Everything you wanted to know about small dogs. Here you will find helpful and accurate information about the physical and behavioral characteristics of each of the small dog breeds - to help you choose a little dog that's right for you!
Learn about the many small dog breeds and find a small dog with a personality, and appearance, that suits you. From cute to tough breeds, toy dog or terrier breeds - there are many different small dog breeds for you to choose from. Small dogs make ideal pets for apartment dwellers and those with smaller living spaces.
Small dogs are also a lot easier and cheaper to look after and care for. There is less shedding, less mess, and the cost of caring for them is less. Don't let there small size fool you, however. Some of these small dog breeds are as tough as nails and will often, unwisely, attempt to take on a dog five times their size.
Small dogs are adorable, compact animals, and there are many different small dog varieties to select from. The toy dog group is made up of some of the smallest dogs around. Many dog breeds are exclusive to the toy group, such as the Shih Tzu or the Chihuahua. However, others, such as the poodle for example, come in two other sizes: standard and miniature, and the toy breed is the smallest of these sizes.
Most small dog breeds have bags of character, energy and endless love to give, and make for very good household pets. It is advisable to do some careful research, however, if you have small children or other pets, as not all small dog breeds get along with youngsters or other animals, although the majority will be fine with proper socialization. Many small dogs make ideal companions, and are well suited to apartment living because of their size. Many are also well suited as companions for the disabled or elderly as not all toy dogs require a large amount of exercise.
Some of the small dog breeds excel as watchdogs and will raise the alarm when something unusual occurs. Of the small dog breeds in the Toy group, the ones that excel as watchdogs include the: Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, and Shih Tzu. These particular breeds are all extra alert, they easily become excited, and will bark if they notice unusual behavior - such as an intruder entering your property.
Trainability in toy dogs can vary depending on the breed. Although some breeds, such as the toy poodle or the Toy Fox Terrier, are easy to train in most cases, others can have a really stubborn streak and can be headstrong, which often makes them more difficult to train. It is important for the owner of any small dog breed to exercise patience and understanding during the training process.
As with all dogs breeds, the small dog breeds are prone to a variety of health problems, which can vary by breed. Some are generally healthy, whereas others are prone to a variety of problems. However, by selecting a reputable breeder, and with care, attention, and a healthy and balanced diet, many of these issues and problems can be avoided. It is important to remember that the size and fragility of some toy dogs can put them at a heightened risk of injury or bone breakages, and potential owners should bear this in mind if they have small children that could inadvertently injure the dog.
With many different small dog breeds to select from, it should not be difficult to find the perfect pet to fit in with your lifestyle, living environment, and circumstances. Each of the small dog breeds is unique and individual in character, personality traits, and needs, and by learning more about each type of toy dog you can make a more informed decision with regards to which toy dog will be best suited to you and your family.
In general, small dogs are delightful characters, and can be lively, playful, entertaining, and very loyal. Most will be delighted to receive fuss and attention, and have plenty in the way of love and affection to give to their owners and families. A small dog can make an excellent pet, and in many cases an effective watch dog. Many people enjoy showing their small dogs at various dog shows, although many people simply want to enjoy the lively energy, unique character, and affection that these animals can give as pets.
So, if you are planning to take on a small dog then a little research into the different breeds available can go a long way in ensuring that you get the breed that is best suited to you. Go through the list of small dog breeds (the navigation bar on the left) to learn more about the appearance, temperament, likes and dislikes, trainability, dietary requirements, grooming requirements, exercise requirements, and life expectancy of the different breeds to aid you in finding the perfect pet amongst these little dogs.
