English Toy Spaniel - Royal Comforter

The English Toy Spaniel, is a sweet lovable and gentle lap dog. Bred entirely as a companion dog, this little soul need human interaction and a welcoming lap. Highly suitable for apartment living, this sweetheart is a delight for older people. Considered one of the most suitable lap dogs that provides unconditional love to its doting owner.

The King Charles Spaniel (a popular variety of English toy spaniels) is not to be confused with the King Charles Cavalier, which is a different breed altogether featuring a larger body with a longer muzzle and only recognized as a breed in 1995 whilst the English toy Spaniels were recognized in 1886.

Color plays an important part in this toy dog breed.

King Charles - Black and Tan (very little white on the chest allowed)
Prince Charles - Tricolor (white with black and tan patches)
Blenheim - Red and White (with a spot of red on the forehead)
Ruby - Solid Chestnut (with a few white hairs on chest allowed)

History	Going back to as far as the 16th Century when Mary Queen of Scots received one as a gift. Probably a gift from the Far East although the details remains sketchy. In the 19th Century these toy dogs were bred with the Pug to reduce the size of the nose (a fashion statement for Royal ladies of the Court in those days).
Personality	Gentle and not energetic, preferring to be on your lap. Frankly the perfect companion dog for someone who wants a devoted lap dog.
Appearance	Silky coat with gentle feathering on the ears, feet and tail. There are 4 distinct color varieties within one breed. See above for details.
Grooming	Twice weekly brushing, ear and teeth cleaning is all that is required. Naturally nail clipping is required especially our lap dogs who do not exercise vigorously to naturally trim their claws.
Health	As with all Brachycephalic dog breeds, some health issues present themselves. Otherwise considered a healthy breed although not longevity. Potential heart conditions should be checked with a responsible breeder. Patellar Luxation is common (knee joint disorder) with many small dog breeds; the English Toy Spaniels are no different.
Family	This special tot needs to be protected from extreme weather conditions and should be housed indoors with the family. Gets on well with children but as with all dogs, supervision is essential with young children who must be taught how to play with dogs especially those with fragile frames.
Training	Easy to moderate. Firm and gentle persuasion is needed. Aggression will result in an unhappy neurotic pet. They should not be over spoilt or they could become snappy.
Ideal Home	An apartment or any home where this tot will be the center of attention receiving lots of human interaction.
Lifespan	Relatively short for small dog breeds; 10 - 12 years
Purpose	Purely as a companion dog and lovable lap dog.
Watch dog	This is not an aggressive dog breed although shy with strangers, he will but will alert you when visitors arrive.

For more information on English Toy Spaniels

Brachycephalic Dog Breeds - Real Hot Dogs

More Toy Dog Breeds - Not just Playthings

Other Popular Small Dogs and Teacup Dog Breeds

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English Toy Spaniel - Royal Comforter