Tips for Choosing a Small Dog

You want to buy a small dog! There are many choices but every breed has different characteristics. Selecting the right one is not always easy. Small dogs look so cute although they may not stay that way. Do some research to see which one would suit you best and here looking at the different breeds is essential since there are health considerations and suitability to your household to take into account. There are several reasons why people choose a small dog. A number of small dog breeds make the perfect companion for people who live in an apartment. People who have children are more likely to choose a small dog because of the safety although this is not always the case with snappy dogs that can bite small children. We often read where large dogs have attacked children even though they know each other well. Small ones can as well, although there are some breeds that are more child friendly than others. You can train a large dog, although children challenge them, and that can lead to unpredictable behavior of the dog. We often read that children are killed by large dogs. A small dog protects you against these kinds of problems. They can bite but children are certainly safer with a small dog, especially one that is well trained. When you consider buying a small dog you need to be sure that your lifestyle suits the needs of your small dog.
It is necessary that you spend a lot of time with them. Every dog needs exercise and a daily walk with your small dog is something you cannot forget to do. Never buy a small dog instead of a large dog because you want to spend less time with your new friend!Very often small dogs desire more playtime and it is important to pay attention on the important visits to the vet and have the necessary vaccinations. All small dogs have their own characteristics and even in the same breed there are differences. Something important in making your choice is that you prefer to choose one which doesn't lose hair so that you don't have the problem with hair on your clothes. A good example of this dog is a poodle. This is a popular breed which the advantage that this dog doesn't lose hair but it is necessary to cut his hair regularly. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself you can visit a doggy saloon with specialized people although these can be very expensive. Be aware that you can better spend a little bit more money on cutting his hair because it is very important for his health and can save you money because your dog will be in a better health. When I was young we had a poodle. We bought it because one of our neighbors had a similar one and it was funny to see him swimming in the water. But the same breed has also different characteristics. The one we bought didn't like swimming. He was afraid of water; even when we wanted to go outside for a walk with him and he saw that it was raining he didn't want to walk; he preferred to be inside. Swimming was certainly something that he didn't want to do. We went to a place swim with our neighbors dog but we failed to get him in the water; so you can see that some characteristics are different in the same breed of small dog. Of course it is important to have some knowledge of certain characteristics which are common in the same breed to make the right choice for your small dog. Some popular breeds of small dogs are: CHIHUAHUAS Chihuahuas are small dogs which are well known for being fiercely loyal but have often an attitude of larger dogs; they are not the perfect choice when you have children because they bite easily. They don't need much exercise and it doesn't matter if you live in small home or a large one. Training is necessary from an early age and they can be socialized with other animals if they live together from a young age. THE MALTESE The Maltese is maybe one of the cutest small dogs in the world. They like playing and are lively. An important characteristic is that they are trusting to their master and are mostly gentle, loving and certainly intelligent. They are ideal for living in an apartment and are very active inside. YORKSHIRE TERRIERS Yorkshire Terriers: probably the smallest breed you can find. These kind of puppies are very jealous but are very loyal as companion. Mostly they choose their favorite master. Small dogs are often very energetic and excellent for children and also older people. They live mostly longer than larger dogs; the average age is around 15 years dependent of the breed of dog. Both need exercise and these animals can improve the health of these people to obligate them to be active busy with them. Choosing the one who fits you is certainly a matter of research and if you can find the right one you will have the best friend you can imagine and one that becomes part of your family. By Erik Van Tongerloo

History of Small Dog Clothing

You can dress up your small dog with various styles of clothing. They come in different fabrics and each one of them is unique in its own way. These pieces of clothing will not only make your dog look more attractive but also prevent it from scratches and other injuries. The small dog clothing consists of dresses, sweaters, costumes, shirts, shoes, coats and collars. Robes and raincoats are also available. The dog clothing has an interesting history behind it. This goes back to the era when Great Britain was ruled over by King Arthur. The horses of the knight's during this period were made to wear clothes in order to prevent them from injuries. Dogs accompanied the military and they too wore clothes. This is where dog clothing originated from. Almost all the dog owners want stylish clothes for their dogs. In fact police dogs are also wearing clothes nowadays! A huge range of small dog's clothing is available in the market. The styles and patterns of these clothes keep on changing with passing time. The clothes are designed keeping the latest trends in mind. Collar is probably the most important piece of clothing that your dog can have. You can put up your dog's identification details there. It will prove to be extremely helpful in case your dog loses its way home. Collars serve as style statements for the dogs. They come in various colors and styles. Your dog can look very fashionable if it is wearing one of those trendy collars.

Many people consider these collars as dog's jewelry. You should take that thought out of your mind. Only then you will able to buy loads of collars for your dogs. The very trendy and fashionable collars are available in various designs and forms. There are different collars for different occasions too. The celebrity dogs often sport highly fashionable and expensive collars. Don't worry if you can't get that for your dog. A reasonably priced collar can also look very good. Dogs are man's best friend and that is reason as to why people don't mind spending so much on them. Expensive collars are made using precious jewels, brass and velvet. You can see a huge collection of such collars at the Leeds Castle museum. These are old collars which were made in the medieval period. Like today's dog collars, they too have some identification marks on them. The clothes for small dogs were woven thousand of years ago. During the Stone Age, the clothing consisted mostly of caps, hats, belts and sashes. The archaeological surveys have confirmed the existence of such clothes during that period. They have also been found in Europe. At that time, the clothing was probably used for assisting people in getting the food. This is so because people gathered food by hunting during that time. Dog clothes are designed for various seasons. The shades, the style, and the colors every thing changes with the change of season. Your dog's wardrobe should be good and it must contain clothes for different seasons. You can get good quality dog clothes easily which is made using high quality fabric. These clothes can cost you a lot. Therefore you need to consider your budget before you go out shopping for your dog. Do not forget to take your dog along with you when you are going shopping. That way you will be able to try the clothes on your dog before you buy them. Dog clothing is not a luxury anymore; it has become more of a necessity. Dogs are your perfect companions and you must ensure that they look good. The clothing also protects them from harsh weather conditions. By Shawna Smith

Advantages and Disadvantages of Having a Small Dog

If you're considering a dog for a pet, one issue you'll want to consider is whether to get a small dog or a large one. Small dogs have become very popular with the public recently, possibly due to so many celebrity appearances with small dogs such as Paris Hilton and Tinkerbell. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to have a dog of Tinkerbell's size or smaller. Here are some things to consider. The advantages of having a small dog include:1. The fact that you can take them almost anywhere. They are so small, they can comfortably fit inside a large tote bag or a special bag specially designed so you can take your peg along. Plus, more and more retail stores and restaurants are allowing dogs to come inside, particularly if they're small in size. The small dog definitely has the advantage here. 2. If you live in an apartment, a small dog may be the only dog that's allowed. Many apartment complexes have regulations specifying the size dog you can have. If your dog is Tinkerbell size, he may be allowed to take up residence with you in your apartment. 3. Small dogs require less food which can be a cost savings to you. Plus, if you need to take them to a kennel or have them groomed, it generally will cost less than it would for a larger dog. 4. Small dogs tend to be less threatening to other pets you may have in your house. If you happen to already have a cat, a small dog isn't going to strike as much fear in your cat's heart as a German Shepherd would. Don't underestimate them though. Small dogs can sometimes be quite aggressive.

5. Small dogs tend to form close bonds with their people, possibly because their small size allows them to follow their owner almost everywhere. 6. People tend to find smaller dogs less intimidating and are often eager to pamper and coddle them. If you're a social person and like people coming up to you to pet your dog, a small dog may be for you. 7. Small dogs tend to shed less. This means less clean up for you. Of course there are disadvantages to owning a small dog too. There include1. Being so small, a tiny dog can be easily stepped on and injured. Imagine the guilt you're going to feel when you inadvertently step backwards and crush your dog. 2. Small dogs are less intimidating to intruders. Although they may bark a good bark, when an intruder sees a Tinkerbell size dog is making all the noise, they're less likely to turn in the other direction and run. 3. Small dogs are known for not being aware of their small stature. As such, they are known for being quite willing to challenge a larger dog. If the larger dog happens to be aggressive, this could be disastrous for your pint sized dog. All in all, the advantages of owning a small dog tend to outweigh the disadvantages. If you choose a small dog, you have a variety of interesting breeds to choose from including dachshund, toy poodle, chihuahua, miniature schnauzer, maltese, and many more. Don't forget about the small mixed breed dogs that are so common at animal shelters everywhere. Sometimes they're the best pet of all.By Kristie Leong M.D