meet the...English Toy Spaniel
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 12: Companion and Toy Breeds
Sub-group 12-C: European and African Breeds
Origin Country Great Britain
Weight Males: 8-14 pounds. Females: 8-14 pounds.
Height Males: 9-11 inches. Females: 9-11 inches.
Other Name(s) King Charles Spaniel
Breed Type Pure
click here for FULL BREED STANDARD
Origins
Small Spaniels have always been common throughout England, and evidence of their initial development can be traced all the way back to 1016 CE. As with their larger relatives, their primary use was that of a hunting dog, a role they served for hundreds of years. By the 1500s, the spunky little toy-sized Spaniels had climbed their way to companion roles and served as lap dogs to the wealthy since only the affluent were able to keep such dogs that did not have to earn their place in the family. The breed’s predecessor, the King Charles Spaniel, was named for King Charles II, who was an avid aficionado of the small Spaniel types. Within the latter half of the nineteenth century, the toy Spaniels were crossed with Japanese Chins, which resulted in the creation of flat-faced, dome-skulled dogs called King Charles Spaniels, or “Charlies.” The King Charles Spaniel replaced the longer-muzzled, traditional miniaturized Spaniels.Breed Characteristics
Head: Fairly brachycephalic skull type, moderate in size, overall rounded, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull and forehead should be well-rounded or domed. The head is wrapped in strongly developed muscle, giving the head substance and breadth. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles. The head should never appear overly long or narrow.
Eyes: Moderate to fairly large in size, oval to almond in shape, and medium to dark brown in color. They should be set just above the level of the nose to ensure sufficient muzzle length. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. The whites or haw should not be visible. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Moderate in size, long, drop, and set rather low on the skull, with the base of the ears falling level with the eyes. They hang close to the head.
Muzzle: The muzzle is short, square, full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is preferably straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, preferably approximately equal in length, although a very slightly upturned lower jaw is acceptable. The jaws must have good bone substance, never appearing elongated, snipy, wry (crooked or malaligned), or weak. A perceptible muzzle is preferred over a completely flat profile to allow for ease of breathing and body temperature regulation. A completely flat profile is incorrect. The mouth should meet and shut firmly without exposed teeth or tongue.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nose may sit flush with the end of the muzzle or may be just slightly upturned, setting a touch behind the line of the end of the muzzle.
Neck: Moderate length allows for proud head carriage. It is strongly muscled with a good arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Body: Compact, deep, cobby, solid, and of good (almost surprising) substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked or carried straight up or over the back. The tail may be left natural (preferred), docked short, or naturally short and screwed (least desirable). The natural tail length is of moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. They may be straight or gently curved. Docked tails are cut to 1/3 of the original length or approximately two inches to four inches.
Movement: Active, effortless, flowing, efficient, and energetic, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The English Toy Terrier breed is known to be intelligent, lively, happy, and loyal. They bond strongly with their families and are even-tempered and gentle when raised around well-mannered children. They may be somewhat reserved or bashful around new people, but they warm up easily when treated kindly. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 12: Companion and Toy Breeds
Proportions: Just off-square with the length of the body, measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The length-to-height ratio is between 5:4 and 10:9. The body is notably cobby and well put together, with sturdy substance and medium bone. The dog should, overall, appear stout without appearing low-slung or racy. A perceptible muzzle is preferred over a completely flat profile to allow for ease of breathing and body temperature regulation. A completely flat profile is incorrect. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Fairly brachycephalic skull type, moderate in size, overall rounded, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull and forehead should be well-rounded or domed. The head is wrapped in strongly developed muscle, giving the head substance and breadth. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles. The head should never appear overly long or narrow.
Expression: Intelligent, sophisticated, and soft, with a hint of sovereignty.
Stop: The stop is deep and definite, preferably forming a 90-degree angle between the topskull and muzzle.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 8:1 to 4:1, with the topskull being longer than the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is convergent.
Muzzle: The muzzle is short, square, full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is preferably straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, preferably approximately equal in length, although a very slightly upturned lower jaw is acceptable. The jaws must have good bone substance, never appearing elongated, snipy, wry (crooked or malaligned), or weak. A perceptible muzzle is preferred over a completely flat profile to allow for ease of breathing and body temperature regulation. A completely flat profile is incorrect. The mouth should meet and shut firmly without exposed teeth or tongue.
Lips or Flews: The lips are clean and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws. They meet in front of the incisors, completely concealing the teeth, jaws, and tongue.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nose may sit flush with the end of the muzzle or may be just slightly upturned, setting a touch behind the line of the end of the muzzle.
Cheeks: The cheeks are well-developed and well-muscled, giving the face a somewhat “chubby” appearance. The cheeks should not appear chiseled or flat.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth are preferred. The bite may be level, reverse-scissor, or just slightly undershot with less than 1/8 inch of space between the upper and lower incisors permissible. Contact preferred between the top and bottom incisors. Teeth should sufficiently hold back the tongue and be completely concealed when the mouth is closed.
Eyes: Moderate to fairly large in size, oval to almond in shape, and medium to dark brown in color. They should be set just above the level of the nose to ensure sufficient muzzle length. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. The whites or haw should not be visible. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Moderate in size, long, drop, and set rather low on the skull, with the base of the ears falling level with the eyes. They hang close to the head.
Body and Tail
General Description: Compact, deep, cobby, solid, and of good (almost surprising) substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length allows for proud head carriage. It is strongly muscled with a good arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Topline: Level from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is short, broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, or slightly arched yet supportive. The back is never long, swayed, or roached.
Croup: Broad and gently sloped.
Underline: A slight tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked or carried straight up or over the back. The tail may be left natural (preferred), docked short, or naturally short and screwed (least desirable). The natural tail length is of moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. They may be straight or gently curved. Docked tails are cut to 1/3 of the original length or approximately two inches to four inches.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of moderate bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, moderate bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: The coat is smooth, short, and close on the face, forehead, and front of the forelimbs and hindlimbs. The coat is glossy, profuse, silky, soft, luxurious, and long on the body and appendages. It may be straight or slightly wavy. It is furnished the most and the longest on the neck and chest (forming strong ruff and apron), ears (well-feathered), rear of the forelimbs and hindlimbs, feet, and tail (plume approximately 3-4 inches in length). The coat should never be abundantly thick or curly.
Coat Color or Pattern: CKC recognizes two color varieties of the English Toy Spaniel breed: the standard and nonstandard.
Standard Color Variety: The English Toy Spaniel comes in four standard colors.
Ruby—Solid red, ranging from orange to chestnut to rich mahogany.
King Charles (black and tan)—Jet black with traditional tan points.
Blenheim (ruby bicolor)—All varieties of red are well-broken up by white. Symmetrical markings on the head are preferred, including color on the topskull. A white muzzle band and blaze interrupted by a lozenge is preferred.
Prince Charles (tricolor)—Traditional black with tan points well-broken up by white. Symmetrical markings on the head are preferred, including color on the topskull. A white muzzle band and blaze interrupted by a lozenge is preferred.
Non-standard coat color variety: Additional white markings falling outside of the permissible standard colors, asymmetrically marked individuals or solid black dogs.
Movement
Active, effortless, flowing, efficient, and energetic, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The English Toy Terrier breed is known to be intelligent, lively, happy, and loyal. They bond strongly with their families and are even-tempered and gentle when raised around well-mannered children. They may be somewhat reserved or bashful around new people, but they warm up easily when treated kindly. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
