Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Poodle & Cavapoo

King Charles Cavalier Spaniel History

   The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is the descendant of a small toy spaniel depicted in many 16th, 17th and 18th Century paintings of northern Europe. This dog was originally bred to warm laps in drafty castles and on chilly carriage rides. A prescription written in Olde English for the Queen of England directs her to keep this "comforte dog" on her lap to treat a cold. The Cavalier's other job was to attract fleas and thereby spare their masters the flea-transmitted bubonic plague.

   During Tudor times, toy spaniels were common as ladies' pets and, under the Stuarts, they were given the royal title of King Charles spaniel. King Charles II was seldom seen without two or three Cavaliers at his heels, and he wrote a decree — still in effect today — that his namesake spaniel be accepted in any public place, including the Houses of Parliament, which were generally off-limits to animals.

   In the early days, breed standards were not recognized, although toy spaniels generally had flat heads, pointed muzzles and high-set ears. By the mid-19th century, the English fashioned a new look for the toy spaniel and standardized its appearance. These modern King Charles spaniels, also known as "Charlies," had flatter faces, undershot jaws and domed skulls. In the early 1900s breeders attempted to recreate the earlier version of the breed; they were largely successful and so was born the Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Breeding of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel in the United States took hold on a limited basis in the 1950s, but the breed was not fully recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1996.

   The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel wears his connection to British history in his breed's name. Cavaliers are the best of two worlds, combining the gentle attentiveness of a toy breed with the verve and athleticism of a sporting spaniel. The Cavalier's all-around beauty, regal grace, and even temper mark him as one of dogdom's noblemen. A toy spaniel no more than 13 inches high, the Cavalier draws you in with his face: The sweet, gentle, melting expression emanating from large, round eyes is a breed hallmark.    Another is the silky, richly colored coat that can be one of four distinct varieties:

• Prince Charles: Tri-Color (black, tan, and white)

• Ruby: Chestnut or mahogany

• Blenheim: Chestnut and white

• King Charles: Black and tan

   Cavaliers may be aristocrats, but they gladly descend from their royal high horse for a backyard frolic or a squirrel chase. They get along nicely with children and other dogs. Adaptable Cavaliers do equally well with active owners and homebodies they can be upbeat athletes or shameless couch potatoes, depending on an owner's lifestyle.

Toy Poodle History

   The Toy Poodle, a delightful and intelligent breed, has a fascinating history that spans from functional hunting dog to emotional support pet. Most experts believe that the Poodle originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. 

   The early Poodle was similar to today’s Standard Poodle. Germany considered the Poodle its water dog. The Poodle was bred to be a duck-hunting dog. Its thick, curly coat served as protection against the cold waters. Their athleticism and eagerness to please made them excellent retrievers.

   The Poodle breed is divided into four sizes, listed here from largest to smallest: Standard Poodle, Moyen Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle. The Toy Poodle is considered the smallest of the AKC recognized poodle varieties, with their compact size weighing between six and thirteen pounds and charming personalities, have become beloved companions and show dogs.

   The toy poodle’s small size means they can be happy in small spaces without overwhelming amounts of strenuous activity. Because of that, toy poodles make great pets for apartment dwellers and dog lovers without the ability to commit to an exceedingly high-energy breed.  

Cavapoo History

   First created in Australia, the Cavapoo (also called a Cavoodle or Cavadoodle in some circles) is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. Yes, that winning combination does mean they are beautiful and bright, and would make an excellent addition for those looking for a laid-back and loving canine companion. At Fairy Dust our Cavapoos are sired by Teddy our Teacup Poodle. 

   They’re also on the small side (which we think gives them that never-ending puppy appeal), but they have big hearts with plenty of affection to go around. Plus, they’re known to bark a bit less and have a slightly chiller vibe than some other doodles, which is all the more reason to snuggle them.

   Your Fairy Dust Cavapoo is looking to become your very best friend. They are known to be very loyal to their humans, and often even prefer their company over that of other dogs. But they aren’t totally picky with their affection. Though their family always rates #1, they are sociable and loving to all those around them—which is why they make crummy guard dogs, since they’re happy to see everyone.

   Curious and bright, Cavapoos are great for households with children, so long as the kids known to be gentle with them because of their small stature. They’re also considered excellent therapy dogs because of their personalities that put even inexperienced dog-lovers at ease.

   Though the texture of their hair can be slightly unpredictable ranging from the Cavalier’s silky, wavy locks to the poodles thick curls it always succeeds in giving this breed a mini teddy bear look. The color of their coat can also vary, with possible hues including red, chestnut, brown, black, silver, brown and white, black and white, gray and white, tricolor (black, white, and tan)—and on and on. The possibilities are really endless when it comes to their hair color, which doesn’t come as a surprise considering how many shades both Cavaliers and Poodles themselves come in.

Training, Exercise & Nutrition

  The Fairy Dust pup is a sweet, gentle, and affectionate pup, very eager to please their human. They are friendly with strangers and with other animals, and they can do very well with children. They are smart and train easily, our pups excel in a number of canine sports including obedience, rally, and agility. With their sweet nature they also make fantastic therapy dogs. As with all breeds, early socialization and puppy training classes will help the young Fairy Dust pup to learn good manners and be comfortable with a wide variety of people and situations. 

   Although the Fairy Dust pup was bred to be a beloved lap dog, he is descended from sporting dogs and does enjoy moderate exercise and outdoor activities. He will happily go on walks with his owner and also performs well in a number of canine sports, but he's just as glad to stay on the sofa all day. Fairy Dust pups should not be allowed off leash because they retain scenting and hunting instincts, and they may not come when called if they've found an interesting trail to follow or a creature to pursue. A fenced yard is recommended. 

   Your Fairy Dust pup should be fed a high-quality dog food appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior) we recommend a Beef and Rice or Lamb and Rice based kibble. Some pups are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. If you choose to give your dog treats, do so in moderation. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. All food and treats must be stored in sturdy containers with tight fitting lids, to avoid contamination and moisture.