Object Lesson

THEY may fit into a pocket, glove compartment or drawer, but apart from convenience of storage, what really is the point of tiny dogs?

And yet breeders keep producing ever smaller varieties.

The latest is called a "Petersburg Orchid". The specimen pictured, named Ulitka, weighs about 600 grams but the largest adults can reach a kilogram.

But the price of each puppy is about $1,000, which, pound for pound, is not a very good deal in anyone’s book.

Take our advice - hamsters cost a fraction of the price, call one Rover and the children will probably never notice the difference.