Categories
Dog Breeds

Smallest dog breeds in the world

Worlds smallest Dog Breeds ?

Love small dogs? There’s probably a good reason. Aside from being just absolutely adorable, small dogs are great at being family companions and snuggle buddies. They are easy to care for, easy to travel with, and tons of fun! It might seem like small dogs can’t boast adventures personalities like their larger cousins, but they can! Little dogs enjoy getting out and being active with their owners just as much as any other dog – they’re still dogs, after all! So if you’re looking for a tiny breed to add to your family, take a look at these ones!

Affenpinscher – Worlds smallest Dog Breed?

Affenpinscher

This German breed dates back to the 17th century, and was used to exterminate vermin from kitchens, stables, and other environments. Weighing around 6-13lbs, the Affenpinscher maintains a terrier-like stubborn attitude with a love for activity and adventure.

Brussels Griffon – Worlds smallest Dog Breed?

Brussels Griffon

These lively dogs come from Brussels, Belgium and make up for in heart what they lack physical size. Bred to eliminate rodents, these dogs can be vocal if they feel something unordinary is happening. Brussels Griffon weigh an average of 8-10lbs.

Chihuahua – Worlds smallest Dog Breed?

13_Chihuahua

These tiny Mexican dogs weigh an average of 4-6lbs. Although their history is not fully understood, it is speculated that paintings found in Mexico dating back to 300 BC are of ancestors of the modern-day Chihuahua.

Japanese Chin – Worlds smallest Dog Breed?

Japanese Chin

Originating as a lap dog for Japanese royalty, it’s no wonder this breed was kept small. Weighing an average of 7-9lbs, the Japanese Chin has maintained its intelligent, cat-like temperament that’s so endearing for a small companion dog.

Maltese – Worlds smallest Dog Breed?

Maltese

Weighing 2-8lbs, these tiny dogs make wonderful family companions and lap dogs. They have been selectively bred to maintain their small size for many years. In fact, enthusiasts in the 17th and 18th centuries decided to make the breed even smaller than it was then!

Papillon – Worlds smallest Dog Breed?

Papillon ( Continental Toy Spaniel )

Papillons are known for their large, butterfly-shaped ears, as their name suggests. These tiny dogs have been depicted in paintings as far back as the 1500s. Since they weigh an average of 8-10lbs, it’s no wonder they were seen as lap dogs then as well!

Pomeranian – Worlds smallest Dog Breed?

Pomeranian

Pomeranians resemble tiny lions, and they have huge personalities to match their looks. Weighing around 4-8lbs, they rank as one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They are lively dogs that enjoy spending time with their families, and have enough energy to keep up with your exercise routine.

Russian Toy – Worlds smallest Dog Breed?

Russian-Toy

This tiny Russian breed weighs an average of 3-6lbs. There are both a short coated and long coated variety, but both are equally tiny, standing between 8-10 inches tall. Originally bred to fight rats, they are vocal little dogs that have a lot of personality!

Toy Fox Terrier – Worlds smallest Dog Breed?

Toy Fox Terrier

Although they only weigh around 3.5-9lbs, these little terriers are extremely athletic and are always ready to go. They originate from the larger fox terriers, and were often used as circus dogs due to their lively nature and easy trainability.

Yorkshire Terrier – Worlds smallest Dog Breed?

Yorkshire Terrier

Although they originated as a hunting dog, the Yorkie has become one of the most popular companions in the United States. Weighing around 7lbs, it’s no wonder this feisty little dog has captured the hearts of many who enjoy taking their dogs everywhere with them. Nearly pocket sized, there’s always room for a Yorkie!

Categories
Dog Breeds

New Dog Breeds Recognized in 2015

The Spanish water dog, the Cirneco dell’Etna, the Bergamasco and the Boerboel will become recognized breeds in 2015.

cirneco-dell'etna

The Cirneco dell’Etna (above) gets its name from Mount Etna in Sicily. It’s a hound dog that hunts by sight and sound. They’re bred to be very energetic and require minimal grooming.

Spanish Water Dog

The Spanish water dog is an all-purpose farm dog. The coat looks tough to manage but once the coat starts to cord, it’s actually easy to maintain.

Bergamasco Sheepdog

The Bergamasco is an ancient herding breed that was not recognized until now because there wasn’t enough of them in the U.S. Their coat starts to cord after about a year, then it takes about five years for the cords to get all the way to the ground.

South African Boerboel

The Boerboel is an old dog from South Africa, where the name means farm dog. The Boerboel is gentle, but naturally protective of their owners, just like a German shepherd or Doberman. Because of that trait and its size it might not be the best choice for a first-time dog owner.

 

Categories
funny dogs

Toy Poodle – A Jap Police Dog!

Toy Poodles as Police dogs

When picturing the ideal police dog, breeds like the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retriever, and even the Rottweiler probably come to mind; these dog breeds are known for their intelligence as much as they are for their stopping power.

That is precisely why Japan’s newest police dog is a surprising, unconventional choice: a Toy Poodle.
Mochi, the 4-year-old dog, may be mini in stature, weighing less than four pounds, but he’s definitely not mini in skill. After a six-month training regiment, Mochi passed the Japanese police dog exam with flying colors. He will join the police department in Kyoto Prefecture as a detection dog, where he will help officers locate explosives, drug paraphernalia, and disaster survivors.

“Mochi has always been at the top of his class, in training school,” said owner, Naomi Yasuda. “I just wanted to find a way for him to help others.”

Little Mochi is the third Toy Poodle to join the ranks as a police dog; last November,Poodles Karin and Fuga were enlisted as search and rescue dogs in the Tottori Prefecture.

A long-haired Chihuahua named Momo captured headlines worldwide in 2010 when she excelled during the Nara Prefecture police search and rescue test, beating out 40 other dogs. The Japanese police also employ Kuu, a Miniature Schnauzer, and Futaba, the first Shiba Inu to serve as a police dog.

Small dogs have earned an important role on Japanese police squads. Following thedevastating earthquake and tsunami of 2011, Japanese search and rescue personnel discovered that small breed dogs were useful in finding survivors. The small dog breeds could squeeze into tight spaces that larger dogs could not.

Categories
Dog Breeds

Dogs from the Himalayas

Dogs from the Himalaya

Dogs from the Himalayan region (Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and India)

Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apso from Tibet

Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan_Spaniel

Tibetan Spaniel

Tibetan Terrier

Tibetan Terrier

Himalayan Sheepdog

Himalayan Sheepdog from Nepal: The Himalayan Sheepdog, also referred to as the Bhote Kukur, is a livestock guardian dog that originated from Nepal. This mountain dogbreed is closely similar to Indian mastiffs and the Tibetan Mastiff and may be related to the long-haired Kinnaur Sheepdog of Tibet. Naturally, Himalayan Sheepdogs enjoy outdoor lifestyles and are rarely seen beyond the regions of India and Nepal. As a powerful and robust breed, the Himalayan Sheepdog is mainly used for herding purposes. The Himalayan Sheepdog is regionally popular as both a loyal companion as well as a working dog.

Bhutia Sheepdogs

Bhutia Sheepdog from Bhutan

Damchi

Damchi from Bhutan

Bangara Mastiff

Bangara Mastiff from India

Categories
funny dogs

dogs like to cozy-up

Personal space is the region surrounding a person which they regard as psychologically theirs. Most people value their personal space and feel discomfort, anger, or anxiety when their personal space is encroached – these dogs don’t!

These dogs like to get up-close and personal

dogs_love_dogs_10 dogs_love_dogs_9 dogs_love_dogs_8 dogs_love_dogs_7 dogs_love_dogs_6 dogs_love_dogs_5 dogs_love_dogs_4 dogs_love_dogs_3 dogs_love_dogs_2 dogs_love_dogs_1

Categories
Grooming

Caring for your dog in winter

As the year comes to an end, it brings with it a nip in the air. The cool breeze in the mornings, the wonderful comfortable warmth of the sun during the day and the cold evenings are a welcome change from the sweltering summer! While we get ready for winters and stock up on warm clothes, it is also the time to pay extra care and attention to our dogs.

dogs in winterAs the temperatures fall, our dogs are more susceptible to falling ill due to the sudden change in the weather. Dogs cannot express what they are feeling, so pet parents will have to be a tad careful especially about the change in temperatures and dietary requirements of their pooches.

It is quite understandable that during winters it is difficult to get up early in the morning to go out for a run or a jog. Though we can probably do away with in house exercises like yoga, our pooches will probably not be happy without their daily exercises.  A regular exercise regime will help keep the dog healthy and active. It will also help in maintaining their calorie intake and in weight management. A good jog / run with your pooch will be a good way to stay fit  and both of you can enjoy the magical wonderland of the winters.

During winters, many a times the activities of the dogs get restricted due to the cold outside. Due to the decrease in the level of exercise, the dog will burn less calories than earlier. It will be a good idea to give a fibre rich diet to the dogs so that it regulates their bowel movement and also keeps the extra calories at bay. Also, in summers we have the tendency to give cold milk / curd to our pooches. During winters, heating up the food a little will be beneficial for the dogs.  It will be imperative to keep the water and food bowls clean and also to keep the dog well dehydrated.

In winters, it becomes all the more important to regularly groom your pooches. Once your dog is back from his / her walk, using a soft cloth and warm water, wipe and clean the paws and the paw pads. Use a pet paw balm or cream to keep them soft and clean. In case the temperatures are really low in your city, making your dog wear doggie booties will be a good idea to save the paws from extreme cold. Regularly brush the fur of the dog and check for dryness or scaly skin that may be a result of the winters. Other grooming activities such as cleaning of ears, trimming of nails and dental cleaning should done more regularly in winters.

While bathing a dog in winter, do make sure that it is being done when there is enough sun so that the dog dries up quickly. If a grooming service is being employed, do ensure that the dog is completely dry so that there are no chances of fungal infections and the dog does not catch a cold due to the damp fur. You can use a blow dryer or a reverse vacuum cleaner (at the lowest level) to dry your pooch, especially the insides of the paws.

If your pooch sleeps on the floor, make sure that he / she has a nice warm bed to sleep on. During winters the floor becomes cold and can make the dog ill. The bedding especially sheets and pillows should be washed and changed regularly to avoid bacterial accumulation. If you have a dog that spends most of his / her time in the terrace / balcony, you would have to ensure that there is a proper shelter to protect the dog from the cold wind. Keep the dogs inside to shield them from the extreme winter temperatures.

If you are a pet parent to a senior dog or a dog with health issues, you will have to be extra careful during winters. Dog with joint problems such as hip dysplasia or arthritis will face more discomfort and joint pains. Pet parents will have to ensure that there is sufficient exercise provided to the dog and that they are provided with a warm bedding.

There is a common myth that just like humans, dogs too need warm jackets and caps to stay warm. The truth is that not all dogs need warm clothing. Only dog breeds which have short fur such as Chihuahua, Italian Greyhounds, Poodles, Beagles, Dachshund, Miniature Pinschers, French Bulldogs, Whippets, Pugs, Boxers and Pekingese, Rajapalayam, Mudhol Hounds need warm clothing. Other dog breeds such as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, St. Bernards, Huskies, Tibetan Mastiff, Rottweilers have two to three layers of fur and do not need warm clothing unless the temperatures fall below freezing points.

Have a wonderful winter with your beloved pets.