English Toy Spaniel: Personality, Exercise, Grooming

Group: Toy

About English Toy Spaniel

Country of Origin, History of the breed The English Toy Spaniel originated in Great Britain. This breed was a companion animal for royalty throughout the Renaissance. The English Toy Spaniel was bred through crossbreeding Toy Spaniels, Pugs, or Japanese Chins during the 18th and 19th century.

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A General Appearance of the Dog

This breed has a soft appearance, with a short face, large brown or black eyes, and long ears that are placed close to the dog’s head. The English Toy Spaniel has a compact, sturdy frame with a dome-shaped head and a silky-appearing coat.

Coat

English Toy Spaniels have been bred with several different coat colours. The black and tan are dark raven with bright tan above the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on the chest and legs, and on the underside of the tail. The ruby is a solid red with a small patch of white fur on the chest. The Blenheim consists of chestnut markings with noticeable red markings around the eyes. The tricolor has black and white colouring that is spaced around the dog’s body.

The English Toy Spaniel has a long, silky, and straight coat with heavy fringe around the body, chest, and ears. The coat has a straight or slightly wavy appearance, along with a smooth, glossy texture.

Height: 9 and 11 inches.

Weight: 8 and 14 pounds.

Personality

The English Toy Spaniel is popularly known as a lap dog; this breed prefers to stay near its owner and sit by the owner’s side. This breed is known for shyness, an easygoing nature, and consistent dedication to its owner. The English Toy Spaniel is an ideal pet and companion for senior citizens as it is even tempered and willing to please.

Temperament of the Dog

This breed maintains a calm temperament when indoors. The dogs enjoy pampering and physical comfort; they like to sit on furniture, cuddle in an owner’s lap, or surround themselves with soft pillows on the floor. The English Toy Spaniel is known to be obedient, with a dependent personality that requires consistent companionship throughout the day. This breed is friendly toward strangers, but will be somewhat reserved until familiarity is established.

Better suited to an indoor or outdoor lifestyle?

The English Toy Spaniel enjoys playing outside in an enclosed space, and this breed also likes to walk and hunt. When these dogs are outside, it is recommended that they are constantly supervised. This breed will become very used to being indoors with its owner and the owner’s family, and a home or apartment environment will equally suit the dog.

Are they suited to homes with kids?

English Toy Spaniels enjoy playing with children, but rough behavior needs to be forbidden. The English Toy Spaniel is small and fragile; it can become easily intimidated or hurt by noise, teasing, or aggressive behavior. It is safer for the dog to be in a home with no children or more mature children.

How to take care of the English Toy Spaniel Puppy? The English Toy Spaniel is easily trained and learns quickly. It responds to consistent training activity, appropriate praise, and rewards for expected behavior. This breed can become shy or nervous if it is not around people, sights, or sounds early in life. Due to its dependent nature, it is not recommended that the English Toy Spaniel be left alone for extended periods of time.

Training

This breed is easily trained because the English Toy Spaniel is quick to learn due to its intelligence; these dogs learn at a very high rate. Training should include consistent praise, encouragement, and small food treats to reward expected behavior.

Activity Level

In general, the English Toy Spaniel demonstrates consistent calmness, but these dogs can become active when they are encouraged by owners or trainers.

Health & Care

This breed is prone to breathing problems (due to the shortness of the dog’s face), and the English Toy Spaniel is also prone to gaining weight. Other health problems are cataracts, heart murmurs, and inguinal hernias.

Cautions about Breeding the Dog

Kennel clubs recommend that the English Toy Spaniel should be purchased from a reputable breeder to prevent health or genetic problems. It should be noted that very few English Toy Spaniels are bred in the United States each year.

Litter size

The average litter size for this breed is between 2 and 4 pups.

Life span

The average life span for the English Toy Spaniel is between 10 and 12 years.

Grooming

The English Toy Spaniel requires regular brushing, combing, and trimming when necessary. This is done to keep the dog’s coat short and free of mats. In addition, the English Toy Spaniel sheds a great deal; it is recommended that furniture, carpeting, and clothing be treated to keep accumulated fur from gathering. A vacuuming schedule, such as two or three times per week, will help maintain cleanliness in the home. The dog should be brushed daily or every other day with a firm bristle brush, and bathed when necessary.

National Breed Club

In the United States, this breed is represented by The English Toy Spaniel Club of America. This organization can be reached via the internet at http://www.etsca.org/.

Recognition

The English Toy Spaniel was recognized by the American Kennel Club and The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom in 1886.