Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was originally bred as a companion dog for European royalty and aristocrats.
Chihuahua
Descended from a larger breed called Techichi, these tiny dogs were valued for companionship and spiritual beliefs.
Griffon Bruxellois
The Griffon Bruxellois, also known as the Brussels Griffon, originated in Belgium to hunt and control rodents in stables.
Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds have a history that stretches back 2,000 years and were bred as a companion and skilled hunter.
Maltese
The Maltese was originally bred as a companion dog and a symbol of luxury for royalty and noblewomen.
Papillon
Papillons were originally bred as companion dogs for European nobility and royalty during the Renaissance.
Pekingese
For centuries, Pekingese were companions of Chinese emperors and were rarely seen outside the royal court.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians were much larger, and by the early 1900s, they had become firmly established as a beloved companion dog.
Pug
Pugs were originally bred in ancient China to be companion dogs for emperors and wealthy families as far back as 400 B.C.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies were originally bred in the 1800s to hunt and kill rats in mills and mines in Yorkshire and Lancashire, England.
Disclaimer: Dog breeds are grouped according to the breed classifications recognised by the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA). Groupings are provided as a general guide and may differ from those used by other kennel clubs globally.
