About Chocolate Cavaliers
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is best known for its four classic colours: Blenheim, Ruby, Black & Tan, and Tricolour. Chocolate Cavaliers have the same beautiful Cavalier type, temperament and charm, but with a softer chocolate colouring caused by the recessive b gene.
For a chocolate coat to be visible, a puppy must inherit the chocolate gene from both parents. This changes the usual black pigment to rich chocolate brown, affecting areas such as the nose, eye rims, lips and coat markings.
Our chocolate Cavaliers are 100% Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, KC registered, and carefully bred with health, temperament and quality at the heart of everything we do.
Cavalier Colours
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels come in four traditional colour patterns, each with its own distinctive look. When the chocolate gene is present, these same patterns remain, but the black pigment is replaced with chocolate brown.
This means the overall markings stay recognisably Cavalier, but the colour palette becomes softer, warmer and more unusual. Black noses, eye rims and darker markings become chocolate, while the eyes are often blue as young puppies before gradually changing to a green, hazel or amber tone as they mature.
Use the sliders below to compare each classic Cavalier colour with its chocolate variation. Slide across each image to see how the same beautiful Cavalier markings can appear in both the traditional and chocolate versions.
Blenheim vs Chocolate Blenheim
The classic Blenheim Cavalier has a pearly white coat with rich chestnut markings, giving it the soft, elegant look the breed is so well known for.
In the Chocolate Blenheim, the same pattern remains, but the colouring takes on a warmer chocolate tone. The nose, eye rims and pigment that would usually be black are chocolate brown instead, creating a softer and more unusual version of the traditional Blenheim look.
This colour can be especially striking as the chocolate markings contrast beautifully against the white coat, while still keeping the gentle, classic Cavalier appearance.
Classic Ruby vs Chocolate Ruby
The classic Ruby Cavalier has a rich, solid red coat with a warm, glowing colour from head to tail.
In the Chocolate Ruby, the coat still has that full, single-colour look, but the shade is softened by the chocolate gene. Rather than the usual black pigment on the nose and around the eyes, these areas are chocolate brown, giving the dog a warmer and more delicate expression.
The result is a beautiful variation of the Ruby Cavalier, with a rich, velvety tone and a distinctive chocolate finish.
Black & Tan vs Chocolate & Tan
The classic Black & Tan Cavalier has a deep black coat with rich tan markings above the eyes, on the cheeks, chest, legs and beneath the tail.
In the Chocolate & Tan Cavalier, the same pattern is present, but the black areas are replaced by chocolate brown. The tan markings remain, creating a beautiful contrast against the softer chocolate base.
This pairing is one of the clearest examples of how the chocolate gene changes the appearance of the coat while keeping the traditional Cavalier pattern intact.
Tri Colour vs Chocolate Tri
The classic Tricolour Cavalier has a striking combination of black and white, with tan markings in key areas such as the eyebrows, cheeks and beneath the tail.
In the Chocolate Tri, the same three-colour pattern remains, but the black areas are replaced with chocolate brown. This creates a softer, warmer version of the classic Tricolour, while still keeping the distinctive Cavalier markings.
The Chocolate Tri is a particularly eye-catching variation because the chocolate, white and tan tones work together beautifully, giving a rare but unmistakably Cavalier appearance.
