King Charles Spaniel

Often confused with the Cavalier, the King Charles (called the English Toy Spaniel in America) is smaller at 3.6 to 6.4 kg, with a domed head, shorter muzzle and lower-set ears. It is a quiet lapdog for a calm home, dislikes rough handling and is the least sporting dog here. The flat face brings breathing, eye and heat-tolerance problems, and mitral valve disease occurs too. With UK registrations in the low hundreds, it is listed as a vulnerable native breed.