Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the Royal Kennel Club (formerly the UK Kennel Club) recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ to lovable mongrels.
Each has its own list of positive and negative attributes, and it’s important to take plenty of time to think about what breed will fit into your lifestyle the best - for instance a smaller dog if you live in a flat, or a hypoallergenic dog if the mere mention of dog hair makes you think about sneezing.
There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
The Kennel Club separates breeds into seven different groups, each of which have a particular set of attributes.
If you are looking for a dog that is affectionate and enjoys building a bond with its owner - but is small enough that you don’t need to own a mansion to own one - then it’s worth looking at a pup from the toy dog group.
The Kennel Club recently released their breed registration statistics for 2025, revealing how many of each breed of dog were registered with them over the year.
According to those figures, here are the 12 most popular toy dogs in the UK.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
5. Short Hair Chihuahua
Completing the top five most popular toy dog breeds - and just behind their hairier cousins - is the short haired breed of Chihuahua. There were 807 new dogs registered with the Royal Kennel Club last year. | Getty Images
6. Italian Greyhound
Popular with nobility, statues of the Italian Greyhound have been found dating back to the second century AD. There were 659 registered in 2025 - an increase on last year seeing it rise a spot in the rankings. | Getty Images
7. Maltese
A classic lapdog bred in the 19th century to be a loyal companion for their human owners, the Maltese had 490 registrations in 2025. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkie originated in 19th century Yorkshire when a number of different Terriers brought by workers from Scotland interbred. A playful and energetic dog, there were 382 Yorkshire Terriers registered with the Royal Kennel Club last year. | Getty Images