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The Toy Dog Group

Pug introduces the group of small dog breeds usually referred to as “the Toy Dog group” virtually includes all breeds of very petite dogs. While the so called “lap breed” is comprised of small dogs, not all small dogs that form the Toy Group are lap dogs. Some of them are really good hunting animals, others are working animals and quite a few are good at various outdoor activities and don’t spend all their time sitting in somebody’s lap as silent companions. The reason why breeds are classified into separate groups is that it helps the kennel organizations when they organize canine shows and competitions. Pug readers would be interested in knowing that small dogs should obviously compete with each other, not with the larger breeds. Although some people use the term “Teacup” when referring to a Toy Dog, this is not an official name for the group in question. According to the World Canine Organization, toy breeds fall into the 9th group or category, the “Toy and companion pets”. The Chihuahua, the Bichon, the Poodle, the Pekingese and the English Toy Spaniels, they are all included.

What a Toy Dog has in common with another member of the same group goes beyond the fact that they are all small dogs. Of course, size is the first criterion that brings them together. But size also determines their health issues and their personality traits. Because they are attractive and small and easy to take care of, most Toy breeds were produced so as to be part of the glamorous lifestyle of the upper class. People who were not so well off needed their animals larger and stronger, in order to be able to work. Some interesting details that Pug brings to its readers is that because small dog breeds were associated with a certain social status, everybody wanted a pet of such breed. This is how they became so popular worldwide and their numbers increased. Also, you might like to take a look at theSporting Group.

Although a Toy Dog is usually a healthy little animal, and fairly easy to train, unlike larger breeds, a Toy Dog is often misunderstood. Their reactions are misread. Unwillingly, of course, their owners push these pets towards the Little Dog Syndrome. Little dogs are known to be very lively, affectionate, jealous, loud and energetic. Many of them bark at their own family too. But people accept this because they find Toy Dogs endearing. In reality, such a behavior indicates serious lack of training that will later reflect into the pet’s personality. An animal that barks at its master and jumps on people obviously wants to control humans.