Dossier No. 04 · England, 17th c. royal court
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Pied-à-terres, penthouses, and anyone who reads in the morning.
- Stature
- Petite
- Coat
- Silken — Blenheim, tricolor, ruby
- Temperament
- Affectionate, gentle, devoted lap companion
- Origin
- England, 17th c. royal court
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel History & Origin
Painted at the feet of Charles I, named for Charles II (who decreed they be admitted to any public place in England), and rescued from near-extinction in the 1920s by an American who offered a prize for the original spaniel of the Restoration court. The breed is, in every sense, a relic of monarchy.
II
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Personality
Sweet without being saccharine, sociable without being needy, and possessed of a soft, watchful gaze that has undone three centuries of otherwise sensible people. They love every guest equally and you most of all.
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Living With a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Ideally suited to penthouses, pied-à-terres, and anyone who takes meetings from a sofa. They travel beautifully, sleep close, and ask only that they not be left alone for long stretches of the day.
IV
Notable Companions
King Charles II issued a royal decree allowing them in any public space — the only breed so honoured. Ronald Reagan kept a Blenheim Cavalier named Rex at the White House, where he reportedly redirected the President toward the helicopter rather than the residence. Princess Margaret kept them throughout her life.
Questions we are asked
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: pedigree & puppy questions
Where does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel come from?
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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel originates from England, 17th c. royal court. It is also known as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
What is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's temperament?
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Affectionate, gentle, devoted lap companion. Pied-à-terres, penthouses, and anyone who reads in the morning.
How big is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and what is its coat like?
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Stature: Petite. Coat: Silken — Blenheim, tricolor, ruby.
How do I check a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pedigree?
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Ask the breeder for the registered pedigree of both parents (AKC, The Kennel Club or FCI), then verify registration numbers with the registry and review the parents' health test results. GildedLeash reviews pedigrees and health clearances for every Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on our register before any introduction.
How can I find a health-tested Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy?
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GildedLeash works with a private register of vetted Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders and arranges introductions to health-tested puppies. Email matchmaker@gildedleash.com or take our match questionnaire to begin.
Unsure whether the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel suits your household? Take the match questionnaire, read our breed matching guide, or see how our puppy concierge sources pedigree puppies.