K9s, K9s, and more K9s. The Toy Group.

Hi my peeps,

Here are the 20 different dog breeds that belong to the Toy Group. In this blog you can learn all about their history, temperament, and looks.

Enjoy!



Affenpinscher

History: The Affenpinscher comes from Germany and was first bred in the 17th century. They served as ratters and their name translated means Monkey Terrier.

Temperament: They are a fun loving, mischievous and intelligent breed but can be a little hyper. They require little exercise and a moderate amount of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh 7 to 10 pounds and have a compact and square body with a moderately deep chest. The head is round with a monkey-like facial expression and a short and narrow muzzle. Their medium size eyes are round and dark and their cropped ears are erect and pointy. They have straight legs and either a docked or a natural tail. Their dense coat is rough and harsh with longer hair around the head and neck.

Colors: They come in black, gray, silver, red, beige, and black with tan markings.



Brussels’ Griffon

History: The Brussels’ Griffon is similar to the Affenpinscher and comes from Belgium. They were primarily used as ratters.

Temperament: They are an affectionate, charming, and curious breed that requires a moderate amount of exercise and grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 8 and 10 pounds and have a sturdy, short, and well-boned body with a moderately deep chest. The head is large and round with a short muzzle. The lower jaw has a distinctive overbite. The large eyes are black and the small, high-set ears can be natural or cropped. They have medium length, straight legs and a tail that is docked at 1/3 of length. Their dense coat is rough and wiry with slightly longer hair around the eyes, nose, and cheeks.

Color: They come in red, beige, black, and black with tan markings.



Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

History: They were companions of British Royalty and appear in many paintings.

Temperament: They are friendly and easy to train. This breed is very trustworthy with kids and they require only a moderate amount of exercise but a bit more grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 13 and 18 pounds and have a square body with a moderately deep chest. The head is round with a slightly tapered muzzle. The large, round eyes are very dark and the high-set ears are long and hanging with lots of feathering. Their long, straight legs have lots of feathering as well, just like their tail which is in constant motion. The straight, silky coat is of moderate length with lots of feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and tail.

Colors: They come in white with chestnut markings, black with tan markings, solid ruby, and white with black and tan markings.



Chihuahua

History: They come from the Mexican state Chihuahua and are rumored to be derived from the Fennec Fox. The Chihuahua was the pet of the upper class and was often used in religious ceremonies.

Temperament: They are alert, gentle, and patient but get cold easily. They don’t require much exercise and grooming.

Appearance: They weigh around 6 pounds, are longer than tall, and have a moderately deep chest. The head is round with a moderately short and pointy muzzle. The eyes are round and dark and the very large ears are naturally erect. Their legs are straight and muscular and their tail is of moderate length and carried in a loop over the back. Their coat comes in two forms, smooth and long. The smooth coat is soft, close, and glossy. There is no undercoat. The long coat is soft and flat with feathering on ears and tail and a soft undercoat.

Colors: They come in any color, either solid or with markings.



Chinese Crested

History: The Chinese Crested evolved from the African Hairless Dog. Chinese mariners brought them from Africa to China. They were used to hunt vermin on the ships. In the 1800s, they came to Europe and America.

Temperament: They are alert, playful, and gentle. They love companionship and only require a moderate amount of exercise and grooming. However, they are prone to skin irritations and sunburn, and thus, need sunscreen on a regular basis.

Appearance: They weigh 5 to 12 pounds and have an elegant body with a moderate chest. The head is wedge-shaped with a wedge-shaped muzzle. They have dark, almond-shaped eyes and large, naturally erect ears. Their long legs are slender and straight and the slender tail is tapered with a long curve over the back. Their skin is soft and hairless with puffs of hair on the head, tail, and feet.

Color: They come in any skin color or combination of colors.



English Toy Spaniel

History: There is not much known about the English Toy Spaniel except that they originated in the Far East and were brought to England as the King’s favorite breed.

Temperament: They are intelligent, happy, and playful. This gentle breed does well in a family with kids. They only need a moderate amount of exercise but lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 8 and 14 pounds and have a square and sturdy body with a deep chest. The head is domed with a short muzzle and large, dark eyes. The ears are very long and hanging with lots of feathering. The tail is usually docked at 2 to 4 inches. They have a straight, silky, and glossy coat with heavy feathering on the ears, body, and chest.

Colors: They come in colors by the names of Blenheim which is white with red markings, Prince Charles which is white with black and tan markings, King Charles which is black with tan markings, and Ruby which is solid red.



Havanese

History: They are descendants of Bichons and were brought from Spain to Cuba as lap dogs of the aristocracy. Later they were used to herd poultry flocks and as family dogs by peasants.

Temperament: This energetic breed is affectionate, intelligent, and highly trainable. They need lots of exercise and grooming. However, they are considered a hypoallergenic breed.

Appearance: They weigh between 7 and 13 pounds and have a small but sturdy body with a deep chest. They are slightly longer than tall. The head is broad and round with a broad and rectangular muzzle. Their large eyes are almond-shaped and dark brown and their broad ears are hanging. They have straight and strong legs. The tail is set high and arches over the back with long, silky hair at the tip. Their long top coat is silky and soft with a silky and soft under coat.

Colors: They come in all colors and can have markings in any color.



Italian Greyhound

History: They are an ancient breed that came around 2000 years ago from the Mediterranean. Italian noble men adopted the breed first and then they made their way to England during the 17th century.

Temperament: They are an intelligent and playful breed that loves to run. They benefit from lots of attention and affection. Needless to say, they require lots and lots of exercise but little grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 8 and 14 pounds and have a medium length, slender body with a deep but narrow chest. The back is curved and drooping. They have a narrow and long head with a long and fine muzzle. The medium size eyes are dark and the small, fine ears are folded back. Their long legs are straight and very muscular and the long tail is slender and tapering with a curve at the end. Their coat is short, glossy, and soft.

Colors: They come in any color with markings in any color.



Japanese Chin

History: Despite the name, they originated in China and were the dogs of the aristocracy. Top diplomats were often given this dog for outstanding services.

Temperament: This playful breed is bright, alert, and affectionate but can be a little reserved with strangers. They need a moderate amount of exercise but lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 4 and 8 pounds and have a solid body that is compact but refined with a wide chest. The head is large and broad with a short but broad muzzle. Their large eyes are round and dark and their small, V-shaped ears are hanging. They have straight, fine-boned legs and a high-set tail that arches over the back to either side. The coat is long, straight, and silky with lots of feathering on the ears, legs, sides, and tail.

Colors: They come in red and white, as well as black and white.



Maltese

History: They originated over 20 centuries ago in Malta and were owned by royalty. Even in later years not everyone could afford a Maltese. In 1888, when recognized by the AKC, the going price for a Maltese was $2000.00.

Temperament: They are gentle, playful, and without fear. Although they are an energetic breed, they need only a moderate amount of exercise. The long coat needs a lot of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 4 and 6 pounds and have a square, compact body with a deep chest. The head is medium round with a fine and tapered muzzle. The round eyes are dark and the ears are low-set and hanging. They have fine-boned and straight legs with lots of feathering. The tail is carried over the back and feathered well. They have a single coat which is long, flat, and silky with lots of feathering on the ears, sides, chest, and legs.

Colors: They come in pure white only.



Manchester Terrier

History: They derived from the black and tan English Terrier and were used to hunt rats.

Temperament: A very loyal breed, the Manchester Terrier is lively, intelligent, and eager to learn. They need lots of exercise and little grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 12 and 22 pounds and are slightly longer than tall. They have a slim and graceful body with a narrow chest. The head is long and narrow with a well defined muzzle. The small eyes are almond-shaped and black and the ears are naturally erect. They have straight, muscular legs and a moderately short and tapered tail with a slight upward curve. Their short, dense coat is smooth, tight, and glossy.

Colors: They are black with tan marks over each eye, each cheek, head, muzzle, nose, chest, and back legs.



Miniature Pinscher

History: They originated in Germany and were used as ratters.

Temperament: They are quick, active, and curious but can be a little stubborn. They only need a small amount of exercise and grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 8 and 10 pounds and have a compact and muscular body with a well-developed chest. Their head is narrow and tapered with a strong muzzle. The eyes are oval and dark and the high-set ears are naturally erect. Their legs are well-muscled and strong-boned and the docked tail is set high and erect. Their short coat is smooth, hard, and straight.

Colors: They come in solid red, black with red markings, and chocolate with red markings.



Papillon

History: Their name comes from the French word for butterfly because the feathering on their ears looks like a butterfly. They originated during the 16th and 17th century and were the pets of French and Spanish noble women.

Temperament: They are a playful, friendly, and elegant breed that does not need much exercise. Since they do not have an undercoat, they only require a moderate amount of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 5 and 10 pounds and have a slightly longer than tall body with a medium size chest. The small head is medium size with a fine tapered muzzle. The round eyes are medium size and dark. The large ears are erect with a rounded tip and lots of long feathering. They have slender and fine-boned legs and a long, high-set tail that arches over their body. The coat is long, fine, silky, and straight with feathering on chest, legs, tail, and ears. There is no under coat.

Colors: They come in party color or in white with markings of any color.



Pomeranian

History: They were first bred in 1870 in Pomerania, Germany and were used as sheep dogs.

Temperament: This is a temperamental, intelligent, and outgoing breed that requires little exercise but lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 3 and 7 pounds and have a compact, square, and sturdy body with an oval chest. The head is a broad wedge with a short and straight muzzle. Their dark eyes are medium size and almond-shaped and their small ears are erect. They have moderately muscled, straight legs and a high-set tail that is heavily plumed. Their top coat is long and harsh with a short and dense under coat. They have a ruff around the neck and feathering on legs, tail, and sides.

Colors: They come in all colors and patterns.




Pug

History: The Pug is one of the oldest breeds and was first bred in Asia around 400 BC. Buddhist monasteries in Tibet had kept them as pets.

Temperament: They are sturdy, playful, and outgoing. Pugs love people and make good family pets. They need little exercise and little grooming but they do shed. They also can be affected by respiratory problems due to the short muzzle. And yes, Pugs do snore more than other dogs for the same reason.

Appearance: They weigh between 14 and 18 pounds and have a short, square body with a wide chest. The head is large, round, and has lots of wrinkles. The muzzle is short, blunt, and square with a very short nasal passage which makes them prone to respiratory infections. Their dark eyes are large and prominent and their small ears are thin, soft, and hanging. The straight legs are of moderate length and strong and the tail is curled tightly and carried over the hip. Their short, fine coat is smooth, soft, and glossy.

Colors: They come in black and fawn with dark markings on the muzzle, ears, cheeks, and forehead.



Shih Tzu

History: The Shih Tzu is a cross breed between a Lhasa Apso and a Pekinese. They were kept by Chinese royalty during the Ming Dynasty.

Temperament: They are a lively, alert, and friendly breed that requires little exercise but lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 9 and 16 pounds and have a sturdy body that is longer than tall. The chest is broad and deep. Their broad head is round with a short and square muzzle. The large, round eyes are very dark and the large ears are hanging and heavily coated. They have straight, well-boned, and muscular legs. The tail is set high, curved over the back, and heavily plumed. They have a long and flowing top coat with a dense under coat.

Colors: Shih Tzus come in all colors with markings in all colors.



Silky Terrier

History: They originated from Australia in the 1800s and were used as vermin hunters.

Temperament: They are friendly, joyful, and energetic. Silky Terriers like their families and don’t like to be ignored. They require little exercise but lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh around 10 pounds and are slightly longer than tall. They have a medium wide and deep chest. The head is wedge-shaped and medium long with a muzzle that is shorter than the skull. The eyes are small, dark, and almond-shaped and the small ears are V-shaped and erect. They have well-muscled and strong legs and the tail is docked and carried high. Their single coat is straight, glossy, and silky.

Colors: They come in blue and tan.



Toy Fox Terrier

History: The Toy Fox Terrier is an American breed. Used as a companion dog, they are a cross breed between a Smooth Fox Terrier and Miniature Pinscher, or Chihuahua, or Italian Greyhound.

Temperament: They are friendly, loyal, and playful. Being intelligent and very alert, they make fast learners. This breed require only a moderate amount of exercise and very little grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 4 and 7 pounds and have a muscular body with a deep chest. The head is slightly round to wedge-shaped with a strong muzzle. Their eyes are dark and round and the ears are erect, pointy, and an inverted V-shape. The legs are strong and muscular and the tail is high-set, erect, and docked at the 3rd joint. Their coat is shiny, smooth, and fine with a longer ruff.

Colors: They come in white and black, white and tan, and tri-color as in white with chocolate and tan markings.


Toy Poodle


History: They originated from Germany in 1887 and were used as water retrievers. The Poodle comes in three different sizes, the Standard Poodle which is the largest of them, the Miniature Poodle which is mid size, and the Toy Poodle which is the smallest of them all. Poodles often get special haircuts with hair puffs on certain parts of the body to protect vital organs from the cold.

Temperament: They are active, smart, and easy to train. Poodles require lots of exercise and a moderate amount of grooming.

Appearance: The Toy Poodle weighs between 4 and 8 pounds and has a square body with a deep chest. The head is moderately round with a distinctive stop and a long, straight, and fine muzzle. The eyes are very dark and oval and the ears are long, wide, and hanging close to the head with feathering. Their straight legs are strong and well-muscled and the tail is set high and docked. They have a hypoallergenic coat which is dense, curly, and harsh.

Colors: They come in blue, gray, silver, brown, apricot, and crème.




Yorkshire Terrier

History: The name comes from the English city of Yorkshire where they were first bred during the 19th century and were used to catch rats in clothing mills.

Temperament: They are brave, determined, and love their families. As a highly adaptable breed, they travel well. They need little exercise but lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 4 and 7 pounds and have a compact and rather short body with a moderate chest. The head is small and flat with a medium size muzzle. The eyes are medium size and dark and the ears are small, V-shaped, and erect. They have straight legs and a tail that is docked at medium length. The medium long coat is glossy, fine, silky, and straight.

Colors: They come in blue and tan only.



I hope you enjoyed learning more about all the dogs of the Toy group. In my next blog I will tell you all about the different dogs of the Non-Sporting group. So, stay tuned!

Love and Peace,

Tiny