Animal rights activists have urged King Charles to disassociate himself from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel due to the "debilitating" health problems suffered by the dogs.
Activists at PETA have written to the monarch requesting that he disown the spaniel breed that bears his name, arguing that the dogs often suffer painful health conditions as a result of people selectively breeding them for big eyes, short muzzles, and round heads.
It claimed that the name association lends prestige to the breed and further fuels demand, in a similar way to how a royal warrant lends prestige to commercial products. But not everyone agrees. Critics of the charity have called the suggestion "bizarre" and "nonsense".
The popular dog breed has been a staple of royal life ever since King Charles II's reign. The 17th-century monarch was well known for his love of dogs and was thought to own at least a dozen.
© Getty ImagesThe request for Charles to disassociate from the breed came from Ingrid Newkirk, the charity's president, who believes it would discourage people from buying the dogs.
In a letter to Buckingham Palace, she said years of selective breeding had made the dogs vulnerable to a plethora of health conditions, some of which include neurological issues, difficulty walking, and even paralysis.
Because they are bred to have such small heads, in extreme cases, the dogs can suffer brain issues from the issue being forced through the opening at the base of the skull.
"Such words from you would send a powerful message that there is nothing noble about breeding dogs for exaggerated features that condemn generations of them to painful, debilitating disease," Ingrid wrote.
Despite his association with the dogs, the monarch is not believed to own any himself. Instead, he and Camilla have two Jack Russells, Bluebell and Beth, whom they adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2017. Both pups even appeared as "girls in pearls" in the July 2022 issue of Country Life magazine.
© Getty ImagesCritics disagree with the request
Sir John Hayes, a senior Tory, said the call was "nonsense" and that the breed was loved by many, and said the charity should be focused on the issue of responsible breeding."
As someone who identifies with both the King and Cavaliers, I would be delighted to oppose this strange suggestion," he told the Telegraph. Michael Levy, the chairman of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, pointed out that the breed's average lifespan is 11 years, which exceeds that of many other dog breeds. He said that many breeds go on to have long and active lives.
King Charles is currently enjoying a well-earned break at the royal family's annual summer holiday at Balmoral in Scotland. He is joined by his wife, Queen Camilla, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
