English Toy Spaniel: Complete Guide, Info, Care & More!

The English Toy Spaniel is a cute little dog. In England, it’s also called the King Charles Spaniel. The Cavalier King is related, but they are two different breeds. The English Toy Spaniel, however, is quieter than the Cavalier.

This breed is not suited to long-term isolation. This breed may not be ideal for people who work long hours. The English Toy Spaniel, despite being affectionate and loving with strangers, may not be a good choice for children as it prefers a more subdued environment.

Breed Overview

Compatible with:

Families with older children, seniors looking for a friend

Temperament:

Love, kindness, sweetness, and a gentle manner are all words that describe an affectionate, loving, and sweet person.

They are not energetic and do not need much exercise. The English Toy Spaniel is a great companion for seniors and families with older children. They are also popular with those who brush their hair regularly and do not live in extreme temperatures.

You can find out if the King Charles breed is right for you, your home, and your family. Also, learn what it takes to own one.

English Toy Spaniel Characteristics

Energy:

Low-energy dogs need minimal physical activity, while high-energy dogs are in need of a lot of mental and physical stimulation. When choosing a puppy, it’s crucial to ensure that their energy level matches your lifestyle.

Trainability:

Dogs that are easy to train learn prompts and actions more quickly, with less training. Dogs who are more difficult to train require a little bit of patience and practice.

Health:

Some breeds of dogs are more susceptible to genetic problems than others. It doesn’t necessarily mean that all dogs will suffer from these problems, but some are more susceptible than others.

Lifespan:

Some breeds have shorter life expectancies than others, either because of their size or genetic issues. The lifespan of your dog is also affected by proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene.

Sociability:

Some dog breeds have a more social disposition, towards both humans and dogs. Social dogs are more likely to approach strangers and ask for pets or scratches. Less social dogs tend to be more reserved and cautious. It’s important that you socialize with your dog, regardless of the breed.

English Toy Spaniel Puppies

Because the English Toy Spaniel breed is rare, its price is higher than for other similar breeds. You may need to search for breeders due to the rarity of this breed. You can join breed groups, contact kennel club members, or ask English Toy Spaniels owners that you know.

You should ask a breeder if both parents are able to produce a Canine Eye Registry Foundation Certificate. The certificate must be current and show that both parents are healthy. The Orthopedic Foundation of America should have issued a certificate to both parents, which is also dated within the last year. This certifies that the dogs are heart-healthy.

Ask to meet either one or both parents. At least the mother dog should be available for a meeting. You should check her health and assess how alert and friendly she is. Her pups will learn early socialization from her.

It is unlikely that you will find them in shelters due to their cost and rarity, but not impossible. Find out the reason for its adoption. You don’t have to blame the dog for the situation, but it’s important that you make sure the dog will fit in with your family.

Temperament and intelligence of the English Toy Spaniel

It is known for being a friendly dog. It’s more comfortable in someone’s lap rather than in the field.

What breeds are good for families?

English Toy Spaniels can be reserved with strangers. This can be overcome by early and continuous socialization. The breed is friendly with all people and children of any age.

This breed does prefer a quieter environment at home. He does not like to be around young children. However, there are exceptions. This breed is not very active and will look for a quiet place to play when the children are.

Can this breed get along with other pets?

The English Toy Spaniel can get along with other dogs as well as cats with socialization. If you plan to house this breed with other pets, make sure that they are introduced at an early age.

What to know before you buy an English Toy Spaniel

The breed is popular among seniors and can easily adapt to apartment life. It is also a good companion dog, requiring minimal exercise. The English Toy Spaniel is not recommended for very young children or boisterous ones. It also has some health issues that owners should be aware of. Here are a few things to consider before bringing one of these dogs into your home.

Food & Diet Requirements

Your dog’s daily food intake will be determined by factors like its age, weight, underlying health conditions, and how much exercise it gets. Ask your vet how much food you should give your dog. Your vet will tell you if your dog is overweight or underweight and if there are any nutritional and dietary requirements.

You can also follow the instructions on the packaging of your dog’s food. You can weigh your dog to get an accurate guide to feeding. If you are trying to feed your spaniel more or lose weight, you should feed them according to their desired size, not what they are.

An English Toy Spaniel this size typically eats between 1/2-1 cup of dry kibble per day. Consider reducing the amount of dry and wet food you give your dog if you mix both. Deduct calories from the daily intake of food by determining how many treats your dog receives.

Ensure that your dog has access to water at all times.

Exercise

The breed is popular with older owners because it requires minimal daily exercise. Your English Toy Spaniel should only need to walk around the block every day. Because of the breed’s tendency for joint problems, English Toy Spaniels should not have too much exercise or walk too far.

Training

They are intelligent, but they can also be independent. The dogs are generally eager to please their owners and will accept positive training techniques.

Socialization early on is important. The spaniel may be timid or even scared around strangers if it is not socialized early. Socialization helps a dog to cope with unfamiliar situations and people.

Grooming

The coat of an English Toy Spaniel may be straight and long, but it can also have a slight wave or curl. The breed has no special grooming needs, despite the long, luxurious hair. Brush him once a week in order to remove dead hair and ensure comfort.

It is important to wash your Spaniel’s face every day, particularly overnight. You will also need to clean out the ears with a cotton swab.

Every two months, trim the nails. The English Toy Spaniel will require regular nail trimming because it does not take long walks. To make it easier on both you and your dog, start when he is a pup. If you prefer, a professional can do the job for you.

You will also need to brush the teeth of your dog at least three or four times per week, ideally every day. It is best to begin this process when your dog is still a puppy.

Health Conditions

The English Toy Spaniel can be prone to a number of genetic conditions and health problems, including those common to small and toy breeds.

Minor Conditions

• Cataracts
• Patellar Luxation
• Retinal Dysplasia
• Cleft Palate
• Seborrhea
• Fused Toes

Serious Conditions

• Entropion
• Anesthesia Sensitivity
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus
• Mitral Valve Insufficiency

Male vs female

The male Spaniel grows a little bigger than the female but not by much. Some anecdotal reports suggest that males can be more loving, but also more aggressive. Females tend to have mood swings. However, character traits depend more on the individual rather than gender.

Three little-known facts about the English Toy Spaniel

1. There are four color variations.

The English Toy Spaniel is available in four different colors.

• The King Charles is a black and tan
• Prince Charles is a combination of black, white, and tan.
• The red-and-white variant is called the Blenheim
• Ruby is the name given to this red variety.

The King Charles Toy Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles are not the same, despite their names being very similar. These two breeds may be related but they are different.

Both breeds are descendants of Toy Spaniels, which Queen Mary I favored in the 16th Century. They were treated as the same breed up until the 1920s when they were separated.

The Cavalier today is slightly bigger than the Toy Spaniel. While the Cavalier King Charles has perfectly straight hair, Toy Spaniels can have slightly curly or wavy hair. The King Charles also has wider-set eyes and a shorter snout than the Cavalier.

Both the Cavalier King Charles (also known as the King Charles Toy Spaniel) and the King Charles Toy Spaniel were named King Charles because the monarch loved the coloration of the breed. Both dogs are affectionate and relaxed. Cavaliers are more common than Toy Spaniels, which are rarer and slightly higher priced.

2. Companion dogs are great companions.

The toy classification indicates that the Spaniel was bred as a companion dog.

The English Toy Spaniel remains a popular companion dog, especially among seniors. It doesn’t require much exercise and won’t benefit from intense physical activities. They prefer to sit on their owner’s lap or follow them around.

This breed is also good with children and families. The breed does not play much and prefers to be left alone. It might not get along with loud and rambunctious children.

The breed’s happy nature is predominant. It will get along with other dogs and strangers, as well, with early socialization.

3. The English Toy Spaniel is Prone to Patellar Luxation

It is more common in Toy Spaniels than in other breeds. Patellar luxation, also known as slipped stifles or slipped knees, is a condition where the thigh and tibia do not line up properly. This can cause lameness and discomfort for the dog. The disease will usually lead to arthritis, and although it can be present at birth, the symptoms will not often appear until the dog is older.

The severity of patellar luxation can be graded. The tibia may occasionally turn in Grade I. The condition can lead to lameness that is temporary and may only occur occasionally. Grade IV, on the other hand, is a chronic and severe condition. When Grade IV patellar degeneration is present, the patellar cannot be realigned manually.

Treatment for mild to moderate patellar dislocations usually involves physiotherapy and exercises. In more severe cases, surgery or surgical procedures may be required. All cases may require ongoing pain relief.

Final Thoughts

The English Toy Spaniel makes a good companion. The breed is friendly with most people, but not with noisy children or young ones. It’s best to live with older owners. It does not need a lot of exercise and enjoys being with its owner. However, it can develop separation anxiety when left alone for too long.

Spaniels are independent but have a desire to please. This breed is easy to train in terms of behavior and potty training, though it requires early socialization so that it can react well to strangers.