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King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed Introduction
King Charles Spaniel (also called the English Toy Spaniels) is a small-sized dog breed from Great Britain. They are of the Spaniels type. They have a semi-long coat that is glossy and silky. These dogs were developed as companion dogs. King Charles Spaniels were bred to accompany royalty and aristocracy in England during the Renaissance times.
These dogs are gentle, affectionate, and calm and make great pets for families that don’t mind a bit of fur and drool. King Charles Spaniels shed all-year round at moderate levels. They stand 9–11 inches (23–28 cm) tall and weigh 8 to 14 pounds (3.6 to 6.4 kg). This dog breed makes a poor watchdog since it is friendly and only barks when it has something to say.
These dogs are generally adaptable to different living situations, whether in apartments or houses with yards and need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Because of their moderate shedding coats, they are not considered a good choice for individuals with allergies. They associate well with children. King Charles Spaniels also need an active pet parent since they are not overly active and need a high level of mental and physical stimulation.
History
This dog breed is originally from Great Britain. The dogs are likely linked to the Pekingese and Japanese Chin, as wonderfulness from China and Japan commonly gave toy dog breeds as presents to European aristocrats. King Charles Spaniels was beloved by English royalty by the 1500s and was recognized by Johannes Caius in the 1574 book De Canibus Britannicis.
In England, the toy breed is named the King Charles Spaniel after Kings Charles I and II, who were both loyal fanciers of this dog. These dogs make appearances in several popular paintings of English Majesty. People needed to bring back the initial appearance of the Spaniels in the early 20th century from the time of King Charles II, with a longer snout. This resulted from the development of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
King Charles Spaniel Lifespan
The lifespan of King Charles Spaniels is 10 to 16 years.
King Charles Spaniel Grooming
King Charles Spaniels shed all year round at moderate levels. These dogs require thorough brushing of the coat once or twice a week. Weekly brushing will remove the dead hair. Brushing your King Charles Spaniels daily is key as they shed throughout the year. A slicker brush is needed as a grooming tool since it removes loose and dead hair from the coat. Using clippers trim the face, feet, abdomen, and around the genital area.
It’s good to keep eye hair short to avoid infections. Besides frequent brushing, King Charles Spaniels’ coat needs trimming every 6 to 8 weeks. They also need a bathe every 6 to 8 weeks using a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner. After bathing them, thoroughly rinse off the cleaning products from the coat using lukewarm water to prevent skin irritation.
King Charles Spaniels should have their nails trimmed every 3 to 5 weeks to prevent overgrowth and cracking. Brush the teeth of King Charles Spaniels twice a week if not daily to get rid of tartar buildup by using a poultry-flavored toothpaste and toothbrush. Clean King Charles Spaniels’ ears once a week using cotton balls dampened in an ear solution to get rid of dirt and excess wax.
Grooming Styles
The King Charles Spaniel only need trimming around the feet, face, abdomen, and genital area to keep it clean and maintain its hygiene. Frequent brushing also comes in handy in preventing matting. In case of tangling, use a metal comb that is long-toothed to gently work on the base of the tangles. You may also gently split the mats using your hands.
Shedding
King Charles Spaniels are all-year-round shedders. They shed at moderate levels throughout the year. Brushing them weekly will help to lower the amount of hair shed on the surface and furniture.
Coat
These dogs have a double coat with a silky texture and medium in length.
Hypoallergenic
King Charles Spaniels are not hypoallergenic dogs. These dogs shed all-year round at moderate levels. Their dander, saliva, urine, mucus, and fur contain a protein allergen that triggers allergic reactions in people who suffer from dog allergies.
King Charles Spaniel Training
King Charles Spaniels are intelligent and eager to please dogs that will excel in training including obedience. Parents should start early training at an early age of eight weeks to instill the desired behaviors before the dog gets inclined towards bad habits. Parents should use positive reinforcement methods like toys, treats, playtime, and verbal praise to inspire positive behaviors.
Avoid negative reinforcement methods that are counterproductive such as yelling, kicking, punching, and beating. As social dogs, King Charles Spaniels need regular contact with their humans. These dogs don’t respond well when left alone for long periods. Parents may introduce crate training from an early age immediately after the dog joins them at home so that they have confidence in spending some time alone.
Keep the training sessions upbeat, brief, and challenging to avoid boredom and distraction. Begin teaching King Charles Spaniels basic command words like sit, come, stay, wait, lie down, drop, etc. from the age of 2 months one at a time. King Charles Spaniels also need to be socialized by exposing them to a wide variety of situations, experiences, surfaces, animals, people, sights, and sounds such as baby crying sounds, sirens, doorbells, whistles, and washing machines.
Socialization is a must with this dog. Even after proper socialization, King Charles Spaniels are reserved with strangers. Effectively housebreak King Charles Spaniels by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training.
King Charles Spaniel Temperament
– Affectionate.
– Loyal.
– Gentle.
– Playful.
– Loving.
– Eager To Please.
– Intelligent.
– Reliable.
– Friendly.
Exercise
King Charles Spaniels are playful hence can get enough exercise via one or two daily runs and playtime with owners either inside or outdoors. These dogs also need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. They also make great dogs for parents who love a dog to accompany them when jogging or going for long walks.
When King Charles Spaniels don’t receive enough exercise, they can become anxious. Dogs that suffer from anxiety can tend to be destructive of items in a home. So, doing chase in the backyard, going for a lively walk in the neighborhood, or going to a dog park are all activities that can help King Charles Spaniels burn energy.
Barking
King Charles Spaniels are not overly vocal dogs but will bark at times. Although King Charles Spaniels will form a habit of exaggerated barking if they are left alone for long hours. Training and King Charles Spaniels’ environment impacts how much a dog barks more than their breed. Training them from an early age not to bark and getting them used to various situations will help King Charles Spaniels learn when it’s appropriate to bark.
Growling
Sometimes King Charles Spaniels can growl as a way to communicate either to show fear, pain, aggression, or express they are having fun. If they growl while playing this does not mean they are aggressive but it means they are enjoying their playing. Parents are advised to understand the difference between happy growling and stress growling.
King Charles Spaniel Size
King Charles Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds ( approx. 4 to 6 kg ) and stand 9 to 11 inches ( approx. 23 to 28 cm ) tall.
Height
Mature King Charles Spaniels have a height of 9 to 11 inches ( approx. 23 to 28 cm ).
Weight
King Charles Spaniels have a weight of 8 to 14 pounds ( approx. 4 to 6 kg ).
Miniature
These dogs have no miniaturized version but are related to Teacup King Charles Spaniels which are not a different breed, they are just dogs that have been bred to be very small.
Full Grown
Full grown King Charles Spaniels stand 9 to 11 inches ( approx. 23 to 28 cm ) tall and weigh 8 to 14 pounds ( approx. 4 to 6 kg ).
King Charles Spaniel Health Issues
Although King Charles Spaniels are relatively healthy with a lifespan of up to 16 years, these dogs also may suffer from certain health issues such as allergies, luxating patellas, and eye problems like weeping eyes and cherry eyes.
Health Risks
– Ear problems.
– Dental disease.
– Neurological problems.
– Bone and joint problems.
– Eye problems.
– Bladder or kidney stones.
Eye Problems
These dogs are at risk of eye problems like cataracts, entropion, conjunctivitis, and distichiasis. These eye illnesses can cause discharge to run from the eyes. Their eyelash and eyelid problems may need minor surgery or electrolysis to correct the issue. If your King Charles Spaniels suffer from severe eye allergies, one may need to give them an antihistamine to lower symptoms. An allergic reaction to smoke, pollen, or bacteria can cause pink eye infections in King Charles Spaniels. If the eye problem is an infection give them eye drops or antibiotics frequently.
Ear Problems
Due to their droopy, hairy ears, these dogs are susceptible to various common ear problems that can alter the external ear flap (like haematoma), the middle/inner ear (vestibular disease, for instance), and the ear canal (otitis). Some King Charles Spaniels show no symptoms of ear infection besides wax buildup and discharge in their ear canal. But ear infections always cause notable discomfort and affected King Charles Spaniels may also show symptoms such as headshaking, odor, pain, irritation, redness, and swelling of the ear canal.
If their ear is not too painful, a dog ear cleanser or a medicated ear cleanser is used to help get rid of wax build-up. Put a small amount into the ear and gently massage the base of the ear canal. Using a damp cotton ball to get rid of any discharge that is around the entrance to the ear canal is essential. This can be done every day for up to five days. Many uncomplicated ear infections get well within 1–2 weeks, once appropriate treatment starts.
Seizures
They can be prone to seizures due to anemia, head injury, strokes, or liver disease. Signs that can indicate that King Charles Spaniels have seizures include loss of consciousness, drooling, foaming at the mouth, etc. Some may look dazed, seem unsteady or confused, or look off into space prior to a seizure. If your King Charles Spaniels have a seizure that lasts over 5 minutes or has many in a row while they are unconscious, visit a vet as soon as possible.
King Charles Spaniel Allergies
This dog is prone to various allergies such as:
Contact Allergies – This causes inflammation if an allergen comes in contact with their skin. Some of the contact allergens include lawn chemicals, grooming products, plastics, nylon, cleaning detergents, medication, and latex.
Environmental allergies – Some of the environmental allergies that affect King Charles Spaniels include pollen, trees, dust, and grass.
Food allergies– Although rare King Charles Spaniels may suffer from food allergies that are accompanied by a wide range of signs such as gastrointestinal symptoms to skin issues.
Teeth Problems
Due to their short muzzle, King Charles Spaniels are more prone to dental problems. Short muzzle can lead to King Charles Spaniels teeth overcrowding which increases their risk of dental disease. Tartar builds up on King Charles Spaniels’ teeth making gums inflamed and recede, and results in infection and loose teeth. Bacteria can enter their bloodstream via diseased gums which can make them prone to kidney damage. Regularly brushing King Charles Spaniels’ teeth helps avoid tartar buildup.
Apart from King Charles Spaniels, other dog breeds include:
Names
King Charles Spaniels owners may decide to get a name for the pet before it joins them home or days after the dog has settled to understand better the traits of a specific dog. Owners can also get the name from the British heritage of the breed, the coat color, celebrities, songs, and historical people.
Ensure the chosen name won’t embarrass you if uttered out loud. Stop giving them a name that rhymes with the command words to avoid confusion. Some of the names that King Charles Spaniels owners give to their pets include:
Names Male
- Oliver.
- Charlie.
- Augustine.
- Dominic.
- Constantine.
- Barnaby.
- Maximillian.
- Bartram.
- Malachi.
- Montgomery.
Litter Size
After conception, King Charles Spaniels have a gestation period of 63 days before whelping a litter size of 5 puppies per litter.
King Charles Spaniel Food
The amount of food that King Charles Spaniels feed on depends on their age, size, metabolism, body build, and activity level. King Charles Spaniels thrives on either commercial dog food, homemade, or raw food. On overage, the puppy feeds on a Lean protein diet which supports the growth of muscles, tendons, and tissue.
Puppies eat three times a day while adult King Charles Spaniels eat twice a day. Food rich in calcium also strengthens King Charles Spaniels bones, teeth, and nails. It’s also good for all puppies to get calcium in their diet, but mostly those prone to patellar luxation. Some dogs may be prone to getting overweight. Therefore, Parents should watch the weight level and calorie intake as well as treats that aid in training. They should also be well-versed with human food that is safe for the dogs.
Collar Size
Adult King Charles Spaniels’ collar size measures 10 to 14 inches ( approx. 25 to 35 cm).
Colors
The King Charles Spaniels’ coat colors come in four combinations red and white, black and tan, white black and tan, and solid red.
Tri Color
The tricolored King Charles Spaniels are those that are white with black patches and mahogany/tan markings.
Black
King Charles Spaniels that are black are accompanied by tan markings. The tan color is on the face, legs, chest, and below the tail.
Ruby
Single-colored King Charles Spaniels that are solid red are called Ruby.
Types
These dogs were previously known as Toy Spaniels and divided into four separate types resolved by color: black & tan (called King Charles), red & white (called the Blenheim), tricolored (Prince Charles), and solid red (Ruby).
Teacup
Teacup dogs are deliberately bred to be dramatically small enough to fit in a teacup. Always they’re 2kg or smaller. Rather Teacup King Charles Spaniels are not a different breed, they are just dogs that have been bred to be very small. Unfortunately, breeding dogs for such small size can badly affect their health.
Ears
These dogs have long and floppy ears.
King Charles Spaniel Pros And Cons
– These dogs are intelligent and trainable.
– They are friendly and comfortable with strangers, children, and dogs of other breeds.
– They are not suitable to be watchdogs.
– King Charles Spaniels are more prone to eye and heart problems.
King Charles Spaniel Price
The cost of King Charles Spaniels is $1000 to $2500 depending on the age of the dog and the location of the breeder.
Puppy
King Charles Spaniel puppies are small and attractive. They have large eyes and a muzzle that is short and upturned.
King Charles Spaniel Versus Cavalier
– King Charles Spaniels are slightly smaller while Cavaliers are slightly larger.
– Cavaliers are seen as more well-rounded dogs while King Charles Spaniels are seen as square dogs.
– King Charles Spaniels are 9–11 inches (23–28 cm) tall while Cavaliers stand 12 to 13 inches at the withers.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Long Do King Charles Spaniel Live
King Charles Spaniels have a lifespan of 10 to 16 years.
Do King Charles Spaniel Bark A lot
No, they are gentle and don’t bark a lot. However, King Charles Spaniels can bark unnecessarily when bored.
Do King Charles Spaniel Smell
Yes, King Charles Spaniels can smell if parents stop regular brushing, bathing them every four to six weeks, or as needed.
Do King Charles Spaniel Shed
Yes, King Charles Spaniels shed all year round moderately and heavily when experiencing seasonal change.
Are King Charles Spaniels Hypoallergenic
No, King Charles Spaniels are not hypoallergenic as they shed all year round hence not good for people who suffer from dog allergies.
Are King Charles Spaniels Easy To Train
Yes, due to their intelligence and eagerness to please their parents, they do well in training including obedience.
Do King Charles Spaniels Shed A lot
King Charles Spaniel Quick Facts
- King Charles Spaniels’ droopy, hairy ears make them susceptible to ear infections.
- These dogs are suitable for apartment living.
- King Charles Spaniels are not excessive barkers.
