AKC – Toy Group
Out of all the AKC groups, the next group is the smallest in size but the biggest in personality. The Toy Group breeds average under 20 pounds and under 15 inches tall. The label “toy” shouldn’t be thought of as a play item for children as these breeds are full of energy and many have very protective instincts. These protective instincts can quickly create a bite incident if the dog is sitting on someone’s lap and another human or pet gets too close to “their” lap. Also, the smaller size can make them easier to get hurt if accidently dropped or tripped over.
Some of the Toy breeds require a good deal of grooming on a regular basis. Sixteen out of the 21 Toy breeds were developed as status companions for wealthy aristocrats, nobles and leaders of the land. The remaining breeds were created to be smaller so they could kill rats inside stables and homes. Nowadays, these Toy breeds still retain their affectionate personalities but have been adapted to lifestyles of living in city apartments instead of palaces.
Below is the list of breeds in the Toy Group:
| Breed | Weight (lbs) | Height (inches) | Life Expectancy (years) | Bred for | |
|
Affenpinscher
|
Male: |
7 – 10
|
9 -11.5
|
12 – 15
|
Exterminator of rats and other pest in stables
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Brussels Griffon
|
Male: |
8 – 10
|
7 – 10
|
12 – 15
|
Exterminator of Rats
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
|
Male: |
13 – 18
|
12 – 13
|
12 – 15
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Chihuahua
|
Male: |
Not exceeding 8
|
5 – 8
|
14 – 16
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Chinese Crested
|
Male: |
8 – 12
|
11 – 13
|
13 – 18
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
English Toy Spaniel
|
Male: |
8 – 14
|
9 – 10
|
10 – 12
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Havanese
|
Male: |
7 – 13
|
8.5 – 11.5
|
14 – 16
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Italian Greyhound
|
Male: |
7 -14
|
13 – 15
|
14 – 15
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Japanese Chin
|
Male: |
7 – 11
|
8 – 11
|
10 – 12
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Maltese
|
Male: |
Under 7
|
7 – 9
|
12 – 15
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Mancester Terrier (toy)
|
Male: |
Under 12
|
10 – 12
|
15 – 17
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Minature Pinscher
|
Male: |
8 – 10
|
10 – 12.5
|
12 – 16
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Papillon
|
Male: |
5 – 10
|
8 -11
|
14 – 16
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Pekingese
|
Male: |
Under 14
|
6 – 9
|
12 – 14
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Pomeranian
|
Male: |
3 – 7
|
6 – 7
|
12 – 16
|
Aristocrat Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Poodle (toy)
|
Male: |
4 – 6
|
No more than 10
|
10 – 18
|
City-dwelling Companion
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Pug
|
Male: |
14 – 18
|
10 – 13
|
13 – 15
|
Chinese Emperor’s lapdog
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Shih Tzu
|
Male: |
9 – 16
|
9 – 10.5
|
10 – 18
|
Chinese Emperor’s lapdog
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Silky Terrier
|
Male: |
Around 10
|
9 – 10
|
13 – 15
|
Ratter
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Toy Fox Terrier
|
Male: |
3.5 – 7
|
8.5 – 11.5
|
13 – 15
|
Ratter
|
| Female: | |||||
|
Yorkshire Terrier
|
Male: |
7
|
7 – 8
|
11 – 15
|
Ratter
|
| Female: |
