Toy breeds are too often dismissed by people who’ve never lived with one. Owners know better. These dogs are far from being accessories or ornaments, and if it came to matching the strength of their personalities with a bigger dog, we’ll put money on that little dog just on spunk alone.

Their tiny size, demeanor and alertness make them ideal for many tasks, including Hearing Ear Dogs and Service Dogs who answer phones, open and close doors, and even unload dishwashers. In fact, the United States National Service Dog of the Year in 1999 was a Papillon named, “Peekaboo,” the first toy breed and first clicker trained dog to earn the Delta Society’s National Service Dog of the Year award.