At Crufts in 1926-1930, there were special prizes given for ‘Blenheim spaniels of the old type’ and the word ‘Cavalier’ was chosen to distinguish this type from the flatter-faced type which was known as the King Charles. A group of breeders were saddened by the apparent decline of the slightly larger type dogs with slightly longer muzzles, flatter skulls, and which retained their sporting instincts. However, the fashion for shorter muzzles in the toy breeds, as seen in the Pug and the Pekingese, lead to the domed skull and shorter muzzle becoming more popular and more successful in the show ring. Until the late 19th Century the toy spaniels retained the fairly long muzzle and the flattish skull of the sporting spaniels. The ruby colour was the last colour to be developed in the breed. The tricolours were called the Prince Charles.

The Duke of Norfolk also kept the Blenheim type but developed the black and tan variety. Its name comes from the Duke’s residence, Blenheim Palace, and the word is used today to describe the chestnut and white coat colour. The first Duke of Marlborough developed the Blenheim spaniel, a rich red and white dog which retained its sporting instincts and was adept at flushing game. However, it was in the courts of Charles I and his son Charles II that the toy spaniels became well established and their popularity spread, particularly amongst the nobility.

The spaniel of Mary, Queen of Scots was found hidden in her petticoats after she was beheaded. Queen Elizabeth I had a ‘spaniel gentle’ as a comforter, a dog popular with noble ladies as playthings and bed warmers. Toy spaniels can be traced back to at least the 16th Century and, as with many other of the toy breeds, it is likely that they were bred down from sporting breeds.

Rescue a cavalier king charles spaniel