Breed Standard

What is the breed standard?

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Showing dogs is how we validate that the dogs we breed meet the standard and ultimately preserve this historic breed.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed Standard

General appearance
Active, graceful and well balanced, with gentle expression.

Characteristics
Sporting, affectionate, absolutely fearless.

Temperament
Gay, friendly, non aggressive; no tendency to nervousness.

Head and skull
Skull almost flat between ears. Stop shallow. Length from base of stop to tip of nose about 3.8 cms (11/2 ins). Nostrils black and well developed without flesh marks, muzzle well tapered. Lips well developed but not pendulous. Face well filled below eyes. Any tendency to snipiness undesirable.

Eyes
Large, dark, round but not prominent; spaced well apart.

Ears
Long, set high, with plenty of feather.

Mouth
Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Moderate length, slightly arched.

Forequarters
Chest moderate, shoulders well laid back; straight legs moderately boned.

Body
Short-coupled with good spring of rib. Level back.

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

Feet
Compact, cushioned and well feathered.

Tail
Length of tail in balance with body, well set on, carried happily but never much above the level of the back.

Gait/movement
Free-moving and elegant in action, plenty of drive from behind. Forelegs and hindlegs move parallel when viewed from in front and behind.

Coat
Long, silky, free from curl. Slight wave permissible. Plenty of feathering. Totally free from trimming.

Colour

Recognised colours are:

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

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

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

Ruby: whole coloured rich red. White markings undesirable.

Any other colour or combination of colours unacceptable.

Size
Weight: 5.4-8.2 kgs (12-18 lbs). A small, well-balanced dog well within these weights desirable.

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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