The English Toy Spaniel is the perfect breed for anybody who ever wanted a Cocker Spaniel that was small enough and calm enough to be a lapdog. Its toy size also makes the breed a great choice as your next travel companion. Closely related to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and crossed with toy dog breeds from Asia during the Victorian period, this breed is still dominated by its Cocker Spaniel half, but is still substantially calmer and slightly less dependent on its owners. Like other spaniel breeds, the English Toy Spaniel is NOT hypoallergenic.
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Size and Travel Options
The breed’s compact frame, dome-shaped head, and droopy ears means the English Toy Spaniel carries its weight in a way that is more conducive to airline travel. At 9-10 inches tall and weighing 8-14 pounds, this toy dog breed should have little-to-no-trouble traveling in the cabin on most flights. Nevertheless, if you get a dog on the larger side of the breed standard, it will be essential to buy a soft-sided carrier with maximum dimensions allowed by the airline to ensure your pet’s comfort while traveling. For some modes of transportation, you might even get away traveling with the Toy Spaniel outside of its carrier. In many ways, this breed is a slightly spunkier version of the traditional lapdog.
Personality as a Travel Companion
Still quite devoted to their owners, the English Toy Spaniel is considerably more independent than the Cocker Spaniel, another plus for those who may not want to be around their pet every single minute while traveling. You should feel fine leaving them at a parent’s house with other family members while going on an excursion and traveling for the holidays. A seasonal shedder who will benefit from semiweekly brushing, the breed has pretty manageable care and grooming needs.
Likewise, the English Toy Spaniel is a medium-energy dog that will be up for most excursions you want to take them on, but they’re also willing to spend the day on the couch from time to time. About the only thing they don’t do well with is hot, humid weather and strenuous activity or stressful situations. Like many toy breeds, this short-faced dog is susceptible to breathing problems when put in these situations.
Health and Longevity
This breed is generally healthy but can suffer from many of the same conditions that afflict other toy-sized and flat-faced breeds. This includes patellar luxation, heart and breathing conditions, and eye irritation/infections. Like other spaniels, the ears should also be checked periodically for signs of infection. One difference with other toy breeds is that English Toy Spaniels are less likely to live to a very old age. Their life expectancy is about 10-12 years.
English Toy Spaniel Breeders and Adoption Centers
You’ll have a number of colors you can search for. One of the most common color combinations for the coat is black and tan, and is known as a King Charles Spaniel. The other three colors are the Blenheim Spaniel (red and white), Prince Charles (white, black, and tan), and Ruby (red). Though not quite as well known as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the English Toy Spaniel is still a fairly well defined and popular breed. The only average price range we’ve seen quoted is $1,000-$1,800, but we know that English Toy Spaniels are available for a few hundred dollars from the right adoption center. Likewise, finding rare traits from a top breeder may easily cost $2,5000 or more.