English Toy Spaniel health: what owners should know
Conditions the English Toy Spaniel is known to be prone to, breeder screening and everyday habits that help.
The breed is known to be predisposed to mitral valve disease, brachycephalic airway problems, eye conditions including cataracts and injuries to prominent eyes, patellar luxation, and dental disease. Responsible breeders have hearts checked by a cardiologist, eyes examined and knees assessed, and avoid breeding from dogs with early heart murmurs.
Most useful at home: a lean body, a harness instead of a collar, and strict caution on warm days. Contact a vet if you notice a cough, faster breathing while asleep (more than about 30 breaths per minute is a common threshold), tiring easily, a squinting or cloudy eye, skipping on a back leg, or bad breath with red gums.
Numbers worth knowing
Life expectancy
10 to 12 yrs
Senior care
Individual assessment
age alone does not define care needs
Typical breed weight
4 to 6 kg