Toy dogs

Toy dogs are small companion breeds bred mainly for company rather than work, and generally don't need much exercise. Several conditions — patellar luxation, dental disease and heart disease among them — turn up often enough in UK research to be worth an early, ongoing conversation with your vet.

Example breeds in this group: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Bichon Frise.

• Puppy and junior

  Toy puppies need the same careful socialisation as any dog, sized-down portions while they grow, and an early word with your vet about a joint condition that shows up often in this group.

• Adult

  Most toy breeds do well on 30 minutes to an hour of exercise a day, but this is also the group with the strongest published evidence for dental disease and, in some breeds, heart and airway conditions worth screening for.

• Senior

  Toy breeds are often longer-lived than larger dogs, but dental and heart checks matter more here than in most groups, and vets commonly recommend seeing senior dogs twice a year rather than once.