The King Charles Spaniel, also known as an English Toy Spaniel, can trace it's origins back more than 500 years. Historical documents from the 15th century speak of the King Charles Spaniel as a dog of royalty in the courts of Europe.http://www.king-charles-spaniel-club.co.uk/breed/differ.html This breed has been a favorite among British Royalty for centuries.http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/englishtoyspaniel.htm In 1866 Edouard Manet painted a portrait of a King Charles Spaniel which now hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, USA.http://www.abcgallery.com/M/manet/manet82.html

The King Charles Spaniel is a small dog with a domed head, upturned nose and a slightly undershot bite.http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/191 It is often confused with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which is a different breed. While similar, the King Charles Spaniel and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have a number of different characteristics; head shape, bite, and the shape of the foot.http://www.king-charles-spaniel-club.co.uk/breed/differ.html

The King Charles Spaniel has a long silky coat that can be straight or slightly wavy. The legs, ears, and tail should be liberally feathered.http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/191 There are four different coat colors. Black and Tan dogs are a silky black with bold tan marking on their muzzle, legs, chest, under the tail, in the lining of the ears, and with small spots above the eyes. Tricolor dogs are white with large black patches across the body and tan markings on their cheeks, in the lining of the ears, under the tail and above the eyes. Blenheim dogs are white with red patches and have a red spot on the center of their head. Ruby dogs are a solid chestnut red color.http://www.king-charles-spaniel-club.co.uk/breed/standard.html

The average weight for this breed is 8-14 pounds. Docking of the tail has been optional, although tail docking for all but working dogs, has been illegal in the UK since 2007.http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/191 http://www.dognews.co.uk/tail-docking-in-the-uk-officially-over/

There are a couple of different health problems that this breed experiences. The King Charles Spaniel is prone to a heart illness known as mitral valve disease. Some bloodlines are likely to have respiratory problems.http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/englishtoyspaniel.htm

The King Charles Spaniel is also susceptible to eye conditions and ear infections. To avoid these problems and infections it is important to keep their eyes and ears cleanhttp://www.dogbreedinfo.com/englishtoyspaniel.htm.

The King Charles Spaniel is bred as a companion dog. This breed is happy and intelligent with a reserved and affectionate temperament. These qualities make it an sought after lap dog.http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/191

Historical writings from the 15th century speak of the King Charles Spaniel as a dog of royalty. Most likely they were bred as companion dogs for the upper class and not for sporting.http://www.king-charles-spaniel-club.co.uk/breed/differ.html However, in the early 19th century this breed was used as a woodcock dog in England.http://www.kingcharlesspaniel.net/