Lakeside Cavaliers

Origin and Purpose

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a much admired Royal Spaniel.  Descended from the Toy Spaniels of Europe, the breed was variously known as the "comforter" or "Spaniel Gentle" and first appeared in the courts of England with the reign of Queen Mary I.   The breed, which appears in many of the great paintings of the Masters, received its name from King Charles II.  It became virtually extinct in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, as short-nosed breeds took the fore.  By 1923 the King Charles Spaniel (today's English Toy) with its flat nose had replaced the old-type Toy Spaniel was provided by Mr. Roswell Eldridge, an American who offered prized of 25 pounds for the Best Dog and Best Bitch of this type at Crufts.  The name Cavalier was added when the Cavalier King charles Spaniel Club was founded in 1928 to further develop the breed.  It was not until 1945 that The Kennel Club (England) granted separate registration from the King Charles.  The popularity of these companion dogs has spread around the world and in 1957 the breed gained Canadian Kennel Club recognition.