This results in part of the hind brain being forced out through the back of the skull. The bony casing of the skull is too small to comfortably house the entire brain. The problem is caused by the anatomy of the skull. Symptoms also include bizarre behaviours, such as phantom fly-catching and scratching at the air with a back leg. This condition results in intense pain and discomfort around the head and neck. A prospective owner would do well to seek out that most elusive of breeders, one who voluntarily screens the parent dogs and only breeds from those proven to be healthy. And, neither are these insignificant issues but conditions that are extremely painful (syringomyelia) and shorten life expectancy (mitral valve disease.)Īt present, any breeding schemes aimed at improving breed health are purely voluntary on the part of the breeder. This delightful character has a high incidence of breed-related health problems. Sadly, the King Charles Spaniel does have an Achilles heel, which is his health. Of course, reward-based training methods should always be used for a happy but obedient dog. He will… once he realises there’s no wriggling out of the situation using the power of 'cute'. They are intelligent, so don’t be deceived by those puppy dog eyes and instead, stick to your resolve and expect the dog to obey. However, like any dog, it’s crucial to instil basic commands in the dog, such as 'Sit', 'Stay', and 'Come', so that you have control over the dog in a range of tricky situations. Seriously, these little fellows are so easy-going that many owners overlook training them. Those large brown eyes and teddy-bear cute looks are sure to turn any owner’s resolve to mush, so that the dog gets anything they want. The King Charles Spaniel is exceptionally gifted at training his owner to bend to their will. Arguably their small size does make them physically vulnerable, but otherwise, they make for the perfect family dog that is reliable and trustworthy around children. They are gentle in the extreme and never given to fits of bad temper or displays of intolerance. One of the outstanding things about the temperament of the King Charles Spaniel, is their lack of aggression. Their antics will delight and amuse owners, and are perhaps one of the reasons they were so beloved by those at court, back in the 17th century. These are clever little dogs with a surprisingly strong personality. Not only does he lap up affection, but he also expects to be treated like a king… fair enough though, since he’s named after one. The King Charles Spaniel loves to be loved. Similar to the Cavalier, their coat colouration can be ruby, black & tan, Blenheim, or tricolour. They have a long straight tail that is adorned with flag-like feathering. In keeping with their cute appearance, they also tend to have large eyes, compared to the size of their head.Īs a small dog they are lighter in the bone than some breeds, which can give them an air of fragility. They have a small domed faced with a fore-shortened snout. The King Charles Spaniel is a toy breed with medium length, soft silky fur, which is especially luxuriant on those long heavy ears. Currently, the breed is considered vulnerable to extinction and if the current trend continues may become a dog of the past. But where the Cavalier climbed in popularity, the King Charles declined. As the 20th century arrived and progressed, spaniels with flatter faces grew in popularity.Įventually, in 1945, the UK Kennel Club recognised the King Charles Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles as separate breeds. Their distant ancestors, the 'King’s dogs' had longer noses and more canine faces. This produced a miniaturised spaniel with a less pronounced muzzle and smaller body size than the original stock. The King Charles Spaniel is said to have arisen by crossing the common ancestor with pugs and Japanese Chin dogs. It wasn’t until Victorian times that this line diverged to produce two breeds: the King Charles Spaniel and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The spaniels that played around Charles II’s ankles share a common heritage as toy spaniel breeds. Only, in this instance, it was simply warning the visitor to take care and avoid treading on the living carpet of canines. Indeed, King Charles II was particularly renowned for his love of spaniels, which accompanied him wherever he went… even into parliament!Īn illustration of Charles II’s love of spaniels is that on the door to his bedchamber was a sign saying 'Beware of the Dogs'. It is indeed fitting that a breed so beloved by the Stuart monarchs should be named after their biggest fan, King Charles.
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