Are you interested in furry buddies with silky, non-curly, and slightly wavy coats? If so, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is what you are looking for. However, which coat color would you prefer?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a perfect epitome of combined cuteness and elegance. These charming furry buddies are famous for their feathery legs, chests, silky coats, and pumped tails. They have medium-length wavy coats.
With Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs, you have small and fun-loving companions. They are also well-known because of their distinct smushed faces and stunning coloration.
They are a popular toy breed among pet lovers because of their playfulness. While they can be hyper, they also love lounging around the house.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with children and other pets, making them excellent family dogs. Once you provide them early training and socialization, you will have to problem letting them share their spaces with others.
If you want to get to know about their coat colors, keep reading!
10 Recognized Coat Colors of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The breed got its name from King Charles II. He is also called the Cavalier King, where the dogs got the other part of their name. The King was very fond of them to the point that he would go anywhere with at least three of them.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels may be small in size, but they have a bit of hair. Plus, they have gorgeous coat colors, and you can choose which one suits your preference.
1. Black and Tan
The black and tan coloration is the rarest coat color for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. They have a black body combined with tan highlights around their cheeks, eyebrows, and underneath their nails. In some cases, they have those markings on their legs and inside their ears. Black and tan Cavaliers have a complex gene combination.
2. Black and White
Black and white Cavaliers are also famous among pet lovers. They have a black base color with white markings on their feet, face, and chest. In most cases, they have some tan markings.
Beware that it is rare to see black and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with no tan spots, which are common to other coloration like tricolors, black and tan, and Blenheim.
3. Ruby
Ruby Cavaliers have a rich-red chestnut base coat color throughout their body with no markings. In some cases, they have few white hairs. This coat color is one of the rarest colors for this breed. Some people see those white hair as undesirable, while others find them cute.
4. White
People who love white furry buddies find these Cavaliers a perfect companion. They have a solid white base coat. Unlike other Cavaliers and all breeds, solid white coats are due to pigment cells’ absence.
However, pigmentation often occurs on the toes, eyes, muzzle, and nose. Once there is a complete lacking of pigmentation, it is considered albino.
5. Blenheim
Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs have a pure white base coat color. They have a white muzzle, blazing up the white to the forehead. In some cases, the white is being broken up with a chestnut or ruby blot in the middle of their forehead, also known as “Blenheim Kiss.”
The white coloration is paired with ruby or chestnut markings over their ears and throughout their body. The name of this Cavalier is a tribute to Blenheim Place, a place where the Duke of Marlborough raised this breed.
6. Tan
The tan color in dogs is considered a Pheomelanin, a red pigment shade. Tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have somewhat diluted red combined with a lighter color intensity than the Ruby, following the interaction of the genes that determines the pigment intensity.
Since tan is only a coat color, it does not reflect the Cavaliers’ spots (muzzle, nails, nose, or eyes). That is because the Eumelanin, a black pigment, is responsible for controlling the spot’s color.
7. Merle
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with merle coat pattern comes in irregular diluted color patches in parti coat and solid color types. The merle gene called M-locus causes that pattern. It is an inherited autosomal partially dominant gene. That gene is also behind the blue eyes or odd eye colors.
8. Tricolor
In Tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs, the coat pattern comes in three colors mixed throughout the entire body. White is often the primary coat color over the body. However, black can also be the primary color. These dogs also have chestnut or ruby spots throughout the black coat.
These Cavaliers have a stunning mixture of black, white, and tan. The area surrounding the eyes and the ears is black. White markings then separate them from their muzzle up to the forehead. They also have tan markings beneath the tail, on the cheeks, and over their eyes.
9. White Markings
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can have parti colors on their coats due to the Piebald gene. In other words, most Cavalier parents can produce puppies with varying amounts of white markings and colors. Those white markings are often found on the dogs’ tails, chest, toes, back, and face.
10. Chocolate
Another rare coat color for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is chocolate. These Cavalier are like tricolors, but instead of black, ruby, and white, they have a deep, ruby, and white coat color.
What is the Rarest Color of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
Some pet lovers are interested in furry buddies with the rarest colors. When it comes to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, the black and tan Cavaliers have the rarest coat color accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
These particolored Cavaliers have grown in popularity. They often have a black body combined with tan highlights in their cheeks, around the eyebrows, and underneath the tails.
You may also sometimes see those highlights on their legs or inside their ears. If you see white markings in their body, it is considered a fault.
What is the Best Color of A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs come in four coat patterns: two are called whole colors, and two are parti-color. Some people say that the best colors of Cavaliers are these four coat patterns: Blenheim, Ruby, tricolor, and black and tan. Each coat pattern affects the overall appearance while giving the dogs a unique manner of expression.
How to Groom Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dogs
When it comes to grooming, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs require high maintenance. You should give them regular bathing and grooming. They have a wavy, medium-length coat.
There is no need for clipping of their coat for show purposes, except for their feet. Daily brushing would help keep their fur soft and silky and prevent a tangled mess.
Since they have feathering of the coat in their tail, ears, feet, legs, and chests, they need regular bathing. That way, you can keep the rest of the dense coat look healthy and shiny.
Beware that Cavaliers are lap dogs, making it easier for you to brush their coats. Once they get settled on your lap, you can start brushing their coats thoroughly. Plus, do not forget to reinforce the grooming session with praises and treats.
1. Bathing
Because of the oils in Cavaliers’ undercoats, their coats have water resistance. You need to shampoo their coat twice to cleanse the hair and skin thoroughly.
It also helps to break down and remove the oils. While bathing can remove the oils, it is not recommended to wash them more than once monthly because it can cause skin dryness.
When bathing your Cavalier, you have to use lukewarm water to wet the coat. After that, lather it with a shampoo formulated for dogs. Next is to rinse the coat thoroughly. You have to repeat the process.
Once you are done with the second wash, ensure to apply the dog conditioner. After that, rinse the coat well. You can use a sink spray to rinse the dog and ensure to remove the shampoo and conditioner completely.
You have to avoid getting the shampoo or conditioner in the face when bathing the dog. So, it is best to wipe those areas with a clean, damp washcloth. Use the cloth to clean the eye corners and carefully clean the stains due to tearing with the eye wipes.
2. Drying
After a bath, use a clean towel to wipe the coat to start the drying process. It also helps prevent the dog from shaking excess water. Ensure not to rub the coat too much to avoid forming tangles.
Get the hairdryer, set it to the lowest setting, and start drying the coat. You can use a medium bristle brush to feather out the fur. During the drying process, the coat fluffs, particularly the feathered areas. This drying process prevents the dog from getting skin issues due to residual dampness.
3. Brushing
When brushing the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs, it is advisable to use a medium bristle brush to stimulate and spread the natural oils through the dog’s coat. If you need to remove any tangles or knots in the coat, you can use a slicker brush.
You have to focus on brushing the longer parts of the coat, particularly under the tail, back of the legs, and the ears. That is because these feathered areas can quickly become knotted or tangled.
You also need to brush the feet to keep the fluffy look. Cavaliers are among the breeds that do not require trimming on the hair on top of the feet. So, all you need to do is brush that area so that the hair will not become tangled.
If your Cavalier has knotted hair between the toes and on the feet, it would be hard for him to walk. Since this breed comes in an outer coat and undercoat, you have to lift their outer coat when brushing to get to the hair beneath. Before bathing, it is recommended to brush through their coat so that tangle will not become worse.
Top Hairstyles for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dogs
While this breed has a natural soft wave, it is still prone to tangles because of the hair length. The hair under the tail and back of the legs are the areas that easily get knotted or tangled. So, you have to brush those areas regularly to achieve the best look.
Besides brushing the dogs’ hair, you can also try the following hairstyle for them to give them a fresh look:
1. The Show-Ready Cut
Cavaliers can quickly get the attention of many people because of their adorable and gorgeous looks. They are a happy and easy-going breed, so it’s no surprise why they are among the most famous toy breeds.
The Show-Ready Cut fits their royalty. It fluffs out their hair, including their feet and legs. Their eat fur is cut in a nice straight line.
2. Puppy Cut
While your Cavalier may be already an adult, you can still give him a puppy cut. This cut works well in Cavaliers because it is easy to maintain and can keep your dog comfortable during the summer months.
The hair is approximately 1-2 inches in length all over, except for the hair in their ears that remains longer. It is short enough to ensure that you do not need to brush the hair every day but long enough to protect the dog from elements.
3. Natural Cut
If you want to keep your Cavalier’s natural look, you can give him a very light trim at the undercoat. Then, keep his hair on the feet grow to keep it tidy while avoiding discomfort.
The fur’s natural length is ideal for making these dogs comfortable during the winter or summer months. However, you need to brush the hair daily to prevent tangling or matting.
Conclusion
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not only royalty; they are also happy, affectionate, and loyal. Many people also love them because of their beautiful coat colors. They may require extra attention when it comes to grooming, but rest assured they have eye-catching hairs with proper maintenance.
