Collins Complete Dog Manual

History

Although the breed started as a Gundog and companion, it became a showdog and pet when dog shows started in the mid-1800s. A fashion developed for short-nosed dogs and the original breed began to decline again. An American, Roswell Eldridge, then offered handsome prizes to anyone who could reverse the trend and, gradually, by selective breeding, today’s type of longer-nosed Cavalier King Charles evolved, and it has become the most popular of the Toy Spaniels.

Description

An elegant, refined small dog with a kind expression and outgoing, perky character displaying a free action when moving. A silky coat with colours that are vivid and clearly delineated. These lively little dogs come in a range of colours, including ruby, traditional Blenheim and tricolour, as well as black and tan. Docile, gentle and intelligent, the Cavalier King Charles quickly learns the ways of its human family. Confident and gently assertive, it loves to play with children but doesn’t like roughness.

Fact File

Group: Toy

Country of Origin: Spain

Male and Female:

30–33 cm (12–13 in)

Coat: Silky coat in a range of colours from ruby to black and tan.

Life Expectancy: 9–14 years

Guarding Instinct: Will warn but with no aggression.

Temperament & Grooming

Temperament: Kind and gentle.

Grooming: The silky coat needs weekly combing; pay strict attention to ears and feathering – look for any tangles after walks.

Exercise & Feeding

Exercise: Being small, the Cavalier King Charles needs less exercise than the bigger spaniels. However, it’s keen on activity of all kinds – loves frequent free running and play.

Feeding: There are no special feeding requirements.

Health Problems

Some hip dysplasia (#litres_trial_promo); both sexes should be heart tested; and puppies and their parents should undergo eye testing.

Pug

The Pug is always an amusing companion and they are guaranteed to bring laughter into any house with their strange facial expressions. They like sitting up high to watch the world go by. Pugs have forceful characters and are very strong-willed. They make rewarding and entertaining pets – a great companion if you don’t mind a little snoring!

History

The great canine authority Clifford Hubbard believes that the Pug and Pekingese were originally related because of the striking similarity of their muzzles and their body shape. However, they were separate by the 1600s, as shown in Chinese art. Dutch mariners brought them to Holland, whereupon they became favourites of the Dutch royalty. William and Mary later introduced the Pug to Britain, where it was often decorated with orange ribbons as an honoured member of the Royal Household of Orange.

Description

A sturdy, thick-set small dog with a fine, smooth, short coat, which may be coloured silver, apricot, fawn or black with a facial mask. The Pug has a distinctive flat face and prominent eyes. There is no evidence that this breed ever worked, although, from an evolutionary point of view, they are Mastiffs. Their ‘work’ has always been to bring solace to human beings, for whom they have an uncanny understanding.

Fact File

Group: Toy

Country of Origin: China

Male and Female:

Ideally 25–28 cm (10–11 in)

Coat: Smooth, short coat, which may be coloured silver, apricot, fawn or black.

Life Expectancy: 12–15 years

Guarding Instinct: Not a guard dog but will warn.

Temperament & Grooming

Temperament: Even-tempered, lively and humorous. Tolerant, easy-going with children, Pugs are very intelligent, with an independent comical character.

Grooming: Grooming is easy; a light brushing daily gives a glow to a Pug’s coat. In addition, you should keep the eyes and ears clean. They can easily be trained to be clean.

Exercise & Feeding

Exercise: Pugs do not require excessive walking but enjoy a walk twice a day as they like seeing the world.

Feeding: There are no special feeding requirements.

Health Problems

The Pug enjoys good health generally but sometimes experiences a little difficulty in breathing, so take care in hot weather.

Chihuahua

(© Jean-Michel Labat)

Totally unaware of their truly diminutive size, these dogs believe themselves to be Mastiffs in heavy disguise. Intelligent and easy to live with, their only work is to be amusing companions and hairy hotwater bottles in the past! Affectionate and bright, they make the perfect pet – ideal for the elderly.

History

Experts are unsure as to the origins of this tiny dog. Some Americans discovered the breed in Chihuahua State, Mexico, and they thought it was Mexican, but there is no evidence to support this. The European breeds they most closely resemble are the Portuguese Podengo and the Maltese Kelb Ta But (the pocket dog). In 1530, the Knights of St John, including the Spanish and Portuguese, captured Malta, so perhaps they took back tiny dogs for their ladies? When the Spanish colonized Mexico, would not the ladies have taken their companion dogs?

Description

Tiny, dainty, active and even feisty, the Chihuahua comes in smooth-coated and long-haired varieties in any colour or mixture. Most people keep more than one as they live together easily and will share their home with cats and other household pets. Care must be exercised when children handle them as their bones are very small. Most Chihuahuas adore being fussed over.

Fact File