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Posts Tagged ‘Small dogs’

Dog grooming should be a serious part of your dog care regimen as a responsible owner. The right grooming helps your dog both look good. Grooming embodies several different areas. Here we take a glance at the necessary of dog grooming.

The most vital side of grooming your dog is properly brushing its hair. Just like you may have a lot of issues if you don’t comb your hair for long, the dog will also have similar problems. With steady brushing, the hair of your dog remain well sorted and untangled and look fresh and clean.

It must be noted that frequency of brushing the hair of your dog should be decided for best results. Brushing the hair of your dog every day is a bad idea. It will be a complete waste of your time. Based on the length of the coat of your dog you can brush on alternate days or maybe stretch the period for as much as five days.

Bathing your dog is also an essential part of grooming. A bath is guarantees that your dog is both clean and well groomed. Showering consistently doesn’t simply keep your dog’ coat clean but also gets rid of a bacteria or germ sticking to his coat. A number of these bacteria or germs could pose a threat to the dog’s health if left unchecked and cause diseases and other illness.

Again, the frequency of your dog’s bath relies on the kind of the dog. While almost all of the dogs can do with one bath in a month if kept clean, some exceptions must be considered. The biggest exception of course is that your dog had gone out and has come back all soiled. Dogs need a bath with halfhearted water so watch out about the temperature. And , make sure that you get the proper dog shampoo for bath.

Nail trimming is also a part of dog grooming. Dogs with longer nails are usually more susceptible to illnesses of diverse kind then those with shorter nails. This is as without regular trimming the nails could attract dirt or germs making your dog more inclined to sicknesses.

Now, about nail clipping you’ve got to realize a critical thing. There’s a likelihood that your dog may not ‘agree’ to the exercise. If you have trained it about clipping part since it was just a puppy, the picture could be favorable. Grown up dogs are a different story. Best path is to give some sedatives to dog before you go about clipping its nails.

A well groomed dog truly becomes its owner’s pride.

Dog grooming should be a serious part of your dog care regimen as a responsible owner. The right grooming helps your dog both look good. Grooming embodies a few different areas. Here we have got a look at the essential of dog grooming.

One of the first things to do to promise your dog is groomed properly is to brush his/her hair. Not brushing your dog’s hair regularly enough could lead to entangled fur which in turn could finish up damaging the dog’s coat. Regular brushing can help to stop that and maintain the coat.

You shouldn’t overdo the brushing my doing so every day. How often your brush your dog’s hair will depend entirely on the length of the coat. Dogs with longer hair often need brushing more continually in comparison with those with shorter hair.

Another significant part of correct dog grooming is a bath. All your cleaning and grooming efforts can only be of use if you give your dog a bath. With a bath, the coat and skin of your dog become clean. Any dust or bacteria get washed away. This implies the dog remains healthy.

You do not have to get your dog a daily bath. Most dogs do well with an once per month bath. But, if your dog has fouled himself then bathing him becomes more than important. There are certain things that you need to take note of when showering your dog. This include the temperature of the water. Make sure that the water is neither too hot nor too cold. Also, make sure that you are using quality dog shampoos for your pet.

Nail trimming is also a part of dog grooming. Dogs with longer nails are sometimes more susceptible to illnesses of various kind then those with shorter nails. This is because without regular trimming the nails could attract dust or germs making your dog more inclined to infections.

Now, about nail clipping you have to realize a very important thing. There is a chance that your dog might not ‘agree’ to the exercise. If you have trained it about clipping part since it was simply a puppy, the picture could be favorable. Grown up dogs are a different story. Best path is to give some sedatives to dog before you go about clipping its nails.

You do not want your pet to be a social humiliation for you. Thus, it is important that you follow these prerequisites of dog grooming and make your pet appear and feel good.

For most parents, if they wanted to give a pet to their kids, they would instantly think about small animals. Sometimes, they would think about getting a small dog but there are other people who think that a dog is not an ideal pet for a small kid. What they wanted is even smaller and all they could think of is a guinea pig. Well, this kind of animal sounds a cool pet. As a parent, you want something better for your children, right, especially when it comes to pets? So, a pet guinea pig would be a great recommendation.

However, because this guy is so small and so fragile, you also need to learn some guinea pig care so that it can survive and live happily and healthy. All you need to do is go through the Internet and find a book guide that will teach you how to care for little guys like Guinea pigs. Actually, right now, there are lots of book guides that can teach people how to care for guinea pigs and some of them are even in the form of video-audio software so that you can visually understand how to care for guinea pigs and even learn how to teach them tricks. That’s precisely right, little teeny-weeny guinea pigs are also trainable just like the way people train dogs.

Now, with so many learning tools out there, you will really be dazed on what to choose. Perhaps, the best way to do this is to read first some guinea pig pets book guide reviews so you will have the idea on what to get & use so you can better teach yourself how to care and train for these little cuties. You also have to bear in mind that your little ones would also want to take part in the whole ritual of learning so you better find a learning tool that will allow them to do the same.

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 for the hunt – rats, foxes, rabbits, and even otters, river rats, and badgers. These days, most terriers are bought as pets. And with their loyal and affectionate personalities, they make lovely 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 – their personalities are just the same as their larger terrier cousins. Terriers also have a lot of energy, so will need their exercise. Their coats are wiry, and to keep the characteristic wiriness of their coats you’ll need to do a special grooming technique called stripping.

If you’re after a small dog, you’re spoilt for choice in the terrier group. The small dog breeds are: the Irish Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Border Terrier, Australian Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Norwich Terrier and Norfolk Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Bedlington Terrier dog breed, Scottish Terrier and Sealyham 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 generally very friendly, though they can be fierce and angry as well. They do make great lap dogs, however, and are often cherished members of the family, akin to a child. Toy dogs include: Pug Dog Breed, Chinese Crested, Italian Greyhound, 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 categories. They are different in terms of their coat, temperament, color, ancestry, and size. Small breed dogs in the non-sporting group include: the bichon frise, Boston Terrier, Tibetan Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Schipperke, French Bulldog and the Lhasa Apso.

Herding Dogs

Herding dogs are a fairly new classification in the AKC. The breeds in this category were part of the working group. In fact, in many breed registrars in other countries they are still a member of the working group, as a sub-classification. The dogs registered by the AKC are generally bought as pets, although herding (and working) dogs are still used worldwide on cattle stations and farms because of their unique abilities to herd livestock. They are able to be trained to respond to whistles and commands, and are very good at their job. When herding dogs are pets, the herding instinct still remains. It tends to be channeled by gently herding their humans, especially if there are any kids in the family.

In the herding group, the small dog breeds are the Shetland Sheepdog, Border Collie, Cardigan Welsh Corgi,  and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. 

Miscellaneous Dogs

The miscellaneous category covers breeds not fully recognized by he AKC. There are no small dogs here.

Having a dog as a pet|Owning a dog] brings a lot of benefits. Dogs are an unequivicable source of companionship, they can help reduce your stress levels, benefit your blood pressure, provide unconditional love, lift your mood, and provide a vocal incentive to exercise more. Not only that, they can be a great way of meeting people whilst you’re both out for a walk. And if you’ve got kids, dogs can teach them how to be responsible and care for others.

But, should you get a large breed dog or small?

Of course, if you don’t have a big yard or live in a condo where they regulate the size dog you can keep, the choice will be made for you. But even if you are blessed with a large backyard, there are many advantages to getting a small dog that are very relevant in some circumstances.

For example, if you have pets or children, a smaller dog can seem less threatening. Breeds like the Tibetan Spaniel dog breed, the Miniature Poodle, Maltese, Chihuahuas, and similar lap dogs, are not really suited to families with children who aren’t old enough to know how to behave around dogs.

Or, if you are not especially strong, sick, or older, getting a small dog is a more realistic option. Large dogs will be tougher to handle physically, a situation which may occur during those moments when he doesn’t obey commands. For example, walking an excited, large dog on a leash might be near impossible if your dog has a stubborn moment when he wants to chase something, like a car or another dog. And of course, there are going to be occasions when you may have to lift your canine friend. If you don’t live with someone who can assist you, this could be a problem, especially when your dog ages. Will you be able to check your dog’s teeth regularly, and be able to establish yourself as ‘top dog’ when training your dog.

Additionally, large dogs generally need more exercise, although a few smaller breeds also require a lot. This is especially true for working dogs that also come in small sizes, such as the border collie dog breed. Border collies have a lot of energy. They are very intelligent and active dogs. They were bred to herd cattle and sheep, and consequently they have very high endurance and stamina. They can run for hours, although as a pet owner, two hours of exercise – both mental and physical, ideally – would be enough. So, for a busy person who is unable to devote the time to your dog, a border collie or similar would be an inappropriate pet.

If you’ve got a family with kids and you’d like a small dog, you could consider: {Miniature Australian Shepherds, boston terriers, border terriers, bichon frise, English Cocker Spaniels, Kerry Blue Terriers, Miniature Australian Bulldogs, and Miniature English Bulldogs}. And small breeds like the French bulldog, which are happy and easygoing dogs that love their humans, and don’t need a lot of exercise, are recommended for the elderly.

To the average person who loves dogs, the rules and regulations of some national dog registry associations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) can seem unusual, to say the least. You would reasonably expect that a puppy registered by the American Kennel Club would be a healthy, high quality purebred, yet this isn’t always so. You can really only be sure of getting a pedigree puppy. The health of the puppy’s genetic line, and the quality of the breeder’s establishment, are not monitored by them. To a lot of people, this can be startling. It’s the kind of thing you’d expect – that a prominent dog association such as the American Kennel Club would be interested in breeding out genetic illnesses, and making sure dogs who are constitutionally strong and healthy are bred. And it demonstrates why some breed clubs, such as those for the Australian kelpie dog breed, have chosen not to implement the requirements for AKC registration. This means they’re not eligible for recognition by the American Kennel Club as a distinct breed, and these dogs cannot compete in the many AKC run dog shows. What is does mean, is that a breed’s health and working dog qualities are protected.

What the American Kennel Club wanted breeders of the Australian kelpie to do was effectively limit the natural genetic variation of their dogs. Pedigree dogs seem to be produced from a decreasing gene pool. And this is especially true for those most concerned with champion lines. Consequently a lot of these dogs cannot do a lot of the things their ancestors once did, such as hunt. It has also meant a lot of genetic health issues, the consequence of too much inbreeding to keep the lines ‘pure’. Dogs are mated back to their grandparents and parents, all because it creates dogs that help win dog shows. On their website, the University of Wisconsin write:

“First, the AKC defines quality in a dog primarily on the basis of appearance, paying scant heed to such other canine characteristics as health, temperament, and habits of work. Over the years this policy has led to destructive forms of inbreeding that have created dogs capable only of conforming to human standards of beauty. Many can no longer perform their traditional tasks–herding, tracking, hunting–while more than a few cannot live outside a human-controlled environment.” (Source)

Of course, this may not be the only reason why a breed isn’t recognized by the AKC. Many of the smaller breeds are not recognized as they are smaller versions of larger dogs, and the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize the distinction. This is true of dogs like the small German spitz and the toy Manchester terrier.

In any case, unless you plan to show your dog, registration by the AKC is not as important as buying a good quality dog from a breeder who breeds with the health of the dogs in mind, as well as to preserve the dog’s natural abilities. Breeders who breed primarily for show are more likely to follow breeding practices that don’t support a dog’s wellbeing. And it could result in dogs that have personalities that might prove difficult to live with. Whilst there may be some instances where this is not true, in the long run, too much inbreeding can only create problems for a breed.

If you don’t have a favorite dog, it isn’t easy deciding which breed to buy. What you need to do first is look at what size dog is most suitable to your needs and environment. Do you have the space for a large dog? Or do you only have a courtyard? Small dogs can be a great source of friendship. And there is a lot of variety in the temperament and look of a small dog. Whilst toy dogs are amongst the most well known of the small dogs, there are others that bear more resemblance to their larger cousins.

I’ll run through three different breeds in this article – brussels griffons, whippets, and welsh terriers.

Brussels Griffon Dogs

According to rumors the big, soulful eyes of the brussels griffon were part of what led George Lucas, of Star Wars fame, to create the Ewoks. Looking at these cute dogs, you can see why people think this.

Brussels griffons are extremely sensitive and devoted dogs who will bond with one person in particular. They should be socialized when they are young pups. Their sensitivity and one-person nature mean they aren’t suited for families.

One of the great things about the brussels griffon is that they get along well with cats, as well as other dogs, although care should be taken when they are with dogs a lot bigger than them.

The Welsh Terrier Breed

Welsh terriers have been described as calm for a terrier, but perhaps not as calm as other dogs. They are sturdy looking dogs with lots of personality, particularly the boys. They are inquisitive, affectionate, outgoing, joyous, and unafraid.

Historically, Welsh terriers were used to control rats and other vermin, and because of this, welsh terriers love to chase things – including cats. So,, if you already have a cat, or are planning on getting one, this probably isn’t the ideal pet for your family.

Great with children,  welsh terriers really need a ‘dog proof’ yard as they have a predilection for digging, and could thus escape. When walking a welsh terrier, be sure he stays on the leash, because his road sense when distracted by fun is not good at all.

Welsh terriers need quite a commitment from their owners. They need grooming regularly, and get bored when left alone for many hours in a day. They probably suit someone with a part time job instead of a full time job. When they’re bored, they can be destructive around the house.  

The Whippet Dog Breed

Whippets belong to the family of dogs known as sighthounds, so known as that as they hunt using sight and speed instead of smell. These elegant looking dogs are petite, ranging in height from 18.5 to 20 inches for male whippets, or 17.5 to 18.5 inches for female whippets. And the whippet dog breed look just like miniature greyhounds!

Whippets have been described as being like toy dogs in nature, liking nothing better than curling up on your lap. These are very loyal dogs, bonding with their owner strongly, though still friendly to strangers and children. The whippet dog breed are very gentle, and as such they have been used in aged care facilities.

Whippets need to be kept inside. Their coats don’t keep them warm enough outside, and they don’t like to be away from their owners for such a long period of time. If you’re prepared to exercise them regularly, whippets are great for apartment living.

You should find that owning a small dog, similar to owning a larger breed. Having said that, there are certain points they need to be made aware of when looking after a small dog. Just think about some of the everyday events that may need to be looked at when considering certain needs.

Feeding time:

Naturally you’re going to feed your dog daily, but the standard-size kibble at the grocery store may be too large for your dog to eat comfortably. Make sure that your dog gets a kibble which suits his tiny mouth and you could get these along with the premium brand of dog foods. It is also recommended to offer the Lilliputian canines some canned soft foods.

Having a place for them to exercise:

It is easy for them to run around and go to the toilet outside providing the area is secure isn’t it? Well so you would think but remember that larger dogs may be fine confined this way but a smaller dog may find ways to escape. It may seem bizarre but it has been know for very large birds to actually take tiny dogs from their gardens. A covered kennel run might better meet your pet’s needs.

Training your dog to obey your commands:

Dog professionals tend to agree that tiny dogs are no more trouble to train than their larger cousins however, owners have a history of treating them in a way that spoils them and makes it more difficult. Although your pet might indeed fit into your pocket (and some breeds can), they still see the world in relation to pack mentality and someone has to be the leader so if you are weak, they will govern you. It’s a wise idea to make sure your pet is thoroughly house trained, no matter how small and inconsequential the mess might seem when he misses. According to dog experts, let the dog work for you so that he understands and identifies your demands and rules. Never reward a dog with goodies or a meal till he has perfected your command for doing tricks or even simple jobs like sitting or fetching.

Shopping online for small dog collars:

Purchase or buy small dog collars online at cheaper prices than you can get at a local pet store. The small dog collars today come in many styles and shapes, as well as colors. When buying new small dog collar be sure it fits well on your dog. You want it to be loose enough so that your dog is comfortable but so loose that it comes off easily.

Doing something about the way your dog looks:

Keep in mind that grooming a small dog is slightly different to larger ones and cater for this. These diminutive pets usually require more frequent nail trimming than larger dogs, because they typically spend less time on rough surfaces wearing them down. If the pet is on soft canned diet, make sure that he brushes his teeth at least twice a week. Small dog care is not that different for a large one except you have to be aware of certain needs that will affect a smaller animal. The differences between each dog, may look minor and insignificant, but when you pay extra attention to each one aspect, it can provide the correct answer to a dog’s specific requirements.