Dogs

The miniature size and the cute expressions of toy breeds have always exerted a certain fascination and lent them an enduring appeal. These dogs were once highly prized by royalty and the wealthy, in times past when it was fashionable to have a "lap dog" partly as a fashion accessory and partly for their warmth. (In fact, all the dogs in the toy group today are small enough to curl up in one's lap.) Toy dogs appear in court portraits from the sixteenth century onwards, and some painters (such as Hogarth, who painted his own pet Pug) included them in their own self-portraits.

Some toy breeds, like the Affenpinscher, are naturally small dogs, while others, such as Pugs and Italian Greyhounds, are descended from working dogs whose size has been bred down over generations of selective miniaturization. They all make excellent pets for owners with limited space and, in general, they are easier to take care of than larger dogs: they eat less, require less exercise, and their size makes them easier to control in many respects than larger dogs.

Size can be deceptive, however, as many toy breeds have larger than life characters - and it is not uncommon to find a toy fearlessly defending its home and human family against much larger opponents (either real or perceived), often with persistent barking.

Don't purchase a toy dog on a whim, they are not mere fashion accessories. These creatures are remarkably hardy and healthy as a rule, with an average life span for the group exceeding 14 years, with some individuals living at least 5 yeas longer.  Many will bond with a single owner and wish to be with them constantly.  Though these dogs require less exercise, they will likely require more of your time than a larger dog.

List of Toy Dogs
Affenpinscher Dog
Australian Silky Terrier
Belgian Griffon
Bichon Frise
Biewer
Boston Terrier
Brussels Griffon
Cavachon
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chihuahua
Chinese Crested Dog
Cockapoo
English Toy Spaniel
English Toy Terrier
French Bulldog
Havanese
Italian Greyhound
Japanese Chin
Maltese Terrier
Toy Manchester Terrier
Toy Mi-Ki
Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Dachshund
Papillon
Pekingese
Pomeranian
Pug
Shih Tzu
Tibetan Spaniel
Toy American Eskimo
Toy Fox Terrier
Toy Poodle
Yorkshire Terrier