English Toy Spaniel: temperament, size, care and health

About the English Toy Spaniel

The English Toy Spaniel is a small, cobby dog with a domed skull, a short upturned nose, large dark eyes set wide apart, and long low-set ears hung with abundant feathering. The silky coat comes in four varieties: Blenheim, red and white; Prince Charles, a tricolor; King Charles, black and tan; and ruby, solid red. In the United Kingdom the same breed is known as the King Charles Spaniel.

It is a lap dog through and through. People choose it for its small size, its soft expression and its quiet, undemanding company.

Temperament and family life

The English Toy Spaniel is a gentle, affectionate dog that bonds closely with its people. It is quieter and more reserved than many toy breeds and is often described as dignified. Many are shy with strangers until they have had time to adjust, and it can be sensitive to harsh voices or disorder in the home.

It is best suited to calm households. Small children can be too rough for such a fragile dog, and the breed does better with adults and older children. It usually gets along with other pets and is rarely noisy. Because it craves company, it does not do well when left alone for long periods.

Exercise and training

Exercise needs are modest. Short daily walks and play indoors are usually enough, and the breed is happiest when it can spend most of the day close to its owner. It tires quickly and handles heat poorly because of its short nose, so exertion in warm weather should be avoided and a harness is preferred over a collar.

The spaniel is intelligent and can learn basic manners readily, but it is sensitive, so training should be gentle, based on praise and treats, and kept to short sessions. House training can be slow. Care should be taken that the dog does not become overweight, as extra weight strains the heart and breathing.

Grooming and shedding

The long coat sheds moderately and needs brushing and combing several times a week to prevent mats, especially in the feathering of the ears, chest, legs and tail. Many owners clip the coat shorter for ease. A bath every few weeks keeps the dog fresh.

The long ears hold moisture and wax, so they should be checked and cleaned often. Wipe the folds around the face and the large eyes, which are prone to tearing and irritation. Trim the nails and brush the teeth, as small mouths collect tartar.

Health

The breed has a small gene pool and several health concerns. Mitral valve disease, a degenerative heart problem, is common in older dogs. The short nose can narrow the airways, and the large eyes are prone to injuries, dry eye and cataracts. Patellar luxation, dental disease and a tendency to difficult whelping are also known, and litters are often small.

Responsible breeders have the heart examined, check eyes and knees and avoid very short noses. This is general information about the English Toy Spaniel, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

Small spaniels were favorites at European courts for centuries and appear in paintings from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. They became closely associated with King Charles II, who kept many. The name Blenheim comes from the estate of the Duke of Marlborough, where red and white dogs were bred. During the nineteenth century breeders selected for shorter noses and domed heads, which created the type seen today. A group of breeders later revived the longer-nosed look as a separate breed, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, leaving the older form rare.

Is the English Toy Spaniel right for you?

This breed suits a quiet adult or older couple who want a calm lap dog, do not mind brushing and live in a temperate climate. It is easy to keep in an apartment.

It is a poor match for active families, for homes with small children or for owners who want a rugged outdoor companion. People who like the look but want a longer nose and a livelier dog usually consider the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The Japanese Chin and Pekingese offer a similar flat-faced expression with different temperaments.