Throughout the world there are more than 400 purebred dogs. However, the
American Kennel Club only recognizes and accepts breeds with a lineage, as well
as those with an active breed group to perpetuate and develop the breed. For
that reason, the AKC does not recognize many breeds. Once recognized by the AKC,
the breed appears in the AKC Stud Book. Each breed is placed in a specific
category, based on temperament, physical appearance and function.
When
the American Kennel Club was founded in 1884 (then called the Philadelphia
Kennel Club), it haphazardly listed its original 29 different breeds. Breeds as
different as the dachshund and the mastiff were lumped together on the list.
As the list of purebreds slowly grew, club officials realized they
needed to organize the many different purebreds into distinct groups. In 1923,
the AKC organized the breeds into five categories: Sporting Dogs (including
hounds), Working Dogs, Toy Breeds, Terriers and Non-sporting Dogs.
Today, there are eight categories: Sporting, Hound, Herding, Toy,
Working, Terrier, Non-sporting and Miscellaneous.
The Toy Breed group
classification is based primarily on their small size. But what they lack in
stature, they certainly make up for in personality. These dogs are bred as
companion pets and are ideal for apartment living. They are cherished as family
members and are devoted to their families. Some have an independent streak and
may be a little headstrong.
The Toy Breed group of dogs currently
includes:
Papillon. Popular in the days of
Louis XIV, this little dog has erect ears with fringes, giving the appearance of
a butterfly. For this reason, it was name papillon, French for butterfly.
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