The toy breed group was developed to be the perfect companions, and they are happy to sit in your lap and be the center of attention. The earliest toy breeds were developed in China and Tibet, and the Maltese breed is believed to have been developed in Ancient Egypt before making its way to the island of Malta as early as 1500 BC.
Many toy breeds are actually dwarf versions of larger dogs and likely were so adorable with their smaller size that we continued to selectively breed them smaller and smaller. These dogs tend to be social with familiar people and animals, however can be hyper-attached to one or two people in particular.
Toy dog breeds include the Bichon Frise, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Havanese, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel, Toy Poodle, and more.
Find more information about your dog's breed group in the book Meet Your Dog by Kim Brophey.
Toy dog breeds thrive with social play and activities and love to do things with you. Adding more of the enrichment options below into your dog's routine can help burn excess energy and reduce undesirable behaviors because they have an appropriate outlet for their instinctual needs.
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Even though they are small, toy breeds still need outdoor time and a chance to just be a dog. Allow them regular time in a securely fenced yard, if you have one, to just hang out. If you don't have a yard, consider renting a Sniffspot for your dog to have time off leash in a safe area.
Supervise your toy breed while they're outside as they are more at risk from wildlife, like coyotes, than larger dogs.
Your toy dog will also enjoy time with you outside, exploring new places. Go on regular nature walks or hikes as much as possible. Allow your dog to stop and smell things as you go. Don't rush — this is also a chance for you to enjoy nature and recharge along with your dog. If your dog can't do long trails, consider using a dog backpack or dog sling to bring them along or use when they get tired.
Toy breeds may not need as much physical exercise as bigger dogs, but their brain still needs regular workouts to prevent boredom and reduce destructive behaviors. Puzzle toys are also a great way to reduce anxiety and ease stress.
One way to keep their brain engaged is to make every mealtime a puzzle. Dogs are natural foragers and scavengers and know how to work for their food. Interactive puzzle feeders are an easy way to increase enrichment, burn excess energy, and slow down fast eaters.
Below are some top dog trainer picks for interactive puzzle feeders for the toy dog breed group:
If your dog is brand new to stuffed interactive feeders, then start with the West Paw Toppl. The wide opening prevents frustration (and makes clean-up easier for you). These Toppls come in 3 sizes (small, large, and x-large), meaning you can use them for snacks or full meals. Fill then freeze for a longer-lasting meal.
Available at:
All dogs tend to like tracking down enticing smells and use their nose, and toy breeds historically could help with rodent control. This instinct to track down prey can be activated and satisfied with nose work! Plus, nose work is a more independent activity, allowing your dog to work on their own and build confidence – something that many toy breeds benefit from.
One option is to sign them up for Barn Hunt classes and competitions. In this dog sport, they sniff out rats (who are safely contained and happily munching away on food) in a barn-like environment. Check out this tiny Papillon competing in a barn hunt trial:
For easy nose work at home, start with simple scent games. One popular option is the "Find It" game, where you hide treats or stuffed food toys around the house and encourage your dog to search them out using their nose. You can gradually increase the difficulty by hiding the items in different rooms.
Another great activity is a scent detection game, where you introduce different scents, such as birch (a scent used in competition nose work), and teach your dog to identify and search for them. Here's a great introductory scent work kit to start with for fun:
For dogs with a stronger scenting drive, you can explore the world of tracking. This involves teaching your dog to follow scent trails outside. You can start with simple tracks by dragging a hot dog along the ground to create a track before releasing your dog to follow it and find the hot dog. Gradually build up to longer and more complex tracks using different scents.
To dive deeper into the world of nose work, check out the National Association of Canine Scent Work website.
Toy breeds need a chance to zoom around just like bigger dogs do! While they usually don't make the best partner for long morning runs, these small but mighty breeds can excel in dog sports like agility or flyball. Agility obstacles are modified for toy breeds so the jump and a-frame heights match your dog's abilities. And toy breeds can speed around a course super quick! Flyball is a dog sport where dogs run a relay with other teammates to grab a tennis ball and leap over jumps faster than the other teams.
To get started in agility or flyball, look into local dog clubs or sign up for an agility foundations course with a local dog trainer.
If dog sports just aren't for you and your dog, that's okay! You can take your toy breed for short, easy jogs around the block. Or if the weather outside is too hot or too cold, you can use a dog treadmill to give your dog much-needed exercise. These are especially helpful for dog guardians who might have challenges taking their dog for walks but still want to enjoy the companionship they offer.
Make sure to use a dog-specific treadmill, as human treadmills are not made for four-legged gaits and are simply not long enough for dogs in most cases.
Toy dog breeds can do well playing with other dogs, but every dog is unique. Some dogs may love playing with all dogs, others may have particular doggie friends they prefer. And others may not enjoy the company of other dogs at all.
Dog parks can be difficult to manage dog play, so planned play dates or dog daycare may be the better (and safer) option for your dog. Toy breeds at dog parks or daycare are especially at risk of getting hurt by accident, simply because they are smaller! Opt for the "small dog area" of the dog park if one is available.
Play for your dog isn't just about other dogs! Playing with you is a big part of the relationship with your dog. A great way to play with your toy breed is to grab a flirt pole and have them chase the toy around the room or in your yard.
Here's a video showing you how to use a flirt pole safely with your dog:
All dog breeds benefit from training, and training counts as enrichment because it's working the brain! It's fun to learn new things, so even if your dog has a grasp on the basics, start adding fun tricks or increase the difficulty level of their skills.
Toy breeds tend to love working with their people and learning new things. Just be sure you use the reward your dog loves the most when first starting. Food can be a great option, but toy breeds shouldn't eat too many treats because they can put on weight pretty quickly. Keep treats super tiny, about half the size of your pinky's fingernail. That way you can get lots of practice in without overfeeding!
Attending training classes is often the best way to make sure you stay consistent and provide a great place to practice around distractions. But the training class you choose matters! Here are some tips on how to choose a training class and what to look for, whether it's a puppy class or a more advanced skills or sport class.
Below are training resources if you need ideas on how to get started at home:
