Guide to Toy Dog Breeds

If you decide to buy any of these toy dogs, then this information might be useful. Below is a  guide to a couple of popular toy dog breeds.

Toy Poodle

Build: Elegant, with a square silhouette
Toy weight: 6-9 pounds (3-4 kg.)
Toy height: Up to 10 inches (25.4 cm.)
Miniature w: 15-17 pounds (7-8 kg.)
Miniature height: 11-15 inches (28-38 cm.)
Standard weight: 45-70 pounds (20-32kg.)
Standard height: 15 (38cm) or more
Coat: Profuse and wiry, curly or corded
Colour: All solid colours permissible. (e.g., black, blue, silver, gray, cream, apricot, red, white, brown, or cafe-au-lait)
Head: Long, with neck solid and slightly arched
Teeth: Scissors bite
Eyes: Oval and very dark
Ears: Wide, hanging close to head
Tail: Docked to half the original length
Limbs: Straight, symmetrical
Feet: Small, oval and webbed, with arched toes
Life span: Median 12-15 years

Shih Tzu

Build: Small and sturdy with body slightly longer than height at withers
Height: Up to 11 inches (28cm.)
Coat: Abundant thick double coat of long hair lined with a woolly undercoat
Head: Rounded, with short hairy muzzle and definite stop
Teeth: sharp (depending on care)
Eyes: Large, round and wide-set, usually dark
Ears: Pendent
Tail: Heavily plumed, curled over back
Limbs: Short, muscular, straight
Feet: Rounded, firm and well padded
Life span: 15 years (regular) to 18 (good care)
Litter size: 3-4 On the average scale
Dewclaw removal and tail docking: 2-4 days after birth

Chihuahua

Build: Tiny and compact; stout
Weight: 2-12 pounds (1-6 kg.) (Breed standard: not to exceed 6 lb.s)
Height: 6-9 inches (15-23 cm.)
Coat: Short-haired or long-haired
Color: Any, solid, marked or splashed
Head: Apple-shaped, with a short pointed muzzle
Teeth: Level or scissors
Eyes: Round, large, very dark
Ears: Large, erect
Tail: Sickle-shaped, curled over the back or to the side
Limbs: Strait, symmetrical
Feet: Small, dainty
Life span: Median 15+ years

Pug

Build: Square, thickset, stocky, and compact
Coat: fine smooth glossy soft and short
Colour: Fawn, black, apricot, silver
Head: Short, flat, black muzzle
Teeth: Slightly undershot bite
Eyes: Prominent, expressive, dark, radiant
Ears: Velvety
Tail: In a tight curl or double curl almost like a pig tail
Limbs: Straight and strong
Feet: Well split-up toes
Life span: Median 10-15 years
Weight: Around 15 lbs

Maltese

Build: Tiny, compact, slightly longer than tall
Weight: 4-10 lbs. standards
Height: 7-9 inches (21-25cm.)
Coat: Luxurious silky white, shiny, thick, heavy hair about 8= inches (22cm.) long hanging straight to the ground on each side of a center part line, single, with no undercoat, and should not be wavy, curly or kinky. These dogs shed so much hair off of their coat. Note, however, that in most cases tear staining affects the white sheen of the coat around the eyes.
Colour: Pure white (light ivory acceptable-off white)
Head: Slightly rounded
Teeth: Even, edge-to-edge bite, or a scissors bite
Eyes: Dark, round, large, deep, with dark rims
Ears: Long, pendant usually perfectly groomed.
Tail: Fluffy long-haired plume carried gracefully over the back can also be docked.
Limbs: Fine-boned (very graceful and flexible)
Feet: Small and round (very fluffy)
Life span: Median 15-20 years

Miniature Pinscher

Build: Small, compact, muscular, sleek, Weight: 8 - 12lbs-
Coat: Short, easy-care, light shedder
Colour: Black & Tan, Black & Rust, Chocolate and Isabella fawn.
Head:
Teeth:
Eyes: Dark, bright, oval
Ears: Often cropped, where permitted, not required by AKC.
Tail: Docked, where permitted
Limbs: Straight
Feet: Small, cat-like
Life span: Average 12 to 14 yrs