toy dog, classification used by breeders and kennel clubs to designate very small breeds of dogs kept as pets. Some are selectively bred diminutive forms of larger breeds and others are naturally small. The following breeds are designated as toy dogs by the American Kennel Club: affenpinscher affenpinscher (ăf`ənpĭn'shər), breed of toy dog perfected in Europe at the end of the 19th cent. It stands from 8 to 10 in.
..... Click the link for more information. , Brussels griffon Brussels griffon, breed of sturdy toy dog developed in Belgium in the 18th and 19th cent. It stands about 8 in. (20.3 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 6 to 12 lb (2.7–5.5 kg). There are two varieties, the wirehaired and the smooth.
..... Click the link for more information. , Chihuahua Chihuahua (chəwä`wə), a breed of small toy dog probably of Asian origin and introduced into Mexico by Spanish settlers.
..... Click the link for more information. , English toy spaniel English toy spaniel, breed of toy dog perfected in England over many centuries. It stands about 10 in. (25 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 9 to 12 lb (4–5 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , Italian greyhound Italian greyhound, breed of sleek, active toy dog that stands from 13 to 15 in. (32–38 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 7 to 11 lb (3–5 kg). Its short, thin coat is glossy and may be any shade of red, fawn, blue, cream, or white.
..... Click the link for more information. , Japanese spaniel Japanese spaniel, breed of dainty, alert toy dog probably originating in ancient China and developed in Japan over many centuries. It stands about 9 in. (22.9 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 7 lb (3.2 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , Maltese Maltese (môltēz`), breed of very small toy dog of obscure origin that was widely popular in Europe by the beginning of the 19th
..... Click the link for more information. , miniature pinscher miniature pinscher, breed of lively toy dog originating in Germany in the late 19th cent. It stands from 10 to 12 in. (25.4–30.5 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 8 to 10 lb (3.6–4.5 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , papillon papillon (păp`əlŏn')
..... Click the link for more information. , Pekingese Pekingese (pē'kĭnēz`), breed of small toy dog developed over many centuries in China. It stands from 6 to 9 in. (15.3–22.
..... Click the link for more information. , Pomeranian Pomeranian (pŏm'ərā`nēən), breed of small, sturdy toy dog descended from the sledge dogs of Iceland and Lapland.
..... Click the link for more information. , pug pug, breed of sturdy, compact toy dog that became popular in England during the 19th cent. It stands about 11 in. (27.9 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 14 to 18 lb (6.4–8.2 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , Shih Tzu Shih Tzu (shē dz
..... Click the link for more information. , silky terrier silky terrier, breed of agile, spirited toy dog originated in Australia in the early 20th cent. It stands about 10 in. (25 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 8 to 10 lb (3.6.–4.5 kg). Its silky, flat-lying hair is between 5 and 6 in. (12.7–15.
..... Click the link for more information. , toy poodle poodle, popular breed of dog probably originating in Germany but generally associated with France, where it has been raised for centuries. There are three varieties, differing in size only.
..... Click the link for more information. , toy Manchester terrier Manchester terrier, breed of sleek, alert terrier developed in England in the 19th cent. There are two varieties, the standard and the toy (see toy dog ). The standard variety stands from 14 to 16 in. (35.6–40.
..... Click the link for more information. , and Yorkshire terrier Yorkshire terrier, breed of small, spirited toy dog originated and developed in Yorkshire, England, in the mid-19th cent. It stands about 9 in. (22.8 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 4 to 7 lb (1.8–3.2 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. . See dog dog, carnivorous, domesticated wolf (Canis lupus familiaris) of the family Canidae, to which the jackal and fox also belong. The family Canidae is sometimes referred to as the dog family, and its characteristics, e.g.
..... Click the link for more information. .

toy dog

Any of several breeds of dogs that were bred to be small, portable, good-natured companions. Toy dogs were traditionally pampered and treasured by aristocracy around the world, and several breeds are ancient. They range from hairless (e.g., the Chinese crested dog) to profusely coated (e.g., the Shih tzu). Some breeds, such as the Pekingese, could be owned only by royalty. The Cavalier King Charles spaniel was a favourite of English royalty. English toy spaniels and toy poodles are popular in the U.S. The miniature pinscher resembles the Doberman pinscher but has a different ancestry. Other toy dogs include the affenpinscher, Maltese, papillon, Pomeranian, and Yorkshire terrier.