The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel originates from the Toy Spaniel breed and traces back to the Renaissance era. There is a tale that King Charles II permitted this dog breed to enter parliament through a special decree, although this story remains unverified. Nonetheless, it highlights the high regard in which this dog breed was held in the English court. The King Charles Spaniel not only charms in looks but also possesses an endearing personality, enjoying long walks or cozying up in your lap, and getting along well with children.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be found in 10 different colors: four standard colors and six substandard colors. Despite substandard colors not meeting the criteria for dog show competitions, they are still visually striking.
The 10 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colors
1. Black and Tan
Black and tan Cavaliers are both rare and famous. This color features black body hair with tan accents around the nails, cheeks, and eyebrows. Occasionally, tan markings may also be present inside the ears or on the legs.
Black and tan Cavaliers with white markings are highly regarded in dog shows, with the black and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel being prominent in English court.
2. Black and White
Black and white Spaniels are exceptionally rare, featuring a black body with white markings on the face, chest, and feet. This color is highly sought after by breeders and dog enthusiasts. Most black and white Cavaliers also have tan markings, which are common in various color variations.
3. Blenheim
The most common color variant for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is Blenheim. Named after Blenheim Palace, where this breed was favored by the Duke of Marlborough (John Churchill) in the 18th century, this color showcases a white coat with chestnut (light brown) markings spread across the body and around the eyes.
Dogs of this color typically sport a white muzzle with a chestnut blaze on the forehead. A chestnut spot on the forehead is referred to as a “Blenheim Kiss,” with a legend behind the nickname stemming from a tradition involving the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough’s Spaniels.
4. Chocolate
Chocolate Cavalier King Charles Spaniels sport tricolored coats, a combination of white, ruby, and deep black. Official breed colors include both chocolate and chocolate and white.
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5. Merle
Merle-coated Cavaliers are not purebred because the gene responsible for this color is not part of the breed standard. Merle coats result from a variation in a dominant gene that also produces blue eyes and other unusual coat colors.
Merle patterning can cover the entire body or part of it, with the ears usually displaying a solid color.
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6. Ruby
Ruby is one of the only two solid colors seen in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Despite the name hinting at a deep red hue, Ruby coats are more auburn or chestnut-colored. This shade is relatively rare due to the prevalence of markings in most Cavaliers, with markings being considered confirmation faults by the American Kennel Club.
7. Tan
Tan Cavaliers boast red-colored fur, albeit lighter than that of ruby-coated dogs. While ruby is a standard color, tan dogs are categorized as substandard. The color is striking, though not overly common.
8. Tricolor
Tricolor coats feature a white or black base with white, black, and tan markings, often seen around the eyes and ears, separated by a blaze up the muzzle’s center. In the English court, the tricolor King Charles Cavalier was labeled a “Prince Charles” Cavalier, downgrading its status due to not being a preferred dog color.
9. White
White Spaniels are a rarity as the color results from a genetic anomaly. White puppies are born with a lack of color in their fur rather than possessing a gene for that specific color. In the case of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, white dogs are classified as albinos. This condition can occur in any dog breed or animal species, including humans. Albinos have pale skin, white fur, and light eyes due to the absence of color pigment in their bodies.
Albino dogs are typically not encouraged for breeding due to the risks associated with the condition. However, it is a genetic mutation that can occur in any litter.
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10. White Markings
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with white markings round up the variety of coat colors. These white markings stem from the piebald gene and can manifest on any other Cavalier color. White markings are regarded as substandard, barring dogs from competing in American Kennel Club-sanctioned shows.
What Is the Rarest Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Color?
As per the American Kennel Club, the rarest color is black and tan, also considered the most appealing, although this is subjective.
What Colors Are Considered Breed Standards?
Only Blenheim, ruby, tricolor, and black and tan Cavaliers meet the American Kennel Club registration criteria. All other colors are classified as substandard.
Blenheim stands out as the most prevalent color among these. The remaining colors listed, while not officially recognized, are nonetheless visually captivating. Color standards are primarily relevant for official dog shows.
Do Certain Coat Colors Come With Certain Health Conditions?
Merle and white are the only two colors associated with health conditions.
White Cavaliers, being albinos, are prone to specific health issues like skin cancer and light sensitivity due to the lack of pigment in their skin. Any sores or anomalies should be closely inspected by a veterinarian for potential malignancy. Albinos are also born with eye irregularities affecting their vision, necessitating extra care.
Merle-colored dogs are outcomes of crossbreeding and carry certain risks. While this color is more common in breeds like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds, its presence in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is less frequent. Dogs with the merle gene face various issues linked to the allele, such as the development of large white patches on their skin, retinal pigment decline leading to blindness, and reduced inner ear cell count causing deafness.
With proper care, merle dogs can lead fulfilling lives to their full lifespan, despite being prone to conditions other Cavalier colors typically do not experience, often not recommended for breeding.
Conclusion
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel displays four standard colors and six substandard colors. While only a selection are approved for show dogs, all colors are aesthetically pleasing. Only two colors originate from genetic anomalies posing health risks to dogs.
Featured Image Credit: BJkenel, Shutterstock
