What is a pocket dog?

A pocket dog has two definitions. The first is a dog-shaped handbag, often a whimsical carrying case for girls and teens. You can get a variety of types of stuffed animals, stuffed toys, and purebred dogs in a bag, and these tend to reflect a Hollywood trend for the second definition of bag dog.

The second definition refers to a number of dogs small enough to fit in bag-sized carrying bags. These dogs are popular and you often see young celebrities bringing their toy-sized dogs to red carpet events or just into town to spend the night. Because American life can reflect Hollywood trends, some people may want to acquire their own pocket dog.

In general, these dogs are breed specific and weigh no more than five pounds (2.27 kg). Some breeds naturally fall into this category, although some can weigh more than five pounds. Miniature poodles the size of a cup of tea, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese dogs, Bichon Frize dogs and Chihuahua or Spitz dogs are all possible options. Although the teacup toy poodle easily weighs less than 5 pounds, some breeders specifically select their smaller dogs for breeding in order to reduce size and weight for future generations.

While a pocket dog may look cute, there are some problems inherent in keeping a small dog, especially as a fashion accessory. First, bladder control is a major issue for most of these dogs, as they have tiny blisters that do not contain fluid for a long time. Dog owners, including this writer, often wonder how often handbags should be replaced if you bring a small dog for parties or long events and forget to give them plenty of opportunities to urinate.

Second, as the breeds become smaller, breeding becomes more difficult. Small dogs usually have to give birth by cesarean section, which is riskier for the mother and her puppies. Also, unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous breeders who try to raise very small puppies and do so in dangerous or unhealthy ways. Puppy factories usually produce pocket dogs and allow larger dogs that do not meet the size requirements to languish without proper care.

It is certainly not the case that the pocket dog is an unloved animal, and this fashion is not exactly new. Going accompanied by dogs as a kind of fashion statement has often been reserved for the rich. Roman patrician women often wore Maltese breeds with large sleeves and may have invented the first bag dog as a dog with sleeves. However, as it is a trend, people can try to copy it as cheaply as possible, which can support puppy factories.