
Knowing if your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a carrier or at-risk for these conditions can help you and your veterinarian plan for your pup’s lifelong care. Loss of hind limb coordination is an early sign of disease, and as the condition progresses the hind limbs of affected dogs become increasingly weak. These stones can result in pain, bloody urine, infection and blockage of the urinary tract.Įpisodic Falling Syndrome (EFS) is a condition causing the temporary inability to relax muscles resulting in collapse episodes which are usually a few seconds to several minutes long.ĭegenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a neurological disorder, usually affecting dogs in their senior years. Xanthinuria can cause formation of stones throughout the upper and lower urinary tracts, including the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Xanthinuria (Discovered in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel).

It typically affects males, although some females may also show some muscle weakness as well. DMD is characterized by a curve to the dog's back and a crouched posture. Muscular Dystrophy is a severe disorder that causes muscle breakdown and weakness. Muscular Dystrophy (Discovered in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel).The breed came to the United States in 1952 and received AKC recognition in 1996.Ĭavalier King Charles Spaniel Genetic Health Conditions This differentiated them from the King Charles Spaniels with the shorter snout. As the breed developed and the long nose became increasingly common, King Charles Spaniels featuring the longer face were classified as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. In the 1920s, a man named Roswell Eldridge went to a dog show and offered prize money to anyone who would show a King Charles Spaniel with a long nose. Legend has it that King Charles II loved his spaniels so much that he made it legal for the dogs to walk within the House of Parliament-something that had previously been unthinkable.

And because disease-carrying fleas were more likely to bite dogs than people, these little lap dogs also protected their owners from the plague. In fact, they were sometimes used as foot warmers or in place of hot water bottles.

The breed is a direct descendant of the King Charles Spaniel and the English toy spaniels of that same period.ĭeveloped as a lap dog for ladies, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels offered both companionship and warmth. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dates back to the 16th century.
