GENERAL APPEARANCE

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an active, graceful,  well -balanced toy spaniel, very gay and free in action; fearless and sporting in character, yet at the same time gentle and affectionate, It is this typical gay temperment, combined with true elegance and royal apperance which are true of paramount importance in the breed.  Natural apperance with no trimming, sculpting or artifial alteration is essential to breed type.

SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE

Size-height 12 to 13 inches at the withers; weight proportion to height,  between 13 to 18 pounds. A small, well balanced dog within these weights is desirable,  but these are ideal heights  from base of stop to tip of nose about 1 12 inches. Face well filled below eyes. Any tendency towards snipiness undesirable. Nose pigment uniformly black without flesh marks and nostrils well developed.  Lips well developed but not pendulous giving a clean finish. Faults-Sharp or pointed muzzles.

Bite-A perfect, regular and complete scissore bite is perferred,  i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square into the jaws.  Faults-undershot bite,  weak or crooked teeth, crooked jaws.

NECK, TOPLINE, BODY

Neck-Fairly long without throatiness, well enough muscled to form  a slight arch at the chest. Set smoothly into nicely sloping shoulders to give an elegant look .

Topline-Level both when moving and standing .

Body-Short-coupled with ribs well sprung but not barrelled. Chest moderately deep, extending to elbows allowing ample heart room.  Slightly less body at the flank that at the last rib, but with no tucked-up appearance.

Tail-Well set on,  cerried happily but never much above the level of the back, and in constant characteristic motion when the dog is in action. Docking is optional.  If docked, no more than one third to be removed . I do not like docking myself.

FORQUARTERS

Shoulders well laid back.  Forlegs straight and well under the dog with close to the sides.  Pasterns strong and feet compact with well-cushioned pads.  Dewclaws may be removed.

HINDQUARTERS

The hindquarters construction should come down from a good broad pelvis,  moderately muscled;  stifles well turned and hocks well let down. The hindlegs when viewed from the rear should parallel each other from hock to heel.  Faults-cow or sickle hocks.

COAT

Of moderate length,  silky,  free from curl . Slight wave permissible.  Feathering on ears, chest,legs, and tail should be long, and the feathering on the feet is a feature of the breed.  No trimming of the dog is permitted.Specimens where the coat has been altered by trimming, clipping, or by artificial means shall be so severly penalized as to be effectively eliminated from competition Hair growing between and the pads on the underside of the feet may be trimmed.

COLOR

Black and Tan Cavaliers-Jet black with rich,  bright tan markings over eyes, on cheeks,  inside ears.  on  and under tail.

Faults-NO WHITE HAIR .

GAIT

Free moving and elegant in action,  with good reach in front and sound,  driving rear action. When viewed from the side, the movement exhibits a good length of stride,  and viewed from front to rear it is straight and true,  resulting from straight-boned fronts and properly made muscled hindquarters.

TEMPERMENT

Gay, friendly, non-aggressive with no tendency towards nervousness or shyness.