Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed Standard

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a toy breed with aristocratic roots, is known for its gentle, affectionate, and adaptable nature. The breed standard, as defined by organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Kennel Club (UK), outlines the ideal characteristics of the breed. This serves as a guide for breeders and judges to maintain the breed’s consistency and health.

General Appearance

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should present as a well-balanced, graceful, and elegant toy spaniel. It’s slightly longer than tall, creating a compact appearance. The overall impression should be one of charm and friendliness. A natural, untrimmed appearance is preferred, except for neatening of the feet.

Size, Proportion, Substance

The ideal height at the withers is 12 to 13 inches. Weight is proportionate to height, typically between 13 and 18 pounds. The breed standard emphasizes balance and substance, meaning the dog should be neither too fine-boned nor too heavy.

Head

The head is moderately sized and in proportion to the body. The skull is slightly rounded but not domed, and the stop (the indentation between the eyes) is moderate. The muzzle is moderately long, tapering slightly from the eyes to the nose. A black nose is preferred, and well-developed nostrils are essential. The lips should meet cleanly, without excessive flews.

Eyes

The eyes are large, round, and dark brown. They should be set well apart and have a gentle, melting expression. Prominent eyes are undesirable, and white around the eyes (except for a tiny amount) is also considered a fault.

Ears

The ears are long, set high, and heavily feathered. They hang down gracefully along the sides of the head. The length and feathering contribute to the breed’s characteristic appearance.

Neck, Topline, Body

The neck is moderately long and slightly arched. The topline is level. The body is short-coupled, with well-sprung ribs. The chest is moderately deep, and the tail is traditionally docked to a length of about four inches (though undocked tails are increasingly common and accepted, with a moderate length and feathering preferred). The tail should be carried gaily but not over the back.

Forequarters

The shoulders are well laid back, and the legs are straight with moderate bone. Pasterns are strong and flexible. Dewclaws may be removed.

Hindquarters

The hindquarters are well-developed, with moderate angulation at the stifle and hock joints. The legs are straight when viewed from the rear. Dewclaws may be removed.

Coat

The coat is long, silky, and free from curl. A slight wave is permissible. Feathering is abundant on the ears, chest, legs, and tail. The coat should be well-groomed but not artificially styled.

Color

There are four recognized colors: Blenheim (rich chestnut markings well broken up on a pearly white background), Tricolor (black and white with tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, and under the tail), Ruby (a rich, whole-colored red), and Black and Tan (jet black with tan markings as in the Tricolor)..

Gait

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should move with a free, effortless, and elegant gait. Good reach and drive are essential, with the legs moving parallel to each other.

Temperament

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s temperament is one of its most endearing qualities. They should be friendly, affectionate, and outgoing, equally comfortable playing with children or relaxing on the couch. Timidity or aggression is highly undesirable.