Toys Are Us
When we come to the Toy Group, the name alone gives us pleasure, conjuring up the joys of childhood. Like the playthings of our youth, the small size and adorable expressions of these diminutive dogs fill us with delight. Despite their size, however, some toy dogs are tough little characters, and many are unsuitable for very young children. All are ideal companions for adults, especially apartment and condo dwellers, and they make great lap warmers on cold nights.
The toy breeds are the affenpinscher, Brussels griffon, cavalier King Charles spaniel, Chihuahua, Chinese crested, English toy spaniel, Havanese, Italian greyhound, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Manchester terrier, miniature pinscher, papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, pug, shih tzu, silky terrier, toy fox terrier, and Yorkshire terrier.
Among toy-breed idiosyncrasies are a feisty personality, such as that of the tiny Chihuahua who is not always fond of other breeds and can be nippy when feeling overwhelmed. This little dynamo comes in both a smooth-coated and longhaired version.
Not surprisingly, the most grooming-intensive toy breeds are the long-haired shih tzu, Havanese, and Maltese. They require lots of home care or regular trips to the groomer. If you do lots of brushing and combing at home, you can keep the coats of the Pomeranian, Japanese Chin, English toy spaniel, cavalier King Charles spaniel, papillon, silky terrier, and Yorkie in good condition, but occasional visits to the groomer are advisable for them as well. The harsh coats of the affenpinscher and Brussels griffon are easily maintained by brushing and occasional hand-stripping (plucking or pulling out dead hair.)
Toy dogs such as the Maltese, English toy spaniel, cavalier King Charles spaniel, papillon, and Japanese Chin were bred as companions for royalty and the aristocracy. These dainty little charmers remain fashionable accessories to this day, living love objects that like to be pampered.
For toy dogs, socializing is every bit as important as housebreaking. It helps them feel secure in the world. They need more protection from their owners than their larger brethren. Owners must be watchful of them in all situations involving other dogs and children. They can be more easily injured than their larger counterparts and they often feel more threatened in unfamiliar situations.
You can give your tiny dog confidence by making sure it meets lots of people and is comfortable being handled by others. Make plenty of trips to the park or mall, and sign up for a puppy kindergarten class. The more time you devote to “bringing up baby” the more you will be rewarded with a happy well-socialized little dog to share your life.
