Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: everything you need to know about a dog breed

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel rightfully enjoys special attention among dog lovers. He is called a companion, which is suitable for people of various degrees of activity and age, managing to adapt to the rhythm of his master’s life. The material in this article will acquaint readers with the history of the origin of these pets, and will tell about the features of their nature and conditions of detention.

The history of the appearance of the breed originates from antiquity. It is generally accepted that the first dogs, similar to the decorative breed in question, were brought to Britain by the Celts. The animals fell in love with the royal English nobility, and therefore it was decided to engage in their selection. The ancestors of the cavalier are the dogs Tibetan Spaniel and Japanese Chin.

Pets become favorites of the British, but as an independent breed they were recognized only in the twentieth century. The peak of the popularity of dogs occurred in the XIII century, they were considered indispensable companions of the nobility, they took with them to hunt. In addition, they were captured on canvas with their masters, as evidenced by the paintings of Titian, Watteau, Van Dyck.

The name of the breed was given by King Charles II, who lived in the XVII century. However, he did not have a direct relationship with the breeding of babies. It was at this time that the dogs began to add the prefix “Charles” and “King” to the name.At the same time, small representatives of the breed had access to the building of the British Parliament.

Breeding under the king took place at a crazy pace. Puppies were taught the necessary standards of behavior at court, and then returned to the king so that he would choose the best individuals. The remaining puppies were sold by nobles, and the dogs were appreciated not only for their beauty, but also for their benefit: they could cheer up, console and even entertain the owners.

As soon as William II ascended the throne, the popularity of decorative dogs began to fade, because he liked pugs. To please the king, the breeders began to interbreed the king with pugs, which led to the loss of their original appearance. The revival of the breed began around the beginning of the twentieth century, when the British Kennel Club promised a reward to those who can revive the Charles King, equating them to the standard.

As a result, the first babies recognized by Europeans as more similar dogs of a decorative breed appeared in 1992. Dogs had to be knitted with English cocker spaniels, which had a narrow muzzle. Despite the similarities with their ancestors, they also had differences, which could be seen by looking at the canvases of artists.

The cavalier king charles belongs to the breeds of decorative companion dogs of the english toy spaniel section. However, gentlemen differ from ordinary charles, although they share a common ancestor. The differences are in the size and structure of the head. According to the generally accepted standard, cavaliers have a more elongated muzzle and a higher fit of the ears.

Representatives of the breed are quite elegant and graceful, while they are not large. The weight of adult females averages about 5 kg, while the standard for males is 8 kg. Some individuals are larger and reach 10 kg. The average height of the dogs at the withers usually does not exceed 30-33 cm, while the growth is subject to gender with a difference of up to 10 cm between males and females.

The shape of the head of the Charles cavaliers is wedge-shaped, its size is small, the skull between the ears is somewhat flattened. The eyes are rounded and slightly bulging, shiny and dark. The bite is scissor-like: the upper incisors fit snugly against the lower ones from the outside. They are perpendicular to the jaws.

The nose of the decorative dogs is black, evenly colored, the ears are long, and on the outside are covered with long silky hair. The body of the representatives of the breed is compact, differs depending on the sex, in males it is more muscular and large. At the same time, the body has a strong skeleton and developed muscles, the neck has a slight bend.

The back of the dog is straight, even, the chest is of medium width. The paws are moderately proportional, they are even and bony. Their fingers are almost completely covered with thick hair. The tail of the animal can stay at the level of the back or slightly above it.

Unlike kings, cavaliers attract breeders with true European charm. They have a long silky coat, which can be completely straight or slightly wavy. Their eyes are always sparkling, they are a kind of glamorous aristocrats, which is explained by the aesthetic appeal and elegance of the movements.

As for the special requirements of the standard, they include weight. If, due to a developmental defect, the weight of an individual is more or less than the prescribed weight, it is not allowed to exhibit. In addition, non-standard colors and depigmentation of the nose are unacceptable. Among other requirements of the standard, it is worth noting the fact that individuals with the wrong bite, cleft lip and wrong gait are not allowed to the exhibitions.

Royal Spaniels can be classified by color type. Based on this, the standard identifies several varieties.

• Blenheim - color, which is characterized by reddish-chestnut markings on a pearl-white basis. The marks on the head are divided equally, while the characteristic rhombus on the crown remains, which is a feature of the breed's color.

• Tricolor (color Prince Charles) - a three-color coloration of a fur coat, the basis of which is white, black points and tan marks are located in the area of ​​the eyes, cheekbones, inside the ears, paws and under the tail.

• Ruby - solid red color without tanning, not welcoming the presence of white marks. A mahogany hue may be present in the color.

• The black - color, supplemented with bright tan marks, anthracite background, clearly defined tan marks, noticeable borders of spots above the eyes, around the tail, chest and cheeks.

According to the characteristics of the standard, dogs of this breed live no more than 11-12 years. However, different factors affect life expectancy. For example, improper development, lack of timely care, poor nutrition quality and ignoring preventive examinations in order to identify and prevent various diseases can reduce it.

The less stressful the dog, the better. Studies of modern scientists show that life expectancy can be proportional to the mass of the animal. The greater the body weight, the shorter the life resource. However, some breeders lived with pets for a long time, for example, there is a known case when a decorative dog died at the age of 18.

Like any other breed, these pets have their pros and cons. The advantages of dogs include hypoallergenic coat and the absence of a characteristic dog smell, which is important for some breeders. In addition, these pets are incredibly loyal to the owners and family members.

Cons can be called a certain importunity of individual individuals, as well as the appropriation of household items, which in the future the dog will consider it his property. In addition, despite the fact that gentlemen are not allergenic to people, they themselves are often allergic.

Perhaps no other dog breed can be compared with cavaliers, king charles in terms of involvement in the family. They need to be everywhere and everywhere, which explains the understanding of a specific situation and the quick reaction of the pet. Unlike other representatives of the canine family, they are very sociable, which should be encouraged from childhood, so that his interest is not replaced by apathy.

These cute dogs literally adore all members of the family, and in particular they don’t have a soul in children, sometimes they are overwhelmed with feelings, which is reported by a joyful barking. They are so friendly that this affects the security qualities. These babies can not be trusted with the protection of the home, because for the thief they will find special attention. For example, they can lick it, try to draw it into the game.

In the same time these animals do not withstand the rude behavior of households. Some of them may suffer from this, moving away from the owners. Others simply become isolated, which affects education and communication. Given their tendency to resentment, the owners often have to be aware of their mistakes and come first to ask for forgiveness. Some representatives of the breed are extremely jealous, although they try to cope with their emotions on their own.

These dogs are referred to as companion pets; they cannot be called miners. However, this does not affect learning in any way: animals can be trained and understand the rules established by the owner. With due diligence, they can be taught to several teams.

King Charles cavaliers are able to play with restless children for a long time. They are playful and spiteless, able to sit on their master's knees for hours. At the same time, individuals when meeting strangers can be wary and modest. Most, on the contrary, are interested in everything new, but because they are happy to rush to meet and make friends.

However, aristocrats are not characterized by love for noisy parties. The noise bothers them, often frightens them, as a result of which the pets try to find a secluded place to wait out the rumble. They fully justify their royal name, preferring quiet and quiet music to noisy events. They do not like when the owners shout and quarrel among themselves, as well as scolding children.

Representatives of the royal decorative breed of dogs love to receive compliments in their address. This gives them a lot of happiness and contributes to a positive attitude. Dogs do not like loneliness, they are not adapted to it, and therefore suffer, being without owners or other family members. They report their good mood and willingness to play with a loud bark.

Despite the small size and decorativeness of the breed, royal pets can withstand long walks and travels. They like to travel with the owner, and sometimes even adapt to the games of children. For example, individual individuals calmly endure swaddling and even riding in strollers. At the same time, the animal will not allow itself to offend the child and will tolerate the rules of the game with dignity, even if, according to the idea, it will be assigned the role of “daughter” or “son”.

It should be noted tenderness and trepidation of pets, which they show in relation to humans. Of course, to achieve this behavior can be exclusively correct and timely education, which begins with the moment the puppy appears in the house. A well-bred dog understands when the owner needs to be reassured and supported, it is able to adapt to its condition and even character.

As for the shortcomings, they are associated primarily with inadequate education, depending on the owner of the animal. Only in rare cases can a dog bite a person. This can happen if the owner mistreats the pet. In this case, the dog will bite solely as a defense against the aggression of the owner. Her temperament and obedience do not allow her such behavior, but sometimes you have to show your teeth in order to stop the assault of an individual breeder.

Some individuals of decorative breed, being alone, turn their attention to furniture and allow themselves to nibble. This is characteristic of small puppies, and therefore it is necessary to eliminate the lack of behavior from the childhood of a pet. Shyness cavaliers unusual, and therefore the dog must be constantly encouraged, praise for good behavior and curiosity.

Like any other pet, a puppy should provide care, attention and proper care. The behavior and development of the animal will depend on how correct the comprehensive care will be. For example, the owner should think about the correct flooring, because the puppy legs will move apart when he is standing on a laminate or slippery floor. As a result, this can result in improper formation of the setting of the paws and unnatural gait.

The first time you have to cover the floor with rugs. It is better to remove expensive carpeting until the baby is accustomed to the toilet. In addition to the floor, you have to think about buying the right dishes, stove benches and toys.

Bowls of food or water should be large enough for the dog to be comfortable eating and lapping water. Own bed will allow the pet to understand its place. At the same time, the type of product can be very diverse, as well as its size and shape. When choosing a lounger, the owner relies on his own preferences, not forgetting to take into account the parameters of the animal (the dog should not huddle in a tiny lounger).

As for the training of the gentleman to the tray, it is almost impossible. There are two exits left: a diaper and a street. As a rule, the first option is characteristic if the owner is too lazy to walk the pet. In addition, the smell of urine and excrement in the house will quickly become the norm for the animal. When teaching a dog to walk outside in need, it is important to praise her at first for not carrying a “valuable load” home.

The puppy's name is chosen in such a way that it reveals its character. You can’t call him an insulting nickname, as you should not scoff at a dog, coming up with a frankly stupid name. In general, it should be short and sonorous. It should be borne in mind that you can choose the option, which will be an abbreviation of the full name indicated later in the pedigree.

For example, the nickname should consist of two syllables: this is quite enough for the pet to remember. No need to pick options that are too complicated for pronunciation. At the same time, it is unacceptable to call a thoroughbred dog nicknames such as Bobik or Ball. Great options would be nicknames that are suitable in color, in honor of animals that once went down in history.

A dog cannot comb its own hair, lick it or cut it. The owner should deal with this, paying particular attention to the coat of the pet during molting. Of course, in the absence of skills, you will have to master them, although at first, if you have the finances, you can turn to the groomer. Grooming involves a comprehensive care for the appearance of the pet.

This is bathing, combing the hair, removing dead hair, cutting, shortening claws, brushing your ears, eyes and teeth. The procedure is not cheap, because of which, if desired, the client can choose the most relevant stages. As a rule, this is an emphasis on wool and bringing it to a standard and aesthetic appeal. If the owner decides to take care of his hair independently, it is necessary to take into account several nuances.

The coat of dogs of this breed is thick and dense, which is why it is necessary to comb it as often as possible. If you have time, it is advisable to do this daily, using a special comb, which is selected based on the type of wool and its length. Combing should be regular, otherwise the wool quickly gathers in tangles. During the period when the pet molts, it is possible to remove dead hair with a special comb with a trimmer attachment.

To select such a device must be with great care. It is important to pay attention to the distance between the teeth and their length. With the proper choice of the dog during the procedure, a skin massage will be provided, but without its injury. The processing speed of the coat depends on the width of the comb: the smaller it is, the longer the procedure will take.

At the same time, it will be difficult to process wool in separate areas of the body with a wide comb. It is acceptable to cut the pet’s hair between the toes no more than once a month. This procedure is carried out for hygienic purposes in order to prevent the formation of tangles.

In theory, a dog would be enough if it was bathed no more than once or twice every six months. However, given that she constantly walks in the fresh air, the frequency of “ablutions” may be more frequent.Her appearance is especially affected when she walks outside after rain. And given that dogs are extremely resistant to heat, splashing in the water will once again benefit them.

As for the means for washing, the shampoos and rinses that households use are completely unsuitable for pets. For animals, special detergents have been developed, from which healthy wool does not fall out, its aesthetic appeal does not worsen. However, you should not abuse professional zoo shampoos and rinses: sometimes a dog can bathe in ordinary warm water (some individuals manage to lick conditioner from their hair). When choosing a product, you should pay attention to the type of cover - cavalier spaniels need funds for washing long hair.

Particular attention during washing should be given to hanging ears, where a lot of pollution accumulates during walks. In addition, it is important to rinse and paws that collect a lot of dirt when the dog walks. Using an air conditioner will give the coat a silky feel. It can also be used when it is necessary to rid a pet of tricks. Someone thinks that bathing a pet depends on its class (show babies are washed more often).

From time to time it is necessary to clean the dog’s ears, removing earwax and other impurities. Complicated care is the length of the ears and thick hair, which almost covers them. Because of her ears are poorly ventilated, which increases the risk of purulent otitis media. For prevention, it is necessary to remove dirt and dirt from the ears at least once a week. To do this, you can use a cotton swab dipped in warm boiled water.

Children’s eyes often cry. If this problem is found, they must be wiped with a special lotion. However, before proceeding with this, it is necessary to consult with a veterinarian who will tell you exactly how and what to do correctly.

Cleaning your dog’s teeth is a prerequisite for their health. They will have to be cleaned approximately twice a week, and therefore a pet should be accustomed to this procedure from early childhood. The sooner he gets used to it, the better. For cleaning, use a special brush and paste. Those that are intended for people cannot be used for hygiene of the cavity of the animal’s mouth.

Regrowing claws can cause canine discomfort when moving. It is necessary to cut their ends as they grow back, while the multiplicity can be 1 time in several weeks. You need to get rid of only the tip, so as not to accidentally injure the animal.

Everyone who wants to get a small pet of a royal spaniel should take into account that a person will have to monitor its health throughout the life of the dog. This will identify problems in the early stages of their appearance and prevent some diseases. For example, decorative babies are characterized by such problems as arthritis, hernia, dislocation of joints, cardiac pathologies, Chiari syndrome and episodic fall.

In order to detect and rule out a particular disease, it is necessary to regularly show the pet to a specialist. If the puppy has an allergy, you must immediately change the type of food and choose the right diet (hypoallergenic food). If you give the pet proper attention, its immunity will be strong. The dog’s health and strength will be enough even for rehabilitation assistance to a person who has undergone serious stress.

Vaccinations must be done necessarily and in a timely manner. As a rule, start them when the puppy is 8 weeks old, performing in a kennel. By this time, the baby acquires a veterinary passport, as well as a registered pedigree. The owner observes the schedule of further vaccinations, the veterinarian helps him in this.

Cavaliers are vaccinated against enteritis, parainfluenza, salmonella, plague and leptospirosis.As for the introduction of the hepatitis vaccine, it is administered at 8, 12 weeks, then at six months, a year, and then once a year. Those representatives of the breed who are planned to be exported abroad are given a rabies vaccine at 7 months. Vaccination has its own characteristics:

• a small puppy must not be walked until the second vaccination in his life;
• before the introduction of the drug, check the health of the animal;
• in addition to excellent health, 2 weeks before vaccination, the dog is given preparations for worms (with the exception of pregnant, lactating dogs and dogs after breeding);
• vaccination is done in the nursery or in the veterinary office, about which an entry is made in the veterinary passport of the animal;
• quarantine is introduced for a period of 2 weeks from the moment the vaccine is administered;
• if during the day the noted negative symptoms do not go away, the dog is taken to the doctor.

For a pet to grow active and develop properly, it needs fresh air. It will not work out by simply ventilating the room: walking on the street is extremely important for the animal. The first walk can be carried out after administration of the second vaccine.

As far as possible walking with a dog is better at the same time, the duration of the walk should not exceed more than 40 minutes. From early childhood, the dog is walked more often to quickly accustom to the toilet on the street. When she turns four months old, the number of walks per day can be reduced. Moreover, if at first the walk should not be long at all, then now its time can be increased.

Walking is necessary not only to maintain good immunity: the socialization of the pet is important. The sooner it happens, the better, the baby will not be afraid of strangers and street animals. You can introduce the dog to other animals, and joint trainings and walks are welcome. For example, you can train the passage of the "obstacle course" together.

However, vigilance is the main point of walking, because what a dog can pick up from the ground can upset the digestive system or infect it with some kind of virus. It is better to walk a pet of this breed where there is no asphalt. This will protect the dog's paws from injury.

After a walk, you must examine the animal for parasites (ticks or fleas). If it is found, you must urgently contact the veterinarian who will pick up the medicine for the parasites, its dosage and frequency of the procedure. You can’t hesitate to contact a specialist when parasites are detected: they multiply at a tremendous speed, and besides, they cause tremendous discomfort to your beloved pet.

The nutritional diet of the dog must be balanced, it must contain the necessary vitamins and nutrients. It is necessary to select the food in such a way that it matches the age of the pet and its individual characteristics (for example, you cannot buy ordinary for allergic pets). From birth, the puppy receives everything you need with mother's milk.

At this time, the ego is fed no more than 4 times a day. A six-month-old puppy eats three times a day, a one-year-old - 2 times. Someone thinks that an adult pet should be fed once a day. As for food pickiness, this is not about cavalier spaniels.

Therefore, you need to choose food very thoroughly. In general, food can be either natural or industrial. Dogs love professional dry food that is convenient in terms of dosage calculation. In comparison with natural food, there is a choice of a specific product among the varieties.

For example, you can buy food for puppies with low activity and long hair. Dog food must be selected premium or holistic (grainless).If a decision is made to feed a pet with natural food, then it is necessary to ensure that meat is always in the diet.

In any portion, it should be 50%, while lean meat is suitable for food, for example, beef, chicken, turkey, lamb. It is possible to give meat to the animal both raw and boiled. In addition to it, cereals (rice, buckwheat, oatmeal), vegetables and even fruits (with the exception of citrus fruits, pears) should be in the diet. It is necessary from time to time to give the pet cooked and bone-free sea fish, eggs and sour-milk products (cottage cheese and kefir).

Flax seeds are extremely necessary for animals: they are a natural biological food supplement and contribute to improving the condition of the coat. In addition, they serve as a stimulant of the digestive system. There should be no bones in the dog's diet, as the esophagus may be damaged in the animal from them.

The breeder must take into account the fact that not everything that a person eats is suitable for food to a pet. For example, dogs are strictly forbidden to eat pork, sausage, various smoked meats and even butter. They should not be allowed to eat fried and spicy foods: it is harmful to their health.

It is undesirable to treat animals with sweets: sweets are also contraindicated for them. In addition, they should not eat flour products. Vitamin complexes necessary for a pet from a puppy's age are selected by a veterinarian.

It is important to take into account the fact that the food chosen by the owner as the basis of nutrition is undesirable to change, just as natural and industrial feed cannot be mixed. Transition can be fraught with an upset digestive system. Regardless of the feeding time, the dog should always have a bowl of fresh water. Water is constantly required for the animal, master laziness can lead to the fact that the pet will be forced to look for water on its own, and not in the best places at home.

Many members of the breed are predisposed to food allergies. It is necessary to choose food especially carefully, studying composition and such mark as "traces of presence", for example, chicken or cereals. It is important to pay attention to the expiration date. As for cheap food, it is not suitable for dogs due to its poor quality. In addition to the fact that he does not bear any health benefits, in some cases he can harm him.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed is characterized by such a feature as a false pregnancy of females. Breeding puppies is possible only on condition that individuals for mating are healthy. Before mating, you need to find out if the partners have any pathologies, whether they meet the standard. Ideally, the mating itself can take place in a nursery, which will reduce possible risks and minimize the likelihood of complications.

Someone is not afraid of difficulties and uses the services of private traders, turning to them for viscous use. It is generally accepted that dogs are ready for breeding by the age of 20 months, although their puberty is already at 10. Nevertheless, experts recommend that dogs not be bred earlier: you need to wait until the third estrus occurs in the female. If the dog is younger, then offspring are unlikely to be able to breed, and few will guarantee that puppies will be born healthy.

The need for mating on the territory of the male is explained simply: nothing will distract him from the female in his native territory, he will not need to explore a new place, get acquainted with its inhabitants. To begin with, the dogs walk together, in the process of the act (especially if it happens for the first time at partners), the specialist helps the female, holding her by the stomach and not letting her sit down.

Opinions about the capabilities of dogs regarding training are controversial. However, the bulk of the pets of the decorative breed in question are very actively in contact with the owner when he tries to train them. And here a lot depends on the owner himself, his manner of training and attitude to the pet. For example, other animals do not perceive the team, considering it something boring and uninteresting.

In view of this, professional dog handlers recommend conducting training classes in the form of active games. In addition to the affectionate attitude towards the pet, the owner will have to constantly make changes and diversity during the training periodso that the animal does not get bored and does not lose interest in activities. Considering that the cavaliers still have the rudiments of hunting instincts, as the choice of the object of pursuit proves when walking, they can be taught to the “to me”, “fu” teams.

At the age of 5 months, the pet is able to learn the stand or the “stand” command. Representatives of the breed who take part in exhibitions are taught to her. However, as cynologists note, it is impossible to immediately teach an animal to several teams at once.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is liked by many dog ​​lovers of decorative breeds. This is evidenced by the reviews left on the information portals. The owners of these dogs write that they are uncharacteristic of a causeless change of mood.

However, if suddenly for some reason they are left alone for a long time, some individuals can make a real mess in the house. If not one, but two pets of the same breed live in the house, their attention will be taken by each other., and therefore for furniture and things you can not worry much. As for relations with other pets, decorative dogs, according to the breeders, try not to create conflict situations.

They can be called extroverts: each person they meet is a soul mate who can be trusted with literally everyone. Representatives of the breed get along well with cats, but the latter rarely meet them with mutual sympathy. Dogs go to great lengths to be stroked, combed and squeezed. They love tactile contact, and therefore they never refuse it, as well as the opportunity to play.

All about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed in the video below.