| English Toy Spaniels: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about English Toy Spaniel personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the English Toy Spaniel, including these excerpts:
"One of the most amiable and undemanding of the toys, the elegant English Toy Spaniel is easy to live with and easy to like.
One breeder describes him as "quiet, intimate, dignified, funny, and sweet."
Though he does love to play in the yard, he doesn't need or want much more exercise than that. The yard must be fenced, for he has just enough spaniel instincts to chase birds or butterflies into the street.
Calm indoors, a lover of comfort and couches, he enjoys cuddling on laps and snuggling into soft pillows. His soulful eyes invite pampering, which he accepts graciously without taking nasty advantage.
This docile yet merry breed is terrific for senior citizens.
At the other end of the spectrum, he is easily overwhelmed by small children and cannot take rough handling or mischief.
The "Charlie" (reflecting his European name: King Charles Spaniel) is somewhat reserved with strangers. His own family is enough for him, thank you very much.
He is mildly stubborn, but the little training he needs will go well if you use praise and encouragement -- and food rewards never hurt."
History
Developed in Great Britain, the English Toy Spaniel was a favorite of the ruling class. His primary job was to warm laps in drafty castles and on chilly carriage rides.
Size
9-10 inches and 8-14 lbs, though many individuals are larger and make sturdy pets |
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English Toy Spaniels
(King Charles Spaniels)
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is small and pretty, with a short face, large expressive eyes, and a lovely feathered coat in striking colors
- Is amiable and sweet-tempered
- Adores comfort, cuddling, and snuggling
- Doesn't need much exercise
- Is polite with strangers
- Is peaceful with other pets
An English Toy Spaniel may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- The fragility of toy breeds (see full decription below)
- A dependent personality that must have companionship most of the day to avoid "separation anxiety" and destructiveness
- Timidity and shyness when not socialized enough
- Frequent brushing and combing
- Shedding
- Waiting lists (hard to find) and a high price tag
- Health problems
An English Toy Spaniel may not be right for you.
| If I were considering an English Toy Spaniel... |
My major concerns would be:
- Fragility. Too many people acquire a toy breed puppy without understanding how incredibly fragile a toy breed is. You can seriously injure or kill an English Toy Spaniel puppy by stepping on him or by sitting on him when he's curled under a blanket or pillow, where he frequently likes to sleep. And English Toy Spaniel puppies can seriously injure or kill THEMSELVES by leaping from your arms or off the back of your sofa. Owning a toy breed means constant supervision and surveillance of what's going on around your small dog. English Toy Spaniels must always be kept indoors, in a safely fenced yard, or on-leash -- they are just too easy to injure when not under your complete control.
| If you have small children, I do not recommend English Toy Spaniel puppies, no matter how well-meaning the child. Small children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to an English Toy Spaniel puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even ETS adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness may be the result. |
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, English Toy Spaniels need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They become anxious, which they express through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Providing enough socialization. English Toy Spaniels need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds so that their natural "softness" doesn't become shyness, which is very difficult to live with.
- Grooming. To keep their silky coat short and free of mats, English Toy Spaniels require regular brushing and combing, and occasional trimming.
- Shedding. English Toy Spaniels shed a lot. You'll find hair all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life.
- Finding one. In the United States, fewer than 250 new English Toy Spaniel puppies are registered each year. (Compare that to over 60,000 new Golden Retriever puppies.) And many breeders are charging $1000 or more.
- Health problems. Because of their short face, English Toy Spaniels suffer more than their share of health problems.
| Not all English Toy Spaniels are alike! |
- There are energetic English Toy Spaniels, and placid ones.
- Hard-headed English Toy Spaniels, and sweet-natured ones.
- Serious English Toy Spaniels, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted English Toy Spaniels, and individuals who love everyone.
| If you acquire an English Toy Spaniel puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult English Toy Spaniel... |
There are plenty of adult English Toy Spaniels who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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