Yap: A Short History of Small Dogs

by Stephanie Howard-Smith

Almost from humanity's very beginning, beloved small dogs have been trotting devotedly by our sides. Yap! follows in the pawprints of the breeds we have grown to love and cherish, from the small dogs touchingly memorialised in Ancient Rome through to Paris Hilton's chihuahua and the pet influencers of 21st-century, via the pug who colonised Napoleon's marital bed, King Charles II's spaniels and celebrity terriers in Victorian pubs.

Drawing on her own experience as a pug-owner, pet historian Stephanie Howard-Smith reveals how small dogs have shaped our lives as much as we have theirs, challenging social dynamics, changing the way we spend our leisure time, contributing to a global industry now worth over �250 billion, and offering valuable companionship and a chance for self-expression.

A must-read for any lover of small dogs, Yap! is a paean to the unbreakable bond between humans and their petite pets.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, History, Audiobook, Nature, Dogs

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2026

About the author

Author of Yap! A Short History of Small Dogs.

Dr Stephanie Howard-Smith is a lecturer, writer and historian of dog-human relations — and a lifelong dog lover. She completed her PhD on the cultural history of the lapdog in the eighteenth century at Queen Mary University of London. She has lectured in English and History at universities across the United Kingdom.

Reviews

[Jillian B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a dog lover’s delight! There are SO many fun tidbits about the history of small dogs in here that I kept looking up from the book to share the fun facts I’d learned with my husband. Some of the anecdotes in this book are extremely humorous, while others, like the way the rising popularity of Pekingese dogs was tied to Orientalism, are more serious. The fact that this book was written by an academic is clear from how smart the analysis is, and the fact that it was written by a small-dog lover is evident by her clear affection for them. I definitely recommend this book!

Note: I read this one as an ARC, but it was a hand-me-down from a bookseller, not a gift from the publisher.

[Ira GdB · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and insightful history told through the lens of small dog ownership. Despite the Industrial Revolution and many, many wars, small dogs’ place in our lives hasn’t changed much since pre-Roman times. I was surprised and comforted in equal measure by the stories presented here.

ARC from Granta UK.

[Steffi Helly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun book, great gift for anyone who loves dogs !! Loved the anecdotes and the focus on certain figures in history, such an easy and charming read

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book caught my attention because I have a dog that looks like the dog on this cover. She's a shaggy terrier mix but probably more medium size than small. I've never been a fan of small dogs but this book proves that throughout history, plenty of people have owned small dogs that have obviously had an impact on their lives. My dogs are my fur babies so it was fun to look back and see how people's love of dogs has been there for a very long time.

[June Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Napoleon may have ruled much of the civilized world at one time but at home, his wife's little "yapper" dog ruled. Even in the marital bed, it seems. This book is full of such looks at little dogs that ruled over their humans, from Mary, Queen of Scots, to more modern canine video stars. The author mixes scholarly research with such human sides of the small dog history, making for an interesting read, even noting some burial rituals and finds. That said, I do have to admit to skimming over sections that dealt with personalities I was less familiar with but even then would find something that grabbed by attention and slow me back down. Hence, a solid 4 star rating although your mileage may vary. Grin.

I'm not going to go into great detail as your tastes and interests may vary but it was definitely fun to see the role dogs played with their historical humans, not to mention their early use to sway opinion. I have to admit, for instance, that I always just assumed the bulldogs so frequently pictured with England's Winston Churchill were his dogs. Nope. Oh, he had a dog but it was a pug. The bulldogs were borrowed for the photos apparently. Of course, as a history buff, it was interesting to me to see how opinions on small dogs ebbed and flowed over the decades and, indeed, centuries they've helped their humans get through the days. Even today when we think small dogs, let's face it, we probably think of a woman and her fashionably dressed, pampered little dog. That image has largely held through the centuries it seems, once characterizing the public's view of the upper class. I'd never thought about dogs being taken regularly to church by their humans but it seems they were and it created problems. Thinking of the burst of media recently of the stray that joined the monks on foot journey it's hard to imagine church leaders once tried to limit their access to even little dogs, even at times forcefully removing them from nuns and such. So, yes, there was lots there for my history oriented mind to digest.

Bottom line, an interesting read with lots of both history and personal touches from the author. I actually found the history aspects of these little bits of fur more interesting than their frequent use as props by celebrities or those hoping to use them to increase their "influencer" status, but you'll find that sort of info, too. Although my beloved Daisy was a short dog, a corgi, but they aren't really considered little dogs. just short legged, so I have never really had much experience with a true little dog. In any case, I had an early copy and most of the photo discussed weren't available, though the author's descriptions were quite thorough, so should be a delight to have the pictures in the final copy. Thanks #Ballantine for allowing me this early peek at a thorough recounting of the history of this "pampered pet" whose ancestors have played quite a role in more history than I'd ever imagined.

[Marissa (Bookish City Gal) · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Thank you to Ballantine Books for inviting me to read Yap: A Short History of Small Dogs by Stephanie Howard Smith. You were definitely barking up the right tree with this one. I have had small dogs, or “lap dogs” as they’re often referred to in the book, my entire life, and I am currently the proud owner of a crusty white rescue dog named Popple. So naturally, the history of small dogs immediately intrigued me.

Overall, I really enjoyed this fascinating dive into the history of small dogs and their place in our lives. I especially loved learning about their presence during the Victorian era, through paintings, photographs, letters, journals, and other historical records. This is something I had never thought to research, and I had no idea someone had devoted an entire dissertation to the subject. Honestly, I’m a little jealous that Stephanie Howard Smith got to spend that much time researching small dogs.

That said, the book does read more like an academic work than a traditional narrative nonfiction book. I was hoping for a stronger sense of progression through history, but the book jumps around quite a bit. At times, the sheer number of names, dates, and places became a little tedious and made it harder for me to stay engaged. For readers who regularly enjoy academic or scholarly nonfiction, this may feel completely natural, but it is not typically the kind of nonfiction I read.

Still, I found Yap to be an enjoyable and genuinely interesting exploration of the role small dogs have played throughout history. It definitely won't be for everyone, but if you're a small dog lover, a history enthusiast, or someone who enjoys learning about how domestic life has evolved over time, this could be right up your alley. And if nothing else, it will probably make you look at your tiny, opinionated canine companion a little differently.

[Natalie · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. This was an utterly charming and easily-readable foray into the history of small dogs, both into the specifics of several small breeds, but also how small dogs in general have ingratiated their way into human society since ancient times. The book is obviously well-researched, and yet is never dry. The chapters read quickly and are well-organized. I enjoyed how the author explored the themes of how small dogs became fashionable, how we grieve our tiny friends, and how they often draw the ire of those who find them to be inherently frivolous. This book was wholly educational, while at times making me chuckle, but also thinking fondly of my own small dachshund friend, Annie. All dog lovers, despite breed affinity, will find themselves smiling, as loving dogs has been universal as long as civilization has existed, no matter the size.

[Anya Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a small dog lover, reading about the history of how they came about as a pet as well as the way they have been cherished throughout the millenia is so refreshing and interesting. I really enjoyed tracking the different impacts that small dogs have had on people from Africa to Mexico, China, and beyond. This book was so well written and engaging that it read more as a story than non-fiction. I would absolutely recommend this for anyone wanting to know more about little dogs, or anyone who loves them.

This ebook was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauralee Lola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this because I love small dogs, especially lapdogs. This gave an interesting background on small dogs but ultimately it felt a little too much like I was studying for school. It made me thankful that I graduated 20 years ago! But I did enjoy learning more about these amazing little creatures. Overall, “Yap! A Short History of Small Dogs” could have been a little shorter, but I loved reading a lot of the stories and it made me grateful for my own small puppies and the time we live in!

I read an advanced copy on NetGalley and opinions are my own.

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5

This cover is fun. I love a historical painting with a neon color type.

This non-fiction book is about iconic and beloved small dogs through history, helping to tell the history of their development and popularity.

I really liked the use of art and photos. I think that helped to show how beloved and special they were to the people who's lives they were a part of.

This was a very sweet and easy to read non-fiction. And I learned a lot!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Jamison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this, especially as a small dog lover and owner. It did, at times, feel fairly dense and a little bit more like a textbook than fun little anecdotes/history about our little lapdogs. Which could be an error on my part but that was more in line with what I was expecting. That said, I did overall enjoy this and if you are a small dog obsessed person I think you probably will too.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, fun, and informative read! Merlin and I thoroughly enjoyed discovering the fascinating history of small dogs, from ancient Greece through the centuries, along with stories of their famous owners.

A charming blend of canine history and human companionship. Perfect for dog lovers and history enthusiasts alike!

Five enthusiastic paws up from Merlin and me! 🐾💜 Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Julia Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delight to read! Well-cited, engrossing, and charming - every chapter there was something I read out loud to my partner that was fascinating. I particularly loved the sections in reference to little dogs in ancient Rome and China, and the connections to gender. Fascinating!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fun and easy read. I do not agree with other reviews that say the text leans a bit academic. If you love dogs, you'll find this to be a fast and captivating read. Yap! is full of fascinating history of little dogs and shows just how long humans have really loved them.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

niche read

[Kay · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Wasn’t the book I was expecting. Didn’t really enjoy it.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned. I laughed. I cried. As a chihuahua mom, I found this book absolutely fascinating and so will any small dog owners! My partner is rarely interested in what I'm reading and he was on me about finishing this book so I could give him chapter by chapter updates of where we were in small dog history. I think it took me so long to read because I kept getting sidetracked wanting to look up more details or see pictures of the dog paintings described. The book is a biproduct of the author's PhD research so it feels very academic but with a personal touch, for instance she tells us about when her own family dogs passed away while writing the book. 😭 I feel like I have stories and tidbits of knowledge to tell about dogs for a lifetime. The single most interesting thing I learned was that women have been criticized for over a thousand years for loving on their small dogs "too much" and you can bet we'll continue because there's a reason!!! ❤️

Thank you Ballantine Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

watch my full booktube review https://youtu.be/Z8vcOaauoFc