Types of small dogs...
Small dogs are full of charactor and well suited to a modern urban lifestyle.
Types of small dogs
Small dogs make great companions and are often more suitable for our modern lifestyle than the larger breeds such Afghan Hounds or Old English Sheepdogs for example.
For one thing, they need less space, will eat far less than a larger dog which will not only helpto keep keep their running costs down, but the weight of the weekly shopping bag as well!
There are certain toy breeds that can adapt perfectly to apartment life, because their exercise requirements are so modest and they are becoming increasingly popular - probably more so than ever before. However, regardless of how small they are in stature, they all have strong, distinct personalities. It is also incorrect to assume that because a dog is small, it does not require or enjoy a good walk and some small dogs are very active.
 The ideal companions for children are breeds such as the Tibetan Spaniel or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as they are less likely to knock them over. However, certain toy breeds can be snappy if they are provoked, and they are susceptible to injury if they are dropped by tiny, inexperienced hands. Small dogs do make wonderful companions for the elderly, and are generally lap dogs.
Small dogs not only come in many different shapes and sizes, but they all have individual characteristics and requirements. For example, terriers are vivacious dogs which were bred to hunt small animals and, although they can be lots of fun to own, they may not be the ideal choice for the elderly or sedate, who may be more happy with a gentle, companionable gundog, or a dog which has been bred for no other purpose than to be an affectionate companion and pet.
Many small breeds are blessed with supreme intelligence and others, such as the Shetland Sheepdog, prove to be second to none in obedience trials. There are also some types of small dogs that prove to be exceptionally effective as watchdogs. For example, very few people can distinguish between the furious barking of a Dachshund and that of a traditional guarding breed such as the Doberman from behind a closed door.
Listed below are some of the most popular types of small dog breeds:
The Pomeranian originates from the sled dogs of Iceland and Lapland. They were later brought into Europe in Pomerania. The modern breed of Pomeranian are approximately 20 lbs less in weight than they were when they were first brought into Europe, weighing approximately 7 lbs today. This breed is exceptionally good with children if they are raised with them from an early age. They have a double coat – a top coat and an undercoat. Males shed their undercoat once a year, whilst females shed their coat when they are in litter or stressed.
The Bichon Frise is an extremely intelligent breed. They are known to have happy dispositions. The Bichon Frise descended from the Water Spaniel or Barbet. The breed was first brought into the United States in 1955. They are a sensitive, playful, and affectionate breed and enjoy the company of other dogs and humans. The Bichon loves attention and are at their best behavior when there is a lot of activity around them.
This breed is small and compactly built. They are a cross between the White English Terrier and the English Bulldog. They are very well proportioned and have erect ears, short tails and a short muzzle.
The height of the Bolognese is approximately 25 to 30 cm. They weight no more than 5 kg. They have a white coat which is of a single layer that falls in loose open ringlets all over the body. Their facial hair is considerably shorter than the hair on their body, which does not shed. The Boston Terrier is alert, gentle, and expressive. It is one of the few well mannered breeds.
This breed has a distinctive coat which is silky, long and white. They can be a very energetic breed and are known for having short outbursts of physical activity, such as running around in circles while trying to catch their tails. This breed is relatively easy to train and they enjoy playing games with humans.
There are two types of Chinese Crested Dog – the Hairless and the Powderpuff. The Hairless breed have almost human like skin and tufts on the paws and tail and long flowing hair on the head. The Powderpuff variety has a thick double coat with a variety of colors from white to black.
This is the smallest of all breeds and they were named after the Chihuahua region in Mexico. This breed is extremely loyal and deeply devoted. They generally become particularly attached to one or two people. They are bold, fearless, and highly protective of their master or Mistress. The Chihuahua is gentle by nature, loving, and sweet-tempered. They are wary of strangers and make excellent watchdogs. The smooth coat variety requires occasional brushing; whilst the long coat variety need bathing once a month with a mild shampoo.
This breed is very often referred to as the “small lion”. They originated in Tibet, but are most associated with China. This breed is first and foremost a companion. They enjoy nothing more than being indoors with their family. They get along very well with children and other dogs. They are not so good when they are separated from their owners, which may result in them becoming destructive when left alone. They are a sturdy and intelligent breed that carries themselves with a noble and proud posture. This breed requires extensive grooming as their hair can easily become knotted or tangled.
This breed was originally developed in Germany hundreds of years ago. They were developed for hunting Badger, hence their name Dachshund, as “Dachs” means Badger in German. The temperament of this breed is fun loving, tenacious, and lively. However, they can become jealous and irritable. They do not get on very well with smaller children, but are generally good with older and more considerate children. There are long haired and smooth haired dachshunds. Brushing should be undertaken on the coat of the long haired Dachshund on a regular basis to prevent tangling and matting. The smooth haired variety does not require much grooming and would respond well to an occasional wipe down with a damp towel to remove any dead or loose hair.
There are many reasons why people select small types of dogs. But overall, they are particularly suited to urban living, are fairly easy to maintain and inexpensive to keep. But never mistake size for charactor - Most small dogs hold a very high opinion of themselves, always want to 'Punch beyond their weight' and some - like the previously mentioned Dachshund - make excellent guard dogs.
Whatever reason you have for choosing a small dog, you can be sure that they are all fantastic companions.
If you have specialist knowledge of small breeds or have a web-site dedicated to a particular breed, we would love to hear from you.
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