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.
Size, Proportion, Substance
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Height: 12 to 13 inches at the withers
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Weight: 13 to 18 pounds
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Proportion: Slightly longer than tall, but never long or low.
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Substance: Sturdy and well-built for a toy breed without appearing heavy.
Head
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Expression: Sweet, gentle, and affectionate; hallmark of the breed.
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Skull: Almost flat between the ears.
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Stop: Moderate.
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Muzzle: Full, slightly tapered, and measuring about 1½ inches from base to tip.
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Nose: Black and well-developed, with wide open nostrils.
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Bite: Scissors bite preferred.
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Eyes: Large, dark brown, round but not protruding. Set well apart.
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Ears: Long, set high but not on top of the head; feathered and with plenty of fringe.
Neck, Topline, Body
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Neck: Of medium length, slightly arched and well-muscled.
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Topline: Level and strong.
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Chest: Moderately deep with well-sprung ribs.
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Body: Compact and well-ribbed.
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Tail: Set high and carried gaily in motion, in line with the back. Docking is optional where permitted by law.
Forequarters
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Shoulders: Sloping and well-laid back.
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Forelegs: Straight, with moderate bone.
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Feet: Compact, well-cushioned pads with feathering between toes.
Hindquarters
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Hind Legs: Strong, with moderate angulation.
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Stifles: Well-turned.
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Hocks: Short and parallel.
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Feet: As in front, compact and well-padded.
Coat
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Type: Long, silky, and free from curl. Slight wave is permissible.
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Feathering: Profuse on ears, chest, legs, feet, and tail.
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Trimming: Minimal; natural appearance preferred.
Color
Accepted colors:
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Blenheim – Rich chestnut markings on a pearly white background. Ideally with a "Blenheim spot" (lozenge) on top of the head.
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Tricolor – Black and white with tan markings above the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, and under tail.
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Ruby – Solid rich red.
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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.
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Disposition: Happy, outgoing, and gentle.
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Social Skills: Excellent with children and other dogs; enjoys social environments.
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Trainability: Intelligent, responsive, and enjoys training and mental engagement.
Faults
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Shyness or aggression
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Domed skull or exaggerated stop
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Light eyes
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Cow hocks or poor rear movement
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Over-trimmed coat or overly curly coat
Disqualifications
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Any color not listed in the standard
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Oversized or undersized individuals beyond breed norms
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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.