Oil
Toy spaniels have been painted in oil for centuries. Blenheim and ruby coats look rich in it.
Custom Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Portraits
A lap dog with court ancestry and a face old-master painters loved.
Upload a photo of your Cavalier to see the portrait.
Shown: Oil, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Upload a photoPortraits of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Toy spaniels were favorites of England's Stuart court, and King Charles II was so fond of them that the dogs took his name. Painters such as Van Dyck put little spaniels into court portraits, and in the 1920s an American, Roswell Eldridge, offered prizes at Crufts for spaniels that looked like the ones in those old paintings. That revival became the Cavalier, now No. 12 on the AKC's 2025 list.
So a Cavalier in an oil portrait is less a novelty than a homecoming. The features to protect are the long, silky, feathered ears, the large round eyes and the gently tapered muzzle. Many Blenheim Cavaliers carry a chestnut spot on the top of the head, known as the 'Blenheim spot', so keep it in frame. Their sweet expression also suits pastel and watercolor.
Coat & color
Four colors: Blenheim (chestnut on white), tricolor, black and tan, and ruby. Blenheim and ruby glow in oil; tricolor is crisp in watercolor.Popularity
No. 12 on the AKC’s 2025 most popular breeds list.Top style pick
Oil · Thick oil paint on a flat color.
Photo tips for your Cavalier
01Keep the top of the head in frame
If your Blenheim has the chestnut spot on the crown, leave room above the head so it isn't cropped.02Let the ears fall
Brush the ears so they fall naturally on both sides. Tucked or flipped ears change the whole outline.03Soft light for big eyes
Window light gives those large eyes a gentle sparkle without the glowing-eye effect of a flash.
Styles for a Cavalier
Chosen for the breed's look and personality, best first.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel portrait questions
More answers in the FAQ.
Why is oil such a good fit for Cavaliers?
Because it's history. Toy spaniels appear in 17th-century court paintings, and the breed is named for King Charles II. An oil portrait feels right at home on a Cavalier.
Which portrait style suits a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
We'd start with Oil: Toy spaniels have been painted in oil for centuries. Blenheim and ruby coats look rich in it. Pastel is a close second: Silky feathered ears and big round eyes suit pastel's softness. You can try every style with your own photo and pick the one that looks most like your Cavalier.
What kind of photo of my Cavalier works best?
A sharp, close photo in soft daylight, taken at your dog's eye level, is the foundation. For a Cavalier specifically: Keep the top of the head in frame. If your Blenheim has the chestnut spot on the crown, leave room above the head so it isn't cropped. Let the ears fall. Brush the ears so they fall naturally on both sides. Tucked or flipped ears change the whole outline.
How much does a custom Cavalier King Charles Spaniel portrait cost?
Gallery Canvas from $59, Framed Print from $75, Fine Art Print from $35, Digital Portrait $29. US shipping is free on every order, and every print, framed print and canvas includes the hi-res digital file.