The Most Popular Miniature Dogs

Miniature dogs are smaller types of the dog family. They are commonly called toy dogs because of their small size. Learn more on some of the most popular miniature dogs.

Many people all over the world own dogs for different reasons. They are considered as man's best friend. There are so many breeds of dogs with different characteristics and abilities.

Miniature dogs are the most popular nowadays among the types of dogs because they are easier to take care. Miniature dogs or sometimes called toy dogs are basically smaller types of dogs than the regular ones.

Many miniature dog owners feel the greater advantages of owning small dogs. For starters, smaller dogs do not consume as much food as compared to bigger dogs. Toy dogs also do not require too much space in their house or backyard. These dogs can easily adapt to owners who live in small apartments as they do not require too much exercise.

Though these dogs are small in size, they have strong and distinct personality. They are also ideal pets for younger children and a good playmate.

If you are interested in owning a miniature dog as your pet, it is important for you to understand that these dogs have special characteristics and needs. For example, the elderly would be more inclined to gentle and affectionate dogs for companion. Some would prefer the kind they could bring with them when hunting. Your lifestyle and personality should be considered when choosing what breed to get. You should also consider your financial capability in terms of providing the necessary food and grooming also.

Many breed of miniature dogs have an excellent intelligence just like the Shetland Sheepdogs. Some are good for dog shows while others are ideal as watchdogs.

Here are some of the most favorite miniature dogs of many pet lovers.

Miniature Poodle
Miniature poodles are considered one of the most popular breed in the world. Poodles are very friendly, obedient and intelligent. This type of dog excels in the field of obedience competitions. They are the most common types used for dog shows. They live longer compared to other types of dogs. Poodles need a lot of grooming and regular bath to maintain its hair.

This breed of dog is originally hairy retriever that has been used to protect flock of sheep. The word poodle was derived from a German word puddle. The miniature poodle that we have known today has originated from the standard poodle from Germany.

Shih Tzu
This breed of miniature dog is fun, loving and intelligent. This toy dog would love to be cuddled and adored. This type of dog likes to be groomed daily and walked on regular places. They are also considered as good guard dogs.

If you decide to own a shih tzu, it is important to groom it daily, otherwise its hair would develop tangles. The coat should also be trimmed in order not to hinder with its daily activities. Its furry body is also prone to nits and ticks so make sure it is bathed and shampooed regularly.

The breed of the Shih Tzu is the result of crossed breeding of Pekingese and Lhasa Apso by the Chinese people. During the time of Empress Tzu-his, the exportation of these breed of dogs is not allowed. It was until the death of the Empress that Shih Tzu dogs were smuggled and reached Europe.

Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is another breed of miniature dog. They are basically easy to maintain compared to other types of miniature dogs. It is the smallest dog breed in the whole world.

Its name was taken from a state in Mexico. These dogs are considered sacred for the Incas.

Whatever breed of miniature dogs you chose as your pet, it is important to know enough information with regards to the characteristics, maintenance needs and abilities before deciding on owning one as your pet.

Choosing the Perfect Dog

Adding a pet to your family is a big event and one that needs to be considered carefully. Families that adopt a dog spontaneously often find that they were ill prepared, and these pets frequently end up finding new homes at a later date or even being abandoned. It's important to figure out just what type of dog will suit your family best, and then find one from someone reputable.

Which Breed is Best?

Which breed you choose depends on a variety of factors including personal preference, your family, breed size and temperament, and what you need from a pet. Let's look at these one by one.

Personal Preference: Most people prefer a specific dog breed before they even begin looking for a pet. You might have wanted a Husky from the time you were a child, for example. This doesn't mean that this is your ideal breed, but it is a good place to start.

Family: If you have small children or plan to start a family in the near future, you'll need to consider this when choosing a dog. Certain breeds are particularly well suited to families, such as Golden Retrievers, Labs, and Cocker Spaniels, while others do very well with a single adult owner, including Huskies and German Shepherds.

Size: This is an important consideration if you live in a fairly small space. Remember that the larger the animal, the more space it will need to run around. For apartment living, a St. Bernard isn't a good choice because of its large size, but a terrier might be perfect. Likewise, if you have small children, a very large dog might be a little too much for them to handle. You also need to remember that puppies grow much faster than children, so research the dog's likely size as an adult.

Temperament: Most dog breeds vary widely in their temperaments, but there are certain traits that may run in the blood. Greyhounds, as an example, tend to be highly excitable, bulldogs are loyal and steady, while Huskies tend to have an excess of energy and be very determined. You'll want to select a breed that is best suited to your own temperament and energy level.

What You Need: Are you looking for some quiet companionship on lonely nights, a playmate for your children, or a running partner for your 5 km run each morning? Do you need a dog that will help out with the livestock? Knowing exactly what you need from your dog will help you choose the breed. A miniature poodle won't be a very good running partner, but will tend to be an excellent partner while you watch your favorite television shows.

Health Issues: Unfortunately, there are certain health problems that tend to run in breeds, and you need to know the specific breeds that are prone to health conditions. German Shepherds are most likely to have issues with hip displacement, for example. Once you've narrowed down which breeds you're interested in, you'll want to double check just what you need to expect in the way of health problems. These can sometimes be avoided or minimized by going with a mixed breed dog instead of a pure breed.

All of these factors will help you choose the right dog breed or breeds. Once you know the type of dog you want, it's time to start looking for your newest family member.

Puppy or Adult Dog?

One of the other things that you'll need to consider is whether you want a puppy or an older dog. Both options have pros and cons.

Puppies are very cute and tend to be adopted most often. They are easier to train and have not yet been affected by human behavior, which can turn even a pleasant dog into an angry, dangerous one. However, puppies are also a lot of work. They require vast amounts of attention, no matter what breed you opt for, and they will require strict training if you want to have an adult dog that is fun to be around. Left to their own devices, puppies will pick up a string of unpleasant habits that are difficult to break. Without training, that cute puppy will likely be very difficult as an older animal. If you have the patience and time to train and hang out with a pup, then this could be a good option for you.

Adult dogs are already trained in most cases. If you're looking for a specific temperament, it will be far easier to see this in a dog that is more mature and not as excitable as a puppy, they also require far less attention. Adult dogs usually know their place in the family, will already be familiar with children in many cases, and are easier to settle. There is a downside to adopting an older dog, however. You may find that you have to retrain some bad habits that have been ingrained for years. Also, if the dog has been abused, even the kindest breed could turn out to be snappish and nervous. An adult animal will tend to be cheaper than a puppy, even if purebred, which is another consideration if you are on a budget.

Where to Find Your Dog

Many people look first to pet stores for a dog, but you will probably have better luck and learn more about the dog's history if you go through independent breeders or dog owners. If you are looking for a pure breed dog, make sure you see the paperwork before making your purchase, to ensure the bloodlines are, indeed, pure.

For older dogs, seeing the family and environment they are coming from will help you make a decision on whether or not to adopt. Choose a dog that has been loved and cared for, and you will be able to enjoy your new pet. Only take on an untrained animal if you have experience and the time needed to deal with a dog that needs plenty of attention and training.

Adopting a dog can be a wonderful experience if you are properly prepared. Choose a dog that will fit your lifestyle and family rather than just going for the cutest puppy at the shop. Everyone will be much happier if you do.

Dog clothes – Is your dog stylin’?

Most dogs are born with a natural "coat," although there are some hairless breeds such as the American hairless terrier, the hairless Chinese crested, the hairless khala, the Peruvian Inca orchid and the xoloitzcuintli. The history of placing human clothing on dogs is said to have begun during the reign of King Arthur around 520 A.D., when the dogs that were used as part of the military wore clothing to protect them from the elements and from attack.

Today, dogs used by police departments may wear clothing for protection, including bullet-proof vests, and service dogs wear special vests to let people know they're doing their jobs and for better visibility.

For the most part, however, pet owners like to dress their dogs up to make them look cute, although some dogs, including the smaller breeds, such as chihuahuas, mini schnauzers, toy poodles and other toy breeds, require dog clothes to keep them warm in cold weather.

Dog clothes and accessories are many and include dog shoes and socks, T-shirts, dresses, shorts, pants, swimwear, diapers, costumes, dog sweaters, jackets, hats and jewelry. There are even breed-specific dog clothes such as bulldog hoodies.

Dog clothes come in a variety of sizes, styles and price ranges. You can usually find clothes for your tiny chihuahua or for your lab. Most dog clothes are suited to the small to medium breeds but there are some clothes made large enough for the larger breeds.

There are even eco-friendly dog sweaters that are manufactured from "scraps" of cotton that are too small to do anything with and would otherwise end up in an incinerator but are made into very stylish and colorful sweaters, thus saving the earth from more chemicals and saving water because they don't have to grow or dye any more cotton.

Relatively new is an eco-friendly dog jacket that's made from 100% recycled polyester fabric that is recyclable again after your dog either outgrows it or wears it out. It has reflective flares on the back of the jacket to keep your dog visible on dark rainy days or at nighttime.

Some dogs apparently like to dress up for Halloween as there are many dog costumes available. If your dog wants to be a clown, a football player, a skeleton, a pumpkin, a fairy, a penguin, a flower, a bumblebee, a cop or a dinosaur, you can find a costume for him this Halloween.

Don't forget to keep his feet warm with socks and shoes. You can find a variety of sock styles and colors and also a variety of shoes, including sandals, boots, sneakers and moccasins.

Dog hats can include top hats, cowboy hats, bucket hats, Santa hats and elf hats.

If you're looking for a collar for your dog, there are numerous styles to choose from, whether you like plain leather or something fancier with spikes, flowers, glitter, snake print, ribbon, bandanna style or light-up. They, too, come in a wide price range. Most pet owners consider dog collars as a necessity, even if they don't dress their dogs in clothes. Collars are essential if you want your dog to carry identification. Some dogs wear necklaces, tiaras, bows, hairpins and charms.

Dog clothes have come a long way since King Arthur's days, from being necessary for protection to sometimes being necessary for warmth but more often making a fashion statement. What does your dog's wardrobe look like?

Is A Poodle Truly A Spoiled Brat?

One glance at a Poodle, especially show Poodles in competitive events, and many people get the impression that Poodles were merely bred to be the pampered, spoiled, high maintenance brats of the dog world. The extravagant hairstyles that Poodles are known for, are one of the main factors lending to the idea that Poodles can be bratty divas. Is it true? Are they a dog breed that loves to lounge around in the lap of extreme luxury? The question actually has no clear-cut answer.

Lets for a moment, take a look at the haircut. The Poodle hairstyle just screams out to be looked at and it is hard not to think of the dog being a bratty diva when you see a Poodle with pompoms around its ankles and at the tip of its tail, not to mention the dainty little ribbon fastened to its head. But was the hair of a Poodle cut this way to merely make the Poodle stand out? No. The original Poodle haircut had the purpose of protecting the dog from cold water while at the same time allowing for ease of movement in the water; as they were originally bred to be water dogs.

If you take a closer look at a water dog, specifically the Portuguese Water Dog, you will notice this breed has a shaved posterior area, with a bit more hair left at the tip of the tail. Water dogs use their back legs to propel through the water by kicking; excessive fur on the back legs and hip area weighs the dog down and makes the act of kicking harder. The "pompom" on the tip of the tail allows a handler to more easily keep track of the dog, especially if the dog dives under water. Some of the hair is left on the joints (the Poodle leg pompoms for example) to protect them from the cold water and lowers the risk of arthritis developing.

While the Portuguese Water Dog might look like a Poodle, it does not have the extravagant haircut that a Poodle has. This is because Poodles did become popular stars in their history and made quite a bit of money for performing their tricks. In France and through parts of Europe, gypsies and circus performers took advantage of a Poodles intelligent and desire to please, and trained them to perform amazing acts for circuses and street fairs. They began to exaggerate a Poodles hairstyle giving them elaborate makeovers, much to the delight of the crowds. Poodles that were gifted performers were bred together to create a new generation of actors and actresses. The history of theatrical arts has remained at the heart of the Poodle breed; many walk through the show ring or stroll through their neighborhood with an air of self-importance, they seem to be under the distinct impression that they are the center of the whole universe.

Though Poodles were not born and bred to be spoiled, bratty, diva dogs, they do take on the role with great enthusiasm. Poodles are very intelligent and loving; they are emotionally needy, clingy and demand constant and undivided attention. Some Poodles have a tendency to be high-strung. Historically speaking though, Poodles have illustrated themselves to be amazing working dogs and companions that are loving, loyal, and hard-working, especially when they have a wonderful home. Ultimately, there is much more to a Poodle than ravishing good looks and a haughty demeanor.

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