Toy Dog Breeds

There are many breeds for dog lovers to choose from including several toy dog breeds. These small dogs make ideal pets for people with limited space, such as an apartment. They still need plenty of exercise however. Sometimes referred to as companion dogs or lap dogs, many breeds have a long history. For some women, they are a fashion accessory but most people regard them affectionately as valued pets. One of the benefits of owning this sort of dog is that they are easily transported.

There is some confusion about categories of dogs and there isn't an official weight or height defined for toy dog breeds. Other size definitions include standard size and miniature. The poodle, originating from France and Germany, is an example of a breed that includes all three size categories.

The dachshund hails from Germany and is bred to standard and miniature size. The standard variety were bred to flush badgers out of their burrows and the miniature were used to hunt rabbits. It's not generally known that some toy dog breeds were working dogs in the past and not just pets. Nicknamed the sausage dog or hot dog, they are a familiar sight in Europe and were an official mascot to the 1972 Summer Olympic Games, held in Munich. The dachshund is also familiar to fans of the British artist, David Hockney. He produced a series of paintings, depicting his two pet dachshunds, Stanley and Boodgie.

In the United Kingdom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a popular breed, dating back to the 11th century. It too was kept as a hunting dog before becoming a pet. Also from the UK, the less aristocratic looking Yorkshire Terrier has also become a favorite in the USA and was polled in 2006 as the second most popular dog there, next to the Labrador Retriever. The Chihuahua, originating from Mexico, is usually a companion to ladies of a certain age.

Asia too has a long history in toy dog breeds. The Chinese Pekinese is looked on with great respect, having been the breed of choice at the Chinese Imperial Court. They appear in many works of art and represent a guardian spirit because of their similarities with the Chinese lions of legend, whose statues stand and protect many historic buildings. The Pug was also a favorite and was kept as a lap dog by Emperors. The toy dog breeds bring a lot of pleasure to a lot of people, whether they are show dogs or companions only.