About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

THE CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL STATISTICS

Weight:           5.4-8kg

Height:            30-33cm at shoulder

Coat:   Long, silky and free from curl.  A slight wave is permissible. There should be plenty of feather.

Colour:            There are four recognised colours as follows

Blenheim: Rich chestnut markings well broken up on a pearly white ground. The markings should be evenly divided on the head, leaving room between the ears for the much valued lozenge mark or spot (a unique characteristic of the breed).

Tricolour: Black and white well spaced and broken up, with tan markings over the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, inside legs, and on underside of tail.

Ruby: Whole coloured rich red.

Black and Tan: Raven black with tan markings above the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, on chest and legs and underside of tail. The tan should be bright.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:

An active, graceful and well-balanced dog. Absolutely fearless, sporting in character and very gay and free in action; totally free from trimming and all artificial colouring.

Head: Head almost flat between the ears, without dome. Stop shallow. Length from base of stop to tip about 1.5 inches. Nostrils should be well developed and the pigment black. Muzzle well tapered. Lips well-covering but not hound like. Face should be well filled out underneath the eyes. Any tendency to appear "snipey" is undesirable.

Eyes: Large, dark and round but not prominent. The eyes should be spaced well apart.

Ears: Long and set high with plenty of feather.

Mouth: Level; scissor-bite preferred.

Neck: Moderate length - slightly arched.

CONFIRMATION:

Forequarters: Shoulders well laid back; legs moderate bone and straight.

Body: Short-coupled with plenty of spring of rib. Back level. Chest moderate leaving ample heart room.

Hindquarters: Legs with moderate bone; well-turned stifle-no tendency to cow or sickle hocks.

Feet: Compact, cushioned and well-feathered.

FAULTS:

Light eyes. Undershot and crooked mouth and pig jaws. White marks on whole-coloured specimens. Coarseness of type. Putty noses. Flesh marks. Nervousness.