Top 10 Toy Dog Breeds

Plush toys, plushies, stuffed animals, and stuffies have been popular among kids, especially small girls, since a long time. Actually, not only small kids but the bigger ones seem to be in love with them as well with a lot of them with life size Pandas, Dogs, Giraffes, Dolphins, etc. in their bedrooms. These cuddly toys are loved across the world. But there is one thing which is loved more than them. And those are real dogs who look like these cute little toys. Imagine all the qualities of a soft toy coupled with walking, running, loving, cuddling, barking, licking and playing qualities. That’s what a toy dog is.

Toy dog traditionally refers to a very small dog or a grouping of small and very small breeds of dog. There are a lot of dog breeds which fall into this category. And for some breeds, there are variants like Toy, Miniature, and Standard as they come in different sizes. And of course, all of them are cute and lovable but based on a few characteristics like obedience, smartness, energy, etc. We have chosen the top 10. The list includes –

10. Chinese Crested

Not always hairless, unlike the common notion, the Chinese Crested comes in 3 variations – Powderpuff, hairless and hairy hairless. Quite unique for this trait as even the hairless ones carry a Powderpuff gene but an non-dominant one.

9. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkie, as popularly called, is one of the smallest dogs out there. Active, very protective, curious, and fond of attention, these dogs are smart and learn things quickly. The excessive barking makes them an excellent watchdog. Get a sense of the financial implications of owning a Yorkshire Terrier here!

8. Maltese

Having originated from the Island of Malta, the Maltese breed of dogs have been among the most popular household dogs in ancient times. Having hair similar to Professor Dumbledore, these dogs have been used as companions, ornaments and competitive exhibitions.

7. Pomeranian

The famous survivor of the Titanic, the Pomeranian is a Spitz type dog which is described as long, thick, white furred along with pointed ears and mussels. Amongst the royals, even Queen Victoria owned a Pomeranian.

6. Miniature Pinscher

Min Pin, as often called, is known to be a mixed breed of German Pinscher, Italian Greyhounds and Dachshunds. More than 200 years old, this breed is assertive, outgoing, active, and independent breed.

5. Havanese

The national dog of Cuba, the Havanese, is a bichon type dog which is known for its health and sturdiness. The ‘Havana Silk Dog’ is the 25th most popular pure breed in the US. Know more about how much a Havanese costs.

4. Shih Tzu

The toy dog, Shih Tzu, is a small playful breed of dogs that were treasured by the Chinese nobility for centuries. No to underestimate their size, they are called as the ‘little lions’ because of their numerous courageous stories.

3. Pugs

One of the most popular dogs worldwide, Pugs, are known to have originated from China somewhere around 400 BC. These sociable, gentle companions are a small sized dog breed, that were favored even by the Buddhist monks there.

2. Chihuahua

The smallest breed in the world, Chihuahuas are also one of the most aggressive dogs in the world. They often seem to compensate for their small height with loud barks and aggressive behaviors.

1. Poodle

Called the Pudel in German and the Caniche in French, its origins are debated between both these countries. Highly intelligent, obedient and athletic, the Poodles have been employed at various circuses across France. The popularity makes them top the list. Here are some good poodle mixes we think you should know about. Know more about what's the price of a poodle today! You may also be interested in Schnoodle.

This is again not an exhaustive list. There are several other breeds like King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Pekingese, Italian Greyhound, Toy Fox Terrier, West Highland White Terriers etc. who can be classified as toy dog breeds. Most of these dogs are a mix breed. Mix breeding usually offers benefits of both the breeds and are often bred for a purpose like hunting, guarding, sledding, companionship, show dogs, etc.

One thing to remember here is that just because of the small statues of these dogs, it doesn’t mean that they need less or no exercise. Most of the times they need an equal or even more physical stimulations in the form of exercise and training. Also, this doesn’t even mean that they are sensitive. Most of these dogs are more aggressive than their bigger counterparts.

However, the small stature does make them look cute.

Walking with one such dog around the park is definitely going to attract a lot of people. So, if you’re looking to attract girls using a dog, well, wouldn’t be such a bad idea. So, while getting a dog, it’s better to get one which matches your vibe, energy and lifestyle.