A lap dog or lapdog is a

dog The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it is derived from the extinct Pleistocene wolf, and the modern wolf is the dog's nearest living relative. Do ...

that is both small enough to be held in the arms or lie comfortably on a person's lap and temperamentally predisposed to doing so. ''Lapdog'' is not a specific breed, but a generic term for a type of dog that is small in size and friendly towards humans. Lap dogs historically have been kept in many societies around the world by individuals with the resources to support a non-productive animal, and a lifestyle which allows for much contact with the dog. They are docile companion animals with no working function other than companionship. Genetic analysis reveals that lapdogs are among the earliest specific types of dogs to live with people. Today, most lapdog breeds fall into the ''toy'' breed group. Additionally, the term "lapdog" is also used to refer to a person, organization or country controlled by another who is stronger.

Appearance

Some lapdogs have been bred for extremes of small size, such as the Russian and Mexican varieties shown below. Anatomically, lapdogs show distinct differences from their full-sized counterparts. The skull of the immature ''Russian lapdog'' from an 1861 specimen (possibly an ancestor of the Bolonka) is approximately the size of a table-tennis ball and shows the relatively short muzzle and high forehead. Many lapdogs are bred to retain puppy-like traits (

neoteny Neoteny (), also called juvenilization,Montagu, A. (1989). Growing Young. Bergin & Garvey: CT. is the delaying or slowing of the physiological, or somatic, development of an organism, typically an animal. Neoteny is found in modern humans compa ...

) such as folded ears. Body proportions may also have changed, resulting in relatively shorter legs and larger heads. They may also have traits that resemble human babies: size and weight, high forehead, short muzzle and relatively large eyes. Although selective breeding for such traits can have detrimental effects on tear ducts, dentition, and breathing, such traits also serve to cause pet owners to derive more satisfaction from their pet relationship, as the pet owners may view dogs with this appearance as surrogate babies.

History

Alexandra of Denmark by Sir (Samuel) Luke Fildes

In addition to their being kept as a

pet A pet, or companion animal, is an animal kept primarily for a person's company or entertainment rather than as a working animal, livestock, or a laboratory animal. Popular pets are often considered to have attractive appearances, intelligence ...

and providing warmth, lap dogs have been fashion accessories and status symbols, and even to attract fleas away from their owners. Recent genetic study by Elaine Ostrander confirms that the

Pekingese The Pekingese (also spelled Pekinese) is a breed of toy dog, originating in China. The breed was favored by royalty of the Chinese Imperial court as a companion dog, and its name refers to the city of Peking (Beijing) where the Forbidden City i ...

lapdog, bred in ancient China to fit inside the sleeves of a man's

robe A robe is a loose-fitting outer garment. Unlike garments described as capes or cloaks, robes usually have sleeves. The English word ''robe'' derives from Middle English ''robe'' ("garment"), borrowed from Old French ''robe'' ("booty, spoil ...

, is one of the oldest breeds of dog. For centuries, they could be owned only by members of the Chinese Imperial Palace. Similarly ancient are the lapdog ancestors of the modern breeds of

Tibetan Terrier The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-sized breed of dog that originated in Tibet.American Kennel Club (2013). '' Get to know the Tibetan Terrier.'' Retrieved from http://www.akc.org/breeds/tibetan_terrier/index.cfm Despite its name, it is not a membe ...

Lhasa Apso The Lhasa Apso ( ) is a non-sporting dog breed originating in Tibet. It has traditionally been used as an interior sentinel. Etymology Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet, and ''apso'' is a word from the Tibetan language. There is some deba ...

Pug The Pug is a breed of dog originally from China, with physically distinctive features of a wrinkly, short-muzzled face and curled tail. The breed has a fine, glossy coat that comes in a variety of colors, most often light brown (Fawn (colour) ...

, and

Shih Tzu The Shih Tzu (, ; literally " Hsi Shih dog") is a toy dog breed originating from Tibet and was bred from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso. Shih Tzus are known for their short snouts and large round eyes, as well as their long coat, floppy ea ...

. In the book ''De Canibus Britannicis'' published in English in 1576, the author describes lapdogs as a ''type'' of

, "

Spaniel A spaniel is a type of gun dog. Spaniels were especially bred to flush game out of denser brush. By the late 17th century, spaniels had been specialized into water and land breeds. The extinct English Water Spaniel was used to retrieve water ...

Gentle or Comforter". Ancestors of the modern breed of

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a British breed of toy dog of spaniel type. Four colours are recognised: Blenheim (chestnut and white), tricolour (black/white/tan), black and tan, and ruby; the coat is smooth and silky. The lifespan is u ...

were a type of "Spaniel Gentle" kept by English nobility in the 17th century. Modern breeds of lapdog also include the

Bichon Frise A bichon is a distinct Dog type, type of toy dog; it is typically kept as a companion dog. Believed to be descended from the Barbet (dog), Barbet, it is believed the bichon-type dates to at least the 11th century; it was relatively common in 14t ...

Japanese Terrier The is a small terrier native to Japan. It is believed to be descended from the progeny of fox terrier types, pointers and indigenous Japanese dogs. Appearance The Japanese Terrier is a balanced dog. It most often has a black head and ...

, Maltese, Pomeranian,

Yorkshire Terrier The Yorkshire Terrier (often shortened as Yorkie) is one of the smallest dog breeds of the terrier type and indeed of any dog breed. The breed developed during the 19th century in Yorkshire, England. The

Phalène The Phalène (, ''"moth eared'') is a toy dog breed, the drop eared variety of the Papillon (''"butterfly eared'') dog. Both varieties can occur in the same litter. Appearance and behavior The Phalène is an intelligent dog. They lea ...

is the earliest form of the Papillon; the appearance of the erect-eared variety was not documented until the 16th century, by which time the Phalène had been portrayed in numerous paintings, particularly in portraits of the wealthy by Old Masters and their students. Belgium, France, Spain, and Italy have all been credited with the creation or development of Butterfly Dogs. The dog breed appeared often in portraits of European royalty painted by the Old Masters, which indicate that this breed was favored as lapdogs as early as the 13th century. This breed is not considered as a lap dog anymore. It's a very sportive and smart breed that is used in various activity such as agility, obe-rythme, cani-cross, etc.. Is intelligence is among the best of all dog with a rate of 8/132, that place him before the Rottweiler and the Aussie.

Pekingese

According to the 1948 publication ''Dogs In Britain, A Description of All Native Breeds and Most Foreign Breeds in Britain'' by Clifford LB Hubbard, the Sleeve Pekingese was (in Hubbard's time) a true miniature of the standard-sized

and was also known as the Miniature Pekingese. The name ''Sleeve Pekingese'' came from the custom of carrying these small dogs in the capacious sleeves of the robes worn by members of the Chinese Imperial Household. Hubbard indicated that this tradition appeared to be early Italian rather than Chinese, but its adoption by the Chinese Imperial Household led to dogs being bred as small as possible and to practices aimed at stunting their growth: giving puppies rice wine, holding new-borns tightly for hours at a time or putting the puppies into tight-fitting wire mesh waistcoats. These practices were apparently forbidden by the late Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi. In Hubbard's time, the term ''Sleeve'' was applied in Britain to a miniature Pekingese no more than 6–7 pounds in weight, often appearing to be only about 3–4 pounds. Mrs Flander's ''Mai Mai'' weighed only a little over 4 pounds and many other breeders had bred true miniatures of a similar size. Hubbard noted that miniatures sometimes appeared in litters bred from full-sized Pekingese and were exhibited in classes for dogs less than 7 pounds at the major dog shows in Britain. At that time, the Sleeve Pekingese had a strong following with the most popular colours being cream and white.

Pug

s are by far the largest of the lap dogs. They originated in China at about 400 AD to satisfy the royalty of the

Shang Dynasty The Shang dynasty (), also known as the Yin dynasty (), was a Chinese royal dynasty founded by Tang of Shang (Cheng Tang) that ruled in the Yellow River valley in the second millennium BC, traditionally succeeding the Xia dynasty and ...

. Pugs are famous for their wrinkled black face, curly tail, and snorting noises. Pugs became increasingly popular throughout the years and were transported all over Asia. Later on they were brought to Europe and finally to the Americas in the 20th century. These dogs share similar genes with

dogs.

Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are one of the smallest lap dog breeds. They are named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, as that is the dog's potential origin. They are famous for their big pointy ears, high pitched bark, and small size. Chihuahuas usually weigh less than and are usually tall. As with many tiny dogs, Chihuahuas need proper training and socialization to avoid unwanted defensive behavior. Chihuahuas enjoy quality time in the lap of a favorite person, and if properly managed by a dedicated owner, the Chihuahua can adapt to a household environment easily.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians are the fluffiest of lap dogs, have a

double coat The coat of the domestic dog refers to the hair that covers its body. Dogs demonstrate a wide range of coat colors, patterns, textures, and lengths. As with other mammals, a dog's fur has many uses, including thermoregulation and protection fr ...

and tend to be a friendly, one-person dog. The Pomeranian has a shedding non-hypoallergenic coatMrsDoggie.com
The Pomeranian
has a non-hypoallergenic coat with black, white, black & tan, red, blue, orange, brown and gray colors. The Pomeranian is named after the Pomerania region in Central Europe, split between Germany and Poland.

Miniature Pinscher

The

Miniature Pinscher The Miniature Pinscher, also known as the Zwergpinscher and Mini Pin, is a small breed of dog of the pinscher type originating in Germany. The breed's earliest ancestors may have included the German Pinscher mixed with Italian greyhounds and dachs ...

, min pin for short, is a small breed of dog originating from Germany. The breed's earliest ancestors may have included the

German Pinscher The German Pinscher or is a German breed of terrier in the Pinscher and Schnauzer group. It shares common origins with the Schnauzer, of which it is essentially a short-haired equivalent. It is seen in two colours, either black-and-tan or sel ...

mixed with

Italian greyhound The Italian Greyhound ( it, Piccolo levriero Italiano, italic=no) is an Italian breed of small sighthound. It may also be called the Italian Sighthound. History Small dogs of sighthound type have long been popular with nobility and royalty. ...

s and dachshunds.

Shih Tzu

(singular and plural) is one of oldest breeds the roots of which trace back to Tibet and China where they were bred to resemble lions. They ideally range from 9-16 lbs and are considered an ideal lap dog for an out-going family.

Extinct breeds

The Russian Lapdog and the Mexican Lapdog were not breeds in the modern sense, but were types of small dogs from

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...

and

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

respectively. The immature Mexican Lapdog could be as small as a golden hamster. During the 19th century it was fashionable to mount immature specimens to look like adults, giving a false impression of adult size:

References

* ''The Illustrated Natural History (Mammalia)'' by The Rev J G Wood. 1853. * ''Dogs In Britain, A Description of All Native Breeds and Most Foreign Breeds in Britain'' by Clifford LB Hubbard. 1948. *
Small Fluffy Dogs List
' {{DEFAULTSORT:Lap Dog Dogs as pets Dog roles *Lap dog