Asia
In Asia, according to a translation by Pauthier of the ancient Chinese Sacred Book, about 3,468BC the kind Fo-Hi was already encouraging the breeding of little ‘sleeve dogs’. Later from 2188 - 2160 BC the kind Tai-Kang was also recorded as being a great dog lover.[1] Certainly the history of Asian Toy Spaniels dates back as far as 2,000 BC, when dogs that were worshiped in Chinese temples and were favourite pets of the emperors.
References and Further Reading
[1] Fernand Mery 'the Life, History and Magic of the Dog' Published 1970 by Madison Square Press, Grosset & Dunlap Inc. New York 10010, Library of Congress Catalog Card No:78-117172 Chapter 2 Page 34