Small Dog Classes – Part 2
Part two of this article on small dog breed types covers small dogs in the terrier, toy, non-sporting, and herding groups.
Terrier Dogs
Terriers were bred to hunt – rats, foxes, rabbits, and even otters, river rats, and badgers. Rather than the hunters of old, most terriers these days are bred as pets. And with their affectionate and loyal temperament, they do make great pets. It’s important to remember, however, that they are dogs with strong personalities, and they need similarly strong willed owners. This is just as true for the small, toy terriers – they don’t see themselves as little dogs. Terriers also have a lot of energy, so you’ll need to exercise them a fair bit. They have wiry coats, and they have particular grooming needs in order to maintain that characteristic wiriness.
If you’re after a small dog, you’re spoilt for choice in the terrier group. The small dog breeds are: the Irish Terrier, Australian Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Border Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Norwich Terrier and Norfolk Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Bedlington Terrier dog breed, Sealyham Terrier, and Scottish Terrier.
Toy Dogs
Toy dogs are amongst the most well known of the small dogs, due to their popularity with both people and celebrities. There are actually toy dogs in some of the other dog categories as well. Many large dogs have in fact been bred down to toy dog size.
Toy dogs are friendly, though they can be fierce and angry as well. But they are great lap dogs, and often a cherished member of the family. Toy dogs include: Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Miniature Poodle, the Papillon, Yorkshire Terrier, and the Pomeranian dog breed.
Non-Sporting Dogs
Non-sporting dogs is a general term for those breeds the American Kennel Club recognizes, that don’t fall into any of the other groups. They have varying coats, temperaments, colors, ancestry, and sizes. Small breeds in this category include: the bichon frise, Tibetan Terrier, Boston Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Schipperke, French Bulldog and the Lhasa Apso.
Herding Dogs
Herding dogs are a fairly new classification in the American Kennel Club. The dogs in this group used to be part of the working group. And, in many countries they still are a sub-catgory of the working group. In the American Kennel Club, most dogs in this group are kept as pets, although working (and herding) dogs are still used throughout the world on farms, cattle stations, and ranches because of their talents in herd livestock. They can be trained to respond to specific commands and whistles, and perform a variety of herding related tasks particularly well. In families as pets, herding dogs will often try and good naturedly herd their human family, especially the kids.
In the herding group, the small dog breeds are the Shetland Sheepdog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Border Collie, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Miscellaneous Dogs
The miscellaneous category covers breeds not fully recognized by he AKC. There are no small dogs here.
