The last 18 months have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership rise by nearly eight per cent over 2020.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, thereās plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
Thereās even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Corenās book āThe Intelligence of Dogsā ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of peopleās canine wishlists is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ā they are one of the UKās most popular breeds and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
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1. What's in a name
The 'king' in the Cavalier KIng Charles Spaniel is King Charles II, who was devoted to spaniels and took them everywhere he went.
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2. Coat of many colours
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in four particular colours: Blenheim (chestnut and white), tricolour (black/white/tan), black and tan, and ruby.
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3. A duke's dog
During the early part of the 18th century, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, kept red and white King Charles type spaniels for hunting at his Blenheim estate - and that's why red and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are called 'Blenheims' today.
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4. Myth busting
It's a commonly-believed urban legend that Charles II issued a special decree granting King Charles Spaniels permission to enter any establishment in the UK. The UK Parliament website states that the claim has been fully researched and is false.
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