The English Toy Spaniel is one of our favorite “toy” dog breeds here at IndulgeYourPet because while they are a “small” dog, they’re not SO small that they can’t handle their “business.” And while we don’t want to mention any names, it’s fair to say that we’ve all seen folks walking around with those “tiny little dogs” that always seem to be shaking and looking as if they seem “lost” any time someone isn’t holding them in their arms.
But that’s…
The only reason why we like the English Toy Spaniel is because we also want him. After all, he is very closely related to another of our favorites, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Only the English Toy is a much healthier breed,d making him a much better choice for some families. This is why we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own an English Toy Spaniel so that if you are currently in the process of trying to determine what kind of dog you want to get, you’ll have a better idea if the English Toy Spaniel might be right for you.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
English Toy Spaniel Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: England
Original Purpose: Bird flushing and companionship
Height: 10 to 11 inches
Weight: 8 to 14 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Toy Group
Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
Origin of the English Toy Spaniel Dog Breed
The English Toy Spaniel and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed have King Charles II to thank for their existence today. This is because he was a HUGE fan of these little guys during his reign as king during the mid-1600s. In fact, during his time as king, these little ones even managed to become the symbols of the House of Stuart and were the ONLY dog breed allowed to enter the House of Parliament.
Now it is essential…
To understand that back in King Charles’ day, the English Toy and the Cavalier King weren’t two separate breeds yet. During King Charles’ day, there was just the Cavalier King dog breed, which only consisted of a black and tan version. Later on, other colors of these dogs were developed by the first Duke of Marlborough, including the now prevalent red-and-white version that we often refer to as the “Blenheims” version, named after the DDuke’sestate where these little guys were first created.
Ultimately…
Folks began to develop specific “preferences” within the Cavalier King Charles dog breed that became “significant” enough for folks to consider the Cavalier King as a separate breed from what would eventually become the English Toy. Specifically, those favoring a “smaller” sized dog with a “rounder” head and a flatter nose tended to lean towards what would become known as the Cavalier King breed., In comparison, others who preferred a more giant dog went with what would become the English Toy.
It is this “preference”…
That is mainly responsible for why the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have many health-related issues today and why we’ll often recommend the English Toy Spaniel over a Cavalier King in many situations.
(For more information about the health concerns for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed, be sure to check out our complete review on them).
Physical Characteristics
If you haven’t already guessed, the English Toy Spaniel is a small, compact,t square-bodied little dog. TUnlikemany other “toy” dog breeds “it tends” to be a bit “tougher” than the rest. This is probably because these little guys were also produced for practical reasons besides being born to be companion animals. Thesee little guys also made great hunting companions for those looking for a dog that could dive into the bush and flush out small game and birds.
Which means…
In addition to being cute and friendly, they needed to be a bit “rugged” and challenging. Now, physically, you’re going to find that the English Toy Spaniel will have a “doomed head,” which will be relatively small (but not as small as the Cavalier King Spaniel), as well as a short face. They’ll also have long fringed ears, big dark eyes, and a smooth and silky coat that can come in several colors, including:
- Black and tan,
- White and black,
- White and red,
And a wide variety of these three-color patterns as well. They should also have a short “docked” tail that is typically only about 2 to 4 inches long.
Personality and Temperament
One of the main reasons King Charles II and millions like him since have found the English Toy Spaniel such a great dog to own is because they are companion animals. Ones that are pretty playful and naive to their owners yet quietly reserved with strangers and don’t require much exercise, making them excellent pets for those living in urban settings or apartments where access to areas where your dog can run free is limited.
These little guys are also…
Tolerate of other pets, good with children, and don’t excessively bark a lot, which is why we often recommend this dog breed to those who already have a whole house of other critters (including kids)! They’re also pretty easy to train, which makes life much easier, particularly if you’re adopting an English Toy Spaniel puppy vs. an adult rescue dog. You’ll want to mix in plenty of positive reinforcement techniques and… always have a treat on hand to ensure you get quick results.
But be warned…
These little guys tend to pick a “favorite” in the family (usually the one who feeds them). Now, this doesn’t mean that they won’t love the family as a whole; it just means that there will probably be one person in the household that they will listen to more than others!
Potential Health Concerns
As a general rule of thumb, any time you adopt a pure-breed dog, you should expect that they may be at a higher risk for developing an inheritable genetic disorder associated with that particular breed. This is because most pure-breed dogs have been bred to “exhibit” certain physical traits that,t. As a result, they have “restricted” the genetic makeup of that breed. This is why it’s essential to understand what medical conditions you need to be on the lookout for each species and always work with a reputable breeder when choosing your puppy.
Now, in the case…
For the English Toy Spaniel, you’ll want to be sure to ask your breeder about the following medical conditions to get a better idea about the potential future health of your puppy.
And while some of these “conditions” may not be life-threatening, they can all be quite expensive if you need to pay for the total cost of treatment out of pocket. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet always advise any new pet owner to take a moment and see what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy for their new loved one. If they ever become sick or injured in the future, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of the cost of treatment.
For more information on who we “feel” currently offers some of the “best” pet insurance policies, check out our Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
