Miniature Dog Breeds - An Insightful Look At These Wonderful Breeds

Spunky, spirited and sweet, miniature dog breeds are also known as toy dogs. Also in the past they have been called "sleeve dogs". This name was common during the renaisance period when ballon sleeves were comfortable and fashionable with the upper class. It was an affectionable practice to carry miniature dog breeds within these sleeves as their was plenty of room. Another use was as arm warmers.

Although these types of dogs appear toy like and have a reputation as lap dogs this does not imply that their characters are flawed, timid or frail. Most of these dogs are sturdy and confident which means they are not afraid of anyone. Very aggressive in some cases towards dogs bigger than them.

At the same time they can be appealing and delightful with an eagerness to please their master. They can make wonderfull companions and love being pampered. Maybe you have noticed that miniature dog breeds always turn their heads and get a smile. It makes me think of them as sweet in appearance and always seeking attention. The miniature dog breeds are fun to travel with because they are easy to take along. After all, no pampered pooch likes to stay at home.

They are a good fit into airline qualified carriers. So you can conviently fly with them beside you in your cabin. Miniature dog breeds are easy to take almost anywhere and fit in with city dwellers. I bet you have spotted one from time to time peeking from a fancy dog carrier?

A Dog Breed Guide Is Essential To Choosing The Right Dog

Buying a new dog can be a very exciting time and experience for you and your children. In my opinion a dog breed guide will make it a lot easier. Before buying a dog you should do your research on different types of dog breeds. There are various questions you should ask yourself before choosing a dog.

Research is key to proper dog breed selection. I would take my time if i were you when researcing different dogs. During your learning period consider breeds that would complement you and your family. I personally like miniature dogs because they are easy to scoop off the floor when need be.

Ask yourself how often you stay at home. If like me you are out of the house a lot, you should not own a dog that needs a lot of exercise. If you take a lot of exercise yourself pick a breed you can take on your daily runs. It makes sense. A dog breed guide will suggest many types of exercise depending on the breed.

Here are a couple of things to consider: Think about your living environment. In the dog breed guide that i own it asks me questions like: How large is your house? Large dogs need more space to roam about than miniature dog breeds. Where would you keep your dog? Would you keep it inside or outside? Some dogs do not live well outside. If you plan to keep your dog outside make sure you get a dog with a thick fur coat.

Another important thing to consider is the other people that live with you i.e your children and spouse. Choose a dog that interacts well with children. Dont get a dog if a family member is allergic to dogs. Do understand that children can hurt the miniature dog breeds.

What if you have pre existing dogs in your home? I did, so you would have to take this into consideration and not get a dog that is unfriendly to other dogs and vice versa. There are a lot of issues to take into consideration when choosing a dog. It takes some time when learning how to make the right choice when it comes to dogs.

A dog breed guide is an excellent place to find the perfect breed for you. As you do your research you will be confident and be able to pick a dog that is right for you and your family.

The Truth About Miniature Pugs

Is There a Miniature Pug?

With the Pug dog being the largest of all toy breed dogs, there is confusion among many people as to whether there is an actual breed of the Miniature Pug or "Pocket Pug"

The Answer

There is no such recognized breed as the Miniature Pug dog. The AKC (American Kennel Club) and other major dog breed clubs do not recognize this dog.

However, there is a dog that is called a Miniature Pug. This dog is a mix of a Chihuahua and a Pug dog. The result is a canine that looks extremely similar to a Pug, however one can notice a difference in the length of the snout which will be just a bit longer. This mixed breed dog will weigh a total of approximately 3 pounds (1.36 kg) when fully grown.

Is This Safe?

Yes and no. Breeding a Chihuahua and a Pug is acceptable, as long as one does not wish to have an AKC recognized dog.

However, the majority of Chihuahuas must give birth via Cesarean section and this does pose a health risk. If both parents are healthy and all goes well during delivery, the pups will be as healthy as any other dog.

Pocket Pugs

While a breeder can in fact breed a Chihuahua with a Pug to produce what the public knows as a Miniature Pugs, there are others who claim to have "Pocket Pugs"

Some breeders will take 2 runt Pug dogs (dogs who are the smallest of their litter) and then breed them together, hoping to produce very small Pugs.

There are even some breeders who take this one step even further and will induce an early labor for the Pug dam. Others will falsify the pup's age so that one will believe that they are receiving a small Pug when that dog is actually younger than the papers show.

Caring for a Miniature Pug

If you have obtained the "Miniature Pug" care. It will follow along the same rules of the care of smaller dog breeds i.e puppy or poodle. This is because this type of dog is approximately 3lbs when fully grown. A pug this small will need to be handled with care. When i am driving in my car and i have a miniature pug with me i need to make sure that it is fastened safely with a seat restraint.

However this type of dog will be vulnerable to failing off the car seat during a sudden stop or slamming of the brakes and can be injured easily. Also care must be taken when family members are walking around the house so that they do not step on it by mistake.

Children especially must be aware that these types of dogs can scoot under their feet quickly. In the process great harm can be done.These miniature pugs sleeping in an owner's bed can pose a risk. Being so tiny can make it possible for the owner to suffocate it while sleeping.

This smaller type of pug may not be able to hold the call of nature for a long time so patience should be given in regard to house training. These miniature pugs will be considered an "underfoot dog", as they should be. The weather may affect the pug more than usual. It is recommended that any miniature dog breeds have dog clothing for the outdoors.

A small dog should be protected from the cold, most importantly. It is advisable to invest in rain gear for the miniature pugs. If your miniature dog breeds are a cross between a Pug and a Chihuahua, there may not be any extra health concerns.

Health issues may arise as a result of ethical breeding. Owning a pug means giving daily loving care. Owning miniature pugs means giving even more important care. As a caring pug owner you need a huge amount of information to properly care for the pug and also create a happy home.

Recommended Reading

Pugs for Dummies (Paperback)

Recommended Reading

Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog , Revised Edition (Paperback)

Recommended Reading

Little Dogs: Training Your Pint-Sized Companion (Paperback)

Recommended Reading

The Illustrated Guide to Dog Breeds: An expert guide to 180 top pedigree dogs from all over the world, with over 400 stunning colour photographs (Paperback)