Cavish Missouri Cavaliers, Cavapoos, and Poodles

Cavish Chocolate Cavaliers

Classic Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colors vs. Chocolate Cavaliers: What's the Difference?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is beloved not only for its affectionate nature and gentle temperament but also for its luxurious coat and distinctive coloring. The breed standard, recognized by major kennel clubs like the AKC, includes four classic color combinations. However, a less common but increasingly talked-about variation is the chocolate-colored Cavalier.

🍫 What is the Chocolate Gene?

The "chocolate" color in dogs is the result of a recessive gene that affects how black pigment (eumelanin) is expressed. This gene, known as “b” (brown) at the B locus, dilutes black to brown. For a Cavalier to be chocolate, it must inherit two copies of the recessive gene—one from each parent.

🐾 The Four Classic Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colors

1. Blenheim (Chestnut and White)

This is the most iconic and recognizable color of the breed. Blenheim Cavaliers have a pearly white coat with rich chestnut-red markings. Ideally, these markings are evenly spaced and symmetrical. A prized feature in some Blenheim Cavaliers is the “Blenheim spot”—a thumbprint-like chestnut marking centered on the top of the head.

2. Tricolor (Black, White, and Tan)

Tricolor Cavaliers sport a striking coat of crisp white with well-defined black patches. Accents of tan appear over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, and under the tail, adding depth and personality to their expression. The contrast between the three colors gives these dogs a sharp, classic appearance.

3. Ruby (Solid Red)

As the name suggests, Ruby Cavaliers are a solid, rich red color all over. The coat may range from a deep mahogany to a lighter, golden red, but the overall effect is one of warm, uniform color.

4. Black & Tan

This elegant combination features a sleek jet-black coat with vivid tan markings on the eyebrows, cheeks, inside the ears, chest, legs, and under the tail. The markings are similar in pattern to the Tricolor variety, but without any white.

🍩 So, What Does a Chocolate Cavalier Look Like?

A chocolate-colored Cavalier typically resembles a Black & Tan or Tricolor, but with the black areas replaced by a warm, milk-chocolate brown. If the dog is chocolate and tan, the tan markings will remain the same, but the black will appear as a rich brown. In a chocolate Tricolor, you'll see brown and white with tan points instead of the traditional black and white.

Benny Lightning

Let me introduce you to Benny Lightning. He is a chocolate carrier. He is the first in his line and the beginning of the Cavish Chocolates. Benny happened to be holding a secret in his DNA that was a pleasant surprise. We discovered that his was indeed a chocolate carrier and the first of his own line, unrelated to any others. There are only a handful of lines, and Benny is making his mark on a truly unique line that we can't wait to introduce to the world. As of now, he has created his first visual chocolate. We are excited to introduce his line to the Cavalier world.

If interested in joining Cavish Chocolates, contact us for details. We would love to learn about your program, your goals, and how we can work together to produce beautiful, healthy chocolates unique in their own right.

Our waitlist for visual chocolates is now open. Contact me for more information.

Phoebe

Phoebe is an AKC black and tan Cavalier. She has beautiful markings. She has the best temperament and personality. She loves every person and animal that she meets. Phoebe is as smart as they come. She is eager to please. The only thing she expects in return is confirmation that she's a "good girl." Phoebe is one of our chocolate carriers, so when mated with our chocolate carrier, Benny, they can have the four classic colors as well as the chocolate version. Phoebe weighs 20lbs.

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