| In the past, "toy" dogs have often been bred to | | | | apartment dog and are extremely popular with older |
| make a dog owner's life easier, mainly for the richer | | | | people. |
| sectors in society. They were owned by the affluent | | | | Chihuahuas are intelligent, loyal and loving dogs, |
| and were seen as status symbols and a luxury item | | | | devoted totally to their owners and family. They |
| despite their apparent lack of purpose. However, | | | | thrive on close interaction and contact with the |
| nowadays they have become a fashion statement | | | | family, hence why they make such great companions. |
| for all social classes rich and poor, celebrities far and | | | | However, despite this, they are prone to being a bit |
| wide. Indeed, entire sites are now being created | | | | "snooty" and aloof, as well as fiercly jealous and |
| devoted to the canine preferences of our favourite | | | | possessive. They most certainly have delusions of |
| celebs, and these can have a real impact - for good | | | | grandeur, are very confident and will undoubtedly |
| or bad being a point of debate - on the trends of | | | | challenge any larger dogs. Chihuahuas are great with |
| dog ownership around the globe. Toy dogs are | | | | older children if they have been raised with them. |
| generally easier to care for, but they are usually not | | | | These little dogs can actually be trained quite easily. |
| fond of children and large families. They also tend to | | | | Chihuahuas are known to be somewhat insecure and |
| be a bit "yappy", however they are loyal and | | | | this is what can cause their excessive barking, so |
| intelligent and great entertainers. Here are just five | | | | ideally socialisation and training whilst still a puppy is |
| favourite pocket pooches: | | | | advised. Chihuahuas tend to get the exercise that |
| Yorkshire Terrier | | | | they need indoors - be careful with them jumping |
| Definitely a favourite in the UK, naturally due to its | | | | from furniture as they can easily hurt themselves - |
| origin. First bred to catch rats in the coalmines, this | | | | so they don't appear to need much regular outdoor |
| rugged and slightly scruffy looking toy dog is very | | | | exercise. If you do venture out with them during the |
| popular because it does have all of the loveable | | | | winter months, it's best to keep them warm in a little |
| characteristics of a larger dog, only in miniature. They | | | | coat. The Smooth-coated variety will only need the |
| are about 7-9 inches tall and weigh 5-7 pounds. The | | | | infrequent brush. The Long-coated Chihuahuas need |
| Yorkie is easily recognisable due to its long shiny | | | | regular grooming and trims. They are either single |
| straight coat which is coloured reds, tans and greys | | | | coated, which sheds little, or double coated that can |
| that can reach to the floor. Naturally this beautiful | | | | shed quite a bit. Because they don't get outdoors a |
| coat needs daily grooming. | | | | lot, they will need to have their claws trimmed on a |
| The Yorkie has boundless energy and an even | | | | regular basis. Their lifespan is approximately 12-14 |
| temperament. They can be hard to train, but with | | | | years. |
| persistence it is manageable as they are usually | | | | Maltese |
| intelligent and quick to learn. Yorkies are quite sociable | | | | Definitely one of the most intelligent, gentle and |
| dogs and often get along with other pets, but do | | | | loving of the toy dogs. As their name suggest, they |
| tend to be very possessive of their food and toys. | | | | originated from Malta. However there have been |
| They are best suited to families with older and | | | | statues of similar looking dogs in Ancient Egyptian |
| calmer children, rather than toddlers. They don't need | | | | tombs as well as being a favourite breed of noble |
| excessive walks and often will not walk on a lead, so | | | | ladies in ancient Greece, Rome and the Middle Ages in |
| obedience training may be necessary. They will be | | | | Europe. Hollywood beauty and Academy Award |
| wary of strangers, and will bark in defence, so are | | | | winner Hale Berry owns two Maltese named Polly and |
| excellent guard dogs, but it is advisable to socialise | | | | Willy. |
| early so that they don't become too shrill and yappy. | | | | These dogs are full of energy and just adore playing. |
| Their lifespan is approximately 12-14 years. | | | | They have huge characters and are full of surprises. |
| Contemporary celebrity Yorkie-lovers include teen | | | | They are often insecure when a puppy, so early |
| pop princess Miley Cyrus, who has a Yorkshire Terrier | | | | socialisation to people and other animals is advisable. |
| named Roadie. | | | | This should then give them the confidence they need |
| Shih Tzu | | | | as they mature, hopefully lowering their inherent lack |
| It is sometimes thought that the origin of the Shih | | | | of trust in strangers and their tendency to bark. |
| Tzu goes way back to them being shown in paintings | | | | They enjoy training, so there is little issue there. |
| and art of the Tang dynasty in 618 to 907AD. Other | | | | They tend to be suited to older children. |
| thoughts are that the Tibet's Dalai Lama in the 16th | | | | The Maltese dogs are about 8 to 9 inches in height |
| or 17th century gave a gift to the Chinese Emperor | | | | and weigh 4 to 7 pounds. They are easily |
| of the sacred Tibetan Lhasa Apso dogs. In the | | | | recognisable by their long-haired coat, which is white, |
| Tibetan religion, there are stories of a small dog that | | | | straight and silky. Naturally, because of their beautiful |
| can transform itself into a lion. These Tibetan Lhasa | | | | coat, they need daily grooming, including regular |
| Apsos, when introduced in Peking, were crossed with | | | | bathing. Their coat is normally centre parted with the |
| the Pekingese to produce the Shih Tzu, which means | | | | coat almost reaching to the ground. They don't shed |
| "Lion Dog" in Chinese. Unfortunately, they almost | | | | their hair, so any dead hair should be brushed out. As |
| became extinct when the Chinese Communist | | | | their hair grows long over their eyes, tie it up so |
| government imposed a huge dog tax in 1947. Luckily | | | | they can see. They love to go for walks as well as |
| there were other breeding pairs in Europe and the | | | | getting plenty of exercise indoors playing their |
| breed also became extremely popular in the US after | | | | games, but always keep them on the lead to avoid |
| WW2, and more recently haveing been "endorsed" | | | | confrontations with larger dogs. Their lifespan is 14-15 |
| by celebrities such as Nicole Ritchie, who has one | | | | years. |
| named Honeychild | | | | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
| Despite their delicately exotic looks, they are one of | | | | The Cavalier Spaniel was first bred in the 16th |
| the most robust of the toy dogs. They are 8-10 | | | | century in England and quickly became a favourite of |
| inches tall and 9-16 pounds in weight. They are | | | | European socialites. King Charles II also kept a large |
| intelligent, playful, affectionate, friendly, and outgoing | | | | group of these dogs. They are often seen in |
| dogs and require some training, especially house | | | | portraits of European aristocracy. They were used to |
| training. They are also extremely loyal to their | | | | warm laps in chilly castles and on carriage rides. They |
| owners and families, showing only rare bouts of | | | | are graceful, gentle, playful and mild mannered. They |
| aggression. Therefore, great with other pets and | | | | are superb family dogs, enjoying play and close |
| older children, but not great watchdogs. | | | | contact with their families. They are sociable dogs |
| This dog is a true lap dog and will love being | | | | and mingle well with children and adults of all ages, |
| pampered all day long. This for a Shih Tzu is | | | | though, as with all breeds of dog your should always |
| important because they require a lot of grooming. | | | | supervise play with younger children. They love |
| Their double coat needs to be brushed and combed | | | | cuddles on laps and anywhere warm and snuggly. |
| thoroughly every day to prevent tangles. The long | | | | Outdoors they are lively and do tend to chase small |
| hair can scratch the dog's eyes and therefore should | | | | animals as is their hunting dog ancestry. Luckily they |
| be tied up away from the face. It is best have their | | | | are easy to train and love long walks. They have long |
| coats trimmed and clipped regularly. While this may | | | | silky coats that feather around the neck and chest. |
| change their overall appearance, it is better to have a | | | | They are usually, tan, red, white and black, either |
| clipped Shih Tzu than one full of tangles. They do also | | | | with two or three colours throughout their different |
| enjoy daily walks and are more than happy to trot | | | | varieties. With this coat they will need regular |
| along with you. Their lifespan is approximately 10-14 | | | | grooming, at least twice per week. They are about |
| years. | | | | eleven to fourteen inches in height, making them one |
| Chihuahua | | | | of the taller of the toy dogs, and weigh eleven to |
| The Chihuahua is the smallest of the toy dogs. Their | | | | eighteen pounds. Their lifespan is ten to fourteen |
| recent popularity may be due in part to the likes of | | | | years. The list of celebrity King Charles Spaniel |
| Paris Hilton, but they were probably first bred in | | | | owners past and present is lengthy, and includes |
| Chihuahua, Mexico during the time of the Aztecs. The | | | | Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra and Liv Tyler. |
| longer coated Chihuahua was thought to have been | | | | Whatever breed of toy dog you choose as your |
| bred later in the U.S. Chihuahuas weigh 2-6 pounds | | | | companion, remember that you will need to consider |
| and are a mere 5-9 inches in height. The two | | | | how you will provide the necessary funds for |
| varieties are Smooth-coat and Long-coat, which are | | | | veterinary treatment should you dog have an |
| extremely similar bar their coat. Smooth-coated | | | | accident or become ill. There are so many pet |
| Chihuahuas tend to be the more popular, as they | | | | insurance providers now that it can be difficult to |
| have glossy, smooth, soft coats. Long-Coated | | | | decide what it the right choice for you and your |
| Chihuahuas have longer, soft coats that feather on | | | | faithful friend. |
| the tail, ears, neck and feet. They are the ultimate | | | | |