Information on AKC English Toy Spaniel Puppies
English Toy Spaniel Breed Standard
General Appearance
The English Toy Spaniel is a compact, cobby and essentially square toy dog possessed
of a short-nosed, domed head, a merry and affectionate demeanor and a silky,
flowing coat. His compact, sturdy body and charming temperament, together with
his rounded head, lustrous dark eye, and well cushioned face, proclaim him a
dog of distinction and character. The important characteristics of the breed
are exemplified by the head.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - The most desirable weight of an adult is eight to
fourteen pounds. General symmetry and substance are more important than
the actual weight; however, all other things being equal, the smaller sized
dog is to be preferred. Proportion - Compact and essentially
square in shape, built on cobby lines. Substance - Sturdy
of frame, solidly constructed.
Head
Head large in comparison to size, with a plush, chubby look, albeit with a degree
of refinement which prevents it from being coarse. Expression Soft and appealing, indicating an intelligent nature. Eyes Large and very dark brown or black, set squarely on line with the nose,
with little or no white showing. The eye rims should be black. Ears Very long and set low and close to the head, fringed with heavy feathering. Skull High and well domed; from the side, curves as far out over the eyes as possible. Stop Deep and well-defined. Muzzle Very short, with the nose well laid back and with well developed cushioning under the eyes. Jaw Square, broad, and deep, and well turned up, with lips properly meeting to give a finished appearance. Nose Large and jet black in color, with large, wide open nostrils. Bite Slightly undershot; teeth not to show. A wry mouth should be penalized; a hanging
tongue is extremely objectionable.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck-Moderate in length; nicely arched. Topline
- Level. Body - Short, compact, square and deep, on cobby
lines, with a broad back. Sturdy of frame, with good rib and deep brisket.
Tail
The tail is docked to two to four inches in length and carried at or just slightly
above the level of the back. The set of the tail is at the back’s level. Many
are born with a shorter or screw tail which is acceptable. The feather on the
tail should be silky and from three to four inches in length, constituting a
marked "flag" of a square shape. The tail and its carriage is an index
of the breed’s attitude and character.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back; legs well boned and strong, dropping straight down
from the elbow; strong in pastern. Feet, front and rear, are neat and compact;
fused toes are often seen and are acceptable.
Hindquarters
Rear legs are well muscled and nicely angulated to indicate strength, and parallel
of hock.
Coat
Profusely coated, heavy fringing on the ears, body, and on the chest, and with
flowing feathering on both the front and hind legs, and feathering on the feet.
The coat is straight or only slightly wavy, with a silken, glossy texture. Although
the Blenheim and the Ruby rarely gain the length of coat and ears of the Prince
Charles and King Charles, good coats and long ear fringes are a desired and
prized attribute. Over-trimming of the body, feet or tail fringings should be
penalized.
Color
The Blenheim (red and white) consists of a pearly white ground with deep
red or chestnut markings evenly distributed in large patches. The ears and
the cheeks are red, with a blaze of white extending from the nose up the
forehead and ending between the ears in a crescentic curve. It is preferable
that there be red markings around both eyes. The Blenheim often carries
a thumb mark or "Blenheim Spot" placed on the top and the center
of the skull.
The Prince Charles (tricolor) consists of a pearly white ground, with evenly
distributed black patches, solid black ears and black face markings. It
is preferable that there be black markings around both eyes. The tan markings
are of a rich color, and on the face, over the eyes, in the lining of the
ears, and under the tail.
The King Charles (black and tan) is a rich, glossy black with bright mahogany
tan markings appearing on the cheeks, lining of the ears, over the eyes,
on the legs and underneath the tail. The presence of a small white chest
patch about the size of a quarter, or a few white hairs on the chest of
a King Charles Spaniel are not to be penalized; other white markings are
an extremely serious fault.
The Ruby is a self-colored, rich mahogany red. The presence of a small white
chest patch about the size of a quarter, or a few white hairs on the chest
of a Ruby Spaniel are not to be penalized. Other white markings are an extremely
serious fault.
Gait
Elegant with good reach in the front, and sound, driving rear action. The
gait as a whole is free and lively, evidencing stable character and correct
construction. In profile, the movement exhibits a good length of stride, and
viewed from front and rear it is straight and true, resulting from straight-boned
fronts and properly made and muscled hindquarters.
Temperament
The English Toy Spaniel is a bright and interested little dog, affectionate
and willing to please.
Approved June 13, 1989
Effective August 1, 1989
