Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small dog and is considered by many as the "toy dog" breed. Its coat is silky and usually kept at a moderate length and wavy. They are probably the largest toy breed and are comparable in size to more conventional spaniel breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may look familiar as most children will recognize it from the movie "Lady and the Tramp." Although Lady is not a Cavalier Spaniel, she is closely related; being a cocker spaniel.
Spaniel Portrait
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs are very small yet quite balanced in build. They usually weigh between thirteen and eighteen pounds and can measure between twelve and thirteen inches in length. Their fur is silky and can sometimes have a slight wave to it. Their color can vary depending on the dog but the most prominent colors are ruby and black and tan. If you have ever seen a Spaniel dog you k now that they have large round eyes that are set well apart; usually dark brown in color. Their eyes alone can give them a very soft look and expression which make them so lovable. Their ears are set high on the top of their head and are somewhat long and feathery looking.
Personality and Disposition
•Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are highly affectionate; nicknamed as the best lap dog in America.
•They are playful, patient and very eager to please their owner; this makes them great pets for young and old children.
•A Cavalier Spaniel that has been well socialized will have no fear of larger dogs however it is suggested that you make sure the other dog has also been well socialized before you let your Spaniel go and play.
•They adapt quickly to new environments, new families, and new locations
•They require almost a constant companionship because they are such social creatures; whether it is human or with another dog.
•They don't like to be left alone for long periods of time.
•They sometimes have been known to have some of the same traits a cat would have like sitting on the top of couches and pillows, etc.
•They clean their own paws
•Due to their earlier use in hunting, some Cavalier Spaniels have been known to catch small birds while in flight and may chase small animals such as squirrels.
•It's recommended to always keep Cavalier Spaniels on a leash while in public places as they can chase many things in to dangerous places.
Health and Wellness
There are some things to know about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels before you think they are the right dog for you. They can suffer from a number of severe genetic disorders and defects. The two most common in this Spaniel are Mitral Valve Disease, and Syringomyelia.
Mitral Valve Disease- This disease is commonly found among Spaniels in conjunction with heart murmurs, which can lead to heart failure. Mitral Valve Disease is the leading cause of death in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which is why their life span is so short; seven to ten years. The hinge on the hearts mitral valve begins to loosen and gradually deteriorate leading to heart murmurs and then to potential heart failure.
Syringomyelia- This is a condition that affects the brain and the spine of the Spaniel causing mild discomforting symptoms to extreme pain and partial paralysis. There is a malformation in the lower back of the skull which reduces the amount of space the brain has to develop; this condition often forces the brain out, causing a herniation through the opening in the spinal cord. In most Spaniels it is rare, but in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels it is becoming more widespread.
P.S. Here is a Spaniel coloring page.
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