King Charles Spaniel small dog bree
Brown King Charles Spaniel dog |
The King Charles Spaniel (also known as the English Toy Spaniel) is a breed of small dog of the Spaniel type. The similar Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a different breed. The Cavalier is slightly larger, has a flat head and a longer nose, while the "Charlie" is smaller, has a domed head and flat face.
Appearance
Coat
Like its larger cousin, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the King Charles Spaniel has a silky, often slightly wavy coat. It tends to be shorter than that of Cavaliers.
This breed also comes in the same color varieties as the Cavalier: Blenheim (brown-and-white), Prince Charles (tricolor), King Charles (black-and-tan), and Ruby (solid red). Originally, each of these color patterns was regarded as a separate breed, but in the late 1800s the four varieties were consolidated into a single breed.
The American Kennel Club has two classes: English Toy Spaniel (B/PC) (Blenheim and Prince Charles) and English Toy Spaniel (R/KC).
History
Black King Charles Spaniel dog |
In a 19th century book on British Dogs, it is described how during the breed as was then was sometimes called "Melitei", which could imply that they came from Malta. However, the book thoroughly rubbishes any such claim and explains that the name didn't stick.
Health
The King Charles Spaniel may have health problems such as heart defects, eye problems, patellar luxation (kneecap slipping) and fused toes, which can cause incorrectly grown toenails. They tend to live 10 to 12 years.
The King Charles Spaniel and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have similar health issues. See the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel health section for more information.
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