“The English Toy Spaniel is a bright and interested little dog, affectionate and willing to please. The Cavalier is gay, friendly, and non-aggressive, with no tendency toward nervousness or shyness.”
The Cavalier standard states a pearly white ground be clear and the color evenly spaced on the head and sur- rounding both eyes. Both standards call forrichtanmarkingsover theeyes, inside the ears, and under the tail. The English Toy standard calls for rich color on the face. The Cavalier stan- dard specifically calls for rich tan on the cheeks. King Charles or Black and Tan: The black with mahogany tan mark - ings for the English Toy is called the King Charles. The same color pattern for the Cavalier is called the Black and Tan. Both standards read much the same, with the exception of the presence of a small white chest patch about the size of a quarter or a few white hairs on the chest. This is not to be penalized on the English Toy, but any white marks on the Cavalier are a fault. Ruby: The Ruby color for both breeds is a rich mahogany red. The English Toy allows for the presence of a small white chest patch about the size of a quarter or a few white hairs on the chest. For the Cavalier, any white marks are a fault. TEMPERAMENT TheEnglishToySpaniel is a bright and interested little dog, affectionate and
The Cavalier coat is of moderate length, silky and free from curl. A slight wave is permissible. Feathering on ears, chest, legs, and tail should be long, and the feathering on the feet is a feature of the breed. No trimming of the dog is permitted. The stan- dard clearly states that specimens whose coat has been altered by trim - ming, clipping or any other artificial means shall be so severely penal- ized as to be effectively eliminated from competition. Blenheim: The Blenheim color for both breeds consists of a pearly white ground with deep red or chestnut markings. The English Toy standard states it is preferable that there be red markings around both eyes. The Cav - alier standard states a clear pearly white ground and calls for the color to be evenly spaced on the head, sur - rounding both eyes. Prince Charles or Tricolor: For the English Toy, the black, white and tan color pattern is called Prince Charles, whereas this pattern is called Tri - color on the Cavalier. Both standards read the same, calling for a pearly white ground with evenly spaced black patches, solid black ears, and black face markings. The English Toy states it is preferable that there be black markings around both eyes.
willing to please. The Cavalier is gay, friendly, and non-aggressive, with no tendency toward nervousness or shy - ness. Bad temper, shyness and mean - ness are not to be tolerated and are to be so severely penalized as to effective - ly be removed from competition. RING PRESENTATION The American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, Inc (ACKCSC, Inc.), the AKC parent club, strongly recom - mends that in the ring, the Cavalier be handled naturally and with a mini - mum of fuss. The Cavalier is normally shown on a loose or semi-loose lead and is to be self-stacked while free- baiting, with the handler standing. It is totally unacceptable to see handlers on their knees, hand-stacking their Cavaliers, and judges should instruct exhibitors who make this mistake to stand while showing their dogs. Cava - liers are not to be raced around the ring but shown at a moderate trot. The English Toy Spaniel Club of America does not specify a preference for ring presentation. These two frequently confused breeds are entirely different in ev - ery respect except coat colors. Both parent clubs are adamant that the distinctions be respected and maintained.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR I got my first Cavalier in 1969 and have been very lucky to bementored by several topCav- alier breeders from the US, England, and Australia. I have finished over 200 Cavaliers, 90 of which are homebred and include all four colors. I have been judging Cavaliers for 10 years and am committed to educating newCavalier owners/breeders and judges about our very special breed. I am currently Chair for the ACKCSC Judge’s Education Com- mittee. I have a varied background in dogs, including owning a grooming shop and work- ing as a protection dog trainer and behavior modification for problem dogs. I have owned, shown, and bred champions in Cavaliers, English Toy Spaniels, Pugs, and Japanese Chin.
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