The breed almanac
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Blenheim, tricolour, ruby, black-and-tan: four palettes within one breed. Explore the Cavalier's history and flowing coat before choosing the example closest to your own dog.
Traits and identification
Large dark eyes, a moderately short muzzle and long feathered ears give the face its familiar expression. The body is balanced beneath a silky coat. These features do not confirm pedigree. 1
Origin and history
The modern Cavalier emerged from efforts to recreate the longer-muzzled toy spaniels seen in older portraits. Roswell Eldridge offered prizes for that type in 1926; a breed club followed in 1928. British recognition as a separate breed came in 1945. 2
Coats and sizes
The AKC standard lists four colours: Blenheim, tricolour, ruby and black-and-tan. The silky coat is moderately long and may have a slight wave. Blenheim combines chestnut with white; ruby is a whole-coloured red. 1
A note on size
The AKC ideal is 12–13 inches at the shoulder and 13–18 lb. These are breed references, not a size chart. Measure beneath the coat and allow the natural ear and chest hair to remain comfortable around any garment. 1
Colour and couture
Begin with the largest colour areas, then look at how the feathered ears frame the neckline. The pairings suggest moods, not fixed rules. Confirm the garment's chest, neck and back measurements against your individual dog.
A colour pairing is not a fit recommendation. Check the individual garment's measurements and available options before choosing a size.