Surely many were faced with a situation when a child begins to dream of his dog, which will become his faithful friend and will keep all the secrets of the baby. If not yet, then this is bound to happen. Such a loyal companion can easily become a cavalier-king-charles-spaniel with expressive and childishly naive eyes.
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Description of the breed, variety
Miniature gentlemen are descendants of hunting dogs, which led to their small size, a certain structure of the skull. However, they also have a number of distinctive characteristics in comparison with other spaniels:
- wide and flat frontal part;
- big eyes;
- short face.
Particularly popular, these pretty creatures, who have a good living, ability to cheer up, enjoy the open spaces of the English and French states. Cavaliers love pastime in nature, but if for some reason the owner does not have enough time, the dogs may well be satisfied with a short walk for natural needs. However, abuse of this can cause damage to the character of the pet and the development of bad habits.
Due to its livable and complaisant nature, the spaniel gets along with all family members. And pets - rodents, relatives, cats and birds - are no exception.
Representatives of the breed often become winners of various sports - agility, frisbee, freestyle.Their mobility and activity make the four-legged real champions and favorites of the public.
Origin history
The history of the breed dates back to the XIV century, when the court ladies liked the small dogs that appear in litters of standard hunting dogs. Spotted miniature pets are immortalized on the canvases of those times next to the marquises and kings. For example, Charles the Second adored Spaniels, which served as the origin of their name, Cavalier King Charles.
The spread of pugs marked a new round in breeding. Work began on improving the face. By the 20s. of the last century, the standard of the breed was regulated by the presence of a wide forehead and a short face. But American cynologists were inclined to the need to breed old-type spaniels with an elongated muzzle. As a result, the breed was divided into king charles and gentlemen.
Since 1945, work has been carried out in two directions. The result was the emergence of a new breed of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Its modern standards were released in 1998.
Character and behavior of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The character of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be characterized by several epithets - good-natured, faithful, intelligent and balanced. Due to these characteristics, bad guards are obtained from pets, as they show their friendliness towards all people, although they like to give their voiced voice.
Dogs of this breed need constant interaction with the owner, since its absence can cause serious depression, expressed even by outbreaks of aggression. The main thing is that the contact be regular, while the owner does not need to be tough: the gentlemen do not pretend to take the leader's place in the human "flock".
Breed standard and puppy selection
The aristocratic dog is graceful and elegant. She is unusual for aggression and nervousness. But despite all these general characteristics, a high-breed pet must have a specific exterior, regulated by breed standards:
- head - with a wide and flat forehead;
- muzzle - short (3.8 cm), lengthening is considered marriage;
- nose - black lobe;
- jaw - regular scissor bite;
- eyes are small, almond-shaped, but not convex;
- ears are small, hanging on the cartilage;
- case - the breed is characterized by a moderate skeleton;
- paws - erect, compact, parallel located;
- tail - low landing, can be stopped;
- the coat is long, with a fine structure, slight waviness is allowed, but not curly;
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel colors - four acceptable colors are recognized in the breed: ruby, black and tan, blenheim, tricolor;
- growth - from 32 to 34 cm (approximate values are given, since the parameter is not strictly regulated in the standard);
- weight - 5.4-8 kg.
King Charles kids with expressive looks can not be ignored. Many families with children or older couples want to own such a charm. However, often the price in nurseries scares, and people try to find cheaper gentlemen, which is fraught with the acquisition of a sick pet or mestizo.
Going for the cavalier king charles spaniel puppies, remember the following:
- Studying breed standards is the key to choosing a high breed dog.
- A purchase in a kennel where the animal is accompanied by a metric and other documents excludes the possibility of acquiring a dog of the wrong breed.
- When acquiring a dog for participation in exhibitions, it is better to stop the choice on a teenage animal with already defined exhibition ratings and changed teeth.
On a note. Since gentlemen are not multiple, the price of puppies varies from 500 to 1,500 dollars, depending on the class.
Features of keeping a dog
Slowness is the main characteristic of keeping a pet of this breed. He will feel great both in a large house and in a small apartment.The main thing is that the owner should be nearby.
The territory of the spaniel must be equipped with a raised couch. And also the pet quickly gets used to the mink house, which should not be too spacious, but you can not choose a cramped one.
A cavalier is not suitable for living on the street. But if this is a private house, then it should provide free access to the courtyard with the help of a self-closing door loophole.
Care, health, feeding
First of all, you need to take care of the pet's hair. Cleanliness activities include daily combing and removal of various debris after walking. During molting, the frequency doubles. Thanks to the excellent texture of the hairs, the grooming or grooming of the spaniels is not necessary.
Since the ears of the dogs are hanging, they should pay special attention to remove the hairs growing in the direction of the shell, and also to clean them with ear sticks dipped in a special solution.
Due to the shortened structure of the muzzle, which entailed the presence of shorter lacrimal canals, the eyes of the spaniel require special care. In strong winds they can watery. In general, the visual organs are susceptible to various infections. Therefore, you need to daily treat them with cotton pads dipped in a special lotion.
Due to the low weight, natural clawing does not occur. The owner will have to independently carry out the procedure, resorting to the help of claws. Frequency - 1 time per month.
On a note. The average life expectancy of a gentleman with proper care is 15-16 years.
Cavaliers may show a tendency to allergies, therefore, when compiling a menu from the diet, it is necessary to exclude chicken and wheat, stopping on veal, diet varieties of fish, rice, buckwheat, vegetables. Due to individual characteristics, it is better to consult a specialist when selecting food products.
And you can also opt for a super premium class feed. However, do not forget that they should be quite low in calories, as members of the breed are prone to obesity.
In order for a pet's life to be long and happy, it is necessary to regularly visit a veterinary clinic. The doctor will conduct an examination and make a routine vaccination, if necessary.
The purpose of the spaniel breed
Despite the fact that the ancestors of the gentlemen are hunters, representatives of this particular breed have long been exclusively decorative dogs. They get along well with both children and animals. Very suitable for older couples who can spend all their free time with their pet.
Parenting and training
The beginning of the educational process falls on the first days of appearance in a new house. At this time, the puppy is accustomed to the nickname and leash. From 2-3 months you can start training on agility. In this case, it is advisable to alternate places where there are classes so that the dog does not develop a stereotype. The territory itself should be with a minimum amount of irritants.
Since gentlemen love close contact with the owner, training will not be a difficult process, but, on the contrary, fascinating. During training, teams should not resort to force or screaming; it is better to use goodies when the task is performed correctly.
Important! Excessive abuse can discourage any pet from learning to learn.
Advantages and disadvantages
A small breed of dogs, like others, has its advantages and disadvantages. Among the first distinguish:
- small size, turning the dog into an ideal resident of a city apartment;
- simple hair care;
- moderate activity;
- loyalty to other pets and children.
The minuses of pets are the following:
- tendency to inflammation and lacrimation of the eyes;
- poor tolerance of loneliness;
- hunting instinct, which is expressed in some individuals in the pursuit of cats and birds.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small decorative dog that will give a huge amount of positive to every member of the family.
