King Charles Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Both English Water Spaniel and King Charles Spaniel are originated from United Kingdom. English Water Spaniel may grow 23 cm / 10 inches higher than King Charles Spaniel. English Water Spaniel may weigh 12 kg / 27 pounds more than King Charles Spaniel. Both English Water Spaniel and King Charles Spaniel has almost same life span. Both English Water Spaniel and King Charles Spaniel has almost same litter size. English Water Spaniel requires Low Maintenance. But King Charles Spaniel requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Toy dog
undefined
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Height Male:
49 - 51 cm
19 - 21 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
45 - 47 cm
17 - 19 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
2 - 6
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Water Dog, Water Rug
None
Colors Available:
liver and white
reddish brown, black, White, tan
Coat:
dense, waterproof, doublecoated
Long, wavy and silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

The English Water Spaniel breed is extinct and has been since the early 1900’s. It was last seen in the 1930s. The breed was a hunting breed, diving for duck and hunting other waterfowl. Legend has it that Shakespeare was referring to this breed of dog in Macbeth when he refers to the “water rug”. Again, in Two Gentlemen of Verona one of the character states about another that “She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel.’

The English Water Spaniel came along before the Irish Water Spaniel and had a part in the development the Curly Coated Retriever, the American Water Spaniel and the Field Spaniel. The English Water Spaniel looks somewhat like a Poodle/Springer Spaniel cross or a Collie. It is not known whether the English Water Spaniel was part of the development of the Irish Water Spaniel.

When the English Water Spaniel was first developed the UKC had a “Water Spaniels other than Irish” and the English Water Spaniel had no standard written and accepted for it yet. But by 1967 the breed was extinct. Still the American Water Spaniel and the Flat Coated Retriever are believed to be descendants of the English Water Spaniel.

king charles spanielClassified as a toy breed, the King Charles Spaniel is a small, pure breed dog that originated in the United Kingdom. The dog was named after King Charles II of Britain.

The dog actually has quite a long, illustrious history. People mistake them for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but they are 2 different breeds, just sharing the same coat colors.The King Charles Spaniel was crossbred with the Pug early in the 19th century to shorten the length of the dog's nose.

With a face similar to that of the Pug, it is thought that these toy spaniels may have originated in the Far East.The earliest recorded pictures of toy spaniels in England were in paintings of Queen Mary 1 and King Philip.

Description

Resembling the Springer Spaniel, poodle, collie and setter the English Water Spaniel has very little in common with the Irish Water Spaniel in respect to looks. The English has a narrow and somewhat longer head their than other spaniels and they have long furry ears. Their body is stout, and they are shaped like a barrel – more like a Clumber. With long legs and large feet, it is ready to take to the hunt. There coat was waterproof, and their toes were webbed.

king charles spaniel puppy - descriptionThe King Charles Spaniel is a medium sized dog that stands at roughly 23 – 28cm and weighs anything from 3 to 8kg. He is smaller than the Cavalier King Charles.

He has a long coat which can be white, black and tan or a reddish-brown color. He has a domed head with a short, turned up nose and 'squashed' face similar to the pug. The eyes are large and dark and also protruding. The ears are set low and are long and floppy and the tail, once docked, is now left long and feathery.

Temperament:

Friendly, while being somewhat reserved, the King Charles Spaniel is looked upon as a lap dog as he loves to spend time indoors with his human family.

He isn't particularly energetic, but will still need some exercise like ball games and going on a walk. With training and socialization he becomes quiet and obedient and is known as a popular therapy dog. They are kind and loving with kids and pets in the home.

Characteristics

The English Water Spaniel was aloof with strangers but loyal with his hunter. He was a little stubborn and an excellent water dog. They loved being in the water and could enter it without making any noise so as not to frighten his prey. He was highly intelligent and trainable. He also was very affectionate with his people.

king charles spaniel dog - characteristicsYour King Charles Spaniel is such a joy to have in the home and because he is intelligent he will easily learn some simple commands too.

He wants to please you and be with you wherever you go. He is a social dog and thrives on your attention, and if you open your home and your heart to this sweet dog, you’re going to have a devoted, loving, loyal friend beside you every day.

Health Problems

The English Water Spaniel is a fairly healthy breed given to some fairly common disorders such as:

Hip Dysplasia

Can lead to lameness and arthritis

Cardiac abnormalities

Arterial fib and flutter and other problems that could lead to death.

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a disease seem in several “Dwarf” breeds such as Corgis, as well as in many spaniels. This is the canine version of Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS and it is fatal.

Eye Problems:

king charles spaniel puppies - health problemsThe eye problems that you might need to know about with a King Charles Spaniel are entropian, cataracts and corneal dystrophy.

Heart Conditions:

Heart conditions could include mitral valve disease where the blood flows backwards through the chambers of the heart, leading to congestive heart failure.

Breathing Problems:

The King Charles Spaniel is a brachycephalic breed and these dogs can have upper airway problems. Breathing difficulties can also occur because of an abnormally small windpipe which is a characteristic common to brachycephalic breeds. You may notice rapid breathing with your dog , snoring, frequent panting, coughing and difficulty with swallowing.

Vet Checks:

As a dog owner, you have a responsibility to your pet. He will need to visit the veterinarian for all his puppy vaccinations as well as other vaccinations as an adult dog. He will also need to be de-wormed.

If you don’t want him or her becoming a parent, make sure your pet is neutered or spayed. If your pet is showing signs of an illness that he doesn’t get over quickly, get him immediately to the vet.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

The English Water Spaniel is not an overly energetic dog and has a tendency to over eat. Feed him 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dry dog food over two meals each day.

Health issues

In addition to the health issues mentioned earlier, the English Water Spaniel is also prone to:

Baldness

Pattern baldness – is genetic and occurs on the neck and back of the hind legs.

Cataracts

English Water Spaniels can have these in old age like most other breeds.

Retinal Dysplasia

Clumps form in the retinal tissue and can lead to blindness

Exercise and games

The English Water Spaniel was a worker and an outdoor athlete at a time before organized canine games and activities such as agility and flyball. They loved to swim, and they loved to hunt. Without a job to do they could become barky and destructive.

king charles spaniel dogs - caringYour King Charles Spaniel has a long, silky coat that will require brushing twice a week to control shedding and keep his coat free of matting.

His nails will also require regular trimming to ensure they don’t hook on anything. His long ears are also prone to ear infection, so be sure to check them inside and out for ticks and fleas and to also remove excess wax and dirt.

Teeth should also be regularly brushed with canine toothbrush and toothpaste.

Be sure to keep your King Charles Spaniel content and healthy by ensuring he goes on a long walk and that you play with him to build a strong bond between you and to ensure he doesn’t become bored.

Excellent, quality food is important for your spaniel. The best dog food manufacturers have age- and breed-specific formulas and there is the perfect one for your King Charles Spaniel. Homemade food is also excellent for this dog and you can add some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables into his kibble as a nutritious treat.

Make sure your spaniel has a warm, dry, peaceful place to sleep and wash the bedding regularly to keep him healthy and happy.

Ensure he always has a cool, fresh bowl of drinking water nearby.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. King Charles Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. King Charles Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. King Charles Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. King Charles Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. King Charles Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. King Charles Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. King Charles Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. King Charles Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. King Charles Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. King Charles Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. King Charles Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. King Charles Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. King Charles Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. King Charles Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. King Charles Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. King Charles Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. King Charles Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. King Charles Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. King Charles Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. King Charles Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. King Charles Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. King Charles Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. King Charles Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. King Charles Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. King Charles Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. English Water Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. English Water Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. English Water Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. English Water Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. English Water Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. English Water Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. English Water Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. English Water Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. English Water Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. English Water Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. English Water Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. English Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. English Water Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. English Water Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. English Water Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. English Water Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. English Water Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. English Water Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. English Water Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. English Water Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. English Water Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. English Water Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. English Water Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. English Water Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. English Water Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison