When searching for man’s best friend, you have got hundreds of breeds of dogs to select from. Each carries their own specific traits that may or may not actually make them your best friend. For those in need of a small dog, whether it is because they like to keep things small or space at home only allows for a small pet, your best dog choices will lay within the toy dog species. Of the most popular species of toy dogs are the Yorkshire terrier, Chihuahua, and Pomeranian. Examining the habits of these 3 dogs can help you choose the perfect toy dog for you and your living setting.

Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire terrier was first bred in the early 19th century in England as a pest killing dog. However, it has since grown to become the second most popular dog choice amongst dog owners. As a highly intelligent species, the Yorkshire has the aptitude to master commands in a very quick manner. This breed of terrier controls the competition in many field competitions around the globe due to its trainability. The silky, long, and thick strands of hair on a Yorkshire terrier makes it a beautiful dog to look at, but its behavior doesn’t always match these standards. They are fun and energetic dogs, but this energy can manifest into aggression when irritated (which happens easily). It is not a dog recommended for families taking care of children as well.

Chihuahua

The Taco Bell dog made the Chihuahua breed of dog famous and loved across the United States. This small species of dog (smallest species of dog, actually) was discovered in Mexico around 1850, although some say its existence dates back to the 9^th century. There are several sub-species of Chihuahua, the two most common being the long-haired and short-haired Chihuahua, both classified by the length of its coat. The long-haired type sheds hair less often than that of the short-haired making it an excellent choice for those with allergies and easily irritated noses. While Chihuahua’s require little care grooming-wise, they are susceptible to epilepsy and seizures. They live best alone, and are easily irritated by other dogs as well as the persistence of small children.

Pomeranian

This foxy looking and acting species of dog, the Pomeranian, was bred for the sake of sheep breeding years ago in Europe. While one may think looking at images of a Pomeranian that a dog that size could never push a sheep’s weight, you might be surprised when you meet one in person. They are very bossy dogs and feel free to bark at strangers and other animals if not trained by a stern hand to do otherwise. Pomeranians find it hard to listen to commands, but remain highly intelligent, curious, and love to learn. Many celebrities like to own Pomeranians and spoil them with ridiculous clothing and accessories. I suppose in this sense it makes them very tolerant dogs.

While no toy dog breed may fit every family, doing more personal research into the type of dog species you would like to adopt may sway your adoption choices one way or another. Toy dog species are excellent for singles or couples living in small quarters, but might not always be the hottest choice for larger families due to their extremely aggressive tendencies.