Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Toy spaniels of this general type appear in British court portraits from the 16th and 17th centuries, favoured by the Stuart kings. As pugs and other flat-faced breeds became fashionable in the 19th century, the longer-nosed spaniel type nearly disappeared, until an American enthusiast, Roswell Eldridge, offered a cash prize at Crufts in 1926 for dogs bred to resemble the old portraits. Breeders took up the challenge, and the modern Cavalier was established as a distinct breed from the flatter-faced King Charles Spaniel by the 1940s.

Living with a Cavalier is easy in most practical respects: it is small, adaptable to flats or houses, and eager to please, so basic training generally goes smoothly. Its defining trait is an intense attachment to people; it does not cope well with being left alone for long stretches and can develop separation-related distress. It gets on well with children, other dogs and cats, which makes it one of the more sociable toy breeds. The silky coat needs regular brushing to prevent matting behind the ears and on the legs.

The breed's popularity has brought serious health concerns, most notably a high rate of mitral valve disease and syringomyelia, a painful spinal cord condition linked to the shape of its skull, and responsible buyers need to look past a cute face to a breeder's health testing record.

Today the Cavalier remains one of the most popular toy breeds in Britain and abroad, valued as an affectionate, undemanding family companion rather than for any working role.