For hundreds of years, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels appeared in colors that today are often dismissed as “non-standard”—including solid black and chocolate. These colors weren’t accidents. They were part of the breed’s foundation. And yet, modern breed politics and narrow interpretations of “purity” have pushed them into the shadows.
That silence just ended.
CKCS United, operating officially as the CKCS State Club under the United Kennel Club (UKC), is the first breed club in the world specifically established to represent, defend, and preserve the historical chocolate and black Cavaliers. While other clubs have long focused on the four standard colors, CKCS United was built to serve the forgotten ones—the dogs whose existence has been denied, diminished, or dismissed for decades.
“People think chocolate Cavaliers are new,” a CKCS United spokesperson says. “But the first chocolate and white Cavalier was registered with the AKC in 1996. Cavaliers themselves were only added to the AKC in 1995. These colors have been part of the record since day one. The only thing that’s changed is that now, they have a seat at the table.”
The club isn’t just about recognition. It’s about re-education.
CKCS United is focused on unraveling long-held myths, correcting misinformation, and putting science and history back into the public conversation around Cavalier colors. Backed by a growing global membership of breeders, owners, and researchers, the club provides resources, publishes genetic data, and holds official UKC events where Cavaliers of all colors—including blacks and chocolates—can finally be seen and judged on merit, not just appearance.
The club’s commitment to excellence is already making waves in the UKC show ring. Chocolate Cavaliers have not only competed—they’ve won. Multiple titles have been earned, including Best of Breed and Top Ten National Rankings, proving that quality knows no color.
In parallel, CKCS United has partnered with canine geneticists and breed historians to document the presence of the recessive black gene (a/a)—a gene once thought lost in the breed entirely. This work, supported by DNA testing and international cooperation, confirms what history already hinted at: that black and chocolate Cavaliers are not only real, but rooted in the earliest days of the breed’s development.
The organization also pushes back against the false narrative that color equals quality. “A dog’s value isn’t defined by its markings. It’s defined by health, structure, temperament, and lineage. To pretend otherwise is not only dishonest—it’s dangerous.”
About CKCS United:
CKCS United is the only breed club devoted to the protection and promotion of chocolate and black Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Now recognized as the CKCS State Club under the UKC, the group is redefining what it means to honor the breed’s past—while safeguarding its future.
For media inquiries or further information, contact:
info@ckcsunited.org
www.ckcsunited.org
