Carmen Electra has a weakness for "yappy" puppies.

The 40-year-old actress has always had a thing for small dogs.

Her obsession started in her childhood.

"My first puppy when I was a little girl was a Yorkie-poo named Heidi," Carmen gushed to the American edition of OK! Magazine. "They are easier to take care of and fun to be around. I am drawn to the little yappy ones!"

Carmen, who counts a Yorkshire Terrier among her current pets, holds a special place in her heart for her furry friends. She considers her pups to be family.

"They mean the world to me, I can't imagine not having them in my life," she said.

"They are like my children."

Carmen has been married twice. She divorced basketball star Dennis Rodman in 1999 and split from second husband Dave Navarro in 2006.

Carmen recently stood in for judge Amanda Holden on Britain's Got Talent earlier this year. Co-judge Simon Cowell spent much of the time flirting with the former Baywatch during the filming of the show.