Dwarf dogs: a brief overview of breeds and maintenance features

Hin

Another Japanese breed of dwarf dog is the Chin. The height is up to 18 cm, the weight never exceeds 2 kg - this is a very compact creature that has long hair and a typically flattened muzzle. The dog is good-natured, quite cheerful, and moderately active. You can buy a puppy for about 15 - 20 thousand rubles, choosing the appropriate color.

How to choose a dog

Helpful tips for choosing a pocket dog:

• Decide on a specific breed. In this case, it is necessary to take into account not only appearance, but also character. Difficulties in grooming (length and structure of coat, etc.) are important.
• Choose a good nursery or a reliable, trusted breeder that has many positive reviews.
• Do not try to buy the tiniest dog possible, since dwarfism is always associated with major health problems.
• Do not buy an animal from an advertisement or from someone else, as there is a high probability of buying a counterfeit animal. Unscrupulous breeders often overestimate the age of puppies, claiming that they will be miniature. This way you can buy an ordinary medium-sized dog or, even worse, a known sick animal.
• Be sure to look at the parents, their living conditions and documents (pedigree, exhibition diplomas, etc.).
• Decide on the purpose of purchasing a pet (just for the soul, for breeding, for exhibition activities).

Shih Tzu

Looking at photos of dwarf dog breeds with names, you can pay attention to babies with long hair who like to have different hairstyles. These are Shih Tzus, dogs up to 25 cm tall, with long hair that requires constant care. The animals are calm in temperament and behave independently. The cost of a puppy is about 15 thousand rubles or more.

Affenpinscher

When you see this dog for the first time, you won’t immediately understand who is in front of you: a shaggy monkey or an imp? Their unusually funny appearance has made Affenpinschers the favorites of many. But experts do not advise bringing this breed into a family where the children have not reached adolescence - like other pinschers, it is difficult for them to get along with small children.

The breed requires daily active walking, the duration of which should be at least 2 hours a day, an hour in the morning and in the evening. The Affenpinscher needs to be combed 2-3 times a week, and any remaining food from the beard should be washed out daily. The services of a groomer are not necessary for this breed, but many owners periodically trim the coat. Affenpinschers hardly shed - this is a definite plus of the breed.

Food for small dog breeds , including Affenpinscher, must be balanced. A veterinarian will help you choose a natural diet, but if you decide to feed your Affenpinscher with ready-made dry food, then give preference to premium brands.

Tibetan Spaniel

Looking at photos of dwarf dog breeds, you can also recognize the fairly common Tibetan spaniel with a light color and a dark muzzle. This is a calm dog in temperament that requires a moderate amount of attention. The average height is 25 cm with a weight of 4-6 kg. A puppy will cost 15-20 thousand rubles.

How long do Spitz live and what health problems do they have?

The life expectancy of a Pomeranian is from 12 to 18 years, and depends, first of all, on the quality of care for the Spitz, and on its size. As a rule, larger individuals live longer.

The tiny dimensions of the Pomeranian Spitz, unfortunately, often provoke the appearance of various diseases in the pet:

1. Complications related to teeth. Baby teeth have long roots, which causes problems with their natural loss.
2. Problems with the eyes, frequent tearing. Due to the special structure of the skull (a sharp transition from the forehead to the nose), the eyes of the Pomeranian bear cub are extremely sensitive and vulnerable, so even dust or heat outside makes the Pomeranian “cry”.
3. Hypothyroidism. This is a hormonal disease that causes malfunction of the thyroid gland. The pet becomes lethargic, gains a lot of weight, itchy rashes (dermatitis) and baldness appear on the skin.
4. Diseases of joints and bones. Bear-type Pomeranians are prone to frequent sprains and other injuries due to weak ligaments and thin bones.
5. Epilepsy. Genetic pathology does not manifest itself immediately, but only when the pet is two years old.

Pomeranian Spitz

An exceptionally beautiful and fluffy dog ​​up to 25 cm tall, which has a typical light tousled coat. She is calm, has a wonderful easy-going character, but requires intensive coat care and attention to this point. The intelligence is quite high, and this dog cannot be called cowardly either. A puppy can cost about 20-25 thousand rubles.

Difficulties of breeding

Breeding bear-type pets is a rather difficult and time-consuming task. The fact is that girls endure childbirth hard and often endanger their lives and the lives of their babies. And boys have little interest in reproduction. In addition, in order to obtain ideally purebred offspring, the pet must belong to the breeding class (i.e., have excellent reproductive capabilities and heredity).

And looking after a pregnant female will require regular visits to the veterinarian and a lot of time.

Pekingese

Some photos of dwarf dogs are easily recognizable even by non-specialists. This is, in particular, the Pekingese with its long hair and a black mask on its face - however, it may not be there if the dog is an albino. It is not difficult to find a puppy due to the prevalence of the breed; you can purchase one for an amount of 5 thousand rubles. This is a devoted dog that requires special attention only when caring for its coat, but otherwise its character is only pleasing.

Rabbit dachshund

Dwarf dachshunds, also called rabbit dachshunds, have three coat varieties: smooth-haired, long-haired and wire-haired. All of them are united by a healthy, stress-resistant nervous system. The dog is absolutely not aggressive, but at the same time brave and cautious.

Representatives of the breed do not tolerate rudeness and pressure; competent dog handlers take this into account when drawing up an individual training plan. Another striking feature of rabbit dachshunds is their overly developed sense of ownership.

Moreover, this manifests itself not only in relation to the beloved owner, but also to toys and a sleeping place. The owner of a rabbit dachshund must develop such qualities as affection, attention, patience, and consistency.

The dog will defend its right to make independent decisions, which from the outside may look like an unwillingness to be trained. Having received the owner's permission, dachshunds are happy to play with other dogs and get to know their owners.

Chinese Corydalis

The Chinese Crested has a white color, almost bare skin and long hair on the ears, tail, and tips of the paws. It can reach 33 cm in height. The character of the animal is friendly, it is an extremely cheerful creature that many people like. The cost of a puppy can be from 20 thousand rubles, for this money you can buy yourself a cheerful companion.

External uniqueness

The unique thing about Bear-type Pomeranians is that they look like a tiny bear cub and have a large amount of fluffy hair on their cheekbones, which gives the appearance of “cheeks” and a smile. And the baby with a special haircut resembles a toy.

At 8 months old, a small bear-type Pomeranian already looks like an adult dog.

Miniature Poodle

With a height of up to 28 cm, this animal has amazing hair that allows you to make various haircuts and hairstyles. The dog is quite impulsive, but one cannot deny its friendliness, as well as its good disposition. A puppy can cost from 15-20 thousand rubles; it looks very cute with its curly hair and beady eyes. In general, the animal is unpretentious to nutrition and physical activity.

Varieties

Mini or dwarf (micro) bear-type Spitz

The favorites of Queen Victoria of England, these dogs are admired by a large number of people. The maximum size that an adult bear-type mini Pomeranian can reach is 22 cm, and the length of the face is from 3 to 5 cm.

To obtain ultra-short muzzles (less than 1 cm), breeders conduct genetic experiments on “fluffies”. Unfortunately, artificially bred micro “renewed” Spitz live very short lives and have many serious health problems.

Spaniel King Charles

An elegant dog with dimensions up to 25 cm can please you with its two-tone color, soft fluffy coat, which does not require special care. This is an affectionate animal that loves its owner and family and gives everyone its good nature. He studies quite well and rarely shows self-will. The cost of a puppy can be about 20-30 thousand rubles, for this money you will get an unpretentious and kind companion.

Chihuahua

The smallest dog in the world , its weight ranges from 500 grams to 3 kilograms. The first mentions of the breed date back to the 15th century; ancient tribes were breeding them. Chihuahuas accompanied their owner throughout his life and even after his death; skeletons of miniature dogs are found in ancient burials. The homeland is Mexico, the state of Chihuahua , and it is customary for Mexicans to give puppies to a dear guest, thereby showing their respect.

Representatives of this smooth-haired breed are devoted companions, sometimes their obsession knows no bounds and require a lot of attention to their person. They behave cautiously with other animals and strangers, and despite their miniature pocket size , at the slightest threat they are ready to fight with a stronger opponent.

York Terriers

The Yorkshire Terrier is a common miniature breed; you can easily buy a puppy at a cost of 10 thousand rubles. The height reaches 20 cm, the hair is long and needs care - this is another dog that gets all kinds of hairstyles. This is an intelligent and active animal that needs to be played and walked with in order not to get bored.

Brussels Griffon

Belgium is considered the homeland of these small dogs. Miniature Griffons are the result of crossing German Terriers, English Toy Spaniels and Pugs.

Initially they lived near the stables and were used to kill rodents. Now they have become ordinary pets, delighting owners with their mischievous and active temperament.

Brussels Griffons grow to 14–20 cm at the withers and weigh about 3–6 kg. Representatives of the breed are smooth-haired and wire-haired. Both require regular coat care and do not tolerate heat well.

Smart, but stubborn little ones do not like to be left alone for a long time and, if there is a lack of attention, they begin to misbehave. Little mischievous dogs tend to dominate their brothers and are able to compete with other dogs in certain types of dog sports.

A griffon puppy costs between 10,000 and 50,000 rubles.

Italian Greyhound

The height of the Italian greyhound reaches 25 cm; it is an unusual dog with short hair that behaves very actively. The creature has intelligence and an assertive character; you will never get bored with such a pet. A puppy costs approximately 20-30 thousand rubles, it grows quickly and turns into a beautiful dog with a proud posture, also called an Italian Greyhound.

Education and training

There is an opinion that it is possible to train a miniature bear-type Pomeranian dog only when the little pet is six months old. But modern training methods are devoid of coercion and cruelty, so training can be done immediately after the pet has crossed the threshold of the house. At 2-3 months the puppy will be at home, in quarantine after vaccination.

So, what things should you accustom your pet to:

1. Toilet. Up to a year he will do this in a diaper.
2. Collar and leash. It is better to do this in advance at home, before the first time you go outside.
3. Boundaries of what is permitted. This includes a ban on biting and gnawing things, furniture in the house, following a certain daily routine, and getting used to being alone.
4. Teams. For example, “To me”, “Nearby”, “Sit” and so on. There is no need to resort to punishment if the dog cannot get used to commands right away.

Griffins

The Brussels Griffon has a height of up to 20 cm, it is a small shaggy dog ​​of gray or brownish color that loves outdoor games and has an active temperament. The creature does not require special care, but everywhere it declares itself with incessant activity. A puppy for 20-40 thousand rubles will grow into a small, faithful pet who will always be there and cheer you up at any time.

Rating of small dog breeds

When compiling the review, the VyborExperta.ru team used descriptions and reviews from owners of small breed dogs. Owner feedback was also used to identify leading characteristics that played a role in animal selection.

The main qualities of the pet that dog owners indicated were the following:

• Activity level;
• Attitude towards children;
• How trainable;
• The ability to be alone.

The reviews formed the basis for determining the merits and demerits of the nominees.

Bolonka

The Bolognese Bichon is a small, beloved fluffy dog ​​that does not exceed 30 cm in height.

The fur of such a pet will require constant attention; it needs to be cut, washed and combed. However, the animal will repay you with a lot of positive energy and bring a lot of joy with its love of life. In addition, the distinctive features will be unpretentiousness in nutrition and some other points.

Maltese

Glamorous dogs were also loved by French kings. Through the centuries, this breed carried an absolute inability to live independently - they did not need this, because even in the most difficult times, the Maltese was cared for and cherished. Initially, the breed was distinguished by its eccentric disposition, but over time it transformed into the calmest representatives of the canine world.

Maltese do not get along with any other pet. Play outside - please, but as soon as the owner shows even a little attention to someone else's animal, furious jealousy turns on.

This is another breed whose representatives cannot stand being alone. If you plan to leave your Maltese alone for more than a couple of hours, then prepare for the bedlam that he will cause.

The dog copes with stress in its own way and chews everything it can reach: shoes, baseboards, wires and everything else. Therefore, the Maltese is unlikely to be suitable for working people as a pet.

Toy Terriers

Both Russian and English toy terriers are very popular today. The dog's height is up to 30 cm, its smooth coat does not require any care. This dog is distinguished by a lively mind, activity and mobility, and a considerable amount of courage in behavior. You can walk with her a lot and for a long time, despite her small size. The breed is widespread, and a puppy can be purchased even for 5-10 thousand rubles, considering different color options.

Russian toy terrier

Small dogs really take up little space, but they can be more hassle than regular ones. After all, they need a special diet and exercise, often attention to wool, clothing for the winter. They are also very active and inquisitive. However, despite all this, dwarf dogs are still universally loved, and many people happily care for them.

Which breed of small dogs is best?

When choosing a pet, you need to consider your own preferences. It wouldn't hurt to read reviews about your future dog.

The VyborExperta.ru team recommends taking a closer look at the following nominees in today’s rating:

• Chihuahua is small (up to 15 cm at the withers), smooth-haired, intelligent, devoted to its owner, gets along well with children;
• Ratlik - smart, good opportunist, unobtrusive - knows how to find something to do - friendly with children and cats;
• A toy poodle is funny, friendly, intelligent, and can understand speech addressed to him;
• Bichon Frize - looks like a little bear cub, shedding goes almost unnoticed, reliable watchdogs.

Small dogs are infinitely loyal to their owner and many of them are ready to rush to defense, despite their miniature size and the size of the enemy.

Curious facts

Interesting facts that many people don't know:

1. The name of the pet translated into Russian means “spicy”. And in Germany, a “Spitz” is a swindler or swindler.
2. In the Middle Ages, the white Pomeranian, whether a puppy or an already grown bear cub, was considered a messenger of the gods and was equated with an incredible unearthly creature.
3. All Miniature Spitz dogs love sweets. Therefore, you need to hide all the “goodies” well away from the Pomeranian.
4. According to some old legends, Pomeranians were companions of the wise men who carried gifts to Jesus Christ.