King Charles Spaniel Top-winning KCS in Finland 2006 * 2005 * 2004 * 2003 * 2002 *  2001 *   2000 *  1999 Breed Standard KCS Breeders

The King Charles Spaniel is a relative of the more popular Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which was separated from the KCS in the early 1900's. The King Charles Spaniel's origins are thought to be in Japan and, possibly China, of ancient times. The breed made its way to England in the 17th century and, becoming popular with royalty and nobility, the breed acquired its name from King Charles II whose favorites these toy spaniels were. . The King Charles Spaniel is a compact and cobby dog with a characteristic domed head and large, dark, expressive eyes. Its coat is long, silky and straight, and it comes in three colors: Black and Tan (a rich glossy black coat with bright mahogany markings on muzzle, legs, chest, lining of ears, under the tail and as sports over the eyes); Tricolor (on a pearly white background well distributed black batches, tan markings on cheeks, lining of ears, under tail and as sports over the eyes); Blenheim (pearly white with chestnut red patches and a wide, clear blaze of white with the "spot" in the center of skull); and Ruby (whole colored rich chestnut red.) In size, the KCS is a toy spaniel, weighing from 3.6 to 6.3 kilos. The first KCS arrived in Finland in the early 1900's, only to disappear later. It was reintroduced in the 1960's, but, as elsewhere, it remains a very small breed with annual registrations ranging from half a dozen to two dozen dogs. The KCS fanciers have a breed club of their own, affiliated with the Finnish Toy Dog Association. For more information, visit the K.C.S. Spaniel Club's home page.