AKC Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder in Central, Arkansas!

As its name implies, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes from spaniel roots. The European toy dogs were most likely the result of breeding small spaniels to Oriental toy breeds like the Japanese Chin and maybe the Tibetan spaniel. These Tudor lapdogs, known as “comforter spaniels,” served as lap and foot warmers, and even surrogate hot water bottles. Additionally, they served the important function of attracting fleas from their owners’ bodies! The toy spaniels became particularly well-liked because they appealed to all members of the family.

In the 1700s, King Charles II was so loving with his toy spaniels that he was accused of ignoring matters of state in favor of his dogs. The dogs were so closely associated with him that they became known as King Charles Spaniels. after his death, the Duke of Marlborough took over as the major advocate of the breed; the red and white “Blenheim” color, that was his favorite, is known as when his estate. The King Charles spaniel continued to grace the homes of the wealthy for generations, however with time a shorter-nosed dog was preferred.

By the early 1900s, the few dogs that resembled the early members of the breed were considered to be inferior. A twist of fate occurred when a wealthy American, Roswell Eldridge, came to England and offered an outlandish award for the best “pointed-nosed” spaniels, most resembling the previous kind. Breeders bred their old-type dogs together in an effort to achieve the prize, and in so doing, many came to appreciate the previous type. Ironically, these dogs, named Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in honor of the Cavalier King, eventually outstripped their short-nosed counterparts in popularity, turning into one of the most popular breeds in England. They were slower to catch on in America, but their  popularity continues to grow to this day.