The Collaborative International Dictionary
King Charles spaniel \King Charles span"iel\n. (Zo["o]l.) A variety of small pet dogs, having, drooping ears, a high, dome-shaped forehead, pug nose, large, prominent eyes, and long, wavy hair. The color is usually black and tan.
Wikipedia
The King Charles Spaniel (also known as the English Toy Spaniel) is a small dog breed of the spaniel type. In 1903, the Kennel Club combined four separate toy spaniel breeds under this single title. The other varieties merged into this breed were the Blenheim, Ruby and Prince Charles Spaniels, each of which contributed one of the four colours available in the breed.
Thought to have originated in the Far East, toy spaniels were first seen in Europe during the 16th century. They were made famous by their association with King Charles II of England (1630–1685) and have been linked with English royalty since the time of Queen Mary I (1516–1558). Members of the breed have been owned by Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II.
The King Charles Spaniel and the other types of toy spaniels were crossbred with the Pug in the early 19th century to reduce the size of the nose, as was the style of the day. The 20th century saw attempts to restore lines of King Charles Spaniels to the breed of Charles II's time. These included the unsuccessful Toy Trawler Spaniel and the now popular Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The Cavalier is slightly larger, with a flat head and a longer nose, while the King Charles is smaller, with a domed head and a flat face.
Historically the breeds that were merged into the King Charles Spaniel were used for hunting; due to their stature they were not well suited. They have kept their hunting instincts, but do not exhibit high energy and are better suited to being lapdogs. The modern breed is prone to several health problems, including cardiac conditions and a range of eye issues.
Usage examples of "king charles spaniel".
Her maternal feelings were unlikely to be assuaged by hearing that the marriagc had been performed in the middle of the night on a West Indian beach by a disgraccd-if not actually dcfrockcd-pricst, ,N,Itncsscd by twenty-five seamen, ten French horses, a small flock of shccp-all gaily beribboncd in lionor of the occasion-and a King Charles spaniel, who added to the gcncrally festive feeling by attempting to Copulate with Murphy's wooden leg at every opportunity.
There were, however, no clothes at all in this cloakroom, not even the statutory country-garden mackintosh to greet his own squirearchal sheepskin, but, when he emerged again into the hall, he found a greeting waiting for him at last -- there was, of all things, a liver and white King Charles spaniel crouched with head intelligently cocked, on the kelim runner.
There was a picture of a King Charles spaniel hanging over the mantel.
The lovely creature was showing me a beautifully painted miniature of Carissimo, a King Charles spaniel of no common type.
He's like a King Charles spaniel back from the groomers half the time.
He had painted her in a soft green-colored morning dress, holding a King Charles spaniel in her arms.
A bridal portrait showed her sitting beneath a leafy tree and laughing at the antics of a small King Charles spaniel.
The teapot was on a tray now, a tea-cosy in the shape of a King Charles spaniel keeping in the heat.