Italian Greyhound (IG)

full-greyound-192x300

Quiet, refined dog who take off like a rocket if you aren’t careful

Vital Statistics:

  • Life span:
    13-15 years
  • Adult weight:
    7-12 pounds
  • Adult height:
    13-15 inches

What’s good and bad about the IG?

Pros:

  • Clean and nearly odorless. May be a good choice for owners with allergies
  • Moves with beauty and grace. He’s a delight to watch
  • Quiet and refined, your neighbors will appreciate him as well
  • A peaceful, undemanding nature that needs little obedience training but does require daily exercise

Cons:

  • May be prone to broken legs and slipped kneecaps
  • Will take off like a shot if not on a leash
  • Best for childless households; he dislikes commotions
  • Not a watchdog
  • Difficult (putting it mildly) to housebreak
  • Thin skin (literally) makes him a poor choice for cold climates

See these cuties in action.


 

Havanese

full body havanese

Havanese
The only dog originated in Cuba; he continues to gain popularity in the USA

Vital Statistics:

  • Life span:
    14-15 years
  • Adult weight:
    7-14 pounds
  • Adult height:
    8.5-11.5 inches

What’s good and bad about the Havanese?

Pros:

  • He’ll probably be at the top of his obedience class
  • He has a sweet disposition and gets along well with other pets
  • He’s one of the few Toy breeds that make good family dogs assuming the children do not play roughly with him

Cons:

  • He’s may be too high energy, even indoors, for couch potatoes or the elderly
  • He’s susceptible to genetic eye disease. Only buy from a breeder who can provide Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) certificates (and check the website)
  • He requires daily grooming

The normal, happy state of a Havanese.

 

Japanese Chin

Japanese Chin
Japanese Chin

He once lived in Chinese imperial courts but will be completely satisfied perched on a window sill in your apartment

Vital Statistics:

  • Life span:
    12-15 years
  • Adult weight:
    8-12 pounds
  • Adult height:
    8-10 inches

What’s good and bad about the Chin?

Pros:

  • Gentle and playful personality
  • Loves to curl up on your lap
  • Must have affection – this is a dog that enjoys following his owner from room to room
  • Ideal for apartment living and senior owners

Cons:

  • Too fragile for roughhousing
  • Must own a vacuum cleaner; he’s a spaniel and he sheds
  • Regular brushing and combing is necessary
  • Poor watchdog; this is a lapdog

Good example of a Chin.

Chinese Crested

Powderpuff and Hairless
Powderpuff and Hairless

If you want attention, this is the dog. People will ask you why you shave your dog or where you got the miniature horse.

Vital Statistics:

  • Life span:
    12-15 years
  • Adult weight:
    5-10 pounds
  • Adult height:
    11-13 inches

What’s good and bad about the Crested?

Pros:

  • Devoted to his owner, this dog will reward you with affection and constant attention (like it or not)
  • Only Poodles come in as many colors including blue, pink and lilac
  • Hairless variety are non-shedding and odorless

Cons:

  • The most emotionally needy dog among the Toy breeds. He cannot be left alone all day while you go to work.
  • Don’t equate hairless with maintenance free. Bare skin is prone to problems and requires safeguarding.
  • Although less fashionable, the powder puff, even with a long white coat, is easier to maintain.

Here’s a short video with a Crested. Yes, they really sound like this.

Pug

Pug
Pug

Although fawn colored Pugs are more popular,
they also come in black

Vital Statistics:

  • Life span:
    12-14years
  • Adult weight:
    14-18 pounds
  • Adult height:
    10-11 inches

What’s good and bad about the Pug?

Pros:

  • At peace with the world and good with children and other pets
  • Requires minimal grooming
  • A walk or two around the block is all the exercise he needs

Cons:

  • He’s an indoor dog who needs air conditioning and must avoid hot, stuffy environments
  • He sheds a surprising amount
  • He may wheeze, snort, snore, grunt and experience breathing problems
  • You must protect his eyes from injury

 The famous Pug head tilt.

Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu

Don’t let the fierce look fool you. This is a dog bred to be a playful companion.

Vital Statistics:

  • Life span:
    12-14 years
  • Adult weight:
    9-16 pounds
  • Adult height:
    8-11 inches

What’s good and bad about the Shih Tzu?

Pros:

  • Good watchdog
  • Low maintenance – little shedding, minimal exercise
  • Bright dogs with almost-human expressions
  • Usually gets along with other dogs and cats

Cons:

  • Sensitive dogs that expect a lot of love
  • May be obstinate – he will require socialization and training
  • Rare enough breed that he hasn’t been overbred, but may be difficult (and expensive) to find.

Here’s a quick video showing a well-trained Shih Tzu.

Silky Terrier

Pom
Silky

He looks like a lap dog but he’s a terrier and one who loves activity and being around his people

Vital Statistics:

  • Life span:
    14-16 years
  • Adult weight:
    8-10 pounds
  • Adult height:
    9-10 inches

What’s good and bad about the Silky?

Pros:

  • He’s lively indoors or out
  • A good watchdog
  • Much hardier and tougher than his dainty cousin, the Yorkie or other Toy breeds
  • Mentally and physically quick

Cons:

  • He must get regular exercise
  • He’s a true terrier – he’ll chase and dig and bark although training helps with all three
  • Grooming demands are high to maintain a long, silky coat

If you think Silkys can’t be trained, take a look at this one.

 

Toy Fox Terrier

Toy Fox Terrier
Toy Fox Terrier

He’s a terrier but a smart one whose usually learns quickly and is easy to housetrain

Vital Statistics:

  • Life span:
    13-15 years
  • Adult weight:
    4-7 pounds
  • Adult height:
    8.5-11.5 inches

What’s good and bad about the TFT?

Pros:

  • He should be at the top of his obedience class as he’s intelligent and learns quickly
  • He’s probably the easiest of the Toy breeds to housebreak
  • Recognized as a Toy breed in 2003, he has not been overbred and genetic health problems are few compared to other breeds
  • Good watchdog who will bark at strangers
  • Born with a naturally docked tail

Cons:

  • Terrier instincts to chase, dig and flee remain
  • He’s generally considered to be a one-person dog. The good news is he will be devoted to that one person
  • Can be snappy with children. He’s best with adults and he loves to be cuddled
  • Spindly legs can be broken. Don’t let him jump on and off furniture

 Here’s a cute video that shows how brave these little guys can be.

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier

From a scruffy past as a rat catcher, today’s beauty inspires fierce devotion among his/her owners and is among the top ten dog breeds registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Vital Statistics:

  • Life span:
    12-14 years
  • Adult weight:
    maximum 7 pounds
  • Adult height:
    7-9 inches

What’s good and bad about the Yorkie?

Pros:

  • A true beauty
  • Feisty but loving
  • Loyal to his owner
  • Vigilant watchdog

Cons:

  • Gorgeous coat must be groomed AT LEAST three times a week
  • S/he’ll always bark – you can curb but not eliminate it
  • Usually do not get along with young children, they prefer a quieter lifestyle
  • There’s enough terrier to cause them to chase moving targets. Buy a leash and body harness first thing.
  • This popular dog has been overbred and you need to carefully select a breeder and line. Otherwise you’ll understand how small dogs got a reputation as yappy, snappy and possessive.

Here’s an example of how they ‘talk.’

Toy Poodle

Toy Poodle
Toy Poodle
Vital Statistics:

  • Life span:
    10-14 years
  • Adult weight:
    6-9 pounds
  • Adult height:
    up to 10 inches

Smart, very very smart. Avoid chronic barking by keeping him mentally stimulated.

What’s good and bad about the Toy Poodle?

Pros:

  • Little physical exercise is required so he is perfect for apartments and condominiums
  • As much as any dog can be considered a non-shedder, this is the one. People with allergies often are able to live with a Toy Poodle
  • He makes an excellent watchdog
  • He’s a lively companion with amusing antics

Cons:

  • Professional grooming is required every four to six weeks
  • Because he’s so popular, he’s been overbred which accounts for all the potential health problems. Buy only from a reputable breeder
  • Avoid any Toy Poodle labeled “tea cup.” That’s just marketing language for a neurotic and sickly runt

Here’s an example of how smart these dogs can be.