Toy & companion dogs

Toy breeds were bred purely to be companions — small, portable dogs meant to live close to their people rather than work a job. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Pugs, Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs and Pomeranians are toy breeds, most under about 7 kg and built for a lap, not a field.

Most stay under 7 kg (15 lb) fully grown, and several — Chihuahuas, Pomeranians — top out closer to 2 to 4 kg. Exact size varies a lot by breed, so check a specific toy breed's own numbers rather than assuming they're all Chihuahua-sized.

It depends more on the child than the dog. Toy breeds are small and physically fragile, so rough handling by a young child can genuinely injure them; they suit families with older, gentler kids better than toddlers, and any interaction should be supervised.

Not much, physically — a short walk and some indoor play usually covers it, and several toy breeds are content as apartment dogs for that reason. Don't mistake small size for a low-energy personality, though; more than a few toy breeds have big, demanding attitudes underneath.

Generally yes — their modest exercise needs and small size make them some of the easiest dogs to keep in a flat, and many toy breeds are naturally content indoors.

Several do, and it's worth researching before you commit to a specific breed. Dental crowding, luxating patella and heart conditions like mitral valve disease show up more often in toy breeds than in larger dogs, so a health-tested line and regular vet checks matter.