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The English Toy Spaniel is a compact, 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, along with his rounded head, lustrous dark eye, and well-cushioned face, proclaim him a dog of distinction and character. The head exemplifies the important characteristics of the breed.

Size, Proportion, Substance

Size - The most desirable weight of an adult is eight to about fourteen pounds. General symmetry and substance are more important than the actual weight; however, all other things being equal, the smaller sized dog is preferred. Proportion - Compact and essentially square in shape. Substance - Sturdy of frame, solidly built.

Head
The head is large in comparison to size, with a plush, chubby look, with a degree of refinement, which prevents it from being coarse. The expression is soft and appealing, indicating an intelligent nature. The eyes are large and very dark brown or black, set on line with the nose, with little or no white showing. The eye rims should be black. The ears are very long and set low and close to the head, fringed with heavy feathering. The skull is high and well domed; from the side, curving as far out over the eyes as possible. The stop is deep and well defined. The muzzle is very short, with the nose laid well back and with well developed cushioning under the eyes. The jaw is square, broad, and deep, and well turned up, with lips properly meeting. The nose is large and jet-black in color, with large, wide-open nostrils. The bite is slightly undershot; teeth not to show. A wry mouth should be penalized, and a hanging tongue is extremely objectionable.

Neck
The neck is moderate in length; nicely arched. The body is short, compact, square and deep, on cobby lines, with a broad back. Sturdy of frame with deep brisket and good ribcage.

Tail
The tail is docked 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 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. The tail and its carriage is an indication of the breed’s attitude and character.

Forequarters
The 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
The rear legs are well muscled and nicely angulated to indicate strength, and parallel of hock.

Coat
Profusely coated, with heavy fringing on the ears, body, and on the chest, with flowing feathering on both the front and hind legs, and feathering on the feet. The coat is straight or 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 fringing should be penalized.

Color
The Blenheim (red and white) consists of a pearly white ground with a 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. It is preferred that there be red markings around both eyes. The Blenheim often carries a thumb mark or "Blenheim Spot" placed on the top center of the skull.
The Prince Charles is tricolor and consists of a pearly white ground, with evenly distributed black patches, solid black ears and black face markings. It is preferred that there be black markings around both eyes. The tan markings are of a rich color, on the face, over the eyes, in the lining of the ears, and under the tail.
The King Charles is black and tan and 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 while other white markings are an extremely serious fault.
The Ruby is a 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, 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 properly made and muscled hindquarters.

Temperament
The English Toy Spaniel is a bright and alert little dog, affectionate and willing to please.

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