Semi-Sweet Cavaliers

11/08/2025

Wet. 😂 🖤

11/06/2025

Happy 4th Birthday to my sweet, darling Glitch! 🖤
This girl doesn’t bark — she talks. Full-on conversations like Blue from Blue’s Clues. Every sound she makes has personality, and somehow she always gets her point across.

Glitch, you’re one of the smartest, funniest, most expressive dogs I’ve ever known. You make every day brighter (and louder). Love you, my little chatterbox!

11/03/2025

Retired Rarity going for a walk! 😍

07/29/2025

Meet Sweetie Belle ✨

Daughter of retired parents Rarity & Parker, Sweetie Belle is our special keeper girl. 🐾

Her sleek black coat is thanks to the KB gene, which “hides” her tan points—so while she looks solid black, she’s a true Cavalier through and through, not a mix! 🖤

Sweetie Belle also carries the b gene, which produces gorgeous chocolate Cavaliers. Someday, once she’s fully grown and has passed all her health testing, she’ll become the proud mama of our next generation of Semi-Sweet Hotchkiss puppies.

🧬 Science is fun, and genetics make our little girl extra magical! 🧬

06/15/2025

*Friendly reminder: All content, graphics, and photos are the intellectual property of Semi-Sweet Cavaliers. Feel free to click the share button but please do not copy my work without credit or permission. - Karilyn Hotchkiss

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🌈 Color Is Beautiful: Understanding Cavalier Coat Genetics

In honor of Pride Month, let’s take a moment to celebrate diversity — in all its forms.

Whether we’re talking about people or puppies, one truth holds steady:
Color does not determine worth.
Not in the show ring. Not in the world. Not here.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels come in more than just four coat colors. While the AKC recognizes four “breed standard” colors, responsible breeders and genetic science have revealed a broader spectrum — including rare chocolate-based variations and solid coat types influenced by the KB gene.

They’re not mutts. They’re not “wrong.”
They’re just Cavaliers in different outfits.

Let’s take a look.

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✅ The 4 AKC-Recognized Colors

1. Blenheim – Red & White
2. Tricolor – Black, white, and tan
3. Ruby – Solid deep red
4. Black & Tan – Jet black with rich tan points

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🍫 Chocolate-Based Cavaliers (Genetically Recessive, Beautifully Unique)

When both parents carry at least one copy of the brown (bb) gene, you may see:
5. Chocolate & Tan (Just like a black & tan — but with brown replacing the black. They have a brown nose and golden eyes)
6. Chocolate Ruby (A solid red coat like a classic ruby, but with a brown nose and golden eyes)
7. Chocolate Tricolor (Brown & white with tan points. They have a brown nose and golden eyes)
8. Chocolate Blenheim (Red & white coat just like the classic Blenheim but with a brown nose and golden eyes).

These pups have the same genetics, charm, and structure — just a different pigment path.

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🧬 The KB Gene: Solid & White-Only Patterns (No Tan Points)

The KB (dominant black) gene can “mask” or erase tan markings. That means some Cavaliers that should have tan points… just don’t. And that’s normal, too.

It can create:
9. Solid Black
10. Black & White (No Tan)
11. Solid Chocolate
12. Chocolate & White (No Tan)

These are pure Cavaliers, backed by DNA — not mixes or flukes. Just less commonly seen, and often misunderstood.

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🤍 A Note on White Markings

Sometimes, a Cavalier considered “solid” (like black & tan or ruby) may have a small patch of white on the chest or toes. This is usually a result of particolor genes in the background — a harmless cosmetic trait and have no bearing on health or temperament. This doesn’t mean the dog is mixed or poorly bred. It simply reflects how recessive genes and incomplete expression can show up in coat patterning — especially when particolor and solid lines are crossed.

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🌟 Color ≠ Quality

Color doesn’t affect temperament. It doesn’t determine health.
And it certainly doesn’t dictate value.

In fact, we believe that diversity is something to be respected, not rejected.
Every coat tells a story — and all of them deserve love, understanding, and a seat at the table (or on the couch, if you’re a Cavalier).

So whether your dog is ruby, Blenheim, chocolate, or solid black… they are worthy.

Just like you. 🐾🌈

Here are some EXAMPLES of what the different colors look like:

06/07/2025

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1295462792587027&id=100063699543040

Today, Penelope heads off to join her new family. This stunning girl is the most unique color we’ve ever produced: a solid chocolate with white markings. Like her two sisters 🐾- our sweet snugglebug is about to become a ⭐️ in the world of doggie agility! We can’t wait for updates on her training, her triumphs, and all the titles I know she’ll earn. Go get ’em, Nellie! 🩷

06/05/2025

Penelope (Nellie) is 10 weeks old and ready to start her new adventure! She goes home Saturday 🤎 Isn’t she pretty?

05/21/2025

Rarity’s chocolate son Baxter is eight weeks old! Isn’t he handsome? NFS

05/20/2025

Rarity’s chocolate daughter Penelope is eight weeks old! Isn’t she beautiful? NFS

04/30/2025

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1260828129383827&id=100063699543040

Cross posting this here. Pet home only please 😘 We are located in NY but do have nannys if you aren’t within driv by distance.

04/12/2025

Hey everyone!
Just a quick update to let you know about a few changes to this page. There is now only one admin—so if you send a private message, you'll be chatting directly with me, Karilyn Hotchkiss.

This page will continue to be dedicated to the beautiful, non-standard and uniquely colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniels we all love. Thanks for being here!

04/10/2025

Onyx is heading to his new home this evening! What a beautiful boy he turned out to be!