Small Dog Breeds
Toy dogs, also called lap dogs, are increasingly popular pets, characterized by breeders and kennel clubs as toy dogs due to their small stature. Some toy dogs are selectively bred small forms of larger breeds, and others are naturally small.
Some of the breeds of small dogs are Chihuahua, Pekingese, pug, Shih Tzu, Silky terrier, Toy poodle, Pomeranian, Italian Greyhound, Japanese Spaniel, Affenpinscher, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon, Brussels Griffon, English toy spaniel, Maltese, Manchester terrier and Yorkshire terrier.
Today they are mostly known for their companionship. Toy dogs are usually characterized as friendly, sweet and cute. They have sociable personalities and love attention. They generally do not require a lot of exercise, though some types enjoy taking long walks with you.
This is not to say that all small dogs are considered toy dogs and that all small dogs are friendly, sweet and cute. Small dogs come from all types of breeding patterns and not all of them fall nicely into the category of toy dogs.
Whether you find a toy dog or otherwise small dog to love, they are excellent pets for people who want a dog but live in small spaces like an apartment or small home.
You can see people with small dogs just about everywhere you go. You might find them peeking out of someone’s backpack, grocery cart, or stroller. Because they are so small, they are highly portable which is an attractive benefit to small dog owners who like to take their dog with them wherever they go.
When you are choosing a dog, keep in mind the characteristics of the breed, the temperament of the dog, and the training the dog has received and your ability to train the dog. If you do not know this information, do some research before you choose your pet.
Owning a dog is not a short-term commitment, nor is it an easy emotional or financial commitment. You will need to have as much information about the type of dog you are going to have before bringing him home. If you are looking at buying a purebred puppy, you can pay anywhere from $500 to $2, 500.
If you are serious about spending this amount of money, it is also wise to go to a couple dog shows and observe the dogs yourself. You can look at the different types of toy dogs that are out there, as well as meet people who own them.
If you are not able to talk to the owners before or after the show, you can buy a program that will list names of dog breeders and handlers that can be a good resource for you.
You should watch out for dogs advertised as “teacup” dogs. While the dogs may be extra small and cute, often they are sickly and high-strung as adults.
Once you buy your dog, you should take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible to make sure it is healthy and does not have problems that you cannot visibly see.