Lap dog

A lap dog or lapdog is a dog that is both small enough to be held in the arms or lie comfortably on a person's lap and temperamentally predisposed to doing so. Lapdog is not a specific breed, but a generic term for a type of dog that is small in size and friendly towards humans.

"lap pet" redirects here. For the garment, see lappet.
For the racehorse, see Lap-dog (horse).
Lapdog
Princess Ekaterina Dmitrievna Golitsyna with a Pug, 1759.
Dog (domestic dog)

Lap dogs historically have been kept in many societies around the world by individuals with the resources to support a non-productive animal, and a lifestyle which allows for much contact with the dog. They are docile companion animals with no working function other than companionship. Genetic analysis reveals that lapdogs are among the earliest specific types of dogs to live with people. Today, most lapdog breeds fall into the toy breed group.

Additionally, the term "lapdog" is also used to refer to a person, organization or country controlled by another who is stronger.

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