ENGLISH TOY SPANIEL
APPEARANCE
The English Toy Spaniel is a compact, cobby and essentially square toy dog possessed of a short-nosed, domed head, a merry and affectionate demeanor and a silky, flowing coat. The ears of the King Charles Spaniel are very long and set low and close to the head, fringed with heavy feathering. The English Toy Spaniel will come in 4 types of coat colours. These are the tri-coloured, red with patches of white, black and tan, and the white with red markings. The weight of the English Toy Spaniel is around 8-10 pounds for females and around 12-15 pounds for males. The height of these dogs is around 9-10 inches.
PERSONALITY
English Toy Spaniel is very loving and sweet dog with an amiable personality, a gentle nature, and a lot of affection to give to his owners. These dogs bond very closely with their owners but may be cautious around new people. If you are looking for an undemanding, sweet, gentle, and friendly companion dog that loves to cuddle up with you, then the English Toy Spaniel could be the ideal pet for you.
TRAINING
English Toy Spaniel can be a bit stubborn, so patience is needed when it comes to training. It is important that owners are sensitive to the fact that this soft, gentle breed will not be able to take harsh corrections well – positive training methods will yield much better results. They are a bright dog and usually grasp certain ideas quickly, so basic obedience will be simple if repetition and short training sessions are implemented.
EXERCISE
English Toy Spaniels need very little exercise and are known to be quite inactive. An occasional short walk is all the exercise they’ll need. If you’re a regular walker and wish to have this breed be your walking companion, they should be introduced to long walks gradually.
SOCIALIZATION
These dogs will get along okay with older children that are more considerate, but they do not like being teased or handled roughly so are not well suited to younger, boisterous children. They don’t enjoy being alone for long periods of time, but they are fairly inactive overall, so just having you around is all they really require. These dogs tend to get on well with other pets, but can be reserved when strangers are around.
LIVING CONDITIONS
They are well suited for apartment living. This breed is capable of meeting their exercise needs indoors, but does enjoy short securely leashed walks. The English Toy Spaniels should be protected from extreme temperatures.
GROOMING
English Toy Spaniels are simple to groom. Brushing and combing should once a week will usually be enough to keep them mat and tangle free, but occasionally you may have to cut out a mat. They should be bathed, using a mild shampoo made especially for dogs, once or twice a month. These dogs are low shedders when properly groomed, and so may prove fine for allergy sufferers.
HEALTH ISSUES
English Toy Spaniels may have health problems such as heart defects, eye problems, patellar luxation (kneecap slipping), and fused toes, which can cause incorrectly grown toenails. They can also have heart problems, allergies and sensitivity to chemicals and medication, and respiratory problems resulting from his short muzzle. They tend to live 10 to 12 years.
HISTORY
The English Toy Spaniel originated in England and were bred to be a companion to people. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1886.
