Toy Dog Breeds

Toy dog breeds were bred and kept as elegant companions. Most toys were bred to be smaller versions of larger breeds. Because they were developed from a various groups, their personalities vary widely. Most toys, however, are mild-mannered and have sweet temperaments. 

While they may not be very big, toys have piercing barks that can still deter intruders. And small homes and apartments can accommodate a toy.

One benefit of small dogs is that they have longer life spans. They often live until their mid to late teens. Some even reach 20+.

Toy breeds make good companions for the elderly or physically challenged. Since they don’t weigh a lot they can be easily be picked up and cuddled by anyone. They also don’t require as much exercise, are cheaper to feed and easier to clean up after. Toys are more suited to older children because they aren’t as likely to hurt them with exuberant attention.

Affenpinscher
Size: Tiny, 8-11”, 7-12 lbs.
Color: Gray, silver, black, red, black and tan
Protection level: Alert, will bark
Energy level: Medium to medium-high
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Good with children: Yes, but young kids might play too rough
Performance abilities: Agility, obedience
Shedding: Minimal, if brushed regularly
Grooming: Brush once a week, some scissoring and hand-stripping
Potential health concerns: Hypothyroidism, heart murmurs, kidney problems, patellar luxation, Legg-Perthes, open fontanel
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF
Best with: Sense of humour
Not for: Outdoor living, easy housetraining, people who want a mild-mannered toy

Brussels Griffon
Size: Small, 8-12 lbs.
Color: Black, red, black and tan, beige
Protection level: Will bark
Energy level: Low
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Good with children: Yes, but young kids might play too rough
Performance abilities: Obedience
Shedding: Yes
Grooming: Brush smooths; brush and hand-strip or clip roughs
Potential health concerns: PRA, patellar luxation
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF
Best with: Fenced yards, older children
Not for: Rambunctious kids and outdoor living

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Size: Small, 12-13”, 12-18 lbs.
Color: White and red, tricolor, black and tan, mahogany red
Protection level: Almost non-existent
Energy level: Medium
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Good with children: Yes, but better will older children
Performance abilities: Obedience, flyball, agility
Shedding: Moderate
Grooming: Brush and comb once a week
Potential health concerns: Cataracts, patellar luxation, MVD, retinal problems
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF, heart exam
Best with: Physically affectionate owners, sense of humor, regular grooming
Not for: Roughhousing, outdoor life, robotic obedience

Chihuahua
Size: Tiny, under 6 pounds
Color: Any color
Protection level: Will bark, willing to back it up but not likely to stop anyone
Energy level: Medium to high
Life expectancy: 16-18 years
Good with children: Yes, but young kids might play too rough
Performance abilities: Obedience
Shedding: Long coats have seasonal sheds, smooths shed year-round
Grooming: Brush, some scissoring on long coats
Potential health concerns: Entropion, lens luxation, PRA, open fontanel, hypoglucemia, heart defects, tracheal collapse, patellar luxation, glaucoma
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF
Best with: Gentle handling, daily interaction
Not for: Toddlers or outdoor life

Chinese Crested
Size: Small, 11-13”, about 10 lbs.
Color: Any color
Protection level: Almost non-existent
Energy level: Medium to high
Life expectancy: 15-16 years
Good with children: Yes, but young kids might play too rough
Performance abilities: Obedience and agility
Shedding: Hairless – none; powderpuff – minimal
Grooming: Hairless – skin care; powderpuff – brushing
Potential health concerns: Lens luxation, Legg-Perthes, detached retinas, skin problems
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF
Best with: Skin care and socialization
Not for: Isolation, kennels, rough handling, guarding

English Toy Spaniel
Size: Small, female 8-10 lbs, males 12-15 lbs.
Color: Red and white, tricolor, mahogany red, black and tan
Protection level: None
Energy level: Low
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Good with children: Yes, but young kids might play too rough
Performance abilities: Lap warming
Shedding: Minimal
Grooming: Brush, trim whiskers and hair on feet
Potential health concerns: Heart murmurs, cataracts, patellar luxation, inguinal hernias, microphthalmia, anesthesia sensitivity
Recommended health clearances: OFA, CERF
Best with: Loving, quiet homes
Not for: Young kids, rough handling, outdoor living

Havanese
Size: Small, 8.5-11.5”, 7-13 lbs.
Color: Many
Protection level: Will bark
Energy level: Medium
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Good with children: Yes, but no rough handling
Performance abilities: Therapy, obedience
Shedding: Shed within coat
Grooming: Brush ever second day; may clip pet
Potential health concerns: Hypothyroidism, cataracts, patellar luxation
Recommended health clearances: CERF and knee palpation
Best with: Playful owners, regular grooming, gentle handling
Not for: Isolation, rough handling

Italian Greyhound
Size: Small to medium, 13-15”, 8-12 lbs.
Color: Any color
Protection level: Will bark
Energy level: High, calms down with age
Life expectancy: 13-15 years
Good with children: Yes, but no rough handling
Performance abilities: Obedience, agility
Shedding: Minimal
Grooming: Minimal
Potential health concerns: PRA, autoimmune diseases, patellar luxation, seizures
Recommended health clearances: CERF, OFA
Best with: Daily attention, gentle owners, fenced yards, early socialization
Not for: Rough handling, outdoor life, kennels, instant, unerring obedience

Japanese Chin
Size: Tiny, 8-11 lbs.
Color: Black and white, red and white
Protection level: Will bark, in friendly excitement
Energy level: Adaptable
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Good with children: Yes, but young kids can be a bit rough
Performance abilities: Therapy
Shedding: Year-round, heavier seasonally
Grooming: Comb twice a week
Potential health concerns: PRA, patellar luxation, cataracts, breathing problems, problems associated with short muzzle, gangliosidosis, anesthesia sensitivity, seizures
Recommended health clearances: CERF, OFA
Best with: Close human companionship, playmates
Not for: Outdoor life, neat freaks, rough training, hot humid weather

Maltese
Size: Tiny, 4-6 lbs.
Color: White
Protection level: Will bark, in friendly excitement
Energy level: High
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Good with children: Yes, above the age of 6
Performance abilities: Tracking and obedience
Shedding: Minimal with proper grooming
Grooming: Brush every day
Potential health concerns: PRA, patellar luxation, deafness, glaucoma, entropion, hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia
Recommended health clearances: BAER, CERF, OFA
Best with: Fenced yard, affectionate owners
Not for: Outdoor life, rough handling, young kids, large animals

Toy Manchester Terrier
Size: Tiny, under 12 lbs.
Color: Black with mahogany tan
Protection level: Good watch dog
Energy level: High
Life expectancy: 14-20 years
Good with children: Older children better, can be protective of family
Performance abilities: Tracking and obedience, flyball, earthdog tests
Shedding: Light
Grooming: Regular brushing
Potential health concerns: Hypothyroidism, seizures, PRA, Legg-Perthes, vWD
Recommended health clearances: vWD, CERF, OFA
Best with: Active people, fenced yards, persuasive, firm training
Not for: Young kids, extreme cold, harsh handling, permissive owners

Miniature Pinscher
Size: Tiny, under 10-12.5”
Color: Black or chocolate with red markings, or solid red
Protection level: Will bark, a lot
Energy level: High
Life expectancy: 14-15 years
Good with children: Yes, if raised with them and they are gentle
Performance abilities: Agility and obedience
Shedding: Minimal
Grooming: Brush
Potential health concerns: PRA, Legg-Perthes, cataracts, pannus, patellar luxation
Recommended health clearances: CERF, OFA
Best with: Active people, fenced yards, secure confinement
Not for: Rough handling, young kids, outdoor life, beginners

Papillon
Size: Tiny, under 10-12”, 5-9 lbs.
Color: Parti-color
Protection level: Will bark, a lot
Energy level: High
Life expectancy: 14-18 years
Good with children: Yes, older, gentler ones.
Performance abilities: Flyball, agility, obedience
Shedding: Yes
Grooming: Brush
Potential health concerns: PRA, and other eye problems, patellar luxation, liver shunts, hemolytic anemia, epilepsy, open fontenel, heart defects
Recommended health clearances: CERF
Best with: Active, fun-loving people, positive training methods
Not for: Rough handling, outdoor life, inactive people

Pekinese
Size: Small, less than 6 lbs, 6-8 lbs, 8-14 lbs.
Color: Black, cream, white, fawn, black and tan, red, sable, brindle, parti-color
Protection level: Will bark, a lot
Energy level: Low
Life expectancy: 13-15 years
Good with children: Older, quieter ones.
Performance abilities: Therapy
Shedding: Seasonal
Grooming: Brush once a week with a bristle brush and comb
Potential health concerns: Pastern or patellar luxation, spinal problems, dry eye, eye injuries
Recommended health clearances: None
Best with: Patient training, gentle handling
Not for: Heavy exercise, outdoor life, active people, young kids, hot, humid weather

Pomeranian
Size: Tiny, 3-7 lbs.
Color: Brindle, black, orange, cream and sable, red, brown and blue, beaver, white, parti-color
Protection level: Will bark
Energy level: High
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Good with children: With supervision, 6+ years
Performance abilities: Therapy, obedience
Shedding: Some
Grooming: Regular brushing, some trimming
Potential health concerns: Patellar luxation, entropion, hypoglycemia, tracheal collapse, PDA, open fontenal, PRA, cataracts
Recommended health clearances: CERF, OFA
Best with: Fenced yards, gentle handling
Not for: Young kids, outdoor life

Toy Poodle
Size: Tiny, up to 10”
Color: Grey, blue, café au lait, white, cream, apricot, black, silver, brown
Protection level: Will bark
Energy level: High
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Good with children: Older, sensible kids
Performance abilities: Freestyle, obedience
Shedding: Almost non-existent, sheds within coat
Grooming: Lots, must be clipped regularly
Potential health concerns: Patellar luxation, epilepsy, hypoglycemia, cataracts, PRA
Recommended health clearances: CERF, OFA
Best with: Professional grooming, lots of attention
Not for: Aggressive or young kids, outdoor life

Pug
Size: Small, 10-11”, 14-18 lbs.
Color: Apricot-fawn, black, silver
Protection level: Low
Energy level: Low
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Good with children: Yes
Performance abilities: Therapy, obedience
Shedding: Year-round
Grooming: Brush once a day with a hound’s glove, clean facial wrinkles
Potential health concerns: Anesthesia sensitivity, liver disease, Legg-Perthes, epilepsy, cataracts, PRA, distichiasis, entropion
Recommended health clearances: CERF, OFA
Best with: Interaction, homebodies, air conditioning
Not for: Isolation, outdoor life, harsh commands, hot, humid climates

Shih Tzu
Size: Small, 8-11”, 9-16 lbs.
Color: Any color
Protection level: Will bark, but is friendly
Energy level: Low to medium
Life expectancy: 10-14 years
Good with children: Yes
Performance abilities: Shadow
Shedding: Minimal
Grooming: Regular brushing and combing
Potential health concerns: vWD, renal cortical hypoplasia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Recommended health clearances: CERF, OFA, kidney function tests
Best with: Air conditioning, regular grooming
Not for: Obedience fanatics, outdoor life, young kids

Silky Terrier
Size: Small, 9-11”, 10 lbs.
Color: Blue and tan
Protection level: Will bark
Energy level: Medium to high
Life expectancy: 15-16 years
Good with children: Yes, with early socialization
Performance abilities: Lap dog, obedience, agility
Shedding: Almost non-existent
Grooming: Damp brushing twice a week, occasional trimming
Potential health concerns: Tracheal collapse, patellar luxation, epilepsy, Legg-Perthes
Recommended health clearances: CERF, OFA
Best with: Regular exercise, regular grooming, socialization
Not for: Outdoor life, quiet, sedentary pet

Yorkshire Terrier
Size: Tiny, 5-7 lbs.
Color: Blue and rich golden tan
Protection level: Great watchdog
Energy level: High
Life expectancy: 12-16 years
Good with children: Yes, with older kids
Performance abilities: Obedience
Shedding: Minimal
Grooming: Regular brushing
Potential health concerns: Liver shunts, pancreatitis, patellar luxation, lymphangiactasia, hypoglycemia
Recommended health clearances: OFA
Best with: Active, gentle people
Not for: Outdoor life, young kids