Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

The  roots of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel  

can be traced back to 16th-century England. 

The breed as we know it today is a direct descendant of small Toy Spaniels depicted in paintings from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. 

These early spaniels, as shown in artwork, 

had longer,more pointed snouts and thinner limbs 

compared to the modern Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

During this period, these tiny Toy Spaniels 

were favored by royalty and aristocrats, 

often referred to as "Spaniel Gentle" or "Comforter Spaniel." 

They served many roles: companions, lap warmers, 

foot warmers, and even believed to ward off fleas.

In Tudor times, Toy Spaniels were common among ladies' pets.

It was during the Stuart era 

that they acquired the royal designation of King Charles Spaniels, 

most notably associated with King Charles II. 

Upon his return from exile in France, 

Charles II was crowned in 1660, reigning until 1685. 

He was famously fond of these spaniels, 

often seen with numerous at his side. 

Charles II even issued a decree permitting the breed

to be accepted in public spaces, including the Houses of Parliament

—where animals were typically not allowed.

He was known as the "Cavalier King" and his first Parliament

was called the "Cavalier Parliament." 

His brother, James II, who succeeded him in 1685,

was also partial to the breed. 

The breed maintained its "royal status" throughout James II’s reign.

Queen Victoria’s reign saw a shift in favored breeds, 

with short-nosed Pugs and Japanese Chins becoming fashionable.

Breeding these breeds with the King Charles Spaniel 

led to a transformation of the latter, producing a smaller dog 

with a dome-shaped head, low-set ears, and a short, pushed-up nose. 

This newer form, often called the King Charles Spaniel or English Toy Spaniel, featured a more domed skull and a shorter muzzle. 

As a result, the longer-nosed "original type" King Charles Spaniel, 

seen during Charles II’s era, nearly vanished by the mid-1920s.

In the early 1920s, an American named Roswell Eldridge

traveled to England and attended the Crufts Dog Show. 

Disappointed not to see any of the long-nosed Spaniels 

reminiscent of the breed favored during King Charles II’s time, 

he challenged breeders by offering prize money for dogs 

that resembled the "old type."

In 1926, he placed an advertisement in the Crufts catalog, 

offering £25 (equivalent to about $2,500 today) 

for the best examples of the "Blenheim Spaniel of the Old Type"

—those with a long face, no stop, flat skull,

and a spot in the center of the skull. T

he goal was to encourage breeders to recreate the original,

longer-nosed version.

This challenge was met with little enthusiasm initially, 

as breeders had been focusing on producing the flat-faced, 

short-nosed variety. 

Many breeders faced ridicule for attempting to revive the "long-nosed" type, which was then considered outdated.

Only a few entries appeared in the first year, 

but interest gradually grew among a dedicated group of breeders 

committed to restoring the breed’s original form. 

Among them was Mrs. Hewitt Pitt, a well-known Chow Chow breeder. 

In 1924, she purchased a Blenheim King Charles Spaniel puppy 

named Waif Julia as a pet for her mother. 

Urged to show the dog at Crufts, 

Mrs. Pitt entered and won her class. 

This inspired her to pursue breeding the "original type" 

King Charles Spaniel, and the "Ttiweh" prefix

—her surname reversed—was established, 

laying the groundwork for the future Cavalier breed.

In 1928, a dog owned by Miss Mostyn Walker, 

named Ann’s Son, won the £25 prize. 

Sadly, Roswell Eldridge died that same year at age 70, 

just before he could see the results of his challenge. 

That year, a small group of breeders 

dedicated to the original type united, and a breed club was formed.

They chose the name "Cavalier King Charles Spaniel" 

to distinguish the new breed from the short-nosed variety, 

while still honoring the historic link to King Charles II, 

who had many of these dogs at his court. 

The association with the "King Charles" name remained important,

as many breeders continued to interbreed 

with the long-faced "rejects" from existing King Charles kennels, 

some of which quickly reverted to the long-faced type.

The breed standard was established

at the first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel club meeting in 1928.

Present at the meeting was Ann’s Son, 

exemplifying the desired appearance, 

along with old master paintings depicting Toy Spaniels. 

The standard specified that Cavaliers 

should be kept in their natural shape, with no trimming or alterations.

Mrs. Pitt’s dedication played a significant role in the breed’s revival. 

Her "Ttiweh" line is foundational to many Cavaliers worldwide. 

The six key foundation dogs of the breed included Ann’s Son, 

his litter brother Wizbang Timothy, Carlo of Ttiweh, 

Duce of Braemore, Kobba of Kuranda, and Aristide of Ttiweh.

After a hiatus during World War II,

the breed regained popularity. 

In 1945, the English Kennel Club granted separate registration status 

to "Cavalier Spaniels," and later, the breed’s name was officially changed

to "Cavalier King Charles Spaniel."

In 1946, the breed was awarded championship status, 

and the first Cavalier specialty show was held at Stratford-on-Avon. 

Forty-one Cavaliers competed, with Best in Show awarded 

to a Blenheim female named Belinda of Saxham, 

owned by Mrs. Katie Eldred. 

The sire of Belinda was Aristide of Ttiweh.

In 1948, Daywell Roger, owned by Mrs. Pitt’s daughter, 

Jane Bowdler, became the first English Champion. 

He was a prominent stud, contributing significantly 

to the breed’s development during the mid-20th century.