King Charles spaniel

American  

[king chahrlz span-yuhl] / ˈkɪŋ ˈtʃɑrlz ˈspæn jəl /

noun

1. one of a breed of small dogs that resemble the closely related cavalier King Charles spaniel, but which are somewhat smaller, have a shorter muzzle, an upturned nose, and sometimes a slight wave or curl to their coat.

   As is typical of the breed, both of our King Charles spaniels are very playful and affectionate.

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King Charles spaniel British  

noun

1. a toy breed of spaniel with a short turned-up nose and a domed skull

2. a similar breed that is slightly larger and has a longer nose

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Etymology

Origin of King Charles spaniel

First recorded in 1895–1900; named after Charles II of England from his liking for this variety

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

King Charles spaniel

My daughter is a Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Clover, and for the past couple of months, she’s had clipped to her collar an A.I. communication device known as the PetPhone.

From Slate ● Jun. 20, 2026

The series ended with Charlotte and her second husband Harry walking their Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppies, awaiting Lily, an adopted baby girl from China.

From Salon ● Jun. 20, 2023

The King Charles spaniel in the foreground of this scene escaped effacement.

From New York Times ● May 11, 2023

There was a Labrador retriever, a Leonberger, a cavalier King Charles spaniel, a cavapoochon, a French bulldog, a wheaten terrier and two vizslas.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 7, 2023

She was no more artificial than a highly cultivated flower is artificial, or a many-faceted diamond, or a King Charles spaniel, or anything else that is carefully bred or cut or shaped.

From The High Heart by King, Basil