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QUESTIONSReal life with dogs. Better answers for owners.

TOY DOG SERIES

10 well-known toy dog breeds: small companions, real needs

Meet ten toy breeds, with real photographs and practical profiles covering temperament, exercise, grooming, family life and health questions.

Written and edited by Elise Nam, founder of Good Dog Questions.

Sources checked: . How we use sources and review dates

General information only, not a substitute for advice from a veterinarian. No veterinary review has been conducted. Contact your vet about your dog’s health; seek urgent veterinary care in an emergency.

This is an editorial selection, not a measured popularity ranking. All ten breeds belong to Dogs Australia’s Group 1 (Toys). Small size does not mean low maintenance: consider the individual dog’s health, daily care, training and comfort, not just its appearance.

Start with your ordinary routine: time at home, grooming budget, safe exercise and care during absences. Breed tendencies are not guarantees. For flat-faced breeds, breathing and welfare must come before looks.

Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel resting with its chin on a wooden floor.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Explore Cavalier King Charles Spaniel temperament, exercise, grooming, family life and health questions before choosing a companion.

Photo: Brakeet · CC0 1.0. Resized and compressed.
Long-coated Chihuahua sitting in a sunny garden.

Chihuahua

Explore Chihuahua temperament, exercise, grooming, family life and health questions before choosing a companion.

Photo: ToniaC18 · CC0 1.0. Resized and compressed.
White Maltese with a flower hair clip, photographed close up.

Maltese

Explore Maltese temperament, exercise, grooming, family life and health questions before choosing a companion.

Photo: Alfredo Borba · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and compressed.
Havanese standing outdoors on snow.

Havanese

Explore Havanese temperament, exercise, grooming, family life and health questions before choosing a companion.

Photo: QHuge · CC BY 4.0. Resized and compressed.
Grey-and-white Italian Greyhound standing in front of leafy plants.

Italian Greyhound

Explore Italian Greyhound temperament, exercise, grooming, family life and health questions before choosing a companion.

Photo: Just chaos · CC BY 2.0. Resized and compressed.
Pomeranian looking towards water in side profile.

Pomeranian

Meet the Pomeranian: a lively toy companion with a substantial coat, a keen mind and daily care needs that go well beyond its small size.

Photo: Горбунова М.С. · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and compressed.
Papillon running across grass with its feathered ears visible.

Papillon

The Papillon is a small companion with an active mind. Explore training, coat care, family suitability and health-screening questions before choosing one.

Photo: Huggorm · Public domain (author dedication). Resized and compressed.
Pekingese resting on a patterned sofa.

Pekingese

Understand the Pekingese's companionship, coat care and significant breathing-health considerations before deciding whether this toy breed suits your home.

Photo: Hugo.arg · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and compressed.
Fawn Pug resting on a chair.

Pug

Pugs can be engaging companions, but breathing, eye and other welfare risks deserve serious attention. Read practical care and choosing advice.

Photo: NMorales (WMF) · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and compressed.
Yorkshire Terrier standing on a red rug indoors.

Yorkshire Terrier

Get to know the Yorkshire Terrier beyond its silky coat: training, family life, grooming and dental-health considerations for this small companion.

Photo: Cifo Buscemi · CC0 1.0. Resized and compressed.

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