The English Toy Spaniel/King Charles Spaniel
The King Charles Spaniel is a breed of it's own. No matter what breeds you have kept, lived with or exhibited in the past, a Charlie is very definitely a one of!
This is often not appreciated by the potential new devotee. Warnings of these special considerations are often wrongly interpreted, as breeders being "difficult" or "stand offish". Considering the increasing number of new owners and exhibitors we see at the shows of late, I thought as a relative newcomer myself of some ten years standing, I would share some of these "traits" I have found in my own dogs over that time.
In many instances I may be telling nothing new. In others, hopefully, sharing a common love and passion for these proud little dogs. To start with I am convinced that Charlies are a reincarnation! They have been here before!
TEMPERAMENT/DISPOSITION: Charlies are fiercely protective of their owners and their own space. Unlike Cavaliers, as an easy going "pack member", Charlies do develop a distinct rank and pecking order with a clear Top Dog.
Once you have their confidence, a Charlie is your friend for life.
STUBBORNESS: Charlies cannot be driven or made to act on command. They need to be coaxed and gently led to things like showing. Ring training requires a lot of patience on behalf of the owner and if your Charlie doesn't want to do it, you have had it!
Refusing to move is something we have all met with in puppies, and shows they were a goat in their former lives. If you have ever tired to lead a goat where it doesn't want to go, and had a Charlie stop on you, the similarity is inescapable. Hence, my previous statement. Showing must be your Charlie's idea. Not a thing you force on your puppy. Jezebel's mother was one such dog.
SENSITIVE FEET: Charlies feet are extremely sensitive and they hate having the fur between the pads cut, or their nails trimmed. To do so usually needs two people, one to cut and trim and one to hold the dog in their arms.
FUSED PADS/DOUBLE NAILS: Puppies commonly have fused pads and with that an extra thick double nail. This can be seen in two forms, either as a fused extra nail, which can be tricky to cut unless your cutters are sharp, or as one single nail of normal size and one stunted small nail in the center of the pad. This second type can break off easily at the base, and become sore and cause discomfort to your dog causing it to limp. This happened to us many years ago at the South Wales Championship Show just as we entered the ring, causing us to have to withdraw "Tickled Pink" from her class. Check your dog's fused pads and take special care if they have nails like this.
BURROWING HABIT: We are told in some reports of the execution of Mary Queen of Scots that a blood stained Charlie was found in the folds of her dress after the event. Whilst not claiming that public execution should be brought back (except at Championship Shows!) Charlies still have this burrowing instinct, particularly when the "come to bed" with you. Prudence, Champion Kingscourt Katrina of Maynorth keeps doing this to us. From the night she won her third ticket she chose to sleep upstairs with us. No matter what obstacles were put in her way!
This results in her sleeping under the covers at the foot of the bed, as a natural hot water bottle. Clearly, fame and her title meant she saw her place to be above the rest of our dogs.
KINKY TAILS: Many breeding lines have carried genes that give rise to crooked and kinked tails. Some puppies have tails almost at right angles when born, making docking essential for it's future well being. Some come "naturally docked". With the current debate about this issue, I am sorry the Kennel Club has not been more proactive in defending ours and other breeds with similar problems. We must assume the number of natural docked puppies in the ring will increase?
FRESH FRUIT: Charlies love fruit of all types. In particular dried fruit. Try eating some in our house, without an audience of wide eyed Charlies salivating at the sight of each disappearing fruit.
LONG MEMORIES: Charlies do have very good memories. If anything happens to them, such as slipping on a floor, dogs diving at them at ringside, or from under chairs, or a judge being heavy handed with them during table examination, the route to the vets surgery, etc., they will remember and will often be reluctant - that is why I say you have to handle your Charlies so carefully. Pick up your car keys and four eager passengers are waiting by the front door. Get out the show bag and off they go to the door! Whilst being a goat in former lives, they also have an elephant's memory.
FORWARD PUPPIES: Again, compared to Cavalier pups, Charlies are a good 5-7 days in advance of Cavaliers, with things like eyes opening, walking, weaning and recognition of their human owners. They also seem a more contented breed during litter development, being quieter on the whole than Cavaliers, except perhaps for discovering the ability to bark for attention.
CAR TRAVEL: Charlies love car rides, and usually are very happy passengers, often travelling miles to show and taking it in their stride, provided they know their owners are with them. Again, their memory tends to tell them when they are with 1/2 mile of home, waking up in the cage and getting ready to disembark as your trun onto your street.
BEING PART OF THE FAMILY: This is your Charlie's most natural place. Part of the family group. Always closest to its owner, desperate to keep your attention, even to the extent of poking you with its feet to be recognised and made a fuss of. Visitors to our home are subjected to a furious poking of the leg by Constance, Champion Jezebel's mother. Not only do you suffer this but are also offered a series of objects: chews, slippers or toys as a present. Many of our Charlies, as they developed as a puppy have also adopted this trait.
MIXING WITH CATS Charlies seem to have a natural affinity with cats of any breed, mixing well and ignoring the normal dog/cat civil war. Many of our exhibitors keep both animals happily in the same kitchen, except maybe when Charlie's food is being sniffed, then they tend to revert to canine type and protect their meal. Otherwise they make very good mates/pals for each other. In many of their "stand offish" moods, Charlies are very catlike in their ways. Being independent, yet very much part of the home.
These are just some of a Charlies' special ways. Many need special understanding and patience by their owners. Others, as I have said before, seem to be passed down from generation to generation either by instinct or learning from their mothers.
Our breed is very special. Please remember this in all you do and when placing your puppies with new owners. Remember you never own a Charlie, they own you and everything you have. Once that bond with its owner is established nothing will ever break it. They are very vulnerable, yet defiant. Proud, yet shy. Selective, but totally loyal. Make sure they deserve you as their owners.
Written by Ron Stone
The King Charles Spaniel Assn.
October 23, 1993- Newsletter
21st. Birthday Edition
English Toy Spaniel Rescue
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