As you can probably tell by its name, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have Spanish roots. These dogs are also said to be the reason why European Toy dogs existed in the first place.

People bred small spaniels with various Oriental Toy breeds and the results were small Tudor lapdogs, otherwise reffered to as “comfort” spaniels. The wealthy actually use them as foot warmers and to attract fleas that were otherwise bothering the owner.

Toy Spaniels eventually became popular because it appealed to people of all ages. Sometime during the 1700s it is said that King Charles II was so taken by his Toy Spaniels that he was actually accused of ignoring important state affairs in order to spend time with his dogs.