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

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

The history of the breed originates from antiquity. It is considered that the first dogs, similar to the considered decorative breed, were brought to Britain by the Celts. Animals loved by the royal English nobility, and therefore it was decided to engage in their selection. The Tibetan Spaniel and Japanese Hin dogs are the progenitors of the Chevalier.

Pets become the favorites of the British, but as an independent breed they were recognized only in the twentieth century. The peak of the popularity of dogs came in the XIII century, they were considered indispensable companions of the nobility, 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 had no direct relation to the breeding of babies. It was at this time that the dogs were added to the name of the prefix "Charles" and "King." At the same time, small representatives of the breed had access to the building of the British Parliament.

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

As soon as William II ascended the throne, the popularity of decorative dogs began to fade, as he liked pugs. For the sake of the king, the breeders began to cross the Kings with the pugs, which led to the loss of the original appearance. The revival of the breed began around the beginning of the twentieth century, when the British Kennel Club promised the reward to those who would be able to revive the Charles King, equating them to the standard.

As a result, the first kids, recognized by Europeans as more like dogs of decorative breed, appeared in 1992. Dogs had to knit with English Cocker Spaniels who had a narrow face. Despite the similarity with their ancestors, they had differences that could be seen by looking at the paintings of artists.

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 have a common progenitor. The differences are in size and head structure. According to the generally accepted standard, the gentlemen have a more elongated muzzle and a higher ear fit.

Representatives of the breed are quite elegant and graceful, while they are not large. The average weight of adult females is about 5 kg, while the standard of males is 8 kg. Individuals are larger and reach 10 kg. The average height of 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 gentlemen Charles wedge-shaped, its size is small, the skull between the ears is somewhat flattened. The eyes are round and somewhat bulging, shiny and dark. Bite - scissor: the upper incisors are tight to 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, covered on the outside with long silky hair. The body of the representatives of the breed is compact, differs depending on the gender, in males it is more muscular and large. In this case, the body has strong bones and developed muscles, the neck has a slight bend.

The back of the dog is straight and flat, the chest is medium wide. The paws are proportionally proportionate, they are even and bony. Their fingers are almost completely covered with thick hair. The tail of the animal can be kept at the level of the back or slightly above it.

In contrast to the Kingi, cavaliers attract breeders with truly European charm. They have a long, silky coat that can be completely straight or barely wavy. Their eyes always sparkle, they are a kind of glamorous aristocracy, which is explained by the aesthetic appeal and elegance of the movements.

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

You can categorize royal spaniels by color. On this basis, the standard distinguishes several varieties.

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

• Tricolor (Prince Charles) - three-colored coat color, which is based on white, black points and burn marks are located in the area of ​​the eyes, cheekbones, inside the ears, paws and under the tail.

• Ruby - solid red color without tan, not welcoming the presence of white markings. Mahogany shade may be present in color.

• The black - color, complemented by bright burners, anthracite background, clearly defined burns, noticeable boundaries of spots above the eyes, around the tail, chest and cheeks.

According to the characteristics of the standard, live dogs of this breed no more than 11-12 years. However, life factors are affected by various factors. For example, it can be reduced by improper development, lack of timely care, poor quality of food and ignoring preventive examinations in order to identify and prevent various diseases.

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, the individual breeders pets lived for a long time, for example, there is a case when the ornamental dog died at the age of 18 years.

Like any other breed, these pets have their pros and cons.The advantages of dogs include hypoallergenic wool and the absence of the characteristic smell of dog, which is important for some breeders. In addition, these pets are distinguished by an incredible loyalty to the owners and family members.

The minuses can be called a certain intrusiveness of individual individuals, as well as the appropriation of the owner's things, which in the future the dog will consider it his property. In addition, despite the fact that the gentlemen are not allergenic to humans, they are often allergic.

Perhaps no other breed of dogs can compare with the gentlemen-king-charles in the degree of involvement in the family. It is vital for them to be everywhere and everywhere, which explains the understanding of the specific situation and the quick reaction of the pet. Unlike other members of the dog family, they are very sociable, which must be encouraged from the childhood of the pet, so that his interest does not change to apathy.

These cute dogs literally adore all members of the family, and especially the souls do not care for children, sometimes they are overwhelmed with feelings, which are reported by joyful barking. They are so friendly that it affects security qualities. These babies cannot be trusted to guard the dwelling, since they will also have special attention for the thief. For example, they can lick him, try to engage him in the game.

In the same time these animals can not stand the rough behavior of the household. Some of them may suffer from this, moving away from the owners. Others are simply closed, which is reflected in education and communication. Given their tendency to touchy, the owners often have to be aware of their mistakes and come to ask for forgiveness first. Some representatives of the breed are extremely jealous, although they are trying to cope with their emotions on their own.

These dogs belong to companion pets, they can not be called getters. However, this in no way affects learning: animals are amenable to training and understand the rules set by the owner. With due diligence, they can be taught to several teams.

Cavaliers-king-charles are able to play with restless children for a long time. They are playful and mild, able to sit on the master's lap for hours. At the same time, individuals may be wary and modest when meeting with strangers. Most, on the contrary, are interested in everything new, and therefore they are happy to rush to get to know and make friends.

However, the aristocracy is not peculiar to the love of noisy parties. The noise of them, often scary, because of what the pets are trying to find a secluded place to wait out the roar. They fully justify their royal name, preferring quiet and quiet music to noisy events. They do not like it when the owners shout and quarrel among themselves, and also scold the children.

Representatives of the royal decorative breed of dogs love to receive compliments in his 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 loud barking about their good mood and readiness to play.

Despite the small size and decoration of the breed, royal pets can withstand long walks and crossings. They love to travel with the owner, and sometimes even completely adapt to the children's games. For example, some individuals calmly tolerate swaddling and even skating in toy carriages. At the same time, the animal will not allow itself to offend the child and will adequately tolerate the rules of the game, even if by design it will be assigned the role of "daughter" or "son."

It is impossible not to note the tenderness and trepidation of pets, which they show in relation to man. Of course, such behavior can be achieved only with correct and timely education, which begins with the appearance of the puppy in the house. A raised 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 improper upbringing, depending on the owner of the animal. Only in rare cases can a dog bite a person. It can happen in the event that 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 to behave like this, but sometimes she has to show her teeth in order to stop the assault on an individual breeder.

Separate individuals of decorative breed, being alone, switch attention to furniture and allow themselves to gnaw. This is characteristic of small puppies, and therefore it is necessary to eliminate the lack of behavior from the childhood of the pet. Timidity is not unusual for cavaliers, and therefore the dog must be constantly encouraged, praised for good behavior and curiosity.

Like any other pet, a puppy should provide care, attention and proper care. On how correct the complex care will be, the behavior and development of the animal will depend. For example, the owner should think about the right flooring, because the puppy's feet will disperse when he stands on a laminate or slippery floor. As a result, this can turn into an incorrect shaping of the paws and an unnatural gait.

The first time will have to cover the floor mats. Expensive carpet is better to remove 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 with food or water should be of sufficient size so that the dog can comfortably eat food and lap up the water. Own bed will allow the pet to understand its place. The type of product can be very diverse, as well as its size and shape. When choosing a sun 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 couch).

As for teaching the gentleman to the tray, it is almost impossible. Two exits remain: the diaper and the street. As a rule, the first option is typical in the event that the owner is lazy walking his pet. In addition, the smell of urine and excrement in the house will very quickly become the norm for the animal. When teaching a dog to walk out of need, it is important to praise her at first for the fact that she does not carry a “valuable load” home.

The name of the puppy is selected in such a way that it reveals his character. You can not call him offensive nickname, as you should not mock the dog, coming up with a frankly stupid name. In general, it should be short and resounding. It should be borne in mind that you can choose the option that will be an abbreviation of the full name specified 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 choose options that are too difficult for pronunciation. At the same time, it is unacceptable to call a purebred dog nicknames like Bobby or Sharik. Excellent options will be nicknames that are suitable in color, in honor of the animals that once went down in history.

A dog cannot comb wool itself, lick it or cut it.This should be done by the owner, paying particular attention to the pet's woolen coat during the molting period. Of course, in the absence of skills, you will have to master them, although at first, if you have funds, you can contact a groomer. Grooming means complex care for the pet's appearance.

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

The coat 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 is quickly collected in mats. In the period when the pet sheds, you can remove the dead wool with a special comb with a nozzle-trimmer.

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

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

In theory, the dog would be enough if it was not bathed more than once or twice every six months. However, given that she constantly walks in the fresh air, the frequency of “ablutions” can be more frequent. Her appearance especially suffers when she walks outside after rain. And given that dogs are extremely poorly tolerated heat, splashing in the water once again will benefit them.

As for the means for washing, the shampoos and rinses used by households are completely inappropriate for pets. For animals, special detergents have been developed, from which healthy wool does not fall out, and its aesthetic appeal does not deteriorate. However, you should not abuse professional zoo shampoos and rinses: Sometimes the dog can swim in ordinary warm water (some individuals manage to lick the conditioner off the coat). When choosing a product, you should pay attention to the type of cover - the Cavalier Spaniels need means to wash long wool.

Particular attention during washing should be paid to hanging ears, where during walks a lot of dirt accumulates. In addition, it is important to wash and paws that collect a lot of dirt when the dog walks. Using an air conditioner will make the wool silky. It can also be used when you need to get rid of pet mats. Someone thinks that bathing a pet depends on his class (show babies are washed more often).

From time to time you have to clean the dog's ears, removing ear wax and other contaminants. Complicated care length of the ears and thick hair, which they almost covers. Because of her ears are poorly ventilated, which increases the risk of purulent otitis. In order to prevent the need to at least once a week to remove from the ears and dirt. To do this, you can use a cotton swab dipped in warm boiled water.

Eyes in dogs of childhood often cry. If this problem is found, they have to be cleaned with a special lotion.However, before you begin this, you need to consult with a veterinarian, who will tell you exactly how to do what is right.

Brushing canine teeth is a must for their health. They will have to be cleaned about twice a week, and therefore the pet must be accustomed to this procedure from early childhood. The sooner he gets used to it, the better. For cleaning, you must use a special brush and paste. Those intended for humans cannot be used for hygiene of the animal's mouth.

Growing claws can cause dog discomfort when moving. It is necessary to cut off their ends as they grow, and the multiplicity can be 1 time in several weeks. You only need to get rid of the tip in order not to accidentally injure the animal.

Anyone who wants to purchase a small pet of a royal spaniel should take into account that during the whole life of a dog a person will have to look after its health. 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, dislocations of joints, cardiac pathologies, Chiari syndrome and an episodic fall.

To detect and exclude a disease, you must regularly show the pet specialist. If the puppy has an allergy, you must immediately change the type of food and find the right diet (hypoallergenic food). If you pay proper attention to your pet, its immunity will be strong. The dog’s health and strength will be enough even for rehabilitation assistance to a person who has been seriously stressed.

Vaccinations must be done necessarily and in a timely manner. As a rule, they are started when the puppy is 8 weeks old, performing in the nursery. By this time, the baby acquires a veterinary passport, as well as a registered pedigree. The owner keeps an eye on the schedule for further vaccinations, the vet helps him in this.

Cavaliers get vaccinations against enteritis, parainfluenza, salmonella, distemper and leptospirosis. With regard to the introduction of a vaccine against hepatitis, then it is administered at 8, 12 weeks, then six months, a year, and then - once a year. Those representatives of the breed, who are planning to export abroad, are vaccinated against rabies at 7 months. Vaccination has its own characteristics:

• A small puppy cannot be walked before 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 (except for 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 animal's veterinary passport;
• quarantine is introduced for a period of 2 weeks from the moment of vaccination;
• if during the day the negative symptoms do not disappear, the dog is taken to the doctor.

In order for the pet to grow active and develop properly, it needs fresh air. Doing simple airing of the room will not work: walking on the street is extremely important for the animal. The first range can be carried out after the introduction of the second vaccine.

Whenever possible, it is better to walk with the dog 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 in order to quickly train to the toilet on the street. When she is four months old, the amount of walking a day can be reduced. Moreover, if at first the walk does not have to be long at all, 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 other people and street animals.You can acquaint the dog with other animals, and training and walking with them are welcome. For example, you can train together the passage of the "obstacle course".

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 with some kind of virus. Walking the pet of this breed is better where there is no asphalt. This will save the dog's paws from injury.

After the walk, you must inspect the animal for the presence of parasites (ticks or fleas). If it is found, it is necessary to immediately contact the veterinarian who will select the medication for parasites, its dosage and frequency of the procedure. It is impossible to hesitate to contact a specialist when detecting parasites: they multiply at tremendous speed, besides causing enormous discomfort to your beloved pet.

The nutritious diet of the dog must be balanced, it must contain the necessary vitamins and nutrients. Food must be selected in such a way that it corresponds to the pet's age and its individual characteristics (for example, for allergic pets it is not allowed to buy a regular one). From birth, the puppy gets everything you need with mother's milk.

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

That is why it is necessary to choose food very thoroughly. In general, food can be natural or industrial. Dogs adore 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 it is decided to feed the pet with natural food, then it is necessary to ensure that there is always meat in the nutritious diet.

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

Flax seeds are extremely necessary for the animal: they are a natural biological food supplement and help to improve the condition of the coat. In addition, they serve as a stimulator of the digestive system. There should be no bones in the dog’s diet, because the animal can damage the esophagus.

A breeder must take into account the fact that not everything that a person eats is suitable for a pet. For example, dogs absolutely can not eat pork, sausage, various smoked meats and even butter. We can not allow them to feast on fried and spicy food: it is bad for their health.

It is undesirable to treat animals with sweets: sweets are also contraindicated for them. In addition, they can not eat flour products. Vitamin complexes needed by a pet from puppyhood are picked up by a veterinarian.

It is important to take into account the fact that the food chosen by the host as the basis of nutrition is undesirable to change, as well as natural and industrial food should not be mixed. Transition can be fraught with digestive disorders. Regardless of the time of feeding the dog should always stand a bowl with fresh water.The animal needs water all the time, the owner's 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. Choosing food should be especially careful when studying the composition and such a mark as "traces of presence", for example, chicken or cereal. It is important to pay attention to the expiration date. As for cheap food, it is not suitable for dogs due to its low quality. In addition to the fact that he does not have any health benefits, in some cases he can harm him.

The breed of cavalier king charles spaniel is characterized by such a feature as a false pregnancy of females. It is possible to breed puppies only provided that individuals for breeding are healthy. Before viscous, it is necessary to find out if the partners have any pathologies, whether they correspond to the standard. Ideally, mating itself can take place in nursery conditions, 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 viscous. It is believed that dogs are ready for breeding by the age of 20 months, although their sexual maturity comes already at 10. And yet, experts recommend not to knit dogs earlier: you need to wait for the female to have a third estrus. If the dog is younger, it will hardly be able to leave offspring, and very few people will guarantee that the puppies will be born healthy.

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

Opinion about the possibilities of dogs regarding the training are contradictory. However, the majority of pets of the considered decorative breed are very active in contact with the owner when he tries to train them. And here a lot depends on the owner, his manner of learning and attitude to the pet. For example, other animals do not perceive the command, considering it something boring and uninteresting.

In view of this, professional dog experts recommend conducting training sessions in the form of active games. In addition to the tender attitude to the pet, the owner during the training period will have to constantly make changes and varietyso that the animal does not get bored and does not lose interest in the exercises. Considering that the rudiments of hunting instincts still exist for cavaliers, as evidenced by the choice of the object of pursuit during a walk, they can be taught the commands “to me”, “fu”.

At the age of 5 months, the pet is able to learn the rack or the "stand" command. Representatives of the breed who take part in exhibitions are taught to it. However, as noted by dog ​​handlers, it is impossible to immediately teach an animal to several teams at once.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is popular with many connoisseurs of decorative breeds. This is evidenced by reviews left on the information portals. The owners of these dogs write that they are not familiar with the causeless change of mood.

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

They can be called extroverts: everybody 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. The 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 breed of dogs Cavalier-King-Charles-Spaniel in the video below.