Longevity
Life expectancy
With good care, a suitable diet and regular activity, this breed commonly reaches 12 to 15 years. Its longevity depends mainly on the quality of preventive follow-up, maintaining a stable weight and good oral and dental hygiene.
Build
A robust breed?
The Continental Toy Spaniel is generally more robust than its delicacy might suggest. Its small size nevertheless requires handling it with care and preventing trauma, especially in young dogs and in very active households.
Watch points
What to watch for
Simple but consistent preventive care often makes it possible to keep this dog in good shape for many long years. You must be attentive to lameness, bad breath, ear discomfort, watery eyes and any unusual drop in energy.
Patellar luxation : Instability of the kneecap can appear in some small dogs and manifest as intermittent lameness or a skipping gait.
Ear sensitivity : The ears, especially in the Phalène variety, must be checked and cleaned regularly to limit irritation and ear infections.
Dental problems : The small size promotes tartar buildup and oral discomfort if oral hygiene is neglected.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
Its small size and its coat without a very thick undercoat make it less comfortable in cold weather and in extreme situations. It tolerates mild temperatures fairly well, but high heat as well as damp cold require caution, suitable outings and permanent access to a temperate place.
Weight
Tendency to gain weight
The breed is not the most prone to weight gain, but a few lapses show quickly on such a small size. Measured portions, counted treats and regular daily activity help preserve a light silhouette and good joints.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Check the ears every week and clean them if needed.
- Monitor the teeth and establish regular oral hygiene.
- Consult promptly in case of limping or repeated skipping steps.
- Maintain a stable weight to preserve the joints.
Vaccination
Continental Toy Spaniel vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Continental Toy Spaniel? Like all dogs, the Continental Toy Spaniel receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Continental Toy Spaniel is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Continental Toy Spaniel vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Continental Toy Spaniel?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting well
Adopting a healthy Continental Toy Spaniel
An annual veterinary examination, supplemented by monitoring of the patella, dentition, eyes and ears, is a relevant basis for this breed. In a breeding dog or an individual showing clinical signs, orthopedic and ophthalmological checks may be useful.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
