The most obvious characteristic of toy dogs is their diminutive
size. This is why toy dogs are also described as “lap dogs”.
That is, a toy dog can spend many hours nestled on the lap of
its owner. The small size also makes it convenient for the owner
bring his toy dog wherever he wants to go.
The main
reason why toy dogs are bred is the companionship that these
dogs offer. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, many
members of the nobility, like counts, barons, and dukes, bred
toy dogs that are trained to faithfully stay by the side of
their masters. The ladies in court have also popularized the
ownership of toy dogs. These dogs offer friendship which is
not tinted by political agenda or social motives.
Toy dogs
are also known for their intelligence. This is because these
dogs are sensitive to the needs of their masters. A gesture
of the master can signal a toy dog to do something specific.
But the owner of the toy dog must be cautious in showering too
much attention to his toy dog. This is because toy dogs have
a tendency to be possessive. A stranger getting within an arm’s
distance may induce a toy dog to show aggression.
Ideally,
a toy dog should be outgoing and extroverted. Since these dogs
are meant to accompany their masters, they should be tolerant,
if not friendly towards the masters’ cronies. If there are other
dogs around, a toy dog should establish cordial relationships
with his fellow pets.
A toy dog
is also affectionate. It will enjoy any display of love given
by his master. In fact, it will look forward to such moments
when it can express its love towards its master. Some owners
of toy dogs even claim that a toy dog has a special bark for
welcoming its master. But not all toy dogs are affectionate.
This is because some dogs, even if not bred for companionship,
are considered toy dogs because of the small size.
Due to
its size, a toy dog does not need to be exercised often. Even
for toy dogs with high energy, running around a relatively small
space will be sufficient. Toy dogs can also be extremely competitive,
especially in the areas of Obedience and Agility. For example,
a Papillon can successfully carry out tracking.
Many toy
dogs, however, are choosy when it comes to their food. This
is one problem that the owner has to resolve immediately, because
a good diet is necessary for the dog’s health. Despite this
little problem, many experts still consider toy dogs as the
best choice for first-time dog owners. |
