Unlike A Toy Dog
Until the late 19th century, toy dogs were strictly the property of the wealthy, especially royalty, where small, charming dogs that did not work for their food were pure status symbols.
A lot of breeds, like the Maltese and the King Charles Spaniel, were often used as gifts and presents between royal houses as well, as a symbol of good will. Small dogs, like these unlike a Boston Terrier, got their name of lap dogs because the warm effect of a dog on one’s lap was considered beneficial to one’s health and digestion. Indeed, the 15th century name for companion and toy type dogs was “comforters”.
