Lap dog
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Template:Expand A lap dog is a dog that is small enough to be held in the arms or lie comfortably on a person's lap. Most lap dogs fall into the toy dog category.
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Breeding
A few lap dogs were apparently bred solely as pets; the Japanese Terrier is among these.
Usage
Lap dogs have been used as pets, fashion accessories, and status symbols. It is widely believed that the lap dog originally served a purpose; to provide warmth for wealthy or fashionable European women. There are also lap dogs, among the terrier group, for example, which were first developed for active work.
Idiomatic usage
Lap dog is also used jokingly to refer to a dog of any size who likes to climb onto people's laps for affection. The term is also sometimes used to describe a person who is very easily controlled, such as a "yes" man.
Appearances in popular culture
Popular culture presents the image of the spoiled or pampered ‘pooch’ who is the obnoxious companion of a spoiled or pampered lady. Lapdogs are referred to in a similé in The Frames' song Fitzcarraldo.