Pocket dogs: features and popular breeds

Recently, miniature dogs have become very popular and in great demand. Indeed, they do not take up much space, they eat food in small quantities, they easily take root in the most ordinary apartment. And the process of raising these cute creatures is much easier than training representatives of large breeds. It may seem that pocket dogs do not require special care, but in fact they are not.

Pocket dogs have always been in demand among the fair sex, children and the elderly. Men prefer to have large breeds of dogs to a greater extent, but sometimes they allow themselves to be coddled with babies.

The name "dwarf dogs" carries the semantic representation of miniature breeds, which have a wide variety of species and subspecies with many identical features of appearance.

In the world of dog handlers and professional breeders, the concept of "pocket dogs" is not valid. In fact, this name is a marketing ploy. A well-established phrase among the common man in the street implies dogs, the size of which matches the size of cats. And fluffy babies do look like plush toys.

In the International Association of Cynologists, a special classification of miniature dog breeds is recorded, or, as it is also called, those breeds, where, according to the standard the height of pets at the withers should be up to 28 cm, and the weight should not exceed 12 kg.

Every year, the demand for miniature dog breeds is increasing significantly, which is used by unscrupulous breeders, the meaning of whose work lies only in large profits. They specifically breed the smallest dogs to produce puppies. And then they put them up for sale, setting the cost, increased by 3 or even 4 times than the price declared in the official nursery. At the same time, puppies, after such risky selection procedures, probably have congenital diseases and numerous health problems:

• genetic disorders;
• fragile bones;
• low immunity;
• underdevelopment of internal organs;
• short life.

Dwarf breeds of dogs are small lumps of happiness, with which it is pleasant to go out and enjoy the enthusiastic glances of others. Most often, these miniature creatures spend time in their arms, and yet they need to go down to earth to relieve themselves, although they do not need a long walk.

Despite their small size, mini-dogs easily get along in the same territory with other pets. They eat very little. If you feed a dwarf dog with dry food, then one large bag will be enough for the animal for a whole year.

Due to their dimensions, pocket creatures do not require a lot of space to live, for them it is enough for them to install a decorative house in the corner of the room or lay a couch. The rest of the space at home for the dog will be enough for games and active pastime.

Pocket dog breeders claim that the main disadvantage of representatives of miniature breeds is their tendency to various diseases.

They have a very fragile skeleton. If the dog jumps from a height, for example, from an armchair or sofa, it can cause itself a fracture of the limbs. Similar troubles can arise during active games of the animal. It may seem that pocket dogs can harm their body even in a dream, although history knows many cases when a miniature pet, being in the pocket of its owner, broke its paw when it made an unsuccessful turn.

Another disadvantage of pocket breeds is the underdeveloped jaw. Due to the small size of the mouth, there is a high probability of the absence of several teeth, which negatively affects the digestive system of the animal.

In addition, dogs of miniature breeds do not know how to maintain body temperature on their own. Many of them suffer from low blood glucose levels.

It may seem absurd to some, but even the usual diarrhea in pocket pets can lead to their death. For this reason, it is very important to contact your veterinarian in a timely manner for any pet discomfort.

Miniature dogs mostly sit in the hands of their owners and very rarely walk on the ground, which causes problems with a violation of their socialization. Some babies become aggressive, begin to suffer from nervous disorders, and are afraid of the environment. To cope with these problems, the animal needs to be taken outside more often, to acquaint with relatives and give to communicate with children.

Special attention should be paid to the advantages and disadvantages of communication between pocket dogs and children. In most cases, they have a rather warm relationship.However, it is important for adults to remember that a dog is not a toy. And this fact must be explained to the child. Miniature dogs get used to children very quickly. With great pleasure they have fun and play together. Also, the dog acts as a bodyguard.... Of course, he will not rush into battle to protect the baby, but with his loud bark he will alert adults of the approaching danger.

Pocket dogs are inherently unpretentious and very convenient to maintain, but despite this, they need careful care. For this reason, the issue of purchasing a miniature dog should be decided by a family council so that everyone can express their opinion. So that keeping a pocket pet is not a hassle, care responsibilities should be shared among all family members.

Today there is a huge variety of pocket dog breeds, each of which has its own distinctive features. Some can be fluffy, others smooth-haired, some have a short tail, others have an elongated tail. Despite these differences, each breed is extraordinary and has a stately charm.

These dogs are cheerful and empathetic creatures and require the attention of the owner. They are very active, they love to play and walk. The standard of the described dogs does not imply a low weight gradation. The main thing is that the weight of the animal should not be higher than 3 kg.

Terrier grooming is not a huge amount of hassle. Without much difficulty, they are accustomed to the tray.

The length of the Yorkshire Terrier's coat is regulated by the owner. For show representatives of the breed, its length should reach the floor. For pets kept for the soul, the hair is cut short.

In matters of health, the main problem of this breed is the delicate gastrointestinal tract. And if you pamper your baby with constant snacks, he may become obese, which will negatively affect the work of the heart muscle.

This breed of dog is the pride of Russian dog handlers. They achieved recognition 13 years ago, after 50 years of intensive selection. Today there are two subspecies of the described breed, namely "standard" and "mini". The maximum weight of mini dogs is only 1.5 kg.

Russian Toy is very strong and hardy, although they have a fragile constitution. It is important for the owner to ensure that the animal did not jump from a height of more than 40 cm.

These adorable babies are distinguished by their wayward temperament. For example, males can provoke other large animals to fight. It is undesirable to leave the Russian Toy alone with the child, otherwise the animal may misunderstand the actions of the baby.

According to statistics, it is the Chihuahua that occupies the leading position among miniature dogs. According to the breed standard, the weight of these babies should not exceed 1.5 kg.

In the temperament of these charms, there is a liveliness and courage. These dogs are sensitive to the mood of their master, they always try to be with him, thereby taking an active part in all household chores.

By their nature, Chihuahuas are considered the healthiest representatives of pocket dogs. High-quality care of animals raises their immunity, respectively, dogs do not suffer from various diseases. And yet they have a tendency to allergies.

The second name of this breed is the continental toy spaniel. Some breeders call them butterfly dogs, and all because of the unusual shape of the ears.Dogs are tiny in size, but despite this, they have a strong skeleton and a harmoniously composed physique. Unlike their congeners, papillons are distinguished by well-developed muscles and strong joints.

They are quite smart and agile creatures.... They need constant warm-up. An important fact - they are fast learners. The only drawback in raising an animal can be the wrong approach of the owner himself, because of which the dog can become aggressive.

A distinctive feature of this breed is its charming bat-like ears. By nature, the Toy Fox Terrier is an excellent companion and a true friend of the whole family. His tirelessness allows him to accompany the owner on the street for hours and help him with household chores.

These babies cannot be attributed to the pocket dog variety. Hunting blood flows in their veins. And with their loud barks, they report the penetration of strangers into the private territory.

These adorable creatures are considered lap dogs. They are man's real friends. Chins easily adapt to the pace of life of their owner. If the owner of the dog is a couch potato, the animal will simply lie next to him with great pleasure, while the dog will accompany the active owner even during long walks.

Despite the charming long coat, the hassle of grooming for the animal does not arise. These babies practically do not get dirty, the wool does not get tangled. You just need to scratch your dog a couple of times a week.

A fairly young breed, bred in St. Petersburg in 1997. It is very difficult to contemplate these dogs outside the city. To date, this breed has not yet received the recognition of the cynological association, this issue is still being resolved.

Taking care of these pets is not a hassle, it is enough to wipe the eyes of the animal every day, scratch the fur every 3 days, brush your teeth and examine the ears.

Hair clipping should be done once every two months. Animals should only be bathed when necessary.

Petersburg orchids are the most suitable pets for calm people and couch potatoes. Instead of a walk, they will gladly stretch out on a couch and disappear into a sweet dream.

These dogs are considered the smallest creatures and are purchased exclusively for apartment life.

Toy poodles are very friendly creatures, especially towards small children. But they can't find a common wave with other pets.

Grooming is a separate issue. You should not create a haircut for this dog on your own; it is best to contact a professional. You should bathe your dog frequently, and scratch your dog every day. Toy poodles love to walk, and during walks, the owner needs to arrange physical activity for the baby.

If the answer to the question about purchasing a tiny pet turned out to be positive, you can start choosing a suitable pet. To avoid mistakes and buy a healthy thoroughbred puppy, you should follow the advice of experienced breeders.

• Dog breed... When choosing a representative of pocket dogs, it is necessary to be guided not only by the external data of the animal, but also by its character and temperament.
• Quality breeder... When choosing a nursery, you need to find out information about the breeder himself, if possible, ask his other buyers.
• The size of the dog. You should not look for the smallest creatures. There is a mandatory standard for any breed of miniature dog. If the animal is mini-sized, then in the future it will certainly have health problems.
• The inability to predict in advance the size of the puppy after a period of active growth. No breeder can say for sure how a puppy they like will grow up. Attention should be drawn to the statement that an adult individual will be miniature in size. The height and weight of an adult must meet the standards of the selected breed. Although there were cases that a tiny puppy grew much larger than its brothers and sisters.
• Falsification. No self-respecting breeder will reassure a potential buyer about the existence of pocket dogs. Professionals say this about small pets. And amateurs are engaged in forging documents, prescribing in them the increased age of the animal. Thus, a three-month-old puppy can become a one-year-old dog with a miniature size.
• Communication with the dog... A personal meeting and acquaintance with the pet you like will reveal the traits of its character and recognize the temperament. It is best to choose a dog that can confidently walk into the hands of a person. In addition, the dog should be playful and not hesitant to take food from unfamiliar hands.
• The possibility of deception. Unfortunately, it is very easy to deceive the common man in the street. To avoid such troubles, before going to the kennel, the potential owner needs to go to the dog playground or to the animal show. It is there that you will be able to see with your own eyes the adults of the breed you like.

For the six smallest dog breeds in the world, see the next video.