English Toy Spaniel

Book excerpt: The treasured companion of kings and aristocrats, the English Toy Spaniel has graced homes and palaces around the world for over five hundred years. As in centuries gone-by, the English Toy Spaniel makes a charming and sophisticated companion for the right owner or family. The Charlie, as the breed is affectionately known—in honor of King Charles II, the breed’s most famous ally—is distinctive for his well-domed head, flat and feathered ears, and his pug nose. Owners are spoiled for choice, as the breed comes in four distinct color patterns (solid ruby, chestnut and white, black and tan, or tricolored). This Comprehensive Owner’s Guide opens with a chapter on the breed’s history, retelling the breed’s beginnings in England and featuring a special section on the history of the breed in America, written by breeder and artist, Michael Allen. The chapter on the breed’s characteristics is focused on helping a potential owner decide whether or not the Charlie is the right toy dog to bring into his or her life, considering the breed’s personality and physical traits, health concerns, and special requirements. For most responsible dog owners, the Charlie fits well into a home with well-behaved children and makes an amenable, easy-to-live-with canine chum for all members of the household. New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author’s advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.