Toy dogs can be a joy to own. They are very playful and make excellent companions. Every year The American Kennel Club creates a list of the most commonly registered dogs in each group. Out of all the breeds’ toy dogs continue to rise across the various categories however; there seem to be some definite favorites. The two main reasons toy dogs are becoming increasingly popular is because of their small size and media exposure linked to celebrity pets. This list only includes registered purebred members of each breed. But, there have been a large number of new and hybrid or designer dogs introduced to the ever growing dog market.

Toy dogs, when properly bred and cared for, make excellent pets. These dogs, like any other breed need to be trained, worked with, and routinely exposed to people or they can exhibit problems such as aggressive behavior. Responsible pet owners know the joy of having a loving, playful, and obedient toy dogs.

The top four toy dog breeds include:

Yorkshire Terriers – are small dogs that are both elegant and graceful. These dogs can be identified by their longer coat, steel blue and tan coats. These dogs form strong bonds with their owners and love to be in different social situations, but they can also be very independent. Like many dog breeds Yorkshire Terriers can be hostile towards children unless they have been raised in a family environment where children are present. They are also very playful when it comes to dog toys.

Shih Tzu – have long soft coats that make this dog ideal for someone that has time for routine grooming and enjoys showing off their pet. These pint size pups are perfect for households that have children or other pets. They have a power packed punch of personality and can easily be trained and form strong bonds with their owners.

Toy Poodles – are smart and loyal. These dogs are picky eaters so it is very important to spend the extra money and feed them high quality food. Many breeders are now specializing in "Teacup Poodles" which are an even smaller breed version. Teacup Poodles are not recognized by the AKC due to genetic problems. Special care and monitored breeding are needed to ensure the survival of the dog. When purchasing a Toy Poodle, future dog owners should research the breeder that is selling the dog to make sure that the dog purchased is healthy and can live a long life. People who have dog allergies do not need to worry about getting symptoms around these dogs.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel –these dogs are a joy to own, extremely mischievous, lively, and easily bond with their family. These beautiful dogs vary in color and their coat is easy to care for. This dog was bred with companionship in mind and they are constantly seeking human interaction. These dogs love to be petted. These dogs are also ideal for kids and elderly people, one reason being they don’t pull very hard on dog leashes when you walk them. Another reason is they are not usually threatening in nature.