Surfing the AKC Web site, attending a dog show (or watching one on television), taking a trip to the local grooming salon, observing a dog obedience class, or supporting a dog-walking fundraiser in the park will give you an overview of small dogs in all their wonderful variety. Talking to dog-owning friends and reading books on the subject will further expand your knowledge. Dog breeds did not just happen randomly. Each breed was carefully developed with a specific purpose in mind. When considering a small dog, you should think long and hard about why its particular breed came into being.