Photo Gallery
Why the name?
- Tori Amos - singer
- The Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
- The name of an Old Testament prophet.
- Andrea thought it suited him.
What breed is he?
Amos is a Ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Personality
Friendly, playful, affectionate, active.
History of the breed
The King Charles Cavalier was originally descended from the toy Cavaliers which became very popular pets, especially for ladies, from the 16th Century. They are prominent in the art of that time - e.g paintings by Van Dyck, Titian, Stubbs and Gainsborough. They were known as "comforte" dogs and doctor's were known to recommend them as a remedy.
Fashion changed over time with the breeders favoring a flatter faced, domed head look. These became known as King Charles Spaniels because of King Charles II's adoration of the dog. I have read that the sign "Beware of the Dog"
actually stems from King Charles II, and it meant "do not tread on the dogs"
. King Charles II even decreed that they were to be allowed in any public place including the Houses of Parliament.
In the 1920's an American, Roswell Eldridge, offered a reward at Crufts to a breeder who could produce a spaniel resembling the 'Blenheim' variety - those seen in the King Charles II era. In 1928 such a dog was bred, a breed club founded, and the name Cavalier King Charles Spaniel chosen. It was not until 1945, however, that it was given seperate status in UK. By nature the Cavalier King Charles is less reserved than the King Charles Spaniel.
