The English Toy Spaniel or King Charles Spaniel as he is referred to in the United Kingdom has a small, compact body, a domed head, long ears, protruding eyes, and a docked tail.  He has a short nose with a very short muzzle, a broad square jaw, and a slightly undershot bite.  He is a sturdy dog despite his delicate and small stature. 

He is sweet, shy, quiet, and easygoing, very affectionate with his owners and with those he is familiar with, and gets along well with children.  Though timid at first, he quickly warms up to strangers.  Patient and consistent training should begin early from puppy hood.  If he is pushed too hard, he may become passive-resistant, taking a head-in-the-sand attitude. 

It is important for you as his owner to go slow and to socialize him as early as you can. Spoiling may encourage this breed to develop a bossy, pushy behavior and may reduce his confidence level.  In addition, a nervous or overbearing owner will also reduce his confidence level.

Housebreaking can be difficult with the English Toy Spaniel.  Because of his spaniel instincts, this dog enjoys a game of retrieving a toy or a ball.  This breed is susceptible to ear infection.  In addition, be careful of his protruding eyes because they can easily be damaged by rubbing against a wall or a leash.  This breed is sensitive to extremes in temperature.   

Size:  The English Toy Spaniel stands 9-10in at the shoulder and weighs between 8 and 12lb.

History and origin:  The English Toy Spaniel was first thought of as a British breed but was in fact an ancient breed that can be traced back to Japan in 2000BC.  He was introduced into Spain and then England by traders in the 16th and 17th centuries. 

This breed has been associated with many royalties, including one that was found hidden in the folded gown of Mary, Queen of Scots, right after her execution.  In 1903, the United Kingdom tried to change the breed's name to Toy Spaniel.  However, King Edward VII, a devotee of the breed, opposed the change and the breed name remained as King Charles Spaniel.

Feeding:  Recommended feeding for the English Toy Spaniel would be ½ - 1 can (13.3oz size) of high-quality meat product with biscuit added in equal amount or 1 ½ cupfuls of a complete dry food.

Exercise:  An apartment is fine for the English Toy Spaniel as long as he gets 1 or 2 walks a day. 

Grooming:  The English Toy Spaniel has a long, silky, and wavy shedding coat that requires daily brushing with a bristle brush.  Keep in mind that his coat mats easily, particularly if the dog is left outside in wet weather.  His eyes need to be wiped everyday with cotton wool dipped in a weak saline solution to keep them clear of unsightly tear streaks.