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BREEDPROFILEEnglish Toy Spaniel Country of origin: Great Britain.Original use: Companion.Group: Toy Group (AKC);Companion Breed (UKC).Life span: 10 to 12 years.Color: Black and tan (KingCharles); mahogany red (Ruby);black, tan, and white (PrinceCharles); red and white (Blenheim).Coat: Thick, straight, or slightlywavy, with heavy fringe and featherson the ears, body, chest, and legs.Grooming: Brush weekly.Height/weight: 10 to 11 inches; 8to 14 pounds.Trainability: Moderate to high.Personality: Cheerful, mischievous,aloof, loyal.Activity level: Low to moderate.Known health problems: Heartdefects; eye problems, including dis-ease, infection, and injuries commonto dogs with bulging eyes; patellarluxation (kneecaps that slip); fusedtoes, which can cause toenails togrow incorrectly, causing pain andinfection.Good with children? Good witholder or quiet children who handledogs gently.Good with other pets? Yes.National breed club: English ToySpaniel Club of America, SusanJackson, secretary; 18451 SheffieldLn., Bristol, IN 46507;suruca@aol.com; www.etsca.orgRescue: Mary Hoagland, 36 Mt.Airy Village Rd., Lambertville, NJ08530; (609) 397-3148.

orty years and dozens of dogs later, Susan Jackson remembers Julie, her first EnglishToy Spaniel, with tremendous fondness.Julie was 5 months old when she figured out that an older Pug in the house frequently

stole the best seat — an easy chair often occupied by Jackson’s grandfather. But theyoung pup discovered that if she ran into the kitchen and barked, the Pug followed,allowing Julie the chance to seize the throne.

“The Pug would run to the kitchen to see what the fuss was about. Then he wouldcome back and find there wasn’t any room in the chair,” laughs Jackson, a longtime

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breeder and English Toy Spaniel Club ofAmerica secretary. “English Toys are smart— sneaky smart.”

Mighty and miniature, English Toy Span-iels have a merry disposition and loyal spir-it. Bred in England as small sporting span-iels, they were originally named for KingCharles II, who is said to have worshippedhis miniature dogs. In the 1800s theCrown’s spaniels were crossed with short-nosed dogs, such as Pugs, Japanese Chins,and Bulldogs, to create the dogs now affec-tionately nicknamed ETs or Charlies.English Toys have round heads and flatfaces — features that distinguish them fromtheir popular longer-nosed relative, theCavalier King Charles Spaniel.

They were the elite companions to court-iers, and today the breed remains uncom-mon in the United States, both inside the

show ring and in homes. “Good ones arehard to produce,” says Connecticut breederVanessa Weber, explaining that litters aresmall and difficult to whelp.

But these noble little dogs seem to revel intheir exclusivity. Sometimes they are “aloof”or “snobbish,” says club president TomO’Neal, who sheepishly admits that some ofhis Charlies prefer well-dressed people toworkers in coveralls.

“They like things — and people — ontheir terms.”

But once these small bundles of furwarm to you, they are funny, friendly, andaffectionate.

Trisha Halloran-Krokel, an English Toyowner in San Francisco, says she relishesthe dogs’ playful, energetic nature. Her firstCharlie, Daphne, created her own games,including a reverse version of peek-a-booin which she would crawl under a blanket,stand very still, and after a while, crawl tothe edge to make sure Halloran-Krokel waswatching. “They are the most charming lit-tle companions, and they have such enthu-siasm for life,” she says.

Charlies have silky hair, feathery ears,and huge round eyes. They come in fourcolors, including black and tan, a combina-tion known as “King Charles” in EnglishToy lingo. Their temperaments range fromquiet and docile to peppy and active. Theyneed small amounts of exercise, eitherwalking a few times a day or short runs inthe yard.

While some Charlies live well with chil-dren, these little dogs tend to gravitatetoward older or reserved children, adults,and seniors. They also choose favoritesamong family members. They don’t like alot of yelling and hubbub, and mostly, theyprefer to hang out and be adored, saysO’Neal, who has 10 English Toys.

“They are very content to just lie in achair and rest for hours,” he says, “yet theyare always ready for playing and rompingif that’s what you want.”

Patricia Kime is a freelance writer who lives inArlington, Va.

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ASKTHEBREEDERn Has a veterinarian determined thatthe puppy’s kneecaps are firm andtight?n Is there any history of eye problemsin the family, including cataracts, glau-coma, or entropion (eyelashes thatgrow inward)?n What has been the life span of thispup’s relatives? Are there any traces ofheart disease?n How well does the puppy handleheat and humidity?n Would you describe the parents asactive or sedate?

Devoted to his family, the EnglishToy Spaniel loves to be pampered withaffection.

This lap dog is idealfor the city dweller.

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