Appearance:

An English Toy Spaniel, also known as a King Charles Spaniel, has a very short, smashed in nose. It is similar to that of a pug. They have big, murky eyes and long hanging ears. They have a large, round-shaped head. The head is exceptionally large in comparison to the rest of an English Toy Spaniel’s body. The fur on an English Toy Spaniel is long, smooth and silky. They come in a few colors. They can be black and tan, which is normally referred to as “King Charles”. They can be solid or almost solid red, which is called Ruby. They can be black with tan markings, which is called Prince Charles, and they can be white with red markings, that is called Blenheim. They are small and compact, along with a solid, well-built frame. They are about 10 inches in height and weighs from 8 to 10 pounds. In the United States of America it is popular to dock, or bob their tails. But that is illegal in most parts of Europe.

Personality:

The English Toy Spaniel is an affectionate little dog. They can be playful, but are normally calm and sophisticated. But it is smart to keep them in a confined yard, they love to chase animals, hence the spaniel in them. They are wonderful lap dogs. They love to cuddle and just lounge around on coaches. They don’t like strangers too much and they can be shy, and possibly aggressive though, if they have not been socialized enough.  They make wonderful pets for the elderly, but not children. They are caring and gentle, and get along with other pets. Like most small dogs, they suffer from separation anxiety, a state of anxiety caused in somebody by the thought or fact of being separated from primary caregiver. They need lots of grooming, also. Since their fur is long and thick, it must be taken care of. They are easy to train They live around 10 to 12 years. The English Toy Spaniel does have many health problems. Some of these problems are: slipped –knees,-palettes, -stifles, Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA), Mitral Valve Disease are just to name a few.

Origin:

In the early 1600s toy spaniels were very popular in Europe.  Charles the II was very affectionate toward this breed of dog, which is why they now carry his name. But back then they didn’t have the smashed in face of the modern day English Toy Spaniel. Back then they would have looked like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. But later on in the century and early into the next, pugs were becoming popular. Eventually the pug and the English Toy Spaniel were bred together to create the modern day breed. The AKC recognized the breed in 1886.

picture from:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Betty_Verdure.Photo_Ph.BRIZARD.JPG