Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the most loving and gentle breeds of dogs.

They offer their humans companionship, devotion, and love beyond measure. Their quintessential temperament is that of a happy, carefree, tail-wagging spaniel whose sole purpose in life is to love and be loved.  At KilbridesPride Cavaliers, we take great pride in breeding these amazing, affectionate dogs. 

The toy spaniel was a part of court life in Europe as early as the 1400’s. They have been referred to as ‘comforter’ spaniels because they snuggled and nuzzled their masters. Van Dyck, the Dutch Master, immortalized these toy dogs forever in his paintings. Other period painters also tucked these spaniels within their canvases as both background and subject. “Their association with the royal families of England has irrevocably linked their evolution to ‘that sceptered isle’ (from the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club website). Well known names such as Mary Queen of Scots, Charles I, Charles II, and the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough helped to popularize the breed.

In 1925, Roswell Eldridge, an American who appreciated the art of the old Masters, became intrigued by the old Cavalier type and offered £25 at Crufts Dog Show in the United Kingdom for the successful reintroduction of the Cavalier classes. Because of the generosity and concern of Mr. Eldridge, the Cavalier was saved for posterity. The United Kingdom Cavalier King Charles Club was founded amidst this effort in 1928.

The story is that during World War II, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels did not fare well. By the end of the war there were only six surviving members of the breed—Ann’s Son and his littermate Wizbang Timothy, Carlo of Ttiweh, Aristide of Ttiweh, Duce of Baemore, and Kobba of Kuranda. All current Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have descended from these six Cavaliers.

The first Cavalier King Charles Spaniels arrived in the United States in 1952 but in spite of the breed’s popularity, full recognition was not granted from the American Kennel Club (AKC) until 1996. The American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club (ACKCSC) was established in 1993.