To explore the history of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel we must start with the small "spaniell gentle, otherwise called Comforter" of 16th century England.  It is believed that these little companions would "beare away the flees."  Some even felt that "these little dogs were good to assuage the sickness of the stomach."
    The Stuarts love of little spaniels is well documented.  Charles I was accompanied by his little spaniel Rogue, while he lived as a fugitive in Carisbrooke Castle.  It was Charles II, however with which this breed is associated.  It is said of Charles II "His Majesty was seldom seen without his little dogs."  In fact, Charles II issued a Royal edict that no King Charles Spaniel can be denied entry to any public place.
        Pictorially documenting the presence of "royal spaniels" throughout the Royal Families of Europe, are numerous paintings.  These paintings span the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries and were produced by such artists as Titian, Van Dyck, Lely, Stubbs, Gainsborough, Reynolds, and Romney, to name a few.
        During the mid-nineteenth century dog breeding and dog showing became serious endeavors in England.  It is during this time that many British dog breeds were developed while other breeds were altered.  The King Charles Spaniel underwent several changes at this time.  Among these changes was that the dog became smaller, with a dome-shaped head, low-set ears and a short muzzle with a pushed-up, laid back nose.  In the United States this breed is currently known as the English Toy Spaniel.
        In 1926 an American named Roswell Eldridge presented a challenge to the King Charles Spaniel breeders that would change the course of history.  Mr. Eldridge offered a prize money of £25 (approximately $1,000.00 American, in today's currency)  each for the first place dog and bitch as follows:

'Blenheim Spaniels of the Old Type, as shown in pictures of Charles II's time, long face, no stop, flat skull, not inclined to be domed with spot in centre of skull.  First prize of £25 in Class 947 and 948 are given by Roswell Eldridge Esq., of New York, USA.  Prizes go to nearest to type required.'

This challenge was presented to the breed enthusiasts to see what they could produce.
        In 1924 Mrs. Hewitt Pitt, a well known breeder of Chow Chows, purchased a Blenheim King Charles bitch puppy as a pet for her mother.  Mrs. Pitt was advised, at a later time, to show this dog at Crufts in Mr. Eldridge's sponsored class.  Mrs. Pitt entered the bitch, named Waif Julia, and won the class.  Mrs. Pitt became interested in the possibilities of breeding this "old type" spaniel.  Thus "Ttiweh" prefix (Hewitt reversed) came into being, and the seed of the idea of a Cavalier Club was first sown.
        At he Crufts show of 1928 breeders of "Old type King Charles Spaniels" united forming the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club.  Mrs. Pitt went on to impact the "reestablishment" of the Cavalier King charles Spaniel through her dedication to the breed and her high standards of perfection.  Mrs. Pitt's "Ttiweh" prefix is found in the ancestry of Cavaliers all over the world.

        In 1945 the Kennel Club (England) granted separate registration status to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  In 1961 the American Kennel Club recognized Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with entry into the Miscellaneous class.  In 1995 the Cavaliers were granted full recognition by the AKC as members of the Toy Group.

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