General Appearance

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a well-balanced, toy-sized spaniel, graceful in movement and aristocratic in appearance. With expressive, large eyes and a soft, melting expression, this breed radiates friendliness and elegance. It should never appear coarse or overly refined.

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Size, Proportion, Substance

• Height: 12 to 13 inches at the withers

• Weight: 13 to 18 pounds

• Proportion: Slightly longer than tall, but never long or low.

• Substance: Sturdy and well-built for a toy breed without appearing heavy.

Head

• Expression: Sweet, gentle, and affectionate; hallmark of the breed.

• Skull: Almost flat between the ears.

• Stop: Moderate.

• Muzzle: Full, slightly tapered, and measuring about 1½ inches from base to tip.

• Nose: Black and well-developed, with wide open nostrils.

• Bite: Scissors bite preferred.

• Eyes: Large, dark brown, round but not protruding. Set well apart.

• Ears: Long, set high but not on top of the head; feathered and with plenty of fringe.

Neck, Topline, Body

• Neck: Of medium length, slightly arched and well-muscled.

• Topline: Level and strong.

• Chest: Moderately deep with well-sprung ribs.

• Body: Compact and well-ribbed.

• Tail: Set high and carried gaily in motion, in line with the back. Docking is optional where permitted by law.

Forequarters

• Shoulders: Sloping and well-laid back.

• Forelegs: Straight, with moderate bone.

• Feet: Compact, well-cushioned pads with feathering between toes.

Hindquarters

• Hind Legs: Strong, with moderate angulation.

• Stifles: Well-turned.

• Hocks: Short and parallel.

• Feet: As in front, compact and well-padded.

Coat

• Type: Long, silky, and free from curl. Slight wave is permissible.

• Feathering: Profuse on ears, chest, legs, feet, and tail.

• Trimming: Minimal; natural appearance preferred.

Color

Accepted colors:

1. Blenheim – Rich chestnut markings on a pearly white background. Ideally with a "Blenheim spot" (lozenge) on top of the head.

2. Tricolor – Black and white with tan markings above the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, and under tail.

3. Ruby – Solid rich red.

4. Black & Tan – Jet black with rich tan markings in same pattern as tricolor.

White markings in ruby or black & tan are undesirable.

Gait / Movement

Elegant, free-moving, and lively with good reach and drive. Viewed from front and rear, legs should move in parallel lines. Topline remains level while moving.

Temperament

The Cavalier is an affectionate, friendly, and eager-to-please companion. True to their heritage as lapdogs, they are people-oriented and crave human contact. They should never be shy or aggressive.

• Disposition: Happy, outgoing, and gentle.

• Social Skills: Excellent with children and other dogs; enjoys social environments.

• Trainability: Intelligent, responsive, and enjoys training and mental engagement.

Faults

• Shyness or aggression

• Domed skull or exaggerated stop

• Light eyes

• Cow hocks or poor rear movement

• Over-trimmed coat or overly curly coat

Disqualifications

• Any color not listed in the standard

• Oversized or undersized individuals beyond breed norms

• Nose color other than black

 

Ideal Owner

This breed thrives with individuals or families who can provide companionship, affection, and moderate daily exercise. Cavaliers adapt well to both city and country living and do best in environments where they are treated as part of the family.

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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most historically documented royal companion breeds in existence. The breed is named directly for King Charles II of England (1630–1685), who was so devoted to his small spaniels that he famously issued a royal decree permitting them entrance into any establishment in the realm — including Parliament — a decree reportedly still technically in legal effect in the United Kingdom today. The small spaniel companions depicted in 17th-century royal portraits of the Stuart court are the direct ancestors of the modern Cavalier. The breed as we know it today was formally revived in the early 20th century by American Roswell Eldridge, who in 1926 offered prize money at Crufts for Cavalier-type spaniels to restore the original flat-skulled, longer-muzzled appearance from the old royal paintings. The American Kennel Club recognized the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in 1996. Today, WowPooch (March 2026) documents 37 confirmed Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mixed breeds, and Bestiepaws (May 2026) confirms that the Cavapoo — the Cavalier × Poodle cross — is among the most searched dog breeds in the United States in 2026. Designer Kennel Club registers both purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and every Cavalier mix.

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The most popular Cavalier King Charles Spaniel designer crosses include the Cavapoo (also known as the Cavoodle or Cavadoodle — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Poodle, the most searched Cavalier mix and one of the most popular designer dogs in the world), the Cavachon (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Bichon Frise), the Beaglier (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Beagle), the Pugalier (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Pug), the Cava-Tzu (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Shih Tzu), and the King Charles Yorkie (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Yorkshire Terrier). DKC already has dedicated registration pages for the Cavapoo and the Cavachon. The AKC registers purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels — but AKC cannot and does not register any Cavalier mix regardless of generation. Designer Kennel Club was built for exactly this gap.

 

Designer Kennel Club provides official registration papers for purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Cavapoos, Cavoodles, Cavadoodles, Cavachons, Beagliers, Pugaliers, Cava-Tzus, King Charles Yorkies, and all other Cavalier King Charles Spaniel crosses with no AKC papers or pedigree lineage required. DKC Foundation Dog Registration ($65) accepts any Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or Cavalier mix without existing documentation. For breeders, DKC Litter Registration ($100) gives each puppy an individual DKC registration number that new owners can use to register for $45. Papers are delivered as a PDF via email within 2–3 business days.

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Whether you are registering a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a first-generation Cavapoo or Cavachon you bred yourself, Designer Kennel Club provides official breed and ownership documentation accepted for veterinary records, grooming services, training programs, housing requirements, and general ownership verification. Register at designerkennelclub.com/registration.