Fun-loving and sometimes mischievous, the Affenpinscher is an ancient toy breed from central Europe. With the face and impish nature of a monkey, this peppy breed is extremely loyal and affectionate toward his family, though fearless toward aggressors. Ideal for apartments, his exercise requirements can be satisfied with indoor play, but he also enjoys daily walks. The Affenpinscher’s wiry, hypoallergenic coat should be brushed twice a week and trimmed twice a year.

DID YOU KNOW? Affenpinscher means "Monkey Terrier" in German. In Central Europe where he originated, the Affenpinscher was called “little devil with a moustache.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: African Terrier

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

This toy dog's glamorous, long coat is parted along the back and comes in blue and tan, grey-blue and tan, silver and tan, or silver-blue and tan. For full details see the breed standard. When fully grown, he stands at around 23cm and weighs approximately 8-10lb. He looks refined but not delicate.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Toy-sized long-haired Chihuahua has a flat or slightly wavy coat that comes in a variety of colours from fawn to black. The ears should be dripping with fringe, a substantial ruff encircles the neck, and the legs should be well feathered. A dainty, compact dog, adults measure 15-23cm and weigh between 1.8-2.7kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Graceful, alert and highly intelligent, the Chihuahua is an excellent pet for families with gentle, patient children. An ancient breed from Central America, the Chihuahua can be longhaired or shorthaired. Both coat varieties are easy to maintain. An ideal city dog, the Chihuahua requires little exercise but can be sensitive to cold temperatures.

DID YOU KNOW? In the hit film “Legally Blonde,” a Chihuahua starred as “Bruiser,” the pampered pet of Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Long-backed and short-legged, the Miniature Long Haired Dachshund is possibly the most glamorous of the Mini Dachshund types, with a shining, silky coat that is straight or with a slight wave. The coat forms feathering on the ears, legs, and undercarriage and the tail should sport a silky flag of hair. The coat comes in a variety of colours, see the breed standard for more details. Although small, the Mini Long Haired Dachshund is still a powerful and muscular dog with a deep, broad chest and well-developed forelegs, with adults standing at 12-15cm in height and weighing 4.5-5kg.

Kennel Club group – Hound

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

This is a long-backed, short-legged dog of diminutive height that everybody recognises. While small, the Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund breed is still muscular and powerfully built with a deep, broad chest and well-developed forelegs. They have a short, dense, smooth coat that comes in a range of colours.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

This is a long-backed, short-legged dog of diminutive height that everybody recognises. While small, the Miniature Wire Haired Dachshund breed is still muscular and powerfully built with a deep, broad chest and well-developed forelegs. He has a dense, wiry coat that comes in a range of colours. The adult Miniature Wire Haired Dachshund weighs 4.5-5kg and is approximately 12-15cm in height.

Kennel Club group: Hound

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

English Toy Terriers are small, smooth-coated black and tan dogs with pointed, erect ears. They are slightly longer than they are tall. Ideally, the adult English Toy Terrier measures 25-30cm and weighs around 2.7-3.6kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The gentle-mannered, glamorous Maltese is small in size yet bold and fearless in temperament. Bred to be a companion dog, this affectionate toy breed also will serve as a reliable watchdog. The lively, playful Maltese enjoys learning tricks as long as he is rewarded. His lush, flat, silky coat should be brushed daily and bathed frequently to prevent matting.

DID YOU KNOW? An aristocrat of the canine world for more than 28 centuries, the Maltese is known as the ancient dog of Malta, a Mediterranean island.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Alert, quick and spirited, the Miniature Pinscher is native to Germany where he was developed several centuries ago to rid barnyards of pests. A loyal watchdog, the Miniature Pinscher courageously challenges intruders with his bold, insistent bark. A good family companion well-suited for apartment life, the breed is intelligent but may be stubborn. Daily walks and playing fulfill the Miniature Pinscher’s exercise needs. His short coat only needs occasional brushing and bathing.

DID YOU KNOW? The Miniature Pinscher is nicknamed the “King of Toys.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: Zwergpinscher

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A dainty, fine-boned toy breed distinguished by his beautiful, butterfly-like ears, the Papillon was popular in France and Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries. A drop-eared type, called Phalenes, can be born in the same litter as erect-eared Papillons. Lively, friendly and alert, this elegant breed makes an excellent companion. He is happy in both city and country homes. Affectionate and playful, he does best with families who shower him with attention. The Papillon’s long, silky coat requires regular brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? Papillon means “butterfly” in French.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Continental Toy Spaniel, Phalène, Continental Toy Spaniel, Epagneul Nain Continenta

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

A cocky, animated dog of Nordic descent, the Pomeranian originally weighed nearly 13 kilograms and served as a sheep herder. The breed was reduced in size in the historical region of Pomerania, which today is Germany and Poland. An extrovert with great intelligence and a vivacious spirit, the Pomeranian can be an excellent family dog. The breed’s protective demeanor makes him a good watchdog as well. The Pomeranian does not require much exercise, but his thick coat needs regular brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? The popularity of the Pomeranian dramatically increased when Queen Victoria brought one back to England from Italy in 1888. A Pomeranian named “Turi” lay next to the Queen at her death.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Deutscher Spitz, Zwergspitz, Spitz nain, Spitz enano, Pom, Zwers

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog