Toy Group of AKC Dog Breeds

Toy Group Poodles

This Group as represented here by the Poodles, is the name of a Dog breeds Group of the smallest kinds of canines, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds. Toy does not necessarily refer to one particular type of dog. Most major English-language kennel clubs include a Toy Group although different kennel clubs may not include the same breeds in their Group. The use of the term toy to refer to dogs is based on tradition, and is not a precise classification. Dogs traditionally referred to as toy dogs are usually the very smallest dogs. Toy dogs can be one of several dog types. Some are of ancient lap dog types, and some are small versions of hunting dog, Spitz, or terrier types, bred down in size for a particular kind of work or to create a pet of convenient size. The very smallest dogs are sometimes called Teacup, although no major dog registry recognizes that term.

AKC Toy Dog Group by Breed

Toy Breeds Yorkshire Terrier

What makes a toy breed Size?

The term "toy dog" is also criticized, as pets should not be considered being toys. Although there has been attempts to change the term to another, more fitting, there has until now been little luck. However at the beginning of the new century the term powder puffs began to spread in Scandinavia. Originally the term had been used by owners of the giant breeds as a mock name on the smallest breeds claiming that the smaller dogs weren't dogs at all. Often explained by saying "It's small, it's white, you stuff it in your purse, and when you bring it to your face it almost looks like... a powder puff." The owners of the toy dogs themselves then began to use and change the term from a mock name to a nickname for small dogs. Usually by replacing the word "dog" with "powder puff," phrases like "you are a cute little dog" became "you are a cute little powder puff" and "who is a cute little powder puff? Are you a cute powder puff?" Spreading through northern Europe the term is now the most successful replacement for Toy Dog. Originally only meant for the smallest dogs, it expanded to include larger dogs reaching up the point called the barrier, the size of a large Terrier

The diminutive Yorkshire Terrier is in the Toy Group of many breed registries. The Australian Terrier is one of the smallest terriers, but is usually listed in the Terrier group. In some registries, however, the Yorkshire Terrier is listed in the Companion Dog group. Some registries do not recognize a Toy Group category.

Toy Dogs Breeds Chihuahua

The use of the word "toy" to describe small dogs that belong to a toy breed is redundant and also incorrect, suggesting that the breed comes in different sizes—there is no such thing, for example, as a "toy Chihuahua"; all Chihuahuas are categorized in the Toy Group. Some breeds do come in different sizes, such as Poodles, which come in standard, miniature, and toy varieties. The size varieties may all be placed within one group, as with the German Spitz breed under the Fédération Cynologique Internationale rules, or the smallest varieties of a breed may be placed as a separate breed in the Toy Group or some other group. The exact categorization varies between registries and countries. The pug is probably the largest of the toy group, weighing an average of up to 18 pounds. The very smallest toy dogs are sometimes called "teacup" size, although no major dog registry recognizes that term. Most dogs’ labeled "teacup" dogs are simply undersized dogs (usually runts). The name is often applied to small dogs by unscrupulous breeders in order to make more money off of the dog by making it seem special. Dogs bred to be "teacups" often have many health problems associated with them.

AKC Toy Breeds Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a toy group dog; however, some refer to the Shih Tzu as teacup, toy, toi, pint-size, pocket, and imperial, IMP, Chinese imperial dog, CID, mini, miniature or standard. All these references are considered inappropriate and are categorically rejected by the American Shih Tzu Club, Inc. as the National Breed Club maintains there is but one “Shih Tzu” and the ideal weight is 9-16 lbs. (This does not negate the fact that size may vary and those smaller than what is defined as the ideal are not uncommon in litters produced by sires and dams that fall within the ideal weight range.) The use of such descriptive labels is generally regarded as a misleading marketing ploy, as is pitching Shih Tzu to be of "rare color."

Toy dogs Pomeranian

Form versus function

Another area of contention is the idea that toy group dogs are only companion animals, slow moving, with little need for exercise and with low endurance. Papillons give lie to this; although dainty and small they are quite capable of taking long walks with their owners and often excel at the energetic sport of dog agility. Maltese are another example of very robust daintiness. The United Kennel Club (US), which does not recognize a Toy group, defines Italian Greyhounds as having been bred exclusively as pets; the American Kennel Club states that these dogs were bred as gazehounds, dogs that hunt by sight, and are quite fast and hardy, but they are nevertheless placed in the Toy group.

Dogs referred to as toy dogs, and dogs found in the Toy Group of breed registries, may be of the very ancient lapdog type, or they may be small versions of hunting dogs or working dogs, bred down in size for a particular kind of work or to create a pet of convenient size. In the past, very small dogs not used for hunting were kept as symbols of affluence, as watchdogs, and for the very important health function of attracting fleas away from their owners.

Toy Dogs Group Pug

Breeds

Most major dog clubs in the English-speaking world have a Toy Group in which they place breeds of dog that the kennel club categorizes as toy, based on size and tradition. The Kennel Club (UK), the Canadian Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club, the Australian National Kennel Council, and the New Zealand Kennel Club all have a Toy Group, all though they may not all categories the same breeds as toy. The United States has a second major kennel club, the United Kennel Club, originally formed to offer a centralized stud book service for breeders of hunting dogs. Today the United Kennel Club registers all breeds and sponsors dog shows. It does not recognize a Toy Group. Small dogs are placed with larger dogs of their type, or in the Companion Dog Group. In 2008, the American Kennel Club begin investigating whether or not to change the name of the Toy Group to Companion Group in order to emphasize that dogs are not playthings, but the name change is resisted by traditionalists.

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