Lapdogs are not a specific breed, but most dogs within the Toy Breed category are lapdogs.
A Lap Dog, or Lapdog is a small dog, which fits easily on your lap, and comes with a friendly disposition, and (some) with a "watchful" eye, to warn you of intruders.
Historically these little dogs where kept by many societies around the world.
History tells us that Lapdogs are one of the very earliest specific dogs bred.
And history tells us that lapdogs where used not only as pets, but for
- Status Symbols
- Fashion Accessories
- Providing warmth on one's lap
And:
- To attract fleas away from the owner!!!
There where a few lapdogs developed as a "working" dog; mostly out of the Terrier group.
The Pekingese is one of the oldest lapdogs, bred in ancient China to fit inside the sleeves of a man's robe.
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| Two women playing with a lap dog, China, 8th century, Beauties Wearing Flowers by Tang Dynasty painter Zhou Fang |
Papillons (Phalenes) appear in portraits of European royalty, painted by the Old Masters as early as the 13th Century.
Related links:
http://www.roadsend-papillons-phalenes.com/search/label/Old%20Masters
http://www.roadsendpapillons.com/History.html
http://www.roadsendpapillons.com/OldMasters.html