The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, often known simply as the Cavalier, is a small and delightful toy breed renowned for its charming and affectionate nature. Originating in the United Kingdom, these dogs have a long history dating back to the reign of King Charles I and King Charles II, which is how they acquired their royal name. Cavaliers are known for their endearing personality traits. They are affectionate, gentle, and highly sociable dogs that form strong bonds with their owners. They thrive on human companionship and make excellent family pets. Their friendly demeanour extends to other animals, making them great companions for other dogs. They are a distinct and separate breed from King Charles Spaniels, also called the English Toy Spaniel, which has a flatter, shorter snout and snubbed nose, shorter tail, smaller body size and wavy coat.
Cavaliers have distinctive expressive faces with large, dark soulful eyes. They have a silky, medium-length straight coat that comes in various colours, including chestnut and white, tricolour, black and tan, and ruby or chestnut. They enjoy being either a lap dog or an active family dog. Their adaptability makes them suitable for apartment living, and they are safe to have around younger children.
Due to their size and lovely temperaments, Cavaliers have been bred with several other small breeds to produce the Cavoodle (Cavalier and Poodle cross), the Cavachon (Cavalier and Bichon Frise), and the Cava-Tzu (Cavalier and Shih Tzu).