Temperament & behavior
Devoted to their chosen person, suspicious of the rest of the world. Small-dog syndrome — being allowed to snap because 'he's tiny' — is the owner's failure, not the dog's. House-training is a known struggle.
Likes, dislikes & how they play
💙 What they love
- Lap time under blankets
- Their person, exclusively
- Sunbathing
- Warm clothes in winter
🚫 What they hate
- Cold and wind
- Being handled roughly or unpredictably
- Big dogs looming
- Strangers reaching for them
Indoor fetch, small puzzle toys, gentle tug with tiny ropes. They think they're playing with the big dogs — don't let them; size mismatches end in ER visits.
Shedding & grooming
Shedding: Low-Moderate. Short-coat sheds a surprising amount for the size; long-coat needs brushing 2–3× weekly.
Minimal: brush weekly, dental care is CRITICAL (tiny mouths crowd teeth — daily brushing ideal, professional cleaning often needed), sweaters in cold weather.
Aggression tendencies — the honest read
| Toward | Tendency |
|---|---|
| Strangers | Wary; nipping risk if unsocialized |
| Other dogs | Fearless toward huge dogs — dangerous for them |
Bite statistics skew high partly because tiny bites go untrained. Teach bite inhibition, protect them from rough handling, socialize early.
Exercise needs
30 per day per day. Short walks plus indoor play. Watch knees and avoid high jumps off furniture.
Good with…?
- Kids: Better with older, gentle kids (they break)
- Other pets: Fine with other small dogs
- First-time owners: Yes, if handling rules are respected
Health risks to know upfront
- Dental disease (near-universal without care)
- Patellar luxation
- Hypoglycemia in puppies
- Heart murmurs
- Hydrocephalus (apple-head line)
Is this breed right for you?
Homebodies who want a portable companion and will do daily dental care.
Before choosing, read the complete pre-dog checklist — most mismatches are preventable with one honest evening of planning.
