TOY DOG GROUP
Breed Examples
AFFENPINSCHER | BICHON FRISE | BOLOGNESE | BRUSSELS GRIFFON | CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL | CHIHUAHUA | CHINESE CRESTED | COTON DE TULEAR | HAVANESE | JAPANESE CHIN | LHASA APSO | MALTESE | MINIATURE PINSCHER | PAPILLON | PEKINGESE | POMERANIAN | PUG | SHIH TSU | TOY/MINIATURE POODLE
WHAT WE BRED THEM FOR
Primarily selected for their socialibility, these genetic dwarves of the dog world were a companion to the aristocracy in Medieval and Renaissance Europe as well as to Buddhist monks and Emperors in China and Tibet. They were used for everything from foot warmer to alarm system and found their way to a lasting place on our laps.
Before you read on ...
These group pages introduce you to ten newly described dog groups based on the latest science. Knowing what type of 'job' is in your dog's DNA can offer valuable insights into the type of life they'd most enjoy.
Treat this as a guide and a starting point for further research into the breed of dog to best suit you and your lifestyle. You'll find information specific to individual breeds here.
Note: this isn't a guarantee of how any individual dog will behave in future.
WHY YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH A TOY DOG
Sensitive
Intuitive and emotional, they're designed for attending to and comforting their person.
Engaging
They're fun-loving, playful and curious with family and friends.
Practical
Highly portable, they're easier to care for, manage and satisfy than many other dog breeds.
WHY THEY CAN BE HARD TO LIVE WITH
Co-Dependent
Your lapdog's clinginess and demands for attention may be challenging.
Wary
Toy dogs can be prone to alarm barking and defensiveness.
Fragile
Bad weather, exercise, work, injury or stress can easily tip them over the edge.
YOU MAY NEED COACHING TO HELP WITH
- Separation anxiety
- Length of time to house train
- Their perception of 'stranger danger'
- Protectiveness of their person (also known as lap guarding)
- Difficulty with small children
- Excessive barking
- Reactivity toward other dogs
YOUR RELATIONSHIP SURVIVAL KEY
Cherish but be careful not to encourage their genetic propensity for dependence on you. It's sweet but can get out of proportion.
Be mindful of how vulnerable they can be.
Teach them how capable they are of learning the necessary skills to handle life and focus on building their confidence in a variety of situations.
Remember, they may be small, but they are still a dog who needs you to consider their emotional, mental and physical canine needs.
