Meet the King Charles Spaniel

The gentle and charming King Charles Spaniel has recently become part of the Breed Archive.

Toy spaniels of a type similar to the modern King Charles Spaniel have been documented in European royal courts since the 15th century, later becoming especially associated with King Charles II of England.

The King Charles Spaniel (also known as the English Toy Spaniel) is believed to have been influenced by Eastern toy breeds, though its exact origins and migration history remain uncertain.

The breed’s four colour varieties reflect four historical types that contributed to its development: King Charles (black & tan), Prince Charles (tricolour), Blenheim (red & white), and Ruby (solid red).

These Toy Spaniels are compact and cobby in build, with a distinctive domed head, a short, upturned nose with wide nostrils, a square muzzle, and a long, silky flowing coat.

King Charles Spaniels are gentle, cheerful companions, originally bred as lap dogs, typically reserved with strangers but deeply affectionate with their families.