INTRODUCTION

Nicknamed “Charlies” after the king who loved them, the English Toy Spaniel dog breed is quieter and more solitary than their Cavalier cousins, but they can have a mischievous spark. They tend to prefer one person and are not “say hello to your companion, well met” type dogs. Although they are purebred dogs, you can still find them in shelters and rescues. Remember to adopt. Don’t go shopping if you want to take a dog home.English Toy Spaniels are easy to get along with. They don’t need much exercise – a daily walk is enough – and prefer to stay indoors, partly because they don’t tolerate extreme weather very well. Children are likely to cause too much excitement for this laid-back dog. A nice flat with a calm parent will be perfect for this breed, which will be very affectionate to its owner.

HIGHLIGHTS

Socialisation is important with this breed because they can be shy when exposed to new people or situations.Considered to be an average shedder, the English Toy Spaniel should be brushed every week to remove loose hair and to maintain the coat from tangles. For the dog’s own safety, the English Toy Spaniel should be kept on a leash whenever out for a walk and should also have a fully fenced yard.The English Toy Spaniel does well in flats.The English Toy Spaniel does not tolerate heat very well and should be watched on hot days to ensure that it does not overexert itself. It is recommended that dogs reside in air-conditioned housing. English Toy Spaniels have low energy levels and little need for exercise. They are happy to spend their days sitting on their laps, and a leisurely walk around the neighbourhood will satisfy their exercise needs. English Toy Spaniels are affectionate dogs that tend to get along well with children, but they are not the ideal breed for a home with busy children, as they can be overwhelmed by the noise and excitement of children. English Spaniels are companion dogs and thrive when they are with the people they love. They should not live outdoors or in a kennel away from their family.Separation anxiety is a common problem in the English Toy Spaniel and they can become destructive when separated from their owners for a period of time.To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill or pet shop.

HISTORY

Toy spaniels have been around for centuries and were a favourite of royal courts. Mary, Queen of Scots, her grandson Charles I and her great-grandson Charles II were avid fans of the little spaniels. In fact, their nickname, Charlie, comes from the two kings of that name. They are devoted to death. Both Mary Queen of Scots and Charles I were accompanied to their executions by their little spaniels.The toy spaniels of centuries past were slightly different from the ones we know today. They had a pointed muzzle, but crosses with breeds such as the Japanese Chin and Pug in the 18th and 19th centuries eventually resulted in dogs with the short muzzle and round apple head found in today’s breed.By the end of the 19th century, the old-style toy spaniel with the more pointed muzzle had passed into history, but an American art lover named Roswell Eldridge offered a large monetary prize to the breeder who could reproduce them. King Charles Spaniel breeders took some of their long muzzles and created what is now known as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a slightly larger cousin of the ET.You can see the differences between them if you look closely. Charlies have a more pushed-in face, a domed head and ears that sit below the top of the head. Cavaliers have a longer nose, a flat head and ears that hang from the top of the head. Charlies have a docked tail, while Cavaliers have a long plum-like tail. They come in the same four colours, although the ET colours have the more romantic designations of Prince Charles for the tricolour and King Charles for the black and tan.The Cavalier was given that name to differentiate it from the King Charles Spaniel, but American breeders went a step further and began calling the Charlies English Toy Spaniels. They are still known as King Charles Spaniels in their homeland of Great Britain.