Toy Trawler Spaniel facts for kids
A Toy Trawler Spaniel from 1909
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| Other names | Miniature Trawler Spaniel |
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| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Breed status | Extinct |
| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |
The Toy Trawler Spaniel was a type of Spaniel dog that is now extinct, meaning it no longer exists. It looked a lot like the King Charles Spaniel from the 16th century. People believe it came from the original King Charles Spaniel and an older kind of Sussex Spaniel. These dogs were first used for hunting. Later, they became popular as small pet dogs and show dogs. By 1920, there were very few of them left. You can see a preserved Toy Trawler Spaniel at the Natural History Museum at Tring in Tring, England.
The Story of the Toy Trawler Spaniel
The exact beginning of the Toy Trawler Spaniel breed is not fully known. However, in 1919, people thought it came from the curly-coated King Charles Spaniel. It was also believed to be related to the old-fashioned, curly-coated Sussex Spaniel.
At first, these dogs might have been used for hunting. But over time, they became more popular as small pet dogs. By 1907, the breed was more common in Europe than in the United Kingdom. It was especially liked in countries like the Netherlands and Italy.
There is a preserved Toy Trawler Spaniel at the Natural History Museum at Tring. This dog was named Robin. It was born in 1911 and bred by Lady Wentworth. Robin passed away in 1920, around the time the breed was almost gone. Lady Wentworth even wrote about using Toy Trawler Spaniels to help bring back the original King Charles Spaniel. She wrote about this in her book, which was published in 1911.
What Did They Look Like?
The Toy Trawler Spaniel was thought to look like the very first King Charles Spaniels. Their heads were small and light. They had a short, black nose that tipped slightly upwards. The top of their skull was flat, not rounded like a dome. They also had long ears that were set forward on their heads.
Their fur was usually long and feathery. It was described as curly, but not woolly. Their bodies were quite strong and solid.
The size of these dogs could vary. They usually stood about 28 to 33 centimeters (11 to 13 inches) tall at their shoulders. Some were even smaller, around 23 centimeters (9 inches) tall. A dog that was 33 centimeters (13 inches) tall might weigh about 6.8 kilograms (15 pounds).
The most popular color for them was black with a white chest, like a waistcoat. Red with a white chest was also liked. They could also be black and white or red and white. People said they were very sweet dogs. But they were also brave and bold. Being shy was considered a fault for these dogs in dog shows.
