Top Notch Toys - April 2022

and close to the head. The English Toy’s eyes are large, very dark brown or black, and set squarely in-line with the nose. The Cavalier head is proportionate to the size of the dog, appearing neither too large nor too small for the body. The skull is almost flat between the ears, and the ears are set high but not close on top of the head. The eyes are large, round, and well-set-apart, with dark rims. The English Toy has a deep, well- defined stop, and the muzzle is very short, with nose well-laid-back. This breed should have a slightly under- shot bite, with a square, broad, deep and will turned-up jaw. A wry mouth should be penalized. The Cavalier stop is moderate, and the length of muzzle from base of stop to tip of nose is about 1 1/2 inches. The Cavalier has a perfect, regular scissors bite. An undershot bite, weak or crooked teeth or crooked jaw are faults in this breed. The neck on an English Toy is mod - erate in length and nicely arched. The body is short, compact, square, and deep on cobby lines with a broad back. The breed should be sturdy of frame with good rib and deep brisket. The English Toy tail is docked to 2-4 inches in length and carried at or just NECK, TOPLINE, BODY AND TAIL

slightly above the level of the back. The set of the tail is at the back’s level. Many are bornwith a shorter or screw tail, which is acceptable. The feather - ing on the tail should be silky and from 3-4 inches in length, constitut - ing a marked “flag” of a square shape. The tail and its carriage is an index of the breed’s attitude and character. The Cavalier neck is fairly long, with - out throatiness, and muscled enough to form a slight arch at the crest. The body is short-coupled, with ribs well sprung but not barreled. The chest is moderately deep, extending to the elbows. Slightly less body at the flank than at the last rib but with no tucked- up appearance. The Cavalier tail is well-set-on, carried happily but never much above the level of the back, and in a constant, characteristic motion when the dog is in action. Docking is optional, but if docked, no more than one-third to be removed. The topline on both breeds is level. COAT The English Toy is profusely coated, having heavy fringing on the ears, body, and chest, and with flowing feathering on both the front and hind legs, and feathering on the feet. The coat is straight or only slightly wavy with a silken, glossy texture. Over- trimming of the body, feet or tail fringes should be penalized.

SIZE, PROPORTION AND SUBSTANCE The English Toy’s desirable weight for an adult is 8-14 pounds. It is com - pact, square in shape, built on cobby lines and sturdy of frame, and solidly constructed. The Cavalier’s desir- able adult weight is 13-18 pounds. The Cavalier height is 12-13 inches at the withers, with moderate bone in pro - portion to size. HEAD, MUZZLE AND MOUTH The English Toy head is large in com- parison to the size of the dog, with a plush, chubby look. The skull is high and well-domed, and is full over the eyes. The ears are very long, set low

28 • T op N otch T oys , A pril 2022

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