Toy dogtraditionally refers to a very smalldogor a grouping of small and very smallbreedsof dog. A toy dog may be of any of variousdog types.Types of dogs referred to as toy dogs may includespaniels,pinschersandterriersthat have been bred down in size. Not all toy dogs arelap dogs.
Small dogs
edit
Dogs found in the toy group of breed registries may be of the very ancientlapdogtype, or they may be small versions ofhunting dogsorworking 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 health function of attracting fleas away from their owners.[1]
Breeds
editMost major dog clubs in the English-speaking world have a toy group, under one exact name or another, in which they place breeds of dog that the kennel club categorizes astoy,based on size and tradition.The Kennel Club(UK), theCanadian Kennel Club,theAmerican Kennel Club,theAustralian National Kennel Council,and theNew Zealand Kennel Cluball have a group named "Toy", although they may not all categorise the same breeds in this category. The United States has a second major kennel club, theUnited Kennel Club(UKC, originally formed for hunting and working breeds, though general today), and it does not recognize such a group; instead, small dogs are placed with larger dogs of theirtype,or into a UKC's"Companion Dog" group.[2]As of September 2008,[update]the American Kennel Club began debating whether or not to change the name of their "Toy" group to "Companion", in order to emphasise that dogs are not playthings, but the name change was resisted by traditionalists.[3]
The breeds in the "Companion and Toy" category of theFédération Cynologique Internationaleare:
- Bichon Frisé
- Bichon Havanais,Havanese
- Bolognese
- Boston Terrier
- Bouledogue Français,French Bulldog
- Caniche,Poodle
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahueño,Chihuahua
- Chin,Japanese Chin
- Chinese Crested Dog
- Coton de Tuléar
- Epagneul Nain Continental, Continental Toy Spaniel:Papillon,Phalène
- Griffon Belge
- Griffon Bruxellois,Brussels Griffon
- King Charles Spaniel
- Kromfohrländer
- Lhasa Apso
- Maltese
- Pekingese
- Petit Brabançon,Small Brabant Griffon
- Petit Chien Lion,Löwchen,Little Lion Dog
- Pug
- Russkiy Toy
- Shih Tzu
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Tibetan Terrier
Small or toy-sized breeds not classified by the FCI in its toy group include:
- Affenpinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Italian Greyhound
- Miniature Pinscher
- DwarfGerman Spitz:Pomeranian
- Volpino Italiano
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Xoloitzcuintle
Member kennel clubs of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and non-member clubs may use slightly different nomenclature, depending on the country. The termtoyis only used to group dogs for show purposes.
Some breeds without FCI recognition are recognised byThe Kennel Clubof Great Britain (UK),[4]by theCanadian Kennel Club(Can),[5]or by theAmerican Kennel Club:[6]
- Chihuahua (Long Coat) (UK, Aus, NZ, Can)
- Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) (UK, Aus, NZ)
- Chihuahua (Short Coat) (Can)
- Mi-Ki (US)
- Toy Fox Terrier(US)
- Toy Manchester Terrier(Can, US)
The major national kennel club for each country will have its own list of breeds that it recognizes as Toy. In addition, some new or newly documentedrare breedsmay be awaiting approval by a given kennel club. Some new breeds may currently be recognized only by their breed clubs. Some rare new breeds have been given breed names, but may only be available from the breeder or breeders who are developing the breed, and may not yet be recognized by any kennel club.
In addition to the major registries, there are a plethora of sporting clubs, breed clubs, and internet-based breed registries and businesses in which dogs may be registered in whatever way the owner or seller wishes.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Felton, Bruce; Fowler, Mark (1994)."Fashion and Grooming".The Best, Worst, and Most Unusual.New York: Galahad Books. pp.538.ISBN0-88365-861-5.
- ^"Breed groups".ukcdogs.com.US: United Kennel Club. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-01-03.
- ^Abraham, Stephanie (September 2008). "Toys Are Us?".AKC Gazette.American Kennel Club. pp.55–56.
- ^"Toy Group".thekennelclub.org.uk.The Kennel Club. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-08-08.
- ^"Group 5".CKC.ca.Canadian Kennel Club.
- ^"Toy Group".AKC.org.American Kennel Club. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-02-01.Retrieved2008-08-22.
- ^"Dog Breed Registries in North America".canadasguidetodogs.com.Archived fromthe originalon 2005-12-20.Retrieved2020-03-02.