Origins of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Thailand

By : Yupayao Sakawee

I can’t remember the time when I fell in love with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but all I know is my fascination for this breed keeps growing. So much so that I decided to set up the “Cavalier King Charles Lovers Cub of Thailand.” A small group of members for it is not very well known around here. Fortunately, with the help from Prince Sukhumpun Baripat who also owns and loves Cavalier King Charles, he kindly accepted the offer to be the Advisor President of the Club. This gave me immense confidence and enthusiasm even though I only had a handful of these dogs and the support and encouragement from my family and friends.

Once I had the spirit and the club in place, I had the passion to import Cavaliers from America to fulfill and create a joyful environment over here (ever since I own one of these dogs my life has become much more joyful.)

But it was not going to be a walk in the park, because it is well known that to import a Cavalier from America is a difficult task (this must be one of the reason why there are so few here in Thailand. In America there are plenty of these dogs with competitions all year round.) Especially if I wanted to bring in a grown dog, or an American Champion the possibility would be very slim. Thus, I lowered my target to a PUPPY (even then, the price is similar to the prices of American Champions of other breeds) of high quality line. This is why I must thanks Mrs. Art and Mr. Vichai Sujirapongsin who worked hard to get this deal through and finally bring back my little cavalier to Saiyai Kennel.

Let me further explain why cavaliers are expensive and so difficult to import. It is not because of laws or any other regulations. It is because Cavalier King Charles are popular among the wealthy social classes. This made any sellers reluctant to sell one of their dogs to such a far away land as Thailand due to lack of trust.

If I wanted to change my target from America to England, the origin of Cavalier King Charles, it would have been quite simply impossible. The government of England had declared Cavalier King Charles a “conservative animal” (no export allowed whatsoever) for years now.

Please excuse me for fast-forwarding to the point where I finally became the owner of an American Cavalier King Charles.

On the 25th September, 2006, at the Don Muang International Airport . Once he arrived, I named my 4 months old Cavalier King Charles “Typhoon” because he came during a time when typhoon and flood struck the northern part of Thailand.

The minute I looked into the box the first thing I saw was his round shiny almond eyes. Even at that moment, when I was just looking into the box I could already see the innocence and joy in his eyes even though he had just arrived in a new country so far away. Once I picked him up I could feel his smooth silky hair. I gently stroke his long ears and whispered into his ears, “typhoon.” He giggled and turned his cheek to touch mine. These artifice and charm are the unique identities of a Cavalier King Charles.

Typhoon didn’t take long to adapt. He eats and seep well, and learns his name by the very next day.

Typhoon impressively showed the prominent points of being a Cavalier King Charles which were his joy and the ability of fit with other people and fellow dogs. Typhoon is naughty, cheerful, and easy to please. He could play on his own, even if it’s just running from one corner of the room to other corner, or just jumping on and off sofas and beds. Typhoon could do this all day and everyday, even when all the other dogs are exhausted, he still continued.

Cavalier King Charles are famous for their consistent smooth shiny silky coat under all circumstances. As a matter of fact, I’ve never met a Cavalier King Charles with bad coat.

This is why Typhoon is a dog, which I enjoy stroking and hugging very much. Typhoon also enjoyed being hugged. When he’s tired from playing and running around all day, Typhoon usually jumps up on the bed and rests his head on my shoulder. Or if he’s not tired, if I calls out, “Typhoon,” he would seize running, turns to the source of the voice, and dashed towards that direction without a second calling necessary.

Cavalier King Charles are no barking dogs. Typhoon only occasionally barks. Usually when others are enjoying their toys or bones, but Typhoon doesn’t have any of those luxuries, then he would call out for a share. He would crawl here and there, switched with crouching with his behind high up and send out soft barking, calling for attention, “I’m here! Share me some!” If he’s ignored or threatened away, he would walk away and start running on his own until he’d annoyed all the other dogs. It doesn’t matter if the other dogs are bigger or smaller, he would never fight or use any form of violence. All my Cavalier King Charles are like that. This dog breed can be considered peace-loving.

Typhoon is a white-red Cavalier King Charles with a very healthy coat. The color white shines like pearl and his red are so deep it shines. Typhoon real name is APPEALING KING TYPHOON-SAIYAI (even though I went through a lot to acquire him, at least they were kind enough to put the name Saiyai in there as well.) Right now Typhoon is already a grown dog, been though many competitions and already has the title Th.Ch.