Caring for your English Toy Terrier

Quick answer

The English Toy Terrier is a spirited, intelligent, and loyal companion that thrives on human interaction. While they are generally hardy, they are prone to a few specific health conditions, including patellar luxation, deafness, and glaucoma. By keeping your dog at a healthy, lean weight and monitoring for subtle changes in their movement, hearing, or eye health, you can ensure they live a full and comfortable life.

Patellar luxation

Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap slips out of its normal groove. This is a recognised tendency in the breed. At home, you might notice your dog skipping a step, holding a leg up for a few seconds, or occasionally shaking their leg to pop the kneecap back into place. Some dogs may show no signs at all until the condition progresses.

When you visit the vet, they will physically manipulate the knee joint to check for instability. If the kneecap moves too easily, the vet may grade the severity of the luxation. In many cases, maintaining a lean body condition is the most effective way to reduce stress on the joint. If the luxation causes persistent pain or lameness, the vet may discuss surgical options to deepen the groove or realign the joint. Urgency is determined by the level of discomfort and whether the dog is consistently unable to bear weight on the limb.

Deafness

Deafness can occur in this breed, and this is a recognised tendency rather than a proven one. How this passes down is not settled. You might first notice your dog failing to respond to their name, not waking up when you enter the room, or being startled easily when approached from behind. Because dogs are experts at reading body language, they may compensate for hearing loss by watching your movements closely, which can sometimes mask the extent of the problem.

Your vet will perform a physical examination to rule out ear infections or blockages that might mimic deafness. If the ears are clear, they may use a specialized test, such as a BAER test, to confirm the loss of hearing. While there is no cure for congenital deafness, you can adapt your home environment by using hand signals for commands and avoiding startling your dog while they are sleeping. Urgency is low unless the deafness is accompanied by signs of an active ear infection, such as discharge, redness, or a foul odor.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition involving increased pressure within the eye, and this is well recognised in the breed. You might notice your dog squinting, rubbing their eye, or appearing to have a cloudy or enlarged eyeball. The eye may also look red or inflamed. Because this condition can be painful and lead to permanent vision loss, it is considered a medical emergency.

Your vet will use a tool called a tonometer to measure the pressure inside the eye. If the pressure is elevated, they will likely start immediate treatment to lower it and prevent damage to the optic nerve. The common owner mistake is waiting to see if the redness or squinting goes away on its own. Because glaucoma can cause irreversible blindness in a very short time, any sign of eye pain or cloudiness requires an immediate visit to the vet.