Activities For English Toy Spaniels

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Activities For English Toy Spaniels

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Introduction

The English Toy Spaniel has been the companion to royalty for hundreds of years; they were favorites of Mary, Queen of Scots, a passion she passed down to her grandson Charles I and great-grandson Charles II. The breed has undergone some changes since then, with the addition of Japanese Chin and Pug dogs into their line in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. While their heads became rounder and their snouts shorter, neither their calm and devoted nature nor their quiet but merry disposition was muted. These little dogs delight in sticking close to their families but are more prone than most breeds to developing destructive separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.

Traveling

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Any Day

Expensive

Normal

12 - 72 hrs

Items needed

Secure Pet Carrier

Water

Activity description

English Toy Spaniels tend to be happy, affectionate little dogs with a pleasant demeanor towards everyone in the family. They prefer to be with their families, detest being left alone, and when well socialized they love an adventure. These dogs are generally quiet, and they are small enough to be fairly easy to transport from one place to another, making them good traveling companions for both short and long trips, which they will typically be quite happy to join you on. This is a brachycephalic breed, however, and they do require a little bit of thought and foresight to keep them healthy when taking them on an excursion and traveling safely with animals can sometimes be an expensive proposition.

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Air travel

It is particularly risky for brachycephalic breeds such as the English Toy Spaniel to ride in the cargo hold of an airplane, leading many airlines to ban brachycephalic dogs from travel in the cargo hold. Those that do, allow them to have additional restrictions during warmer weather for the safety of the animals. Fortunately, the majority of these little dogs are small enough to fit in cabin approved carriers, where they can be more safely transported than in the cargo bay. It is important to check the rules for the airline and to purchase a ticket for your pet well ahead of time as in-cabin pets are often limited to just a few per flight. Once you are aboard, make sure that your pal is stowed safely under the seat in front of you, never in the overhead bin, and that they have plenty of fresh water.

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By boat or by train

The majority of cruise ships do not allow pets on board, with the Queen Mary II of the Cunard line as one of the notable exceptions. Those that do allow pets have strict rules on where they are allowed to be and when, as well as hefty fees to bring your animal along, in some cases, as much as your own ticket. Trains can are often more pet-friendly, and for a much smaller fee, many rail lines will allow well-behaved small dogs up to twenty pounds, like most English Toy Spaniels, to ride the train as long as they have a pet ticket and a carrier.

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Road trips

Some pet parents find it much easier to travel with their pooch when they do the driving, giving them more control over their dog’s environment and experience. With short-nosed dogs like the English Toy Spaniel, it is critical that your dog has plenty of clean, fresh water and that they are kept cool enough as they are more susceptible to issues with heat than other dogs are. If this is your first time traveling with your canine companion watch for signs of car sickness such as excessive lip licking, anxious whining, and more drooling than average. A good way to avoid car sickness is to make sure that you feed your dog at least two hours before driving long distances and to keep them safely restrained so that they aren’t moving around too frequently.

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Doggie Daycare

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Any Day

Moderate

Easy

8 hrs

Items needed

Leash

Activity description

The English Toy Spaniel was developed as a companion animal, and they desire to be with their families as often as possible. Unfortunately, being together is not always possible as most pet parents have obligations outside of the home that aren’t always dog-friendly, and these little dogs are prone to separation anxiety which often leads them to exhibit destructive behaviors. For some people, enrolling their dog in a doggie daycare is a great solution, allowing the dog to have the social interaction that they crave in a controlled and enjoyable environment while their humans are getting things done. While there can be a significant cost, depending on how often your pet needs to visit the daycare, it is often worth the cost to ensure that both your dog and your belongings are safe and sound.

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Types of doggie daycare facilities

Choosing a doggie daycare can be as daunting as choosing a daycare for your child. Although most people envision large commercial daycares in fairly large buildings, there are also facilities that are run on ranch style properties, and even private doggie daycares in a home-like environment where there are only a few other dogs to interact with at any given time. Some individuals even participate in “dog sharing” allowing their dog to stay with another family when they are unable to be home with them.

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Ask questions

It is important to find out what safety measures are in place and how conflict between dogs is handled when you are looking for a doggie daycare, in order to make sure that their methods mesh with your methods. Most reputable care centers will have at least one individual on staff at all times that is first aid certified and CPR trained. Determining which cleaning protocols are in place to prevent illness is particularly important when dealing with brachycephalic dogs as they are more prone to developing respiratory illnesses. With small dogs like the English Toy Spaniel, it is also essential to inquire about the interaction between dogs; many of these organizations will keep smaller dogs and larger dogs separated for the safety of both, while some allow mingling between dogs of all sizes.

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Photo Shoot

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Any Day

Moderate

Normal

15 - 60 min

Items needed

Camera

Props (optional)

Activity description

English Toy Spaniels have been the subject of paintings and photographs for hundreds of years. Many paintings from seventeenth-century England showcase these little dogs, often in the laps of royal and noble ladies or in the arms of their children, and it’s easy to see why. Their faces look endearingly baby-like with their rounded heads, flat faces, and big, liquid eyes, and their coats are long and silky adding an elegance to their appearance. They enjoy showing off for their family, and while they are generally calm, they don’t mind playing the clown once in a while and will generally enjoy the experience of having their picture done. Whether you choose to do the photo shoot on your own or hire a professional will determine the cost of the fun.

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Where to go

There are some excellent professional photographers available who specialize in photographs that involve pets, but they do tend to be a bit expensive, typically running between $100 to $500 depending on the package chosen. If you are short on funds or long on time, you may prefer to stage a more casual photoshoot of your own. Some professionals come to your home to photograph your pet while others prefer to take photos at their indoor studio or at one of a few favorite photography areas. If you are the one taking the photos, you have more freedom to choose where the photos are taken, either indoors or out, as long as it is somewhere your dog is allowed to be.

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When to go

Photoshoots, either professional or casual, tend to be most successful when they are done at a time of day when your dog is still somewhat energetic and alert, rather than sleepy or overwound. If you employ a professional photographer, they will generally have several time slots available, although if you have chosen are a busy photographer, you may have to wait a while for popular timeslots. When staging your own photoshoot, you are not restricted by somebody else’s schedule, but certain environmental factors such as the quality of light and distractions that are in the area should be taken into account, particularly if you are taking the pictures outdoors. The temperature of the area you are shooting in should also be considered as English Toy Spaniels are more prone to heat exhaustion than other breeds.

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Shooting time

This activity should be a fun experience for both you and your canine companion and the attitude should remain lighthearted to get the best shots of your pooch. English Toy Spaniels are not typically fond of dressing up and should not be forced into any situation where they are uncomfortable, but they can be very playful and sometimes adventurous dogs who may enjoy exploring props and toys to pose with.

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More Fun Ideas...

Group Training Classes

This breed of dog is typically friendly with other dogs and group training classes both helps to ensure that you have a well-behaved pooch and gives them an opportunity to interact with other people in a non-threatening environment.

Swimming

Not all English Toy Spaniels enjoy the water and extra precautions, such as always wearing a lifejacket and only swimming in safe, uncomplicated waters such as a swimming pool, should be taken with brachycephalic dogs.

Conclusion

It is particularly important to ensure that these little dogs are properly socialized so that they don't become overly timid around strangers and that they not be left alone for too long so that they don't develop destructive behaviors. While the brachycephalia that affects most English Toy Spaniels makes it difficult for them to engage in active dog sports like agility training or flyball, they still need both physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep them at their happiest and healthiest.