English Toy Spaniel: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The English toy spaniel is a small toy dog breed from England with a silky, medium-length coat and a strong resemblance to its cousin, the popular Cavalier King Charles spaniel. English toy spaniels have large, dark, expressive eyes; long, furry ears; and a domed skull. Their coat comes in four varieties, each with a specific name: King Charles (black and tan), Blenheim (red and white), Prince Charles (black, white, and tan), and Ruby (solid red). British royalty favored English toy spaniels not only for their sweet appearance and compact size but also their devotion to their humans and love of being a lapdog. 

Characteristics of the English Toy Spaniel

The English toy spaniel tends to have an affectionate and playful personality with its family, though it can be somewhat reserved around strangers. Its temperament also can include a stubborn streak, which might complicate training. But overall this breed is happy, friendly, and relatively quiet.

History of the English Toy Spaniel

Toy spaniels can trace their history in Great Britain back to the 1500s. The ancestors of these small dogs likely came from Asia and potentially other parts of the world, including Spain.

British royalty fell in love with toy spaniels, and the dogs are often seen in portraits of royals and aristocrats from centuries past. In fact, around the time of Shakespeare, the dogs were referred to as “spaniel gentle” and “the comforter” thanks to their loving lapdog nature.

During the 1800s, crosses between the toy spaniels of Britain and Asian toy breeds, likely the Japanese chin and pug, led to the defined English toy spaniel breed. These dogs had a more domed skull and flatter face than the earlier toy spaniels of Britain. The English toy spaniel’s cousin, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, was actually an attempt to breed a dog that was more like those earlier toy spaniels.

The American Kennel Club first recognized the English toy spaniel breed in 1886. But it's still a relatively uncommon breed in the United States today.

English Toy Spaniel Care

The English toy spaniel has a moderate energy level and loves to play. Its coat does require some upkeep, and it should receive training and socialization starting at a young age.

Exercise

Plan to spend at least an hour per day exercising your dog. As long as this breed gets enough exercise, it’s typically calm in the house. A morning and evening walk plus playtime throughout the day should suffice for this little dog. Puzzle toys and dog sports also can help to challenge your dog mentally. 

It’s important to note that English toy spaniels generally don’t do well in hot weather, as their short face can cause breathing problems. So keep outside exercise brief when it’s warm.

Grooming

Brush your English toy spaniel’s coat at least twice a week to remove loose fur and prevent tangles and mats. It’s ideal to have a soft-bristle brush and a comb to work out any tangles. Plan on a bath roughly every month, and make sure to brush out the coat well afterward. Also, dry your dog’s ears well after a bath. And look in them at least weekly for wax buildup, dirt, and irritation. 

Moreover, check your dog’s nails monthly to see whether they’re due for a trim. And aim to brush its teeth every day using a canine toothpaste.

Training

Start training and socializing your English toy spaniel ideally when it’s a puppy to instill good behaviors and prevent bad habits from forming. A puppy class can teach both basic obedience commands and manners. Always use positive-reinforcement training methods, such as treats and praise. This breed can be especially sensitive to harsh corrections and might shut down and refuse to learn. 

An area of training that you might have to work extra on is teaching your dog to be OK when you leave the house. English toy spaniels prefer to be with their humans and might experience separation anxiety when left alone—potentially engaging in destructive behaviors, such as unwanted chewing. A professional dog trainer or behaviorist can give you tips on how to combat this. But this breed is best for a household where someone is home for most of the day.

Common Health Problems

The English toy spaniel is overall a healthy dog breed. But it is prone to some hereditary health issues, including: 

• Eye problems
• Heart disease
• Patellar luxation

Diet and Nutrition

Always make sure your English toy spaniel has access to fresh water. And feed it a quality, nutritionally balanced canine diet, typically in two measured meals per day. A diet that’s specifically made for small/toy breeds often is ideal. But be sure to discuss both the type of food and the amount with your vet to verify that you’re meeting your dog’s individual needs. Also, be mindful of treats and other extra food. Even being just a pound overweight can be a lot for a small dog.

Where to Adopt or Buy an English Toy Spaniel

The English toy spaniel is a fairly uncommon breed, especially when compared to the popular Cavalier King Charles spaniel. So you might have trouble locating a dog. But it’s still worth checking local animal shelters and rescue groups for an English toy spaniel in need of a home. See whether you can get your name on a breed wait list. Breeders also might be difficult to come by, depending on where you live. If you’re looking for a puppy from a reputable breeder, expect to pay around $1,000 to $1,800 on average.

For more information to help you find an English toy spaniel, check out: 

• English Toy Spaniel Club of America
• English Toy Spaniel Rescue
  

English Toy Spaniel Overview

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

As with any breed, do thorough research on the English toy spaniel before bringing one home to make sure it’s right for your lifestyle. Talk to breed owners, rescue groups, reputable breeders, and veterinary professionals. Spend some time around English toy spaniels too if possible.

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Papillon
• Japanese chin
• Tibetan spaniel

There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!