The Toy Group is composed exclusively of some of the smallest dogs in the canine world — and also some of the most adorable! Many of these cuddly little rascals have been bred purely for companionship and were never intended to be anything other than pets. Some of them come from very obscure backgrounds, but make no mistake — these are dogs.

Yorkshire Terriers are perennially popular — because who can resist them? With their long, silky coats, button eyes and nose, and “I can do anything a big dog can do” attitude, they are at home in all kinds of homes all around the world.

The most amazing thing about little dogs is that they think just like big dogs. They mark territory; they are loving; they are protective; they are great watchdogs; and they will bite, too, if they feel threatened. They do get away with a lot more because of their size and cuteness, and they guard their privileges jealously. They are usually welcome on the couch to sleep in your lap; they're usually allowed in public places and on transportation, where their larger cousins are absolutely forbidden; hotels even sometimes turn a blind eye to them. At the very least, they're so small, they're easier to hide!

The popularity of the Pug continues to increase year after year. It seems people can't get enough of their chubby, compact little bodies; curly tails; and one-of-a-kind faces. They are beloved by children and adults alike, and they are quick to return the sentiments.

There are many stories about how loyal these breeds are, belying their size to protect their masters, using shrill barking to warn of danger and persistence to distract danger. Toy dogs tend to be smart and feisty. They can be trained easily for the most part (though housetraining can be a challenge), and many do not require too much exercise. All Toy breeds make good house and apartment dogs. They love attention and they expect to get it. They also require grooming, and they love that, too. The dogs in the Toy Group in the American Kennel Club are: