English Toy Spaniel

English Toy Spaniels are a gentle and loving lap dog that doesn't require a lot of exercise, making them a great breed for apartment living or less active households.

Calm, happy, and playful family dogs, English Toy Spaniels are typically friendly towards strangers, kids, and other pets. However, careful training is needed to keep them from developing small dog syndrome (i.e., the perception that they're bigger than they truly are).

Though they're intelligent and eager to please, English Toy Spaniels can sometimes be stubborn. Overall, this breed needs consistent training and lots of attention to be happy.

English Toy Spaniels have little stomachs that don't allow them to eat big meals. So, it's best to break their food up into several small meals throughout the day.

This breed thrives on a diet formulated for their specific life stage (e.g., puppy, adult, senior). Additionally, a diet created for small-breed dogs will have the appropriate blend of nutrients and a smaller kibble size to properly chew and digest their food.

To keep English Toy Spaniels at an ideal weight, keep a close eye on the amount of food they eat each day. To avoid accidental overfeeding, portion out their food using a measuring cup. And don't forget to account for treats when considering their daily calories. Even a couple of extra treats can add up for such a small dog. As a guideline, treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's calories.

Brushing your English Toy Spaniel's long, silky coat at least twice a week will prevent painful mats and tangles. Regular baths and trimming around the face and paws will also help keep this breed looking its best.

The English Toy Spaniel's long ears may make them more susceptible to ear infections. For this reason, check and clean your pup's ears regularly to prevent infections from developing.

Toy breeds are more likely to have dental issues due to their small mouths and crowded teeth. Regular dental care, including at-home teeth brushing, is essential for their overall long-term health. Because of their increased risk of dental disease, English Toy Spaniels may require more frequent professional cleanings beginning at an earlier age.

When not curled up on their favorite human's lap, English Toy Spaniels need moderate daily exercise. Leisurely walks outside and indoor play sessions are typically enough to do the trick.

Short-faced breeds like the English Toy Spaniel can't tolerate hot weather. They shouldn't be left outside or made to do strenuous activities on warm or humid days.

English Toy Spaniels are a naturally well-behaved and typically obedient breed. However, they do benefit from a patient, consistent training style.

They are often food-motivated and respond well to reward-based training. However, some English Toy Spaniels can be picky eaters. So, it may take some trial and error to find a tasty treat they're willing to work for.

Finally, early socialization will help your English Toy Spaniel mature into well-adjusted adult dogs.