Temperament
Lively, Intelligent, Playful, Affectionate.
Health problems to know about
- Patellar luxation
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Von Willebrand disease
- Neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD)
- Cataracts
Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.
Daily care
About 30 minutes of exercise a day, plus short training sessions, which they usually enjoy. Brush the silky single coat a few times a week and check behind the ears for tangles. Watch for jumps off furniture with very small dogs.
A good fit for
Flats and smaller homes, older children, owners who want a small dog for tricks, agility or obedience.
Probably not ideal for
Homes with toddlers or rough play (they are fragile), people who want a dog that never needs brushing.
Sources
Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.
