History of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Spaniels of the Cavalier type are to be seen in many paintings in Europe. While the actual origin of the dogs is unknown, Titian's 1477 painting of the Venetian Duchess of Urbino with her small red-and-white spaniel is the first evidence of their existance. Yet it is with English royalty that they are most frequently associated. According to historians, the only dogs that King Henry VIII would allow at his court were "some small spaniels for the ladies." The small spaniels were referred to as "Spaniel gentle or comforter: a delicate, neat, and pretty kind of dog." The title of comforter was an earned one, as not only were the dogs placed under ladies' voluminous skirts for foot warmers and held close to the body during long carriage rides for warmth, it was also believed that they could cure stomach ailments and other diseases. In a time before flea control, they had the job of keeping biting pests away from their masters and mistresses.
When Charles II returned to England from exile in France, he was accompanied by his favorite spaniel. The little dogs were everywhere the king went- in the council rooms, in the king's bedchamber, and even at church. Legend says that by royal decree they were allowed to enter any law court and to travel free on any public transport in the kingdom.
When the War of Spanish Succession broke out in the early 1700's the Duke led the British army to victory in several major battles, one of which was the Battle of Blenheim. In gratitude, the British government built a palace for the Churchills on their Marlborough estate, and named it "Blenheim" in commemoration of the Duke's triumph. It was thus that the red-and-white Marlborough Spaniel can to be known as Blenheim.
The Blenheim spot
There is a charming legend about Sarah, the Dutchess of Marlborough, that tells of her anxiously waiting at home for news of the outcome of the battle of Blenheim. It is said that while waiting, the Dutchess spent much time stroking the head of one her red-and-white bitches who was heavily in-whelp at the time. Soon after, five puppies were born, all of which bore the Dutchess' thumb print on top of their heads. From that time on, it was particularly desirable for the spaniels of the red-and-white color to bear this thumb print, which is known today as the "Blenheim spot" or lozenge.
Do be consistant in training.
Do keep your dog on a high quality dog food.
Don't feed table scraps.
Do socialize your dog.
Don't leave outside in heat, or inside a car!
Do consider getting an additional Cavalier.
Do ask if you have a question.
Pet Foods
Do's and Don'ts
I use high quality dog food for Mother and babies. If you use treats for training, make sure you adjust how much regular dog food you give him. There are so many good quality dog foods, if you choose to change their diet, do it slowly adding a little more of the new food each day for a week.
