English Toy Spaniel

Overview of English Toy Spaniels

English Toy Spaniels come in four alternative colours:– Black and Tan (known as King Charles);– Black, White and Tan (known as Prince Charles);– Black and Red (known as Ruby) and; – White and Red (known as Blenheim named after Blenheim Palace)English Toy Spaniels are often mistaken for Cavalier Charles Spaniels, which have a slightly larger size, higher set ears, a flatter skull structure and a distinctively longer muzzle length.

English Toy Spaniels are the ultimate, affectionate lap dog, being happiest when snuggling up to their owner on the couch and require a small degree of daily exercise and grooming.The breed is renowned for their short, pushed in face and snub nose; while the round, domed head is also an important characteristic.

English Toy Spaniels are not as common or popular as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels but there are a few people who appreciate them especially for how well they travel, how gentle they are, how affectionate and devoted they are and what great companions they make.

English Toy Spaniels are known for being picky eaters; nevertheless, you should avoid feeding from the table, especially fatty scraps, unless you fancy dealing with the ramifications afterwards in the likely form of diarrhoea.

English Toy Spaniels are loving dogs that usually do well with children, but they are not the ideal breed for a home with busy children since they can become easily overwhelmed by the noise and excitement children make.

English Toy Spaniels are often acquired without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one, and these dogs often end up in the care of rescue groups, in need of adoption or fostering.

English Toy Spaniels may bark to alert you to a fewone’s approach and they might bite a fewone who scares them or whom they don’t like, but that’s about the extent of their watchdog ability.

English Toy Spaniel temperament, personality, training, behavior, pros and cons, advice, and information, by Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books

English Toy Spaniels were greatly admired by Mary Queen of Scots and one such loyal companion was said to
be found hidden in her clothing on the day of her execution.

English Toy Spaniels will eat between ½ to 1 cup of a good quality dry dog food a day, split into two meals.

Allergies

Allergies in your pet can result in itchiness, bald spots, and digestive problems.English Toy Spaniels are not commonly affected by allergies though rarely may have itching due to food intolerances or environmental factors.Ideally always use high-quality dog food, specifically formulated for a small or toy breed.If any of these occur, it is always best to speak to your veterinarian so that you can discuss the best course of action.Shampoos should always be specific for your pet.

Breed

English Toy Spaniels, often known as King Charles Spaniels, embody all of the friendly and affectionate personality of other spaniel breeds but in a small, neat body.The English Toy Spaniel has long, fringed ears and a silky coat which can be straight or slightly wavy.Their large, dark eyes will have you swooning in seconds.Their legs and feet have regal feathering as does their traditionally docked tail.They have a turned down, black-lined, mouth and grumpy frown look to them; however, they are actually an incredibly merry little breed.This is an ideal breed of choice for a novice dog owner, single people or senior citizens, due to their inherently docile nature.Though a toy breed, they are solid and robust and make a very devoted companion.

Coat

It wasn’t until the reign of King Charles II that they became prized for their colors.Originally, English Toy Spaniels were bred simply for a smaller size.The oldest variety of English Toy Spaniel, with a black and tan coat, became the favored breed of King Charles II, leading to it being named the King Charles Spaniel, which it is still called to this day in Britain.

Energy

Be sure to not overfeed your English Toy Spaniel, as his low energy levels combined with overfeeding can result in canine obesity.English Toy Spaniels should be fed a high-quality food source with a balanced nutrition appropriate for a dog their size.Many dog food companies make blends specifically for small sized breeds.

Genetic Predispositions

At the end of the booklet, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your King Charles Spaniel looking and feeling her best.This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for English Toy Spaniels.This information helps you and us together plan for your pet’s unique medical needs.You will know what to watch for, and we will all feel better knowing that we’re taking the best possible care of your pal.

Grooming

English Toy Spaniels should be brushed twice a week and have their ears regularly cleaned, as part of the dog grooming process.

Health

A veterinarian may recommend regular knee tests for the dog.The English Toy Spaniel, which has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, is susceptible to major health conditions like patellar luxation, and minor issues like early tooth loss, and “lazy tongue,” a condition which causes the tongue to protrude from the mouth.

Heart Disease

English Toy Spaniels are predisposed towards developing canine heart disease.Mitral valve disease is a degenerative condition that is characterized by a weakness in the mitral valve, which allows some blood to flow backward in the heart.Specifically, this breed is prone towards developing either mitral valve disease or patent ductus arteriosus.

Infections

English Toy Spaniels are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper.Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination, which we will recommend based on the diseases we see in our area, her age, and other factors.

Obesity

Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk.It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain and heart disease.Obesity can be a significant health problem in English Toy Spaniels.She’ll feel better, and so will you!Though it’s tempting to give your pal food when she looks at you with those soulful eyes, you can “love her to death” with leftover people food and doggie treats.

Social

Are English Toy Spaniels Good with Other Pets?When socialized with dogs and cats from an early age, English Toy Spaniels usually get along with them swimmingly.

Training

Generally, they are happy to please and enjoy the companionship training provides.He is independent and may disregard commands when they are first given.Housetraining an English Toy Spaniel can be an easy task as well, and many have been successfully trained to potty on paper when nightly walks or a yard are not available.Leash training can be particularly difficult since they prefer being off leash, but it is important to keep your English Toy Spaniel on lead whenever he’s not in a fenced area since he can be easily injured by other dogs.Training can be easy with this breed as long as you understand his nature.

Are English Toy Spaniels good with children?

English Toy Spaniels are loving dogs that usually do well with children, but they are not the ideal breed for a home with busy children since they can become easily overwhelmed by the noise and excitement children make.

Are English Toy Spaniels Good With Kids?

English Toy Spaniels are playful, loving companions that do well with children.Play with very young children should be supervised, as this is a very small breed of dog that can be easily injured through rough play.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? ??

English Toy Spaniels are excellent for families or single-person households.

Do English Toy Spaniels Like Cats?

Considering to get an English Toy Spaniel and need to know if English Toy Spaniel Dogs like cats or how do you introduce an English Toy Spaniel to a cat in the house?

For your reference, English Toy Spaniel Dogs score out of 5 in the scale of dog breeds that likes cats.

Do English Toy Spaniels shed or cause allergies?

They do shed, however, to minimize shedding frequent baths and blowouts in addition to weekly brushing will help reduce the amount of hair you find in the house.

Do they require a lot of grooming?

They can be a wash and wear dog.However, a bath and blow out is necessary to keep the shedding and matting under control. Keeping the skin and coat clean is the key to keeping your English Toy Spaniel in top condition.

Do you want to add a “Charlie” to your life?

Members of the ETSCA are eager and willing to assist you in locating an English Toy Spaniel.All members that you will be referred to are members in good standing with the American Kennel Club and of the English Toy Spaniel Club of America.In addition, each member has signed the ETSCA Code of Ethics and agrees to perform ETSCA recommended health testing on their dogs.

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Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

English Toy Spaniels tend to get along very well with other pets—especially other dogs.They love the companionship that other pooches bring and usually do well with first-time introductions.For being small, they aren’t inherently bossy like some little dogs can be.

English Toy Spaniels and Sedentary Families?

Considering the modest exercise requirements and gentle nature of this spaniel, it is an excellent choice of dog for the seniors, empty nesters or just the more sedentary family.

Exercise ??

These little dogs don’t require a ton of exercise, but they still benefit greatly from daily walks.English Toy Spaniels may also like lounging a little too much, meaning they can be especially prone to weight gain.Appropriate activity is essential for their wellbeing.

Food & Diet Requirements ??

English Toy Spaniels benefit from a well-balanced, nutrient-rich dry kibble diet.Portions will depend on the size, energy level, and life stage of your dog.Always follow the recommended food requirements on the specific dog food you purchase.

Grooming ??

One thing you may find most adorable about an English Toy Spaniel is their long-flowy hair that mimics pigtails.While adorable, coat care is essential.These dogs are prone to matting, so you will need to get ahead of any tangles forming.

Health and Conditions ??

As with any purebred dog, English Toy Spaniels are susceptible to certain health conditions over others.Be sure to keep up with regular evaluations at your veterinarians to get ahead of any developing issues as your pup ages.

How active is the English Toy Spaniel?

Charlies are not a very active breed and they love to snuggle but that does not mean they need no physical activity at all.It should be taken out for at least one walk a day and have opportunities for play sessions each day too.It is a great apartment breed due to its size and lack of activity, it does not require a yard.However having one is a place for it to play in and romp around in safety when its properly fenced in.When you take it for a walk make sure you keep it on a leash or harness as it will likely try to chase after small flying things like birds or butterflies.Even an English Toy Spaniel will start to act out and have behavioral problems if it does not get enough physical and mental stimulation.

How Active is this Spaniel?

These toy spaniels are quite vigorous when playing outside.Inside the home they tend to be more quiet and are very happy to be curled up beside you.

How is the English Toy Spaniel with children and other animals?

This dog is not one to have in homes that have young children.It does not like how they grab and pull, rush at them and tease them and it is a breed that will snap or bite if it feels mistreated.With older children it is a lot more at ease as they tend to know how to handle them in a kinder way.To make them more at ease with children make sure they are very well socialized and if raised with them it is more likely to be affectionate with them.Also make sure young children are always supervised and all children are taught how to touch and play appropriately with them.With other dogs they are friendly with socialization.It also tends to get alone well with other pets apart from birds and outside butterflies too.It likes to chase them, so should be in a leash when out walking.

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Suitability As Pets For Children?

English Toy Spaniels are quite fragile and do better if not around small or very young children.

Training ??

When it comes to training your English Toy Spaniel, you run into a few roadblocks here.First of all, they may be slightly delayed in picking up new concepts as opposed to some other canines.You will need to be patient as they learn how to do basic things, like going to potty outside.

What if I have a show dog?

Whether you have a show dog or a companion dog, the same basic care is given regarding nutrition, socialization, and hygiene. The difference is the maintenance, conditioning, and training for the show ring. It is always helpful if your breeder is willing to mentor you to lead you in the right direction upon entering the wonderful world of showing dogs. A great place to start is with the national breed club like the English Toy Spaniel Club of America, www.englishtoyspanielclubofamerica.

What is a common problem in English Toy Spaniels?

As with all breeds of dogs, the ETS does have some breed-specific health concerns.Heart disease (patent ductus arteriosus and mitral valve disease) can be life threatening and lead to heart failure.Other health concerns are eye conditions, respiratory conditions, and orthopedic problems.

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What will training look like?

The English Toy Spaniel or Charlie as it is also been nicknamed is moderately easy to train with the right approach.It can have times when it is more willful and its sensitivity means its training should be done with patience, being firm but also positive and fair.Because of its loyalty and affection for you it is likely to be very eager to please you most of the time so with some encouragement, praise and reward and the odd treat too, it will do well.Start training and socialization early, when you have it home there are things you can start, leaving it until it is a few months old can mean it learns bad habits and becomes more stubborn.Socialization will help prevent its natural shyness around other people from turning to suspicion or being nervous and snappy.It can be unsure in new situations and early socialization helps to give it confidence.

What’s the Price of English Toy Spaniel Puppies?

If you purchase an English toy Spaniel from a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay in the ballpark of $1,000 to $1,800.Price varies greatly depending on the vet care, quality of puppies, and preference of the breeder.

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History of English Toy Spaniels

In the 1800s, some breeders revamped the King Charles Spaniel by crossing it with Asian toy breeds like the Japanese Chin.

In 1574 a book about English dogs by Johannes Caius mentioned toy spaniels and we know that Mary, Queen of Scots had at least one herself and that her son James I received a gift of toy spaniels from Japan in 1613.

In 1587, legend has it that an English Toy Spaniel accompanied and comforted Mary, Queen of Scots before she was beheaded for treason.

In 1886, the American Kennel Club officially recognized English Toy Spaniel as a distinct breed.

In 1903, the Kennel Club combined four separate toy spaniel breeds under this single title.

In 1926 American Roswell Eldridge began offering prizes at the Crufts dog show to the dog most like an old Cavalier spaniel.

In 1926, a wealthy American named Roswell Eldridge visited England in search of the original little long-nosed Spaniel, often seen in King Charles portraits, but found none, so he offered cash prizes for whoever brought the male and female specimens more similar to the original animals.

In 1928, Miss Mostyn Walker presented a dog named Ann’s Son for evaluation and was awarded the 25-pound prize.

In 2006 only 161 English Toy Spaniel litters were registered with the AKC, while the litter registration for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels exceeded 4,000.

In the 1600s, both King Charles I and King Charles II adored the breed, and it was from the latter that they were eventually named the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

In the 1800s, those spaniels were bred with an oriental short-nosed spaniel to produce the modern King Charles Spaniel known in America as the English Toy Spaniel.