About the breed

ABOUT THE BREED

          Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a happy, outgoing dog with silky hair, a puppy-like face, and a small but well-balanced body. This adorable little dog is friendly, loyal, intelligent and playful, making it a suitable companion for all kinds of families. The Cavalier has a soft and silky medium-long hair coat with a moderate shedding rate. Routine grooming is important for the breed - especially brushing three to four times per week and cleaning of ears to prevent infections.

          As with any dog breed, the Cavalier should be thoroughly trained. This breed is quite smart and should learn quickly. The Cavalier does have a fair amount of energy that can be easily managed with routine exercise.

          The Cavalier is a people-oriented lap dog that also has a bit of a sporting side, so it is ideal for those who want a compact but energetic companion dog. The even-tempered and affectionate demeanor of this breed makes it a good choice for families with children.


HISTORY
          The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a long-standing history as a companion dog to the wealthy and elite. The breed was developed in England, most likely from toy spaniels. The Cavalier was never bred to work, but the breed does have some traits of sporting dogs because of its spaniel heritage. Cavaliers (or similar dogs) have been popular for hundreds of years in England and even portrayed in many paintings. However, the breed was not brought to the US until the 1950s. Later, in the 1990s, the Cavalier was admitted into the AKC.

source: dogs.about.com