The term ‘toy dog breed’ refers to a very small dog weighing less than 15 pounds. These pooches have been selectively bred to be small in size. Loved for their petite stature and big personalities, toy dog breeds are proof that good things come in small packages.
Many of them make wonderful companions and lap dogs due to their loving nature and playful spirit. While some make good watchdogs, others get on well with everyone, including kids, other pets, and even strangers.
The best small dog breeds have minimal exercise needs. They usually do well with indoor play sessions and short daily walks. Many of them have luscious hypoallergenic coats, making them ideal pets for allergy sufferers.
Here are the top 7 sweet toy dog breeds for those seeking companionship.
Sweet Toy Dog Breeds for Those Seeking Companionship
1. Maltese
Maltese is a charming small dog breed with a gentle temperament. Their adaptable nature enables them to thrive in various environments. These small white dogs are sweet and loving companions who form strong bonds with their humans.
They always prefer to stay by your side and become prone to separation anxiety when left alone for too long, explains PetMD. Maltese do well with daily activity but do not require vigorous exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation.
Playing in the backyard and taking a walk around the neighborhood provide adequate stimulation. Maltese make fearless and alert watchdogs. These smart dogs love learning new tricks. Maltese dogs are valued by dog lovers due to their eye-catching coats.
This hypoallergenic breed needs daily brushing and regular grooming to keep its coat in top-notch condition. Sometimes the hair can be tied up into a topknot.
2. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are lively, bold, and inquisitive small dogs who make excellent companions. These fluffy little dogs are packed wth personality. Poms are highly intelligent dogs who can be trained easily and respond well to positive reinforcement-based training.
These sweet canines get on well with people of all ages. Pom puppies grow into friendly companion dogs without any socialization. However, they love their independence and prefer to walk on the ground instead of being carried.
Poms are high-energy fellows who enjoy daily exercise and mentally stimulating activities like training and games. According to Britannica, these playful dogs are not particularly outgoing with children. They make enthusiastic watchdogs and can sometimes bark excessively.
Their thick double coat makes them look incredibly cute but needs frequent grooming to keep looking its best.
3. Pekingese
Pekingese is a small dog breed of regal bearing. recognized by their ‘lion-like’ mane, these sophisticated dogs make charming and confident companions. Pekes are known for forming strong bonds with their people. They were bred to serve in palaces, and it is reflected in their attitude.
Pekingese get along nicely with kids who know how to interact with small dogs. They have a friendly, social, and affectionate personality. Their thick double coat requires a good bit of maintenance, explains the American Kennel Club.
Brushing the coat for at least an hour every week helps keep the coat clean and tidy. Pekes are outgoing and loving dogs, but can be as serenely independent as the emperors who bred them. They can be stubborn at time which can make training a bit difficult.
Pekes’ purpose in life is to amuse and comfort. They are fairly sedate most of the time and need only moderate exercise for physical and mental well-being.
4. English Toy Spaniel
Gentle, playful, and intelligent, the English Toy Spaniel is a toy breed that offers loving and laid-back companionship. They are loving with children who love them. These little dogs have a calm and affectionate nature.
They become prone to separation anxiety when left alone for too long. English Toy Spaniels have an eager-to-please nature, which means they can be trained easily using positive reinforcement-based training methods.
Despite their small size, English Toy Spaniels enjoy activities like trick training, rally, and agility. Their long, silky coat does not shed as heavily as some other breeds. Regular grooming can help prevent matting and tangles.
English Toy Spaniels have a happy and fastidious nature. Early socialization and training can help them grow into well-behaved and well-mannered pets.
5. Papillon
Papillons are alert, friendly, and happy dogs. More robust than they appear, Papillons are loved for their butterfly ears. They were bred as companion dogs and can easily adapt to hot or cold climates. These sweet doggos love spending time with their humans.
Left alone for too long, Papillons can develop separation anxiety and exhibit undesirable behaviors. One of the popular small dog breeds, Papillons are great family dogs who get on well with kids. Sometimes, they may be shy towards strangers.
Proper socialization is needed to turn them into well-behaved pets. Papillons make a great fit for apartment life. This intelligent breed loves to please the people it has bonded with. Paps are meant to be indoor pets.
These low-maintenance pups do not need plenty of exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Their long and silky coats require surprisingly little grooming to look good.
6. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier is a feisty, old-time terrier breed that was originally bred to hunt rats in mines and mills. These affectionate dogs love pleasing their owners with their playful antics. Yorkies have a gentle temperament, and they get along well with family and strangers alike.
Yorkies are quite vocal and act like watchdogs. They bark a lot and are always ready to let you know when they see something and think you should know about it. Despite being a small dog breed, Yorkies are no couch potatoes and need regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
Make sure to provide your Yorkie with at least two 15 to 20-minute walks per day. Their floor-length, silky coat looks like human hair and requires similar care. Fortunately, the hair is hypoallergenic and sheds moderately, which means they make ideal pets for allergy sufferers.
Daily brushing is required to prevent mats and tangles. Bathe your Yorkie every week or two to keep the coat in top-notch condition.
7. Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are confident, agile, and intelligent dogs. Loved for their hypoallergenic coats and high brain power, Toy Poodles are the smallest of all three Poodle variants. These wickedly smart dogs enjoy taking part in various canine activities.
They excel in dog sports like agility, obedience, and rally. Poodles were bred as hunting dogs, and they still are excellent water retrievers. They also compete in dock diving and retriever hunt tests. Poodles are people-oriented dogs who never hesitate to please you.
Toy Poodles bond closely with their families and may develop separation anxiety if left alone for too long. These sensitive dogs can easily sense changes in their environment. They can also understand the feelings of their owners. Due to this, they make excellent therapy dogs.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a sweet furry friend who offers loving companionship, you can adopt one of the small dog breeds mentioned in this article. From Toy Poodles to Yorkshire Terriers and English Toy Spaniels, these little dogs make wonderful family pets.
These loving canines are incredibly loyal to their humans, and many of them make lovely lap dogs. Packed with big personalities, these toy breeds never fail to entertain their owners with playful antics. They need minimal regular exercise for stimulation.
