A Look At Small Dog Breeds
Small dog breeds are also called toy dogs. The dogs are the smallest types of dogs available. Small dogs also tend to be less expensive then larger dogs as they eat less, due to their size, and generally have less mess, less shedding and generally less cost.
Small dogs originate from ancient lap dogs, small versions of work dogs, hunting dogs, or dogs that may have been breed down for convenience. In olden times small dogs were a sign of affluence and used to attract fleas away from their owners. Placing certain breeds of dogs in the toy category stems from competition and tradition.
Some small breeds are just smaller versions of larger dogs but other breeds like the Shih Tzu and Chihuahua are exclusive to the small dog breed. Small dogs are characterized as energetic and make excellent pets. If you live in an apartment and want a dog then a small breed is well suited to that environment. They also make excellent companions to the disabled and elderly as they don’t need copious amounts of exercise.
The Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier and Toy Poodle are also great watchdogs. These dogs immediately notice anything unusual and start barking to alert you of the change. Most small dogs are easily trained though there are a few breeds that are stubborn and may take longer.
Most small breeds are very healthy but due to their size have a few health issues you need to be aware off. The most relevant is the tendency to break bones due to their size. However if you get a healthy dog from a reliable breeder and maintain its health then you shouldn’t have any problems.
Some popular small dog breeds are the Australian Terrier, Mittel German Spitz, Affenpinscher, Miniature Dachshund, Border Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Boston Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Bichon Frise, Norwich Terrier, Papillon, Brussels Griffon, Patterdale Terrier, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Cairn Terrier, Pekingese, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pomeranian, Cesky Terrier, Podengo Portugueso Pegueno, Chihuahua, Pug, Chinese Crested, Shih Tzu, Coton de Tulear, Silky Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Schipperke, English Toy Spaniel, Scottish Terrier, French Bulldog, Sealyham Terrier, Havanese, Skye Terrier, Italian Greyhound, Swedish Vallhund, Tibetan Spaniel, Jack Russell Terrier, Toy Fox Terrier, Japanese Chin, Toy Poodle, Klein German Spitz, Toy American Eskimo, Lhasa Apso, Lowchen, Toy Mexican Hairless, Lundehund, West Highland White Terrier, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Manchester Terrier and Miniature Punscher.
