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The ancient ancestry of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel remains a mystery, though the history is long and filled with folklore. The dogs have been pictured on old paintings and lived with royalty since the 16th century. Esteemed owners include Queen Elizabeth I and King Charles II, for whom the breed is named. As royal fashions changed to prefer Pugs and other Asian breeds, the King Charles Spaniel lost popularity and numbers, as well as their long faces in favor of shorter ones.

A icontest in 1926 offered rewards to breeders who could best recreate the dogs known in the time of King Charles II with the original, long face shape. From this event, the official club was organized and breed name granted. The breed emigrated from Britain to the United States and other parts of Europe in the decades that followed. As a breed with a long and dramatic history, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel remains popular and distinctive today.

IDEAL BREED CHARACTERISTICS

Size: Males and Females 12 to 13 inches (at the withers).

Appearance: Balanced, trim body with smooth, easy motion.

Coat and Color: Long, silky, soft, straight or slightly wavy coat with long feathering on the ears, legs and tail. Four color patterns accepted including Blenheim (white with chestnut markings), Tricolor (white, tan and black), Ruby (solid red) and Black and Tan (black with tan markings).

Head: Gently rounded skull with a tapered muzzle; large, round, wide-set, dark brown eyes; wide-set, long ears set high.

Tail: Long, straight and feathered; docking to 2/3 original length is optional.