Pekalier

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a graceful, well-balanced toy spaniel that combines elegance with substance in a compact frame. Standing twelve to thirteen inches at the withers and weighing between thirteen and eighteen pounds, the Cavalier is among the largest of the toy breeds while maintaining the gentle, refined appearance that made it a favorite of British royalty. The breed presents a slightly longer than tall silhouette with a level topline, moderately deep chest, and a compact body that moves with effortless, elegant action. Despite their delicate appearance, Cavaliers possess the athletic build of their sporting spaniel ancestors. The face of the Cavalier is immediately recognizable for its sweet, gentle expression created by large, round, dark brown eyes set well apart with a soft, melting quality. The skull is slightly rounded but not domed, and the muzzle is full but tapered, creating harmonious proportions. Unlike its cousin the King Charles Spaniel, the Cavalier features a longer muzzle and flatter skull, characteristics deliberately bred back into the line in the early twentieth century to recreate the look of spaniels depicted in historical paintings. The long, feathered ears are set high and wide on the head, fanning forward to frame the face when the dog is alert, adding to their appealing expression. The Cavalier's silky coat is of moderate length and may display a slight wave but should be free of curl. Feathering adorns the ears, chest, legs, feet, and tail, with the long feathering on the feet being a particularly important breed characteristic. The breed is recognized in four distinct color patterns: Blenheim featuring rich chestnut markings on a pearly white ground, tricolor with black and white markings accented by tan points, ruby presenting a solid rich mahogany red, and black and tan displaying jet black with bright tan markings. The tail is carried gaily when the dog is in motion, completing the picture of a happy, confident companion.

The Pekingese is a compact, stocky toy breed that carries itself with an air of dignity befitting its imperial Chinese heritage. Despite their small stature, standing only six to nine inches at the withers and weighing between seven and fourteen pounds, these dogs feel surprisingly heavy when lifted due to their muscular, well-built bodies. The breed presents a distinctive lion-like appearance with a broad, flat head that is wider than it is deep, creating an envelope-shaped profile. Their faces are remarkably flat when viewed from the side, with the chin, nose, and brow all lying on one plane that slants slightly backward from chin to forehead. The overall balance of the Pekingese is of utmost importance, with the head appearing large in proportion to the body. The crowning glory of the Pekingese is undoubtedly their profuse double coat, consisting of a long, straight, harsh-textured outer coat and an abundant soft undercoat. This magnificent coat forms a luxurious mane around the neck and shoulders, extending beyond the shoulder blades and creating a cape-like appearance. Generous feathering adorns the ears, back of the legs, tail, and toes, contributing to their regal presence. The breed standard accepts all coat colors and markings equally, with gold, red, and sable being the most common, though cream, black, white, tan, and various combinations also occur. A black mask and dark outlining around the eyes and ears are considered desirable features. Their large, round, dark eyes are set wide apart and have a lustrous, slightly prominent appearance that gives them their characteristic sweet yet somewhat aloof expression. The heart-shaped ears lie flat against the head and are heavily feathered, framing the face beautifully. The Pekingese moves with an unhurried, dignified gait featuring a distinctive rolling motion over the shoulders, a trait that was historically believed to have been selectively bred to prevent these royal dogs from wandering far from their imperial masters.