You might find a toy dog hard to live with because he’s:

CODEPENDENT—Your lapdog’s clinginess and demands for attention may be challenging.

WARY—Toy dogs may be prone to alarm barking and defensiveness in new conditions.

FRAGILE—Bad weather, exercise, work, injury, or stress can easily put him over the edge.

You might find yourself seeking professional help for:

1. Separation anxiety
2. House-soiling/difficulty in house training
3. His perception of “stranger-danger” at home and in public
4. Protectiveness of his person (also known as lap guarding)
5. Difficulty with small children
6. Excessive barking
7. Handling and grooming intolerance
8. Reactivity and dramatic behavior toward other dogs

Family History

Despite the popular perception of toy dogs as modern fashion accessories, some of the oldest dog breeds known to man are actually among these iconic canines. Though they are arguably more at home in the twenty-first century pet environment than many other dogs, their story dates back to ancient civilization.

The Maltese breed reportedly originated in ancient Egypt and came to the island of Malta in the heart of the Mediterranean by way of the then-occupying Phoenicians. These dogs were traded in the thriving seaport of Malta, along with other precious commodities, as early as 1500 BC. This breed was seen as a status symbol in ancient Greek and Roman cultures.(22) The Maltese breed continued to be popular companions to the aristocracy in Medieval and Renaissance Europe, but served other functions as well—such as that of pint-sized flea magnet to improve one’s personal hygiene.(23)

Other early toy breeds such as the Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Spaniel, and Shih Tzu originated in China and Tibet. Fondly called “little lion” dogs, these breeds were prized by emperors, and were companions to Buddhist monks long before their rapid rise in popularity among the kings and queens of European nobility in the sixteenth century. These little dogs were literal lap warmers—acting as heating pads and even “sleeve dogs,” some small enough to fit in robes worn by members of the Chinese imperial households.(24)