People have long been infatuated with tiny things. Model trains, dollhouses, and Matchbox cars were part of growing up in the 20th century, and many adults today have become collectors of these rewarding (and sometimes pricey) symbols of childhood. But toys and trinkets aren’t the only small objects that hold a fascination in people’s hearts and homes. In fact, communities around the world have always been enamored of baby animals, particularly little dogs, breeding them with care and giving them as gifts with enduring appeal.
That appeal, it seems, is based in biology. Studies have shown that humans release oxytocin (the “love hormone”) as a response to seeing baby-like features in both living things and inanimate objects. In the words of one published review of the topic, “cute things hijack our brains.” For dog breeders, there’s nothing quite like looking into the eyes of those adorable faces staring back from the safety and security of a whelping box. But some of those puppies grow up to become handsome Great Danes or lithe and limber Whippets, replacing their cuteness with a form that serves a specific function. But for some purebreds, being cute is the function, which is why they’re referred to as “toy” dogs.
Toys, whether a locomotive or an Italian Greyhound, are undeniably appealing, but they also serve a purpose. Toy train sets foster creativity and problem-solving, and they support the development of both motor skills and imagination. Toy dogs similarly enhance the quality of life for children of all ages, offering the benefits provided by all dogs but in a portable package that remains (in appearance, at least) forever young. The Toy breeds are well known for their playfulness too, and for their inability to realize they’re so small. And they’re just as talented as the big guys, chasing lures and diving off docks with the same enthusiasm demonstrated by breeds that are ten times their size.
Through the articles and interviews assembled in this issue, SHOWSIGHT has endeavored to celebrate the tiny and talented dogs of the Toy Group through the words of the breeders, judges, and exhibitors who know them best. We hope you enjoy!
