There are dogs that happily live alongside their people.

And then there are Cavaliers.

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel doesn't simply want to live in your house. He wants to be part of your house. If you're making coffee, he's in the kitchen. If you're working, he's nearby. If you sit down, he will quickly determine whether your lap is available.

For centuries, that has essentially been their job.

Cavaliers were developed to be companion dogs, and generations later, they remain remarkably good at it. They are affectionate without losing their playful side, small without being especially fragile in personality, and equally happy joining the family for an adventure or curling up beside someone on the sofa.

For the right family, it's an irresistible combination.

A little dog with a very royal history

The Cavalier's connection to royalty isn't clever branding. It's quite literally part of the breed's history.

Small toy spaniels resembling today's Cavaliers appear in paintings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, including works by artists such as Van Dyck, Titian, Gainsborough and Reynolds.

But their most famous admirer was King Charles II of England.

Charles was rarely seen without several of his beloved spaniels following him. Historical accounts describe the dogs accompanying him throughout court life, and his attachment to them became so closely associated with the monarchy that the dogs eventually carried his name.

Centuries later, enthusiasts wanted to restore the longer-nosed spaniel seen in paintings from Charles II's time. In 1926, an American named Roswell Eldridge offered prize money at Crufts for dogs resembling those "old type" spaniels.

The effort worked.

A breed club was established in 1928, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel emerged as the modern continuation of those historic little dogs.

So when a Cavalier climbs into your lap as though it is his rightful place, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised.

His ancestors had been doing essentially the same thing in palaces for centuries.

They genuinely love people

If there is one quality that defines the Cavalier, it may be affection.

The breed standard describes the ideal Cavalier temperament as friendly, affectionate, sweet and gentle. Shyness and aggression are not considered characteristic of the breed.

They tend to form strong relationships with their families, but their friendliness often extends well beyond them.

Visitors can quickly become friends. Neighbors may become important acquaintances. The person sitting beside you at the coffee shop might apparently need a Cavalier in their lap.

For families looking for an aloof or highly independent dog, this probably isn't it.

For people who want a dog that genuinely seems delighted to share life with them, Cavaliers are difficult to beat.

Cavaliers and children

One reason Cavaliers have become such beloved family dogs is their combination of manageable size and gentle temperament.

The American Kennel Club describes them as affectionate, attentive and gentle family dogs that are known for doing well with children.

They are small enough to cuddle but generally enthusiastic enough to participate in family life. A Cavalier may spend the morning following the kids through the house, the afternoon playing outside and the evening asleep beside them on the couch.

As with any breed, children should be taught how to interact respectfully with dogs, and young children and puppies should be appropriately supervised.

But a well-bred, properly socialized Cavalier is typically looking for opportunities to be part of the family rather than escape from it.

What about other dogs and cats?

Usually, the more the merrier.

Cavaliers tend to be sociable dogs and, when properly introduced and socialized, often live happily with other dogs and cats.

That easygoing nature can make them especially appealing to families who already have pets.

They are also spaniels, however.

Underneath the flowing ears and enormous brown eyes is still a sporting dog with instincts of his own. A squirrel darting across the yard can suddenly become extremely interesting.

For that reason, Cavaliers should generally be leashed in unsecured areas and given a safely fenced place to run and play.

The dog asleep upside down on your sofa is still, technically, a spaniel.

Lapdog or adventure dog?

Both.

This is one of the most charming contradictions of the breed.

Cavaliers belong to the Toy Group and typically stand no more than about 13 inches tall and weigh approximately 13 to 18 pounds. But their spaniel heritage gives them an athletic streak that isn't always obvious from their elegant appearance.

They enjoy walks. Many enjoy hiking and exploring. Cavaliers can compete successfully in activities such as agility, rally and obedience.

Then they come home and become lapdogs again.

That adaptability makes the breed a wonderful fit for many different lifestyles.

You don't necessarily need acres of property to make a Cavalier happy. You do need to provide appropriate exercise, mental stimulation and, perhaps most importantly, companionship.

Their favorite activity tends to be whatever their people are doing.

Yes, they really are that pretty

There is no avoiding the obvious.

Cavaliers are beautiful dogs.

The large, dark eyes and gentle expression are hallmarks of the breed, complemented by a silky coat and long, feathered ears.

They come in four recognized colors: Blenheim, Tricolor, Ruby and Black & Tan.

Blenheim may also carry one of the breed's most charming pieces of folklore.

The story dates to the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. According to legend, while the Duke was away fighting at the Battle of Blenheim, the anxious Duchess repeatedly pressed her thumb against the head of a pregnant spaniel while waiting for news of him.

When the puppies arrived, they supposedly carried chestnut-colored markings on the tops of their heads.

Today, that marking is still known as the Blenheim spot.

Whether the legend happened exactly that way is impossible to know.

But with a breed this closely intertwined with British history, a little royal folklore seems appropriate.

They're eager to please

Cavaliers tend to be intelligent and responsive dogs, particularly when training is positive and rewarding.

They generally want to cooperate with their people.

Early socialization and puppy training are still important. A Cavalier puppy doesn't arrive knowing your house rules simply because he has an adorable face, although he may attempt to convince you otherwise.

Positive, consistent training helps turn that naturally people-oriented temperament into a lovely family companion.

And because they tend to be sensitive dogs, encouragement usually gets you much further than harsh correction.

There is one thing Cavaliers don't do particularly well

Being alone all day.

This is worth considering seriously before choosing the breed.

Cavaliers were developed for companionship. They thrive on human interaction and generally aren't a breed that is happiest routinely spending long stretches isolated from their family.

That doesn't mean your Cavalier needs to accompany you every minute of every day. Puppies should learn that short periods of independence are normal and safe.

But if your ideal dog is one that doesn't particularly care whether you're around, the Cavalier probably isn't your ideal dog.

They want a relationship.

That's part of the bargain.

What about grooming?

Despite their glamorous appearance, Cavaliers don't require elaborate sculpting or trimming to look like Cavaliers.

Their coat is naturally silky, and regular brushing helps prevent tangles and keeps the feathering in good condition. Ears need particular attention, along with routine nail, dental and general coat care.

They do shed.

If your dream is a completely hair-free couch, there may be better breeds for you.

If the occasional silky Cavalier hair is an acceptable price for having one curled beside you on that couch, you'll probably manage just fine.

Health matters enormously

There is another important consideration when choosing a Cavalier: where your puppy comes from matters.

Like many purebred dogs, Cavaliers have known inherited health concerns. These include mitral valve heart disease, certain eye conditions, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia and syringomyelia.

That is one reason preservation breeding is so important.

The American Kennel Club lists cardiac, eye, hip and patella evaluations among the health testing recommended by the national breed club for breeding Cavaliers.

A beautiful puppy is not enough.

Families considering the breed should look for a breeder who understands the health challenges within Cavaliers, appropriately health tests breeding dogs, studies pedigrees and makes breeding decisions with the long-term health, temperament and preservation of the breed in mind.

Choosing a Cavalier should involve falling in love with the breed.

Choosing a breeder should involve asking questions.

So, is a Cavalier right for you?

A Cavalier may be a wonderful fit if you want a dog who is affectionate, gentle and deeply connected to his people.

If you have children, other dogs or cats, a well-socialized Cavalier can often fit beautifully into the mix.

If you want a dog who can take a walk in the morning, accompany you on an adventure in the afternoon and consider your lap his assigned seating by evening, you've found a strong candidate.

But you should also be comfortable with a dog who wants considerable companionship, requires regular grooming, sheds, needs thoughtful training and comes from a breed in which responsible health testing is particularly important.

Cavaliers aren't the right dog for every family.

No breed is.

But there is a reason these little spaniels have spent hundreds of years finding their way into paintings, palaces, family homes and, eventually, onto countless sofas.

They were bred to be companions.

And very few dogs take that responsibility quite as seriously.