English Toy Spaniel Temperament
The English Toy Spaniel is a sweet natured, undemanding, and friendly dog, with an amiable personality, a gentle nature, and a lot of affection to give to his owners. The low demands and sweet nature of this breed has made him a hit amongst the elderly or those that are unable to provide much in the way of exercise for their pet. The English Toy Spaniel is well suited for the inexperienced owner as well as the more experienced, and is a small dog that makes a great companion pet. Although these dogs are playful they are not demanding in terms of exercise requirements, and is in fact the type of dog that prefers to be pampered and loves his creature comforts.
If you are looking for an undemanding, sweet, gentle, and friendly companion dog that loves to cuddle up with you, then the English Toy Spaniel could be the ideal pet for you. These dogs will get along okay with older children that are more considerate, but they do not like being teased or handled roughly so are not well suited to younger, boisterous children. These dogs tend to get on well with other pets, but can be reserved when strangers are around. The English Toy Spaniel is a very fast learner and is obedient, which means that training shouldn’t prove too much of a problem – but beware, as some English Toy Spaniels can have a stubborn streak.
English Toy Spaniel Appearance
The English Toy Spaniel has a very sweet and docile appearance, which reflects his personality traits. His sweet face sports a thoughtful expression, and his coat is long and silky, with typical spaniel-type silky ears framing his small face. The coloring of the English Toy Spaniel can vary, and included tri-color, black and tan, mahogany red, and red and white. The weight of the English Toy Spaniel is around 8-10 pounds for females and around 12-15 pounds for males. The height of these dogs is around 9-10 inches. Although small, the English Toy Spaniel has a sturdy and compact build, yet at the same time also looks fragile because of his size.
English Toy Spaniel Grooming
As with other aspect of this breed, grooming requirements are pretty undemanding, and a twice weekly brush of his coat should help to keep it tangle free and in good condition, although you may have to brush more regularly when he is shedding more. You should ensure that the hair around his bottom is kept trimmed for hygiene reasons, and also check his ear canals are dry and clean for hygiene reasons and to reduce the chances of infections. These dogs are low shedders when properly groomed, and so may prove fine for allergy sufferers.
English Toy Spaniel Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of the English Toy Spaniel is around 10-12 years, and there are a number of health problems and disorders that are linked to the breed. This includes cataracts, luxating patella, hernias, heart problems, allergies and sensitivity to chemicals and medication, and respiratory problems resulting from his short muzzle. Be wary in the hot weather as these dogs can suffer heatstroke.
English Toy Spaniel History
The English Toy Spaniel originates from Great Britain, and was used to keep owners warm by snuggling up on their laps in cold building or even when traveling by carriage. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1886.