Are you a dog and animal lover? How many Small or Big dog breeds have you come across so far as a Cynophilist? You’ve probably wondered how many dog breeds are out there. There are about over 400 breeds of dogs worldwide. Amazing right?
Dogs are actually the first animal to be domesticated in human history. Have you notice that almost everyone seems to have a dog that fits their characteristics. This is as a result of the plenty variety of dog breeds around the world. How some particular breed originated can be dated back to our ancestors.
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Dog Breeds Origin Overview
The original relationship between humans and dogs ancestors began when they started to share the same habitat in the cold Eurasian region. Scientists believe that the prehistoric wolves were coming to human’s camp for some scraps of food. The nomadic humans didn’t keep them as pets at that time though but they developed a strong bond with them. They would wander in nature with these canine companions.
There is a hypothesis that while the men went looking for food, women may have been the first to make these wolves, pets. Mutualism was the original reason for the domestication of dogs. Because humans provided the ancient wolves with food as they used them for hunting and security. Some people say the first tamed wolf appeared around 15,000 years ago in the middle east. Although some Archeologist findings and research suggest that canine history could date back to 40,000 years ago.
At the beginning of its long history, dogs were only used for basic roles like hunting with humans and guarding. Over time, after the establishment of the first Kennel Club and the wave of immigration from Europeans, some dog breeds started to appear. Our ancestors surely play a major role in dog breeding.
Humans sought to selectively reproduce different types of dogs to adapt to specific functions. Some specialize in hunting, some are used for guarding or personal protection, and some even for entertainment purposes. For instance, the Beagles and Golden retrievers were developed as hunting hounds while the German shepherds have been of great assistance to farmers by keeping their sheep flock safe.
Now there are more than 400 dog breeds that are officially recognized globally. With so many varieties, it is hard to keep track of all types of dogs, and that’s when the Kennel Club Organizations come in handy. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a well-established list of almost all dog breeds that have been acknowledged. Their major role is to manage dog’s registration processes and maintain breed standards.
Just so you know: Salukis is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Record’s oldest dog breed, dating back to ancient Egypt around 329 B.C. They are sighthounds that were typically used by nomadic tribes for hunting and were bred for their speed, strength, and endurance.
Small Dog Breeds
Would you prefer your dog to stay cute and little forever?
It is sad they have to grow up like every other animal but interestingly there are actually some dog breeds that stay puppy-sized forever. Due to their small stature, humans love to keep them as pets. There are lots and lots of them but we will be looking at a few of these toy dog breeds. Some of these small dogs pack a lot of personality into a tiny body. It will amaze you the features some of these small dog breeds have.
1. Bichon Frise
The name Bichon originated from a french word, meaning “small dog”. The Bichon Frise is a small dog that weighs 5-10 kg(10-20 lbs) approximately. It stands 23-30 cm (9-12 in) at the withers. This dog breed’s glory is its white hypoallergenic coat, which is fluffy and velvety. Its white hair consists of a curly, dense coat with little shedding. Although many of the breeds tend to have less curly hair than others.
The coat is trimmed often to make the hair look even in length. It has rounded head hair that sets off the large, dark eyes and black leathers of the nose and lips. Its tail is groomed to be long and curly and is carried over the back. Bichon Frises have medium-high intelligence.
Bichons are adaptable companions. They get along well with other dogs and children. Being alert and curious dogs, they make nice watchdogs. The American Kennel Club refers to them as “merry and curious”. These small dog breeds are very sociable and do well with an owner that takes them along on outings. Bichons train nicely and enjoy performing for their loved ones. However, if affiliated with a particular territory and encouraged by owners, they can become very territorial. In conclusion, we can say Bichons have a happy-go-lucky personality that draws smiles and hugs wherever they go.
2. Dachshund
The name Dachshund is of German origin which literally means “badger dog” from Dachs (European badger) and Hund (hound, dog). You may also know them by any of their nicknames: Wiener dog, Badger dog, Sausage dog, or Doxie. Dachshunds can have a standard size of 16-32 pounds or in smaller features of 11 pounds or lower. They come in one of the three coats- Smooth, Longhaired, or Wirehaired. They are usually described as shortlegged, long-bodied, hound-type dogs.
Dachshunds are scent hound dogs bred to hunt badgers and other animals like rabbits and foxes. They do it with great determination and ferocity. Doxies are smart and vigilant which makes them fine watchdogs. Although small they have a loud bark and some bark a lot and will require training to stop.
Dachshunds are playful but can be standoffish and aggressive towards strangers. They are very devoted and loyal to their owners. As hunting dogs, they can be quite stubborn which makes training them a challenge. They however rank 24th in Stanley Coren’s Intelligence of Dogs, being of average working and obedience intelligence.
Sometimes if they are left alone too frequently, they are prone to separation anxiety and may chew objects around them to relieve stress. Dachshunds may not be the best pets for children because if they are not trained at a younger age they can be very aggressive.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small breed of spaniel, classified in the toy group of the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club. This breed of dog originated in the United Kingdom. It ranks in the United States as the 19th most popular pure-breed in the United States.
These small dog breeds have a silky smooth coat. The most common characteristic of this breed is the constant wagging of its tail when moving. This cute small dog is obviously in a contest for the winner of “top tail-wagger”. The breed standard recognizes four colors: Blenheim (chestnut and white), black and tan, ruby, and in tricolor( black/white/tan). It has large, dark round eyes that will surely melt your heart.
The dog is usually friendly and placid. They are generally good with kids and other animals. With a Cavalier at home, you will never be alone. They can be so attached to their owners and as a housedog will have difficulty thriving in an environment where they are ignored or restricted to the backyard. Their average lifespan is between 9-14 years. Cavaliers are generally intelligent and during training, they are willing to try whatever you’d love them to do.
4. Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is often known as a Pom ( also called Zwergspitz, Dwarf spitz, or Loulou). It’s a breed of dog of the spitz-type that is named after the Pomerania region in Northwest Poland and Northeast Germany in Central Europe. Poms became very popular when Queen Victoria allowed her Pomeranians to be shown in a conformation show.
Pomeranians have a wedge-shaped head with erect ears that some people describe as fox-like or pansy. These small dog breeds have dark, almond-shaped eyes with dark noses. In some, their nose is the same color as their coat. Pom’s coats come in several varieties of colors like red, orange, white, cream, black, blue, or brown. They weigh about 3-7 pounds.
Despite their small size, they are alert and very sensitive about their environment. Poms have a loud bark which makes them a good watchdog. They can be aggressive with other dogs and humans. But naturally, they are energetic, friendly, and playful. Poms are intelligent and loyal to their owners. Hence they respond well to training. They make excellent pets for older and busy people because they are not overly dependent.
5. Pugs
The Pug’s ridiculous face, with deep wrinkles around big, dark eyes and flat round face can’t help but make you laugh. These sturdy compact dogs are known as the clowns of the canine world because they have a great sense of humor and like to show off. It is believed that their name comes from the Latin word for “fist” because their face resembles a humans fist.
They have a large and round head with deep and distinct wrinkles on their faces. Their eyes are large and round too. It has smooth, black, and velvety ears. Due to the flat shape of a pug’s face, they hardly do well in extremely cold or hot weather. Hence they should be kept indoors.
Pugs have undershot jaw. Their tails are tightly curled over the hip. They have a compact square body with well-developed muscles and usually weigh no more than 20 pounds. These small dog breeds have a short, double coat and shed profusely. Their fine glossy coat comes in a variety of colors, mostly light brown or black.
Pugs are playful dogs and love to be close to humans. They love attention and hate to be ignored. They are intelligent but can be willful which can make training them a challenge. Pugs tend to be sensitive to the moods of their owners and are usually eager to please them. They tend also to have a snoozy nature and spend most of their time sleeping. Aggressiveness is not in its nature and is suitable for families with children.
6. Chihuahua
The chihuahua is recognized as the smallest dog breed. It is named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where it was first found in the mid-19th century. There are two varieties of Chihuahua. The smooth coat is smooth-haired and the long coat is long-haired. The smooth coat is not necessarily smooth, as the hair can vary from having a whiskery feel to a velvet touch. Longhaired Chihuahuas are actually smoother to the touch with soft, fine guard hairs and a downy undercoat, making them look fluffy. Longhaired Chihuahuas do not need trimming and require minimal grooming.
Their body is compact and their coat varies in many colors and patterns. The varieties are identical except for their coat. This dog breed stands about 5 inches (13 cm) and weighs 1-6 pounds (0.5- 3 kg). It has a rounded “apple” head with large erect ears and protruding eyes.
Chihuahuas are known to be loyal, and charming with a big-dog attitude. They require training too and are ideal city pets. These dogs are adaptable but need special care in cold weather. Their life expectancy is from 14-15 years.
7. Maltese
The Maltese are breeds of dogs that are thought to have originated in South-central Europe from Spitz-type dogs. It is ranked 59th of 79 breeds assessed for intelligence by Stanley Coren. Their head is slightly rounded with big dark eyes and a black button nose. They have a compact body that is covered by a long, straight, silky coat.
The coat is dense, glossy, silky, and shiny, falling heavily along the body without curls or undercoat. Usually, their coat color is pure white. Their body length equals their height with their tail almost always curled. They weigh less than 7 pounds. Their drop ears with long hair and eyes that are surrounded by dark skin pigmentation give them their cute expression. The Maltese paws are very sensitive to touch.
Maltese are affectionate dogs. They are adaptable pets and make alert watchdogs who are fearless in a charming way. Maltese can be stubborn and willful but respond well to rewards-based training. These small dog breeds are kept for companionship, ornament, or for show. The Maltese are good choices for people with dog allergies because they are one of the small dog breeds that don’t shed. However, they can exhibit signs of tear staining.
Tear staining happens when there is an underlying health issue, allergies, or blocked tear- ducts. The prevalence of tear staining is higher in Maltese than in other breeds because their coat is white.
8. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is an Asian toy dog breed that originated from Tibet. The name “Shih Tzu” means little lion but far from its name, there is nothing fierce about them. Rather Shih Tzus are lovers and not fighters. This breed is known for its short snout and large round eyes. They have an ever-growing coat with floppy ears.
Shih Tzu has a short and stout posture. They are highly independent dogs and can adapt well to different situations. Though they are not considered the most obedient breed because of their high independent nature. Shih Tzu is mainly bred for companionship and is an affectionate house dog who loves to follow its owners from one place to another. These small dog breeds are playful, calm, and friendly. From time immemorial they have made themselves comfortable on the laps of people.
9. Boston Terrier
The American Kennel Club ranked the Boston terrier as the 21st most popular breed in 2019. Although they were originally bred for fighting and hunting, they were later down bred for companionship. Hence the American Kennel Club does not consider them terriers but they are part of the non-sporting group.
Boston Terriers are compact short-tailed, well-balanced little dogs. They don’t weigh more than 25 pounds. They have a square head and large round eyes. Their stylish coat can be black, white, or seal with their body short and well-knit. The limbs of a Boston are strong and neatly turned. They have a short nose and tail. The short nose often causes breathing problems later in life, which leads to low life expectancy. This dog breed requires a minimal amount of grooming.
These small dog breeds are generally quiet and bark only when necessary. Boston loves to please their owners and can easily be trained. They can be very aggressive and territorial to other animals and humans in an attempt to protect their owners. Bostons are known to be very alert and have a high level of intelligence. This dog breed gives an impression of strength, determination, and a graceful carriage. They are an excellent choice as apartment dwellers as they enjoy being around people. Getting along well with children, the elderly, and other pets goes easy for a Boston Terrier.
10. Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is a non-sporting dog breed originating in Tibet. Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet. This dog breed was anciently used as an indoor guard dog. In Tibet, its original name, Abso Seng Kye, means Bark Lion Sentinel Dog. They guarded Tibetan homes by staying inside while Mastiffs guarded outside and would bark to alert the humans of any potential intruders.
The Lhasa Apso is small and stands less than a foot high at the shoulder. Their height can vary from 25-28 cm. The females usually weigh about 5-7 kg while the males weigh about 6-8 kg. They are sturdy and have a well-balanced rectangular body. It possesses a feathery tail curled over its back.
A distinct characteristic of a Lhasa Apso is its heavy dense and double coat that is parted in the middle from head to tail. The coat comes in various colors ( Black, White, Honey, Golden, brown, Sandy, Dark Grizzle). They have dark, oval-shaped eyes peeping through their facial hair. It also has well-feathered feet and legs that protect it against extreme temperatures and the rough terrain of its native land
Lhasa apso is playful and friendly. They can be very obedient and devoted to their owners. In Stanley Coren’s The intelligence of dogs, the Lhasa Apso is ranked 68th out of 79, being of fair working-obedience intelligence. They may be small but they are hardy dogs of aristocratic bearing. Lhasa apso is a long-lived breed and many of them live in good health till their early 20s. They are very energetic, lively, and fearless.
11. Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier is also known as the Parson Russell Terrier. Their flexible body is compact and rectangular standing 10-12 inches at the shoulder. They have dark almond-shaped eyes. Jack Russell terriers come in a variety of coat types and with a range of markings. The coat may be smooth, broken, or rough. All 3 coat types are most times white with tan or black markings, or both. They have small V-shaped ears of moderate thickness.
The Jack Russel Terriers are cute and affectionate small dog breeds. They are strong, lively, and clever small dogs. The Jack Russel terrier has too much amount of energy for its small stature. As independent dogs, they can be pretty difficult to train. These dog breeds require a lot of exercise with consistent training if not they can become unruly. They are full of life and extremely intelligent.
These small dog breeds announce its confidence by the way it walks freely and effortlessly. Jack Russell can get bored easily and create their own fun to entertain themselves. You’re likely to see them get moody or destructive, if not properly exercised or stimulated. Hence they are not recommended for apartment dwellers except the owner is willing and ready to keep them occupied with the necessary amount of exercise and stimulation. They can be stubborn and aggressive towards other animals and humans if they are not properly socialized and need obedience classes. Even the socialized ones can be friendly but will not tolerate abuse even if it is unintentional.
12. Poodle
The Poodle is called the “Caniche” in French and the “Pudel” in German. This dog breed is claimed to have developed in Germany and also from France. The Poodle based on its size is grouped into 4 varieties; the Toy poodle, the Miniature poodle, the Medium poodle, and the standard poodle. However, the medium poodle is not yet recognized universally.
Poodles are a breed of water dog and the standard poodle was used initially by wildfowl hunters to retrieve game from water. The standard poodle is probably the oldest and some still carry on the tradition as a water retriever.
A Toy poodle stands no more than 15 inches tall whereas Miniatures are 15 inches or under. A Standard poodle stands about more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder. All the varieties have the same build and proportions. The male can weigh about 60-70 pounds whereas the female can weigh 40-50 pounds. They are long-lived and have a life expectancy of 10-18 years.
The American kennel club recognizes Poodles in either solid-colored and multi-colored coats. Their coat texture ranges from coarse and woolly to soft and wavy. The coat has a wide variety of coloring, including white, brown, black, blue, grey, silver, cream, apricot, and red, and has patterns such as phantom, sable, abstract, and brindle. The poodle does shed but rather than the fur coming off, it tangles with the surrounding hair. Often, Poodles are cited as a hypoallergenic dog breed.
Poodles are highly intelligent. As an energetic and sociable breed, they require both physical and intellectual activities. When it comes to training they excel very well at performance sports like agility, obedience, and hunt tests. Although a serious fault in this breed is their snappy vicious behavior. They are not suitable as guard dogs because they are normally quiet and calm. Poodles show devotion and loyalty to their owners and if they sense the danger near, they will quickly become very protective of their master or any of the master’s household members.
13. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier also called the Yorkie, attracts attention wherever it goes and is one of the most glamorous representatives of the dog world. Although cute and small, the Yorkie exhibits all traits of a true terrier (dog bred for hunting). This compact toy-sized terrier weighs no more than 7 pounds and grows about 7-8 inches tall. It has a floor-length, silky coat of steel blue and a rich golden tan. Yorkies are low allergen because their coat is more like human hair than animal fur. They are long-lived with a life expectancy of 11-15 years.
Yorkshire Terriers are companion dogs and are affectionate towards people. Although their terrier nature makes them unfriendly to strangers and will bark at strange sounds or intruders. Also, they can also be aggressive towards other strange dogs and animals. Aside from that, they can be very soft and need a lot of attention and time. As small dog breeds, they do well with children but preferably older children who know how to relate well with them than with toddlers and smaller children. This is because they may become snappish once startled or teased.
Yorkies may be possessive of their owners if a new pet is brought home. As a terrier, they may want to challenge any intruder and if a fight happens, their only instinct is to fight to the death. Yorkies make fine apartment dogs as long as they get some exercise daily. They also make good watchdogs who are always on the lookout for adventure. However one could say the reason Yorkshire terriers are the second most popular dog breed in the U.S today is because of their glamorous coat, petite size, loyalty, and high spirited personality.
14. Havanese
The Havanese is a native dog of Cuba. They are small and sturdy dogs and their springy gait is due to their structure. They have a short upper arm with a moderate shoulder. Havanese are slightly longer than tall with a plumed tail that is arched forward up over the back. They have a long untrimmed double coat that is soft and silky to the touch. The coat is usually abundant and wavy which stands off the body slightly but flows when they move.
The Havanese is known as a friendly, intelligent, and playful companion dog. They are very lively and loves to play. Their small but sturdy bodies, social skills, and adaptable nature make them ideal city dogs. They are fine watchdogs but usually keep the barking at a minimal rate.
The Havanese do not typically bark at strangers but will alert their owners to approaching people. They can get very loyal and attached to their owners, following household members everywhere. They manage well with people of all ages and are good with children. Although the Havanese loves and enjoys outdoor activities, it prefers being indoor with its owner.
15. Papillion
Papillons breeds get their name from the french word “Papillion” which means “butterfly”. According to Stanley Coren’s The intelligence of dogs, Papillons are among the top ten brightest dogs ranking 8th out of 138 breeds tested. They are small, standing 8-11 inches at the shoulder.
This breed is usually distinguished by its beautiful butterfly-like ears. It has wing-shaped ears. Some have erect ears while some Phalene types have their ears down. They are elegant toy dogs of fine-boned structure with a plumed tail. Their coats are silky to the touch and come in several color combinations. With the base color being white.
Papillion is an agile, friendly, and adventurous dog. They make excellent family dogs and can thrive in cool or warm climates. Given the intelligence of papillons, they require rigorous training and mental stimulation to prevent behavioral issues arising from boredom. They are naturally not shy or aggressive.
16. Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon or Griffon Bruxellois is a toy dog breed that originated from the city: Brussels, Belgium. This dog breed descends from a small terrier-like dog with a rough coat known as a “Smousje” that is kept in stables to eliminate rodents. Griffs stand at 7-11 inches tall and weigh about 8-10 pounds. They have a life expectancy of 12-15 years. Griffs have a small and sturdy body frame with domed heads. They have an underbite and their nose is short.
However, There are 3 different variations of this dog breed : The Brussels Griffon (Griffon Bruxellois), the Belgian Griffon (Griffon Belge) and the Petit Brabançon. These 3 breeds are identical except for the difference in their coat and color. The Griffon’s coat texture varies as either smooth or wiry(or rough) and comes in four colors – black, black and tan, black and reddish-brown, and red.
This dog breed temperament is described by the American Kennel Club as loyal, alert, and curious. They can get along with other animals in the house, including cats, ferrets, and other dogs. In fact, they do best in the company of people or other dogs because they can get lonely. Although this breed is not very patient, it loves to play but is very fragile when it comes to rough play. They can be very good with children as long as they don’t get teased. Griffs are confident and training them is quite easy. Nevertheless, they tend to get into trouble by attempting to dominate larger dogs because they have no concept of their own relative size.
17. Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher originates from Germany. It is also known as the Monkey Dog as “Affe” means ape/ monkey and “pinscher” means terrier in German. They actually have a notable monkey-like expression. Affenpinscher is sturdy and weighs about 6.5 -13.2 pounds, standing at about 9-12 inches tall at the withers.
It has a natural harsh and wiry coat but if well maintained and groomed, it can be softer and fluffy. The Affenpinscher has its coat shaggier over its head and shoulders forming a mane. Whereas the shorter coat goes over the back and hindquarters. The breed standard coat color is mostly black. Their tails are sometimes docked by some breeders but it is illegal in some places like Europe.
The Affenpinscher has a terrier-like personality and can be territorial with their food or toy. Hence they are not recommended for homes with very small children. These dogs are active, adventurous, and curious. They are lively, smart, and affectionate towards family members. As a smart and alert dog, the affenpinscher makes an excellent fearless watchdog.
They are mostly quiet but take their guarding duty seriously and will always alert the entire neighborhood once someone is approaching. The Affenpinscher needs early and consistent training as they are often labeled stubborn. This dog breed can also be funloving and playful. They can compete in agility and obedience and their entertainment ability makes them wonderful therapy dogs.
18. Toy Fox Terrier
The Toy Fox Terrier was developed in the United States which makes it one of the only few breeds that are true “All American”. This American breed resulted from a cross of Fox terriers with Toy breeds like the Manchester terriers, Miniature pinscher, Chihuahua, and Italian Greyhound. He is a true terrier that can go in the field hunting and also a true toy dog who can be a loving companion to his people too. They were commonly used in circus shows by clowns and are said to make excellent companions for owners with a good sense of humor.
The Toy Fox terriers are small dogs with a muscular and athletic appearance, weighing about 3.5- 9 pounds. They stand at 8.5-11.5 inches tall and their life expectancy is within 13- 15 years. This toy dog breed has a predominantly solid head with large eyes and v-shaped ears. The dog tail can be long and shiny or short and straight. This breed’s notable feature is the short glossy and predominantly white coat. The coat is short, fine, and glossy in black with tan, and tri-color variants of chocolate, white and tan, and white and black respectively.
As a terrier breed, they are often active, although not as much as the Jack Russel terrier. Like many other active and intelligent breeds, the Toy fox terriers can learn to respond to some words. This dog breed is trainable. They are very lovable and loyal to their owners. It is said that they are well suited for older owners and people with disabilities.
19. Japanese chin
The Japanese chin is also known as the Japanese spaniel. They are very cat-like in appearance and traits. Their weight varies about 3-15 pounds and they stand about 8-11 inches tall at the wither. Unlike most dogs that have an under and overcoat, the Japanese Chin only has an overcoat.
The coat color can be either black and white, red and white, or tricolor (black and white with reddish tan points). Its distinctive expression is characterized by a large rounded broad head, a very short broad muzzle, large wide dark eyes, evenly patterned facial markings, and ear feathering. Chin has its plumed tail arching over its back and the dot/line on its forehead is believed in Japanese history to be the touch of Buddha.
The Japanese chin was also bred for the purpose of entertainment. They are well known for performing some tricks like the “Chin spin”; where you see them turning around in rapid circles; dancing on their hind legs while pawing their front feet, clasped together in the air. Some even “sing” (a noise that can range from a low thrill to a higher almost operatic noise). Although usually quiet, they are defensive and will bark to alert when someone is approaching or to draw attention to something abnormal.
Like a cat, this dog breed uses its paws to wash and wipe its face. It prefers resting on high surfaces and tends to hide in unexpected places. Chins are alert and intelligent. They are also friendly and loyal to their owners. Chin prefer familiar surroundings but do well also in new situations. This with their friendly nature makes them good therapy dogs.
20. Chinese Crested Dog
The Chinese crested dog is a hairless dog breed. They actually don’t come from China. They evolved from African or Mexican hairless dogs who were reduced in size by the Chinese. This toy breed height is between 11-13 inches and weighs between 8-12 pounds. The Chinese crested dog like most hairless dog breeds, comes in two varieties, hairless or coated.
These two varieties, however, can be born in the same litter. The coated variety is called the Powderpuff whereas the hairless variety is directly referred to as the Hairless. The powderpuff is covered by a soft, silky coat. Whereas the hairless have smooth, soft skin and tufts of hair on the head, tail, and ankles. The advantage the hairless has is the no-doggy odor and shedding isn’t an issue. However, both varieties are distinct by their fine-boned elegance and graceful movement. Their life expectancy is 13-18 years.
The Chinese crested dogs are playful, loving, and devoted dogs. These dog breeds are well skilled in jumping, climbing, and digging. With their athletic abilities, they excel well in obedience and agility performance tests. They thrive well in apartments like apartments for rent in salt lake city ut and other dwellings and make stable companions. Even though they can be so social and needy that if left alone or unattended to, they can suffer from separation anxiety, which leads to destructive habits and barking. They can even climb and dig to escape confinement.
21. French Bulldog
The French bulldog is a breed of domestic dog, bred to be companion dogs. This breed is a crossbreed between Toy bulldogs imported from England, and local ratters in Paris, France, in the 1800s. They were the 2nd most popular registered dog breed in the UK, 3rd most popular dog in Australia 2017, and the 4th most popular AKC-registered dog breed in the United States. However, they are ranked 109th in Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs.
Frenchies stand between 11-13 inches tall and their body is small, compact and fairly muscular. They have a smooth, shiny coat that comes in colors like fawn, cream, white and can also have black masks or brindle patterns. The french bulldog shed a moderate amount of their coat and require brushing now and then to stay clean. They weigh under 28 pounds and live as long as 10-12 years.
French bulldogs have wrinkled skin around their face with dark brown eyes. Because of their wide round face and how they sit with their hind legs spread out, they are sometimes called Frog dogs. And sometimes called Clown Dog. Their bat ears and half-flat, the half-domed skull is the major distinctive features of the french bulldog.
French bulldogs are kept as companions and they rarely bark. As companion dogs, they require close contact with humans. However, they may experience separation anxiety if left alone. Generally, the French bulldog is a cute, affectionate dog that makes an excellent pet for all families. They are loyal and intelligent and will definitely get along well with children and other animals. This breed of dog is easier to train although they are likely to be stubborn at times.
22. Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sighthound. The IG as it is often called lives as long as 14-15 years. It is deep in the chest, with a tucked-up abdomen weighing about 7-14 pounds. They stand13-15 inches tall. Their distinguishing factor is the long, fine-boned legs. They have a small, long, and pointed head. Their coat may be solid black, grey or isabelline.
IGs retain their instinct for hunting small games and will chase anything in motion. Although they are small, they can reach a top speed of 25 miles per hour. They have lots of energy and catching them when they get loose is quite a huge task. IG makes good jogging partners.
They are intelligent and do well in sports like obedience training, agility, and rally. Training them is easy. The athletic IG has a gentle personality too. They are loving and affectionate with family members. Their surprisingly deep and loud bark makes them a good watchdog. Even though they can’t necessarily provide any actual protection. The IG is friendly but is shy and reserved with strangers.
23. Miniature Pinscher
The Miniature Pinscher is also known as the Zwerpinscher, and Min Pin. This breed was initially bred in Germany to hunt vermins and rats in homes and stables. The breed’s earliest ancestors may have included the German Pinscher mixed with Italian greyhounds and Dachshunds.
Min Pins are sturdy, compact dogs standing about 10-12.5 inches tall. They can live as long as 12-16 years. The coat is smooth and shiny and they weigh about 8-10 pounds. Min Pin available colors include solid red, stag red, blue stag red, fawn stag red, chocolate stag red as well as black, chocolate, grey, blue, and fawn with tan points or rust points. Although for showing in the United States, the AKC disqualifies all colors except the solid or stag red and black or chocolate with rust points. They possess high-set ears and dark, slightly oval eyes. Min Pins are distinct with their high stepping “hackney” gait.
Miniature Pinschers may seem like a cute small dog breed but they are for experienced dog owners. They are great agility dogs and require enough care, time, and effort to be raised. Training a min pin may not be that easy as they are a stubborn breed but once trained they can be obedient. They are assertive, active, and independent. Min Pin is alert and makes good watchdogs. It is recommended that adults and teenagers play with a Min Pin instead of younger children.
24. Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzers were bred down from their larger cousins, Standard Schnauzers, or crossed between the standard and one smaller breed like the Affenpinscher, Miniature pinscher, and Poodles. This breed of dog originated in Germany in the mid to late 19th century. In 2017, miniature schnauzer was the 17th most popular breed in the U.S. It is the most popular Schnauzer breed.
The bushy beards, oval dark-colored eyes, and eyebrows give them a charming expression even though they are tough and fearless. They are stocky, robust, and muscular small dogs, standing 12-14 inches tall. The weight of a Mini varies between 11-20 pounds, having a square-shaped build. Their ears are v-shaped with a natural forward folding.
They have a double coat, that has a wiry exterior fur, and a soft undercoat. Its hard, wiry coat comes in 4 color patterns: Pure white, black and silver, salt and pepper, and solid black. Salt and pepper pattern is when the coat hairs have banded shades of black, grey, and silver, fading to a grey or silver at the eyebrows, whiskers, legs, and underbody. Their tails are naturally thin and short. The life expectancy of this dog breed is 12-15 years.
The Minis are friendly trainable companions. They tend to have good guarding skills but don’t have a guard dog’s instinct to bite. The Mini Schnauzer adapt well to apartment life and are family-oriented. These sturdy little dogs enjoy vigorous play and get along well with children and other animals. Schnauzers are considered a hypoallergenic breed as they shed minimally.
25. Bolognese
The bolognese is a toy dog breed of the Bichon type which originates from Italy. The name refers to the Northern Italian city of Bologna. Bolos are an old breed known by royal and noblemen in Roman times. They were usually exchanged as precious gifts between the powerful and wealthy.
Bolognese has a small, stocky, and squarely built body, weighing about 5.5-9 pounds. They have a single coat (i.e no undercoat) which falls in loose open ringlets/flocks all over their body. The texture of the coat is fluffy with the shorter hair on the face. They shed very minimally. The height of a Bolo varies from 10-12 inches. They live as long as 12-14 years.
The Bolognese are highly intelligent, quick to learn, and easy to train dogs. They are very responsive to obedience training. Bolos are devoted to their owners and make good house pets. They love attention and are prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long. Generally, they are friendly with strangers.
The Bolognese is a true watchdog but is not an incessant barker. They will notify their owners if they notice something unusual. However, they are not hyperactive and are non-aggressive by nature. Most times they are calm and inactive. Ideal owners of bolognese include families with children, retirees, and city dwellers. They are good with children as far as they are matured enough to handle them with care.