If you're considering adding a new canine companion to your household, you're probably considering several different breeds. If you're like many people, you may be enchanted by the cute, appealing appearance of toy breeds as well as like the idea of sharing your home with a smaller furry friend instead of a big dog. However, toy breeds have different needs than their standard-sized canine counterparts, and they aren't necessarily the best choice for everyone. Here's what you need to know about bringing a toy breed such as a cockapoo into your household. 

Toy Dogs Are Easier to Exercise

Although toy breeds often appear to have abundant amounts of energy compared to larger dogs, it is nonetheless much easier to get their daily exercise needs met. You don't need to have a big back yard or easy access to a dog park -- all you need is a hallway, a large patio, or an uncluttered living room. The best way to make sure your toy breed gets its daily ration of exercise is to teach it to play fetch. This exercise can be done almost anywhere.

Toy Dogs Are Not Toys!

If you've got active children in the home, they're probably looking forward to having a furry playmate. However, toy breeds are fragile and may not be up to sharing the antics of rambunctious children, especially if they weigh less than 10 pounds. Some toy breeds, such as Pomeranians, may be quick to snap and nip when annoyed or when rough play causes them to feel discomfort or pain.

Toy breeds are often a good choice for homes with older children who can understand that they must be treated with care. If you're set on a small dog and have young children, consider looking for cockapoo puppies for sale. Cockapoos are a mix of toy poodle and Cocker spaniel, so they're usually slightly larger than a true toy dog and much more resilient. Their friendly, good natured attitude makes them ideal family companions. 

Toy Dogs Need a Lot of Attention

All dogs are pack animals, and as such, they need plenty of interaction with others. Most toy breeds, however, were specifically bred to serve as companion animals to humans, which means their attention needs may be slightly higher than those of larger breeds. Toy dogs are prone to developing something called Small Dog Syndrome, which is basically a combination of undesirable behaviors that affect small dogs more than others -- the good news is, however, is that it's completely preventable with the right training and socialization.