Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colors and Coats

Quick Links:

• Blenheim
• Black & Tan
• Tricolor
• Ruby
• A Word of Caution

The coats of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies may at first seem quite short, but in time, they will grow long, luxurious ears, silky feathers from their legs, a lovely plumed tail, and an Elizabethan ruff of fur under their chins.

The coat of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is never trimmed (it is acceptable to trim the bottom of the footpads). Cavalier tails are never docked, as is sometimes done in other breeds.

And best of all, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels come in four charming color combinations.  Take your pick!  Moving left to right in the picture above, these Cavalier colors are:

• Blenheim  – Cavaliers whose coats have a white background and chestnut markings are referred to as Blenheim Spaniel puppies, a tribute to Blenheim Palace where the Duke of Marlborough raised this popular breed.

• Black & Tan – These Cavaliers have a black body with tan highlights, most notably tan eyebrows, cheeks, chest, legs and beneath the tail.

• Ruby – Ruby Cavalier Spaniels are entirely, or principally, chestnut in color. A Ruby that is truly 100% liver-colored is highly prized. But many lovely Rubys have small patches of white somewhere in their coats.

• Tricolor – Tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a mixture of white, tan and black. The ears and area surrounding the eyes will be black, separated by a splash of white. Tricolors have tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks and beneath the tail. This color combination is the most unusual and often carries the highest price tag.
  

A word of caution... A word of caution in choosing your first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy. Don’t be fooled into thinking your Cavalier Spaniel puppy’s coat will stay exactly the same as he grows. Like many other breeds, Cavalier  King Charles puppies grow into their “spots.”  If you pick out a Blenheim puppy because you love the look of his all-white muzzle, it’s a sure bet that your little companion will grow in some chestnut “freckles” to surprise you! But after all, isn't watching your puppy grow into his adult coat really half the fun?