Appearance

They have large dark eyes, short nose, a high domed head and a line of black skin around the mouth. They typically have a docked tail, pendulous ears, and coat that come in four varieties. Due to their subtle differences, the English Toy Spaniel and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are often mixed up by novice dog enthusiasts. There are several significant differences between the two breeds, one of which is their size. The English Toy Spaniel can weigh approximately 8 to 14 pounds while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel could reach between 13 to 18 pounds.

History

The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog breed of spaniel type. According to some authorities, the dog’s history can be traced either in Japan or in China during the ancient times. The dog shares a common ancestry with the Pekingese and Japanese Chin. It is also customary for Far Eastern nations to give toy spaniels as gifts to European royalty. Although the English Toy Spaniel is already present in England, it wasn’t until the reign of King Charles I that their popularity skyrocketed. King Charles favored so much the black and tan coat colored variety that the breed’s other name is King Charles Spaniel. Apart from its adornment, the English Toy Spaniel was also well known to a fine small hunting dog, particularly on woodcock. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1886.