| King
Charles Spaniel or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE! |
The King Charles Spaniel |
The Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel |
Many
people are unable to recognise the difference between
King Charles Spaniels and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
They are two entirely different breeds and apart from
sharing the same coat colours, have totally separate
breed standards, characteristics and identities.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
as we know it today was not given official Kennel
Club recognition until 1945. The King Charles Spaniel
whose history has been documented since the 15th Century
has its origins in the courts of Europe. In 2000 only
185 King Charles Spaniel puppies were registered with
the U.K. Kennel Club while the registrations for Cavalier
King Charles Spaniel puppies exceeded 11,400.
The media often incorrectly describes
most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels when they appear
in the press as being King Charles Spaniels, this
only causes more confusion. It is very alarming for
new owners when presenting their puppy to a Veterinary
Surgeon for examination to be told that their beautiful,
well reared King Charles Spaniel is an extremely bad
specimen of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This
has happened on several occasions, causing the purchaser
much distress and has led to threats of legal action
against the breeder. Several of the reasons quoted
have been:
1. Because the dog has a domed head it most probably
has Hydrocephalus.
2. Because the dog has an Undershot Jaw it may need
corrective surgery in the future.
3. Because the dog has Fused Nails and Pads it may
need future surgery.
All these i.e. Domed Skull, Undershot Jaw and Fused
Toes are breed specific to the King Charles Spaniel
Breed Standard.
To quote from the two breed standards:
|
| The
King Charles Spaniel |
The
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
Head
and Skull
Distinctive Domed head full over eyes. Nose, large wide
open nostrils very short and turned up to meet skull |
Head
and Skull
Skull almost flat between ears. Shallow stop, length from
base of stop to tip of nose about 1½" |
Mouth
Bite should be slightly undershot.
|
Mouth
Jaws strong with perfect regular and complete scissors
bite. |
Feet
Compact, well padded and feathered, toes well knuckled,
round cat shaped foot, well cushioned, pasterns firm.
Occasionally central pad and nails fused together. |
Feet
Compact cushioned and well feathered. |
Size
Weight: 8 - 14 lbs. |
Size
Weight: 12-18 lbs. A small well balanced dog well within
these weights desirable. |
Colour
Black and Tan, Tricolour, Blenheim, Ruby. |
Colour
Black and Tan, Tricolour, Blenheim, Ruby. |
Tail
Docking is optional in this breed. If carried out this
should be done whilst a puppy, at the appropriate time
by a qualified Veterinary Surgeon. N.B. Some King Charles
Spaniels are born with a short tail, a kinked, or an apparently
broken tail. In these circumstances the tail usually is
docked. |
Tail
Docking is optional. |
Temperament
Reserved, gentle and affectionate. |
Temperament
Gay, friendly, non-aggressive, no tendency to nervousness.
|
| |
| Bearing
these points in mind it should be easier to differentiate
between the two breeds and to help prevent the confusion
which exists today |
The
King Charles Spaniel |
The
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
Head
 |
Head
 |
Foot
with fused pads
 |
Foot:
Compact, cushioned, well feathered
 |
Mouth
Slightly Undershot
 |
Mouth
Scissor Bite
 |
| |
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©
Shealagh Waters (Chairman ) |
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