The King Charles Spaniel

Appearance

The King Charles Spaniel has a compact, cobby and essentially square toy dog possessed of a short-nosed, domed head, a merry and affectionate demeanour and a silky, flowing coat. His compact, sturdy body and charming temperament, together with his rounded head, lustrous dark eye, and well cushioned face, proclaim him a dog of distinction and character.

The important characteristics of the breed are exemplified by the head. The King Charles Spaniel is a head breed. and noted for its domed head.

History

These Toy Spaniels have been adored and treasured by their owners for centuries. As far back as 1570, which appears to be the first written reference. They have endeared themselves into hearts with their loveable natures for all these years past and will into the future.

Dr. Caius was a Physician to Queen Elizabeth, and he makes a mention of the "Comforters or Gentle Spaniel" that were kept by the Ladies of the Court. They became known as being very useful as foot warmers. They used to sit under the ladies skirts against the body and feet; this would keep their feet warm and also attract insects off the body, hence getting rid of fleas off their owners.

Back in that time the main colours were Red and White (thought to have originated from Italy), the Black and White Holland Spaniel and there was an all black spaniel. Their appearance back then was very different to what we see today. In old paintings you can see that they resembled more closely to a tiny drop-eared Papillon which you rarely see today. The muzzle was more pointed and the ears and legs were well feathered. The tail was long and carried in a very gay manner as he strutted his stuff.

In a painting of Louis XIV and Family it shows a good example of this type. The Maltese, Pug and Pomeranian were known at this time, but not as we see them today. There could be some confusion as these were also known as court pets. There was most probably some unauthorised interbreeding between these breeds and would have changed and added to each of the breeds in question.

There was a reference to the King Charles Spaniel in 1587. When Mary Queen of Scots was executed a tiny spaniel was found hidden in her clothing and was soaked in blood.
The King Charles Spaniel came into prominence in the reign of the two Charles in the period of 1625 to 1685. Charles the first appreciated the qualities in these adorable little dogs. He kept some in his court. Then his son King Charles II put his name to the breed. Even when he was on his deathbed his little spaniels shared it with him, which caused much consternation of his attending Bishop Burnet.
Captain Saris in 1613 is said to have returned from Japan with small spaniels that were in exchange of gifts and letters from the Emperor. It was remarked at the time that in the size, shape and colour between these spaniels of Eastern and Western Courts were similar. Henrietta Maria Charles II sister brought over her Toy Spaniels from the French Courts. Among these the little black and tan Pyrame a small spaniel with fused toes. This legacy is still inherited in our present day King Charles.

When King James II was shipwrecked off the coast of Scotland and was forced to abandon his ship he prioritised the dogs first, telling his crew, "Save the dogs." And then as an afterthought "and Colonel Churchill." Later the Colonel became Duke of Marlborough. While the battle of Blenheim was being fought Sara, the Duchess of Marlborough became most impatient for news, that she kept constantly stroking the head of her red and white spaniel. When the news of the great victory was announced, her little spaniel gave birth to five pups. These five pups were said to be bearing the thumbprint of the Duchess on their skulls. It then became known as the Blenheim spot or lozenge we know now.

Over the centuries these most handsome spaniels in appearance and along with their lovable disposition have charmed their up in history. In the thirteenth century a noble Knight Fitz-Ralph returned to his home in Pebmarsh, Essex after doing battle in the Crusades a spaniel from a fishing village in Italy. It was a strain of a small, intelligent and beautiful spaniel. The effigy in the Parish Church shows one sitting at his feet.

As you know there were many superstitions back then and Dr. Caius recommended that the Gentle spaniel could soothe stomach sickness. The Spaniel should be worn as a plaster by the sick and weak because with the warmth of the body the sickness could then transferred to the dog, hence the patient became well and most often than not the dog died.
Another remedy recommended was for gout, a two day old Spaniel, boiled up with nettles, 'terpentyn, oyle of balm' and various secret drugs. "To anoynt where the grief was."
In the early nineteenth century the breed started to evolve over the years to what we know of the present day Charlies. Over a period of time with natural selection the face was shortened.

The breeding of the King Charles being selective and intense in the nineteenth century during the evolution of these little dogs has set the standard of the Charlie we see today. When studying prints, woodcuts and photographs in the last 100 years the breed has changed very little. When you compare to the newly imported Pekingnese of the 1860's and also the Pugs, they would have been thought very muzzled by the standards we have today. The king Charles remains the same.

Miniature dog shows began in the East End taverns of London just over 2 centuries ago between working men. The competition was keen and it was not unknown for these small spaniels to sell for anywhere between £5 and £250.
A group of dedicated people got together in 1885 to form a Toy spaniel Club. At this point of time each of the colours were judged separately i.e. the King Charles (Black & Tan), the Blenheim (Red & White), the Prince Charles (Tri-colour), and Ruby (Red).

At a meeting in October of 1902, the Toy spaniel Club held at the Crystal Palace, a decision was come to that, as all the four colours of the English Toy Spaniel could be produced in one litter, that they must come from the same family. So as the breed had had existed with it's historical name of King Charles Spaniel from the time of the Merry Monarch, these people wanted the Club known as the King Charles spaniel Club. The governing Kennel Club wanted to keep the name to English Toy Spaniel, with the divisions of colours. Powerful friends of the Club made an appeal to the King himself. The Kennel Club was told by His Majesty Edward VII that the Toy Spaniel Club be known by its historic name the King Charles Spaniel Club. The Kennel Club of course had to agree with the royal wish.

Back in 1885 the early shows attracted some two dozen competitors, then with the progression of time in 1904 the entries had risen to 109. In 1885 the first official standard for the breed was established.

Temperament

Charlies are fiercely protective of their owners and their own space. Unlike Cavaliers, as an easy going "pack member", Charlies do develop a distinct rank and pecking order with a clear Top Dog. Once you have their confidence, a Charlie is your friend for life.

Care / Grooming

The King Charles Spaniel is easy to keep well groomed. By using a pure bristle brush and a comb of the feathers daily will keep them tidy.

Only bath your dog if they are really dirty or smelling a bit on the nose, as too much bathing can reduce the oils in the coat. Then the coat becomes dull. There are many good shampoos and conditioners on the market. Use what you feel is good for your dogs. It is not advisable to eucalyptus wool wash as they lick their coat while it is drying and can make them sick.

Make sure that all soap is rinsed from the coat because if not all out it can cause the skin to become flaky and itchy. Remember with conditioners that they make the coat pick up more dirt.

In between baths a good brushing of the coat is all that is necessary. Make sure you get all the dead hair out. After their bath make sure that you dry them well and do not place in a draught. You can blow dry them.

NAILS & FEET Keep a close check on these as they grow quickly and once they have curled into the pad can make the feet very sore. You will find that if your dogs run on concrete most of the time that the nails will keep short, but if mostly inside or run mostly on grass they need trimming. Hard surfaces act like a nail file. DO NOT forget to check the dew claws, these are sometimes forgotten and curl round embedding in the dog's leg.

Cysts (Interdigital) are a soft swelling between the toes, this causes irritation and the dogs continually licks its feet. With this constant licking it sometimes breaks the skin and there will be a discharge watery blood. Bathe with salt or liquid garlic. Check for grass seeds.

Health

King Charles Spaniels are basically healthy animals. They need good care, good nutrition, careful grooming, and lots of TLC (tender loving care). They are not outside dogs. They do their best in a home environment. THEY LOVE TO PLAY OUTSIDE but should reside inside. They do not do well in strict kennel situations.

Awareness of common health problems and routine veterinary check-ups are important elements in assuring your KCS (Charlies) the best chance for a long happy life. The average life-span of a Charlie is 10 to 12 years

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