First of all, do not get dogs from pet stores EVER, they are bred very irresponsibly. I think somewhere around 90% of pet stores get their puppies from puppy mills. The parents are kept in wire cages, where they sleep, eat, and live in their own waste. Most never stand up fully, or wobble on the grates of their unpadded cages, and they almost never see the light of day. Their offspring face numerous health issues as a result of over breeding. Secondly, do not buy a toy breed, they are the result of consistent breeding of a litter's runts, so they have even more health problems. Thirdly, stay away from designer mutts, if you want a mixed breed go to a shelter, they are abundant there, or go to a respectable breeder.

For starters you should NEVER! EVER! buy or support a pet shop. ALL of those puppies come from puppy mills. Please look up puppy mills if you do not know what they are. The treatment, abuse and number of dying/suffering dogs will make you cry for weeks. By buying for pet shop you are supporting puppy millers. Not to mention most are just clinging on to life and ridden with illnesses. Look for a reasonable breeder. Someone who with show the parents, show you pedigrees, give you information about the breed, a contract, health guarantees, show you where their dogs live and the conditioned and temperaments they have.

What are you looking for in a toy breed. Can you afford grooming? Or do you need a dog you can groom at home yourself? can it shed? Should it be easy to train? Do you want a family dog?

iono sorry. good luck finding an informative answer.
-sophie

There's nothing wrong with wanting a toy sized dog, but it's imperative to do this the right way! And that means never, ever get the puppy from a pet store. They buy direct from puppy mills, the animals are unhealthy (even if the issues don't show up for several months) and you'll end up with a broken heart if your parents can't pay the vet bills.

The way to do this is plug your zip code into petfinder and do search under "dog" and then size small or toy. And age would be young or puppy. Look at the types of things that pop up – there's a variety of mixes and some are adorable! But you'll want to get one from a rescue group that has checked it's health and given shots, etc. Puppies are available, but probably not really young ones. However, with toy breeds, you're much better getting off getting puppies that are a couple months older and have gotten past that risky baby puppy stage. Toy breeds are too popular right now and there are too many people breeding them under bad conditions just to make a quick buck. And young puppies are at risk from all sorts of things that an older puppy would have no problem with.

first and most important tip is never ever buy from a pet store!! I can promise you every single one of those are from puppy mills. If it is a mix and they are selling it as a 'designer dog' i would run and run fast.

if you want a small breed look into small breed rescues. Look on petfinder.com and put in small breeds and see what comes up near you.

If you get a small breed do not carry it all the time. make sure it walks and is a dog. do not turn it into a yappy little monster. If it behaves then correct it. I have a chihuahua, boxer, golden, and malinois and my chi doesnt get away with anything my other three large dogs dont.

he is a dog and is required to act like a dog

edited to add to the comment that toy breeds are ovelry bred runts. this is NOT true. "teacup" crap dogs are not toy breeds.

Poms are a toy breed, chihuahua's are, toy poodles ect..;.

its the 'teacup' crap that is bred from runts

Atlas Terriers are my favorite small breed dog. A lot of people question if they are actually a breed, but they are recognized by the ATA, APRI, FCI, and ACR. I think this breed would be a good match for you.

I love dogs don't get me wrong but I was not a big dog person and I love my pomeranian. He has the best and friendliest personality. They do better if there will be kids around as well. My pom loves kids and any other animal brought home. He's still like a puppy and is very playful. He's very sharp as well. He knows people and other people's pets by their names and though he's strictly a housedog he still loves being outside in our fenced yard without being too nervous like some small breeds. Poms smile ALOT and though they couldn't do much to anyone are very loyal and protective of their person. Rascal (my pom is my best friend! He loves getting his bath and when he's done he'll go jump on the table so I can blowdry him lol The only thing you really need to know with a smaller breed is to make sure you keep something like Frontline or Advantix on them and they sometimes have allergies and need a shot once a month which gets expensive. I buy my frontline on ebay for 15.99 for a 6 month supply instead of 30 per treatment at the vet. But they have great personalities and when my dog gets excited he twirls in a circle lol. I hope this has helped and if you get a small breed I hope it's a pom because they don't get nervous like chihuahuas, poodles, and shitzus so they are less likely to bite anyone. Good luck!

I have a caviler King charles Spaniel and I love him to bits I have had him for seven years and he is great with children although he is grumpy and would probably bite the other members of my family if he was provoked…but anyway Most King charles are Incredibly patient, Loyal and Friendly great with kids and as far as toy dogs go don't require much special care…as long as you don't plan to show him/her. They do however require a LOT of attention an don't like being left alone for very long although I left mine alone during the day…They are great dogs but if you are the type of person who won't put the dog down for the first few months and then make mom mind it for you then they are not the dog's for you…