Toy Dachshund owners and Dachshund breeders describe a Toy Dachshund as being a dog smaller than the Toy Dachshund group. To describe small dogs that belong to the Toy breed is redundant. It suggests that the breed comes in different sizes. That is not accurate, for example, as a "Toy Dachshund" since all Dachshunds are Toy dogs. A Teacup is a descriptive term for a Toy Dachshund which might be smaller than the official size standard. There is no firm agreement on what height or weight makes a dog a Toy. The upper height limit of some Toy breeds is over 12 inches at the withers, which places these dogs within the height range of some other breeds as well.

Toy dogs are also referred to as Pocket Size, Tiny Toy, and Miniature. Some wealthy Asian people and Oriental royalty packed them inside large overcoats to keep warm. These dogs had limited duties but carried out tasks for Oriental and European courts of nobility: A Teacup dog's temperature is between 100.2-102.8 degrees Fahrenheit so they warmed beds in cold castles and palaces. Dogs sat on laps (hence the term "lapdogs") until the advent of central heating diminished the need for the warming duties of these pets. Selective breeding developed a small dog to aid the lifestyle of and provide pleasure to the wealthy.