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

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

Princess Margaret, the sister of Queen Elizabeth II, was a proud owner of a Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

From Salon ● Mar. 2, 2022

Emma Guara, 4, would stop John Turis, 76, by the pool to play with Leela, his Cavalier King Charles spaniel, when he was in town from Brooklyn.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 3, 2021

The lovely creature was showing me a beautifully painted miniature of Carissimo, a King Charles spaniel of no common type.

From Castles in the Air by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness