There are numerous toy dog breeds, each with its unique characteristics. Some well-known toy dog breeds include:
Chihuahua
Named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where they were first discovered, Chihuahuas are recognized as the smallest dog breed, weighing between 2-6 pounds and 6-9 inches tall. They bark a lot and use their vocalization to communicate their emotions and needs.
Due to their tiny stature, Chihuahuas have very delicate and fragile physiques, so they require careful handling and care.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians are easily recognized by their luxuriant fluffy double coat and foxy face with alert, prick ears. Their vibrant and varied coat colors, including orange, cream, black, and more are particularly attractive. Extremely quick learners, these dogs can be easily trained and display a surprising amount of energy.
They are descendants of larger sledge-pulling dogs from the Arctic region.
Yorkshire
Yorkshire dogs are also referred to as ‘Yorkie’. They have a long, silky, glossy, and straight coat that resembles human hair. They do not have an undercoat, making them hypoallergenic, meaning they shed minimally and are generally considered a good option for people with allergies. Yorkie puppies and adult dogs have different coloring. They’re born tan and black. As they grow older, their coat turns blue and finally the tan transforms into an almost gold shade.
As the name suggests, these dogs originally come from Yorkshire, England
where they were once used to catch rats in clothing mills.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus have distinctively cute and expressive faces, often described as having a "smooshed" appearance with large, round eyes. They have a soft and long double coat that gets tangled and mats easily if not brushed at least every 2 or 3 days.
This breed is often called "owl heads" and "lion heads" by the Chinese because of its head shape and its mouth is referred to as "frog mouths". They were originally bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty.
Maltese
Maltese are a low-shedding, long-lived breed, happy to make new friends across all ages. This breed is famous for making wonderful therapy dogs for many reasons, including their small size and loving personalities. This breed is believed to have originated over 2,000 years ago and was loved by the royals, including Mary, the Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I. They both had Maltese dogs as their pets.
It is believed that the Maltese originated in Malta, a tiny island south of Sicily, Italy.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is one of the most popular breeds in the world and one look at these breeds makes it easy to see the reason. These little dogs have silky, flowing hair, adorable, friendly faces and an extremely friendly personality. They are often referred to as "love sponges" or “perfect lap dogs” for their willingness to snuggle and show affection.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most iconic dogs of British nobility. They were named after King Charles II of England who had a great fondness for the breed.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs or ‘Frenchies’ are cute, playful and charming dogs with a compact build, expressive facial features and constantly erect large ‘bat’ ears. They are known for their distinctive "Frenchie" snorting and grunting sounds, which are a result of their brachycephalic (short-muzzled) face. They love to lie down on their tummies or sit with their hind legs spread out. This, combined with their wide, round face, has earned them the moniker ‘frog dogs’.
Frenchies are descended from the ancient hounds of Molossus in Greece.
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