: This dog gets along
well with children, other dogs, and
any household pets.
Care: Regular grooming with a comb
is required.
Training: The Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel is generally easy to train.
Activity: The exercise needs of this
breed are uncomplicated. It will
adapt itself to the activity level of its
family.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an active, graceful, well-balanced toy spaniel, very gay and
free in action; fearless and sporting in character, yet at the same time gentle and affectionate. It is
this typical gay temperament, combined with true elegance and royal appearance which are of
paramount importance in the breed. Natural appearance with no trimming, sculpting or artificial
alteration is essential to breed type.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - Height 12 to 13 inches at the withers; weight proportionate to height, between 13 and 18
pounds. A small, well balanced dog within these weights is desirable, but these are ideal heights
and weights and slight variations are permissible. Proportion - The body approaches squareness,
yet if measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock, is slightly longer than the height at the
withers. The height from the withers to the elbow is approximately equal to the height from the
elbow to the ground. Substance - Bone moderate in proportion to size.
Head
Proportionate to size of dog, appearing neither too large nor too small for the body. Expression -
The sweet, gentle, melting expression is an important breed characteristic. Eyes - Large, round, but
not prominent and set well apart; color a warm, very dark brown; giving a lustrous, limpid look.
Rims dark. There should be cushioning under the eyes which contributes to the soft expression.
Faults - small, almond-shaped, prominent, or light eyes; white surrounding ring. Ears - Set high, but
not close, on top of the head. Leather long with plenty of feathering and wide enough so that when
the dog is alert, the ears fan slightly forward to frame the face. Skull - Slightly rounded, but without
dome or peak; it should appear flat because of the high placement of the ears. Stop is moderate,
neither filled nor deep. Muzzle - Full muzzle slightly tapered. Length from base of stop to tip of nose
about 1½ inches. Face well filled below eyes. Any tendency towards snipiness undesirable. Nose
pigment uniformly black without flesh marks and nostrils well developed. Lips well developed but not
pendulous giving a clean finish. Faults - Sharp or pointed muzzles. Bite - A perfect, regular and
complete scissors bite is preferred, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set
square into the jaws.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck - Fairly long, without throatiness, well enough muscled to form a slight arch at the crest. Set
smoothly into nicely sloping shoulders to give an elegant look. Topline - Level both when moving
and standing. Body - Short-coupled with ribs well spring but not barrelled. Chest moderately deep,
extending to elbows allowing ample heart room. Slightly less body at the flank than at the last rib,
but with no tucked-up appearance. Tail - Well set on, carried happily but never much above the
level of the back, and in constant characteristic motion when the dog is in action. Docking is
optional. If docked, no more than one third to be removed.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back. Forelegs straight and well under the dog with elbows close to the sides.
Pasterns strong and feet compact with well-cushioned pads. Dewclaws may be removed.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters construction should come down from a good broad pelvis, moderately muscled;
stifles well turned and hocks well let down. The hindlegs when viewed from the rear should parallel
each other from hock to heel.
Coat
Of moderate length, silky, free from curl. Slight wave permissible. Feathering on ears, chest, legs
and tail should be long, and the feathering on the feet is a feature of the breed. No trimming of the
dog is permitted. Specimens where the coat has been altered by trimming, clipping, or by artificial
means shall be so severly penalized as to be effectively eliminated from competition. Hair growing
between the pads on the underside of the feet may be trimmed.
Color
Blenheim - Rich chestnut markings well broken up on a clear, pearly white ground. The ears must be chestnut and the color evenly spaced on the head and surrounding both eyes, with a white blaze between the eyes and ears, in the center of which may be the lozenge or "Blenheim spot." The lozenge is a unique and desirable, though not essential, characteristic of the Blenheim.
Tricolor - Jet black markings well broken up on a clear, pearly white ground. The ears must be black and the color evenly spaced on the head and surrounding both eyes, with a white blaze between the eyes. Rich tan markings over the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears and on underside of tail.
Ruby - Whole-colored rich red.
Black and Tan - Jet black with rich, bright tan markings over eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, on chest, legs, and on underside of tail. Faults - Heavy ticking on Blenheims or Tricolors, white marks on Rubies or Black and Tans.
Gait
Free moving and elegant in action, with good reach in front and sound, driving rear action. When
viewed from the side, the movement exhibits a good length of stride, and viewed from front and rear
it is straight and true, resulting from straight-boned fronts and properly made and muscled
hindquarters.
Temperament
Gay, friendly, non-aggressive with no tendency towards nervousness or shyness. Bad temper,
shyness, and meanness are not to be tolerated and are to be severely penalized as to effectively
remove the specimen from competition.
Country of Origin: England.
Size: Shoulder height: 12 - 13 inches
Weight: 13 - 18 pounds.
Coat: Consists of light to
firmly-waved soft hair.
Character : This dog is lovable,
energetic, intelligent, obedient, and
adaptable.
Temperament: This dog gets along
well with children, other dogs, and
any household pets.
Care: Regular grooming with a comb
is required.
Training: The Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel is generally easy to train.
Activity: The exercise needs of this
breed are uncomplicated. It will
adapt itself to the activity level of its
family.