Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small spaniel that originated in 16th century England. The breed was created by crossing the toy spaniels that were popular with wealthy families at the time and sporting spaniels developing for hunting game birds. These crosses resulted in the dogs having large ears, long muzzles and abundant coats - three of the characteristics of modern-day Cavaliers.  Cavaliers gained popularity among royalty during King Charles II's reign when he frequently took his own cavilier out hunting with him. In 1945, an Englishman named Roswell Eldridge created a challenge to reward a showdog that most closely resembled what he believed was the ideal standard for cavalier as it had existed at the time of King Charles II rule. This challenge led to an increase in popularity and eventual recognition by The American Kennel Club (AKC) as a member of their Toy Group in 1995.    Today, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels remain popular family pets due to their mild temperaments and fondness for human companionship. They are good-natured, gentle dogs that enjoy walks, playtime and cuddles alike.