So you have looked around and the Charlie, or English Toy Spaniel, has caught your eye! What do you need to do to own such a cute and regal dog? There are a few things that you should consider before bringing that bundle of cuteness home with you.

The first thing you should do is to do some research! You need to ask yourself some very important questions. You should answer each question honestly and fully. All of your answers should be carefully thought out. Remember that your decision will affect your life in every way for the next ten to twelve years.

Questions to ask yourself

First of all, are you prepared to provide the Charlie with all of his needs? The Charlie is a living creature. He will rely on you for water and food. He will rely on you for shelter. You must provide grooming for him. He will need to be trained. He will need to have daily exercise, although not a lot. He will need your companionship and love. And most of all he will need you to protect him.

Second, can you afford the expenses of having an English Toy Spaniel? He will occasionally need to see the veterinarian. He will need both preventative care as well as care when he is sick. He will need to be watched carefully as he is a member of the Toy category. Toy dogs are considered to be fragile. He may be harmed more easily than other dogs. This can result in expensive veterinary bills if you are not careful.

Third, do you have the time to train and exercise your Charlie? Although he is small, he will still need to receive exercise on a daily basis. This exercise can be in the form of play or short walks while on a leash. He will need to be trained to be obedient to his master.

Fourth, is your family prepared for a Charlie? This dog must me pampered and adored. He will need lots and lots of love and attention. He should not be left alone for long periods of time. Are you willing to devote the time and energy that this dog will require? Does anyone in your family have pet allergies? This should be considered very carefully. Although the Charlie is a small dog, he does have a lot of feathery hair which could cause distress to someone who is allergic. This would not be a fun experience for that family member or for the Charlie.

Price

There are fewer than 250 new puppies of this breed that are registered each year in the United States. Many breeders are charging $1000.00 or more for a Charlie!

You should make sure that you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder. They will be in compliance with the breed standards of the AKC. They should provide you with veterinary documents detailing the care the puppy has received and that it is in good health. If you are not provided with this information, you should think twice about buying your Charlie from that breeder!

Careful consideration will result in a purchase that you can feel good about. It will result in a happy companionship for you and your family.

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