How to Identify an English Toy Spaniel

The English Toy Spaniel, also known as the King Charles Spaniel, is a small breed of spaniel prized for its docile temperament and adorable appearance. A perpetual favorite of King Charles II, these dogs are small and sociable, making great companion pets. Identifying one is easy to do once you know its distinguishing characteristics, so read on to discover what these are.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look for a very short, pug nose similar to that of the Pug breed of dogs. This is one of the English Toy Spaniel's most identifying characteristics.

2. Notice the shape of the dog's skull. An English Toy Spaniel will have a protruding, dome-shaped skull with large, dark eyes.

3. Expect an English Toy Spaniel to have long, hanging ears covered with thick, feathering fur. They will also be low-set on the dog's head. The coat on a grown English Toy Spaniel is long, silky and often wavy.

4. Recognize whether a dog is an English Toy Spaniel by one of its four distinct coloring patterns: black and tan (King Charles), solid or nearly solid red (Ruby), white with tan and black markings (Prince Charles) or white with red markings (Blenheim).

5. Take note of the size of the dog in question. An English Toy Spaniel is only about 10 in. tall and generally weighs a mere 8 to 14 pounds.

6. Observe the general appearance of the dog. If it is an English Toy Spaniel then it should have a sturdy, rectangular appearance with a square, upturned jaw. They often have a docked (bobbed) tail as well.

Tips & Warnings

• English Toy Spaniels bear a strong resemblance to their close relative, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Certain subtle differences distinguish these two breeds, though, such as the appearance of the nose and the shape of the head. Cavaliers are also larger than English Toy Spaniels.