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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+8
Dogs
# The Continental Toy Spaniel: temperament, price, health, and breeders
France, Belgium
Small lively and affectionate companion dog, as elegant as it is adaptable to everyday life.
Size SmallLife expectancy 12–15 yearsBudget ≈ €81/monthPuppy €800 – €1,300
[Find a breeder 39](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=continental-toy-spaniel)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Excellent
First-time owners Excellent
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Limited
Guarding instinct Limited
Strengths and weaknesses
- Affectionate companion: He readily seeks closeness to his human and integrates easily into household life.
- Very well suited to apartment living: His small size and fairly discreet temperament make life easier in an urban environment.
- Lively and playful: He enjoys interactions, walks, and games without requiring a very high athletic level.
- Regular coat grooming: Its long coat requires frequent brushing, especially during shedding periods.
- Fragile small size: Its delicate build requires careful handling and vigilance with very rough young children.
- Strong attachment: It may cope poorly with being alone if it is used to constant company.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Apartment living: Its small size and easy adaptability make it a very good city dog.
- First-time adopters: Its gentle nature and responsiveness to consistent training make it easy to handle.
- People often at home: It thrives best in a home that gives it time and daily interactions.
Not recommended for
- Prolonged absences: He does not cope well with an overly solitary daily life without stimulation or regular presence.
- Rough handling: Very hectic households must be extra cautious with his small size.
- Negligence of grooming: His coat, his ears, and his teeth require regular attention.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
28 cmContinental Toy Spaniel
- Height at the withers
- 27–28 cm
- Weight
- 1–5 kg
- Coat
- Long, abundant, shiny
- FCI group
- 9
- Origin
- France, Belgium
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Continental Toy Spaniel in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The first references to the Continental Toy Spaniel date back to the Middle Ages. The breed is said to have been obtained by reducing the size of larger hunting spaniels. The phalène variety is considered the oldest, while the papillon variety mainly developed at the end of the 19th century. Highly appreciated in aristocratic circles and royal courts, this small companion dog was definitively recognized by the FCI in 1954.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Continental Toy Spaniel is a small dog harmoniously built, slightly longer than tall, with a lively and graceful gait. Its coat is long, abundant, shiny and finely wavy without being curly. Its expressive head carries large fringed ears, erect in the Papillon variety and drooping in the Phalène variety. The base coat remains white with varied colored markings, the white having to remain dominant on the body.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Affectionate, cheerful and very attached to its owner, the Continental Toy Spaniel is a charming and demonstrative family companion. It combines liveliness, gentleness and good humor, while remaining fairly discreet at home. Not very inclined toward guarding, it seeks above all human closeness and positive interactions.
Affectionate Playful Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
This small dog adapts easily to very different lifestyles, provided it enjoys daily walks and playtime. It likes to take part in household life, observe its surroundings and share activities with its human. In an apartment, its small size and relatively calm temperament make it a pleasant companion if it is not left alone for too long.
Training
## Training and socialization
His training benefits from being gentle, consistent and early. As he is sensitive and very attached to those around him, positive methods generally give good results. However, you must avoid overprotecting him too much and set clear limits in order to maintain a balanced, well-mannered and easy-going dog.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Continental Toy Spaniel
The purchase price varies mainly depending on the seriousness of the breeding, the origin of the breeding stock and the quality of the follow-up offered. For this breed, it is preferable to favor a well-socialized puppy, identified and health-monitored rather than an abnormally low-priced listing.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/continental-toy-spaniel/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
Despite its small size, the Continental Toy Spaniel is rather sturdy and often enjoys good longevity. Its health monitoring must nevertheless remain regular, notably for the joints, dentition and ear care depending on the variety. Like many small dogs, it benefits from rigorous hygiene and constant veterinary follow-up.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/continental-toy-spaniel/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Continental Toy Spaniel needs a complete, highly digestible diet adapted to small dogs. The quality of the ingredients, a sensible energy density and the right kibble size matter as much as the quantity served.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/continental-toy-spaniel/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The breed includes two official varieties: the Papillon, with erect ears, and the Phalène, with drooping ears. The refined appearance of this small dog earned it great popularity in European courts and in many old portraits. Even today, it stands out for its elegance and liveliness.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Continental Toy Spaniel
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Continental Toy Spaniel suitable for apartment living?
Yes, it adapts very well to apartment living thanks to its small size, rather discreet temperament, and ability to live at the pace of its household, provided it goes out every day and receives enough attention.
### What is the difference between papillon and phalène?
These are the two official varieties of the same breed. The papillon has upright, well-opened ears, whereas the phalène has drooping ears.
### Is it a good dog for a first-time adopter?
Yes, this breed is often recommended for first-time owners because it is affectionate, adaptable, and receptive to gentle, consistent training.
## Find a Continental Toy Spaniel breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Continental Toy Spaniel breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Continental Toy Spaniel breeders in Occitanie9](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/occitanie) [Continental Toy Spaniel breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/nouvelle-aquitaine) [Continental Toy Spaniel breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [Continental Toy Spaniel breeders in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/provence-alpes-cote-dazur) [Continental Toy Spaniel breeders in Brittany3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/brittany) [Continental Toy Spaniel breeders in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/bourgogne-franche-comte) [Continental Toy Spaniel breeders in Normandy3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/normandy)
### Continental Toy Spaniel breeders by country
[73 breeders of Continental Toy Spaniel in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/germany) [39 breeders of Continental Toy Spaniel in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel) [18 breeders of Continental Toy Spaniel in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/austria) [16 breeders of Continental Toy Spaniel in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/italy) [15 breeders of Continental Toy Spaniel in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/denmark) [9 breeders of Continental Toy Spaniel in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/switzerland) [7 breeders of Continental Toy Spaniel in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/netherlands) [6 breeders of Continental Toy Spaniel in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/finland) [4 breeders of Continental Toy Spaniel in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/united-kingdom) [2 breeders of Continental Toy Spaniel in Croatia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel/croatia)
[All breeders of Continental Toy Spaniel in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel)
## Ready to welcome a Continental Toy Spaniel?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-continental-toy-spaniel)
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