The Yorkshire Terrier, also called “Yorkie”, is perfect as companion and lap dogs and the most popular Toy breed in the United States.
The breed is approximately 100 years old and the first Yorkshire whit today’s standard appeared in a dog show in 1870.

It seems that many breeds from Scotland and England have contributed. On the Scottish side, the contributors may be the Waterside Terrier, the Paisley Terrier and the now extinct Clydesdale.

On the English side, they are the Old English Black and Tan, the Dandie Dinmont Terriers and the Maltese.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

6 – 9 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

5 – 7 lbs

Color(s)

Yorkies puppies are usually born black and tan, gradually attaining their dark steel-blue and tan coloration as they mature.

Coat

The Yorkshire Terrier’s straight coat is long and lustrous and silky fine.

Life Expectancy

About 12 – 16 years.

Personality

The small Yorkshire Terrier is fearless and seem unaware of its vulnerabilities.
Eager for problem they will not hesitate to attack much larger dogs. This playful little dog is affectionate with its owner and a loyal companion, highly dependant the Yorkie is known for requires more human companionship than any other breed.
The Yorkshire Terrier, especially males, can be very territorial, sometimes suspicious of strangers he can be aggressive to other dogs and small animals.
They get along well with older, considerate children if treated with care, because its small size, he is easily injured and must be protected from harm or rough play.

Care

Generally the Yorkshire Terrier is a healthy breed, however, some are prone to bronchitis and early tooth decay (dry food help to keep their teeth clean and strong), Luxation Patella, Porto systemic Liver Shunt, Cataracts and Tracheal Collapse.

They have poor tolerance of anesthetic and bitches may have trouble delivering.
The Yorkie’s coat requires regular grooming and must be brushed and combed daily, this breed do not shed.

Training

Intelligent the Yorkshire Terrier is quick to learn although they can sometimes be stubborn and more difficult to train than other breeds.
They must have consistency, firmness and lots of praise in their training, however the Yorkie is an excellent mini watchdog.

Activity

The Yorkie is a good dog for apartment dwelling. They are very active indoors and fits comfortably into the smallest household, they will do okay without a yard.
More or less one hour of opportunities to run and play is required daily.

The Toy Fox Terrier originated in the United States and was bred to be a ratter and to hunt small vermin. Their ancestor is the Smooth Fox Terrier but these dogs were bred to be much smaller which was done by mixing in the Italian Greyhound, English Toy Terrier and the Chihuahua. Today these dogs resemble the Jack Russell Terrier as their body and facial expressions are very similar to them. The Toy Fox Terrier also goes by the name American Toy Terrier.

The Toy Fox Terrier has a compact small body that is muscular and athletic. Their muzzle is long and their eyes have a curious expression to them. They have toned legs which help them in the hunt for mice or rats, and a naturally long tail that is docked for show purposes. The Toy Fox Terrier has a short hard coat that will come in white with black accents on the face, body and tail. Tan accents also occur in this breed.

This little dog has a mischievous and inquisitive personality that they love to show off. They have the mind set of a much larger animal and is outgoing with other big animals. They tend to get along great with people and are used for helping the deaf as a hearing dog!

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: around 10 inches high
Females: around 10 inches high

Weight

Males: 3-7 lbs
Females: 3-7 lbs

Color(s)

The Toy Fox Terrier will come in one colour variety which is a white with black or tan accents. The black and tan will be on their face, ears or tail.

Coat

This breed has a thick short coat that sheds quite a bit. It feels smooth yet hard to the touch and will need to be brushed about once per week just to remove dead fur. Bathing is required every 2-3 months as they are relatively clean dogs.

Life Expectancy

About 13-14 years.

Personality

The Toy Fox Terrier is a playful and affectionate breed that will be great for people or families with no smaller pets and older children. This breeds instinct is to hunt vermin so mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. will be considered prey to them. Younger children will be to rough for this little guy to endure so older children are recommended to interact with this dog. Stubborn yet clever, the Toy Fox Terrier is an entertaining little breed that does not act like a small dog. They are not a prissy breed that need to be carried from place to place as they are much tougher than they look.

Although this breed is extremely tiny, they can be trained to do very important tasks and have helped out the handicapped and in some cases the deaf! They have a quick responsive mind that makes them relatively simple to train whether that be in obedience or for little tricks.

Care

This breed has a very short coat that will need weekly brushing and bathes about every 2 months to upkeep their appearance. They are a low maintenance dog that will take roughly 15 minutes per week of grooming. The Toy Fox Terrier is prone to legg-calve-perthes syndrome, luxating patella’s and some have allergies to food such as wheat, corn and beet pulp. The breed is generally a very healthy dog with the above diseases being a rarity.

Training

This breed is a clever little dog that will excel in training provided their owner is firm and consistent with them. They have been known to excel highly in basic obedience as they have a high intelligence level that just needs a gentle training method to encourage it. These dogs have the personality and trainability to become hearing dogs for the deaf or handicapped.

Activity

This little dog will need about a half of hour of exercise per day and either a walk or time spent in a dog park will be perfect for them. These dogs tend to tire themselves out during the day so not to much activity will be needed. The Toy Fox Terrier will be perfect for people that live in apartments as they don’t require much room, although a back yard would be great so they have an outdoor area to run around in.

The Silky Terrier originated in Australia and were bred to for human companionship. This breed is a mixture of the Cairn Terrier, Skye Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier. These dogs are a very intelligent, charismatic and graceful breed.

The Silky Terrier is longer than they are tall. They resemble the Yorkshire Terrier and are often mistaken as one! Puppies of this breed are born black and will eventually “grow into their colour” which will be either a blue and tan or a blue and red.

Fun loving and energetic, this dog will make a great pet that will entertain their families. They have been known to be protective of their owners and have even become jealous when they are not given attention! These dogs have an animated attitude making them very entertaining to live with.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: 9-10 inches high

Females: 9-10 inches high

Weight

Males: 8-11 lbs

Females: 8-11 lbs

Color(s)

The Silky Terrier comes in 2 coat colour types, the blue and tan or the blue and red. In both types, the blue covers the majority of the dog with the tan and red being the markings.

Coat

This breed has a thin, silky coat that is around 6 inches in length. They only have an outer coat which is barely long enough to sweep the ground. This breed will need constant daily brushing because their coat is so fine that it mats very easily. They will not shed very much fur as there is very little to begin with.

Life Expectancy

About 12 -15 years.

Personality

This breed is a charming bundle of energy that loves to be around people. They are a social breed and thrive on attention from their family but will be reserved around people they haven’t met. This dog will need to be socialized around cats, other dogs and other people as puppies because they can become aggressive or very timid as adults. The Silky Terrier will make perfect watchdogs because they can be protective of their territory and are known to enjoy barking.

These dogs are bright, intelligent and animated making them fun pets to own. They can entertain their owners just being their silly selves!

Care

The Silky Terrier will need daily brushing because their coat will mat quickly if this is not done. Bathes should be given approximately once per month and monthly trims to the bottom of the coat will be needed to keep this dog looking great! This breed is prone to luxating patella’s, diabetes, tracheal collapse, intervertebral disc disease, and epilepsy. Legg perthes is also a possible genetic disease the Silky Terrier may inherit.

Training

This breed will need a firm hand when training to be able to teach them basic obedience. They are sweet animals but can be energetic and have their minds elsewhere during training. A positive and consistent approach is the best route and will bring this dog to success because they already have the motivation to please their owners, they just need the repetition of information.

Activity

The Silky Terrier will need about half an hour of outdoor exercise per day. They burn up most of their energy during the day so will not need hours of exercise outside. This breed will do well in an apartment because of their size, as long as they get their regular walks. A backyard would be preferable so they can run around in an outdoor environment at home, but isn’t a necessity.

The Shih Tzu originated in China and is thought to be a mixture of the Pekingese and the Tibetan Lhasa Apso. They were bred to be a companion dog and bring happiness to their owners lives. This breed is also known as the Chinese Lion dog because they loosely resemble a lion. The Shih tzu is historically one of the oldest dog breeds still alive today. These dogs were so beloved by their native country that even during trading, the Chinese did not sell any Shih Tzu.

This breed has a furry face that is similar in appearance to a lion and a pushed inwards nose. They have a small under bite and large bright eyes giving them a very innocent look. Their body is a bit longer than it is high with their legs being short and stubby. The Shih Tzu has a tail that is a tight curl and fur cascading down the coil. This breed has a thick double layered coat that is silky and regal.

The Shih Tzu is a barky dog that likes to hear their own voice! They are an outgoingly friendly breed that loves to be around people and other dogs alike. They have a loving and confident attitude that does not come across as arrogant. This breed gets along with other dogs and smaller family pets very well.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: around 11 inches high

Females: around 11 inches high

Weight

Males: 9-16 lbs

Females: 9-16 lbs

Color(s)

The Shih Tzu can come in any colour but most popular is either cream or white. For show purposes, there should be white on the end of their tail and on their forehead.

Coat

The Shih Tzu has a thick double layered coat that provides warmth in colder temperatures. Their undercoat is thick and lustrous, while the top coat is smooth and long. This gives the dog a luxuriously thick and silky coat that will almost always guarantee a seat on someone’s lap! The Shih Tzu has a fringe of fur on their tails and surrounding their face giving them the “lion” look. Their coat will need regular maintenance to keep tangle free.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

The Shih Tzu is a high spirited and outgoing breed making them entertaining to live with. They make fun out of almost anything they do which is key to their contagious happiness. This breed is great with people, dogs, smaller animals, and children. They will make perfect family pets because they are so versatile and can get VIP treatment because they are small and can be brought almost anywhere. These dogs are very intelligent but it will take more effort to train them as they can be a bit stubborn. Housetraining might be more difficult due to their stubborn streak so puppies should be taken out every hour on the hour and slowly up the time distances between bathroom breaks.

Although the Shih Tzu is a small dog, they have the mind set of a big dog! They don’t like to be pushed around and are not shy when it comes to getting what they want whether that be out of people or dogs.

Care

This breed has a long coat which will need regular grooming maintenance to keep it looking great. Some owners like to put hair ties or bows on their head to look like a pony tail. Others prefer to keep the coat short at all times. Either way daily combing will be needed and bathing should be done about once every 2 months. Trips to the groomer to get a trim will be needed about once every 3 months depending on the owners preferences.

Training

This breed will need very consistent training in the most positive manner. Firm methods and repetition will allow this dog to succeed in obedience! The Shih Tzu is known for not being the most compliant breed when it comes to basic obedience so training should start the day the dog is brought home.

Activity

The Shih Tzu will need daily exercise, walks or short trips to the dog park. Like most little dogs, this breed will burn off much of their energy playing throughout the day. The Shih Tzu will do well in an apartment because they don’t take up much space. A backyard would be great just so they have extra room to run around in, but this is not necessary as long as they get their regular exercise.

One of the older breeds, it is believed that this dog originated before 400 BC in China.
It is said that the Pug descended from a shorthaired Pekingese, but some experts think it was the result of crossing a small Bulldog while others believed is a miniature form of the rare French Mastiff called Dogue de Bordeaux.

However, the Pug was popular in China, Japan and in Tibet for almost fifteen hundred years before Dutch traders brought this breed back from Asia in the fifteen hundreds.
Pugs have been bred especially for human companionship and not for physical attributes like many other breeds.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

10 – 14 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

13 – 20 lbs.

Color(s)

The Pugs colors are: apricot-fawn with a black mask and ears, black or silver.

Coat

The Pug has a very fine, sleek and short coat.

Life Expectancy

About 12 – 15 years.

Personality

The Pug is a happy and extremely playful little imp that gets along well with other dogs and pets, generally thought a good breed for families they behave perfectly with both children and visitors.
The Pug requires plenty of attention and can become jealous at times if their owner ignores them.
The Pug is a loyal, affectionate and loving dog, highly sociable but stubborn and boisterous, he should be socialized at an early age.

Care

Pugs catch colds easily and dislike hot weather, they should be kept indoors at a comfortable temperature.
They are prone to skin allergies, heart diseases, chronic breathing and eyes problems.
Do not over feed a Pug because they tend to quickly become obese.

The smooth, short-haired coat of the Pug does not require much maintenance, Brush and comb with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary.
The Pug is a seasonally heavy shedder for a short A baby Pughaired dog.

Training

This is one of the harder breeds to train, Pugs are not known for high performance in obedience competitions.
In spite of he can be headstrong at times the Pug is intelligent and eager to please, fun and consistent training methods work best with him as he bore quickly with repetitive training practices.

Activity

Pugs are good for apartment life, they are relatively active indoors and will do okay without a yard.
They are strong and enjoy energetic games, a combination of daily walks and free play time like fetching a ball will keep them fit and healthy.
However, they have the tendency to overheat because of their short noses do not cool them off as easily as those of longer-nosed breeds.

Standard, Miniature, Toy

The Poodles origin is unknown, some believe it originated in France and others think Germany. What is for certain is that they came from Europe and were bred to retrieve waterfowl and game. Their name in German: “pudel” translates to splashing dog, where in this case is a discription of the dog’s purpose. Although many people consider this dog as prissy, they were in face bred to swim and get dirty!

The Poodle has 3 variations, the toy, miniature and standard. All derrived from the Standard variation and were bred to be smaller in the 18th century and all have kept their specific sizes even in modern day. This breed has been known to have more elegant hair cuts that most people would think were for show purposes when in fact the dogs fur was purposely cut everywhere except their ears, chest, and leg joints to keep this dog warm when in cold water!

The Standard Poodle is a large dog with a slender muzzle and long floppy ears. They have muscular legs and an athletic body giving them a noble appearance. Their tail is naturally long but is docked for show purposes.There are 3 variations of coat cut that the Poodle could have: the Continental cut which is their entire lower half shaved and fur left on their ankles, tail, and hips. The Pet cut which is where nothing is shaved but the entire body of fur is about 1 inch in length or the English saddle cut which is similar to the Continental cut except their are rounded areas around the hips that are not shaved.

Breed Group

Standard & Miniature
Non-Sporting

Toy
Toy

Size

Standard
Males: 15 inches high
Females: 15 inches high

Miniature
Males: 11-15 inches high

Females: 11-15 inches high

Toys
Males: under 11 inches
Females: under 11 inches

Weight

Standard

Males: 45-70 lbs
Females: 45-60 lbs
Males: 15-17 lbs
Miniature

Females: 15-17 lbs

Toy
Males: 6-9 lbs

Females: 6-9 lbs

Color(s)

The Standard Poodle will come in all colours as long as it is solid.

Coat

The Poodle has a long, soft, curly coat that will come in any colour. There are 3 different cuts they could have, which are the Continental, the Pet, or the English Saddle cut. These are specific hair cuts the Poodle will need to have if they are to be shown. They have these specific cuts to protect their vital organs and joints from the cold when on a hunt. Although this regal look is desired by many breeders and owners, the cut itself was purely for warmth!

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Poodle is an energetic joyful breed that thrives on attention from their owners. They are a well behaved, calm breed that has a charming character. These dogs are graceful and have a history of not only excellent hunting/retrieval abilities but also in the show ring for their fashionable appearance.

The Poodle is of the utmost intelligent dogs in existence. They are clever, quick and responsive making them easily trained in whatever sport their owner will choose. Hunting, swimming, obedience, agility, and even guarding, the Poodle is a multi-trainable dog that will make a great working companion or pet.

Care

This breed will need either an extensive amount of grooming or very minimal depending on the hair cut their owner would like for them. With the more elegant cuts (Continental or English saddle) they will need daily brushing and monthly trimming to keep their coat in its perfect state. If the owner would prefer the Pet hair cut, then brushing them about once per week will be excellent as they will have about 1 inch of fur covering their bodies and will not need major grooming. The Poodle is prone to bloat, skin allergies, hip dysplasia, eye problems such as cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and ear infections.

Training

This breed is considered one of the easiest breeds to train! They are highly intelligent and will just need consistency and a firm owner to train them in any type of sport or for any type of trick. The Poodle has been known to not only be a great retriever but also as a guard dog which would seem unlikely as they are such friendly outgoing dogs! They will excel in obedience and agility trials if their owner keeps a repetitive method and positive manner when training.

Activity

The Poodle will need to be taken out on regular walks or to an off-leash dog park for their daily exercise. Running will tire this energetic dog out more then a long walk as they need to stretch their legs and use their muscular body to burn off their energy. These dogs will be great for people that live in apartments as long as they are getting their daily exercise. A back yard would be preferable but this is not a must.

The Pomeranian originated in what is now part of Germany and Poland but in the past was called Pomerania. They were bred purely for companionship and are considered a German Spitz breed of dog. They are tiny little guys that were once of medium size and weighed up to 30 lbs! They were used to herd sheep in the late 18th century and around this time period, English nobility began to own these dogs which boosted their popularity in England. These dogs were prized for their appearance and were bred to be smaller and smaller where today they weigh roughly 7 lbs.

This breed has a fluffy thick coat and a small pointy muzzle resembling a fox! They have a tightly curled tail which wraps around itself to touch their back, and slender legs giving them a jolly gait. The Pomeranian has small triangular ears that are pointed upward and large dark eyes giving them an overall kind expression. These dogs are full of personality and despite their size, will act as though they were a large breed!

Independent , smart, and alert, the Pomeranian is an animated breed that will keep their owners on their toes! These dogs are entertaining and love to receive attention from their owners, but will not be a clingy breed. Their independent nature allows them a chance to spend family time together but can be on their own exploring or playing by themselves. The Pomeranian will make great family pets because they get along well with other dogs and cats, but should not be around young children as they can become intolerant.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: 7-12 inches high
Females: 7-12 inches high

Weight

Males: 3-7 lbs
Females: 3-7 lbs

Color(s)

The Pomeranian comes in any colour but the most popular are the black, tan, brown, orange, blue, and white. They can also be a spotted pattern called “parti” and most common will be a gray and tan or a black and tan.

Coat

This breed has a thick, fluffy double layered coat. The outer layer is soft, long and wispy and the inner layer is thick and plush protecting them well from the colder temperatures. They will need to be brushed about two to three times per week as their coat will require more grooming due to its length and texture. Monthly trims will be needed to keep their coat looking immaculate.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

The Pomeranian is a merry little dog that is playful, confident and loves to explore their surroundings. They are a curious, loyal breed that will be a joy to own. Perfect for families and also for people that live in smaller spaces because they don’t require too much room as they are a tiny dog weighing a maximum of 7 lbs! The Pom is an affectionate breed that has an independent streak and will enjoy time to themselves. These dogs can be quick to learn new tricks and have a high motivation to please their owners.

This breed will make great watchdogs because their bark is loud and distinct. They are notorious for becoming quite barky but with strict training, this can be avoided. The Pom has an infectiously happy personality and will make friends wherever they go.

Care

The Pomeranian will need to be brushed at least 2-3 times per week and should be bathed about every 3 months but this varies on the owners preferences. These dogs are prone to luxating patella’s, heart problems, eye problems such as cataracts, skin allergies and a collapsing trachea. Hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and hypothyroidism can also be genetic diseases the Pom can inherit.

Training

The Pomeranian is a breed that despite their small size, can be difficult to train so owners will need to be very consistent and firm. Positive methods will be needed because these dogs already have the desire to please their owners, they just have more important things on their mind than obedience. Poms can pick up little tricks quickly as they are quite intelligent, but housetraining and obedience lessons will need to be repetitive and firm in order for this dog to understand them.

Activity

These dogs will need about half an hour of exercise per day. They burn off most of their energy throughout the day so will not need extensive activity to tire them out. Pomeranians are very small dogs and will do very well in an apartment because they take up such little space. A back yard is not needed as long as they are taken out daily!

The Pekingese originated in China and were bred to be companions as they used to be highly respected in Chinese culture. Bred in Beijing, this little dog was known for its incredible sentimentality to the Chinese. They were thought of as dogs that would rid the world of evil spirits and were considered almighty to the Chinese, so much so that when royalty died, their dogs were killed in a sacrificial ceremony in hopes to protect their master in the next life.

This breed has a pushed in face like that of a pugs, small floppy ears and a body longer than they are tall. Their tail is a loose curl that touches their back and their legs are short but sturdy. The coat is long and thick making the Pekingese resembles a tiny lion, which is prominent in large amounts of Chinese artwork done on these dogs.

This breed is known well for their courage and strong bond with their master. They are stubborn and can be aggressive towards other dogs but have a bold independent attitude that gives them their notoriously popular personality.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: 6-9 inches high

Females: 6-9 inches high

Weight

Males: 8-10 lbs

Females: 8-10 lbs

Dogs of this breed that weigh less than 6 lbs are called “sleeves” and they are the smallest of the Pekingese.

Color(s)

The Pekingese can come in any colour, but most common come in the red, tan, or black.

Coat

The Pekinese has a long, thick coat that is needed for cold climates. The fur on their tail is silky and cascades into the tight curl that touches their back. This breeds fur is straight and is fringed on the legs, ears, tail and underbelly giving them a rugged “lion” look.

Life Expectancy

About 10-15 years.

Personality

The Pekingese is a stubborn little dog that will only have his way. They have been known to stop eating to prove to their owner who the boss is! Despite this trait they are the most affectionate and loving dogs anyone will meet. They have a rare undying love for their owners that only gets stronger with time. They are a small breed but act as if they weigh 100 lbs rather than 10 lbs. The Pekingese love people once they get to know them. They are reserved around strangers but this is only until they create a bond. This dog will make a great family pet if the children are much older because this breed don’t like to be roughhoused with.

For the most part, the Pekingese will get along ok with other dogs but can become aggressive which is due to their stubbornness as a breed. They will do well with other family pets as long as the owner shows equal attention to everyone.

Care

This breed has a long coat that will need daily brushing and monthly trimming. Bathes should be given every couple of months or when the owner finds this necessary. When brushing this dog, special attention should go to the fur on their hind legs as this can tangle very easily. The Pekingese is prone to breathing problems which is due to their pushed in faces, eye ulcers, dislocated kneecaps, and difficult labor. These dogs are small but they have large heads which can pose as a disadvantage when giving birth.

Training

This breed will need to start training the day they are brought home. Their stubborn attitude will pose as a difficulty to completely obedience train them as they will always have a “my way or the highway” attitude. Firm training with small sessions and constant repetitive commands will keep this dog on track.

Activity

This breed will need a brisk walk once per day. They tire themselves out on a daily basis just playing and exploring their space so not to much exercise will be needed. This dog will do well in an apartment as they don’t take up much space due to their tiny size. A backyard is not needed just as long as their owner can commit to about half an hour per day of walking or time spent in an off-leash park.

The Papillon originated in Europe, its exact whereabouts is unknown although Spain, Belgium and Italy have the most historical facts of this dog dating back 700 years! They were bred to be a companion dog and basically entertain their masters. These little dogs were popular back when Marie Antoinette owned them and they still keep their charm to this very day. They are a charming little dog that will excel in agility, obedience, and tricks.

The Papillon is most commonly known for their large “butterfly ears”. They have long wispy fur that is silky and smooth to the touch. The have a slender face, rectangular muzzle and large bright eyes. This breeds body is athletic, their legs delicate and their tail is in a loose curl which touches their back.

This breed is a true companion dog, they love human attention, they’re affectionate and they’re animated. These little dogs can put on an entertaining show just being themselves. The Papillon is a smart dog which will make it easy to train them because they have the intelligence and the motivation to please their owners. This breed can be protective of their family and will make great watch dogs as their bark is very piercing!

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: 8-11 inches high

Females: 8-11 inches high

Weight

Males: 8-10 lbs

Females: 7-9 lbs

Color(s)

The Papillon has a white base coat with a mixture of any colour. Most commonly they are a black and white or a red and white.

Coat

This breed has a silky long coat that will need to be brushed regularly. They have cascading fur from their ears, underbelly and tail giving this dog a charming look. The Papillons legs and face have shorter fur but overall the appearance is a thick smooth coat. Like most long haired dogs, monthly trimmings will be needed to keep the coat looking its best and weekly combing will keep tangles from occurring.

Life Expectancy

About 16 years.

Personality

The Papillon is a bright, alert and entertaining dog that lives for their owners. They can be very relaxed when their owner is at rest yet very animated for the owners attention. This dog does not normally bark often and will enjoy learning new little tricks to entertain people. They will make a great pet for families with older children as they are much to delicate for younger children to play with. They get along ok with other dogs but have been known to be a bit combative. Other family pets such as cats will co-exist well with this breed as long as they are raised with them from puppy hood.

This breed is thought to have a “big dog complex” which means they think they are bigger than what they actually are. They are exceptional when it comes to obedience training as they can pick up tricks quickly.

Care

This dogs coat will need moderate grooming maintenance for it to look as best it can. Considering their coat is long, this breed will not need to be brushed more then twice per week. Bathing is up to how often the owner would like it to be done. The Papillon is prone to luxating patella’s, progressive retinal atrophy, mitral valve disease, and a soft spot that is not protected by their skull.

Training

The Papillon will need to be trained in a gentle manner that is consistent and repetitive. They can become very successful in obedience and when practicing little tricks because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. Housetraining this breed is known to be a bit more difficult as they can have a stubborn streak when it does not suit them to do something. Socialization with other dogs, and small pets will be great for this dog as a puppy so they can become well adjusted as adults.

Activity

The Papillion will need regular walks to burn off their energy. They don’t require excessive amounts of exercise because they can be tired out from a long day of entertaining their owners! This breed will do well in an apartment because they are small dogs that don’t require a lot of space. It would be preferable to have a smaller backyard so they can frolic around outside but this is not a necessity.

The Miniature Pinscher or Min Pin originated in Germany and was bred to be a ratter and a hunter of vermin but also a companion to people. The name “pinscher” is German and translates to “terrier” so the actually English name of this breed is the Miniature Terrier. They resemble the Doberman Pinscher but are in fact not related to them at all! This breed was created by breeding the German Pinscher, Italian Greyhound and other German Terriers together. They were used in stables to keep the vermin population to a minimum.

The Miniature Pinscher is a dog that is not only a great companion but are intelligent and can master agility and basic obedience. These dogs are a tough, confident and fearless breed that is protective of their family and territory. Although they are tiny, the Min Pin will get along well with other dogs and smaller family pets as long as they don’t annoy them.

This breed is a tiny, toned dog that has a glossy smooth coat. Their ears are naturally floppy but will need to be cropped for show purposes as well as their tail which is naturally long but can be docked per the owner’s preferences. The Min Pin has fine boned legs that are straight but mildly muscular.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: 10-12 inches high

Females: 10-11 inches high

Weight

Males: 8-10 lbs
Females: 8-9 lbs

Color(s)

The Min Pin will come in 3 variations of colour, black & tan, rust, or a chocolate colouring. The most popular is the black & tan and is seen most often when showing this breed.

Coat

The Min Pin has a very smooth, silky coat that is very short in length. They are low maintenance when it comes to grooming as a quick 10 minute brushing every 2 weeks will be perfect just to remove dead fur or even use of a hounds brush to give their coat a shiny gloss to it. Bathing will need to be done every 2-3 months and is up to the owner’s preferences.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

The Min Pin is an energetic, playful and friendly dog that thrives on being around his owners at all times. These dogs are great for families as they get along with other dogs, pets and children but should be around older children that are gentler and will act more responsible around this breed. There are cases in which some Min Pins might not be so friendly with larger dogs, so socialization as puppies will be needed to ensure they can co-exist with them as adults. Min Pins are outgoing, responsive and clever. They will be more aloof around people they have never been introduced to but after a few meetings, will warm up quickly.

Housetraining this breed might be a bit difficult as they leave much smaller puddles that might go unseen which will give them the idea that this is ok. Constant pee breaks every hour will be needed to get these dogs accustomed to your house rules.

Care

This breed will need very minimal grooming because they have a very short coat! During the colder seasons they will need a doggie jacket to keep them warm when going outside. Bathing is up to the owner’s discretion but is not needed more than once every 2 months unless the dogs dirty themselves. Min Pins are a healthy breed but should be monitored with toys as they have very small throats that can get clogged easily!! Also special attention should be brought to their diet because they can become overweight quickly.

Training

The Min Pin will need a firm owner who is consistent and can overlook their charming attitude which usually allows them to get what they want. These dogs are intelligent and can grasp obedience and little tricks quickly as long as their owner uses positive methods and repetition. Despite their size, the Min Pin has succeeded in agility and basic obedience trials.

Activity

These little dogs will need about a half an hour of outdoor exercise per day. They burn up most of their energy indoors so will not need extensive exercise outside. Trips to a dog park would be excellent for these dogs so they can have a large amount of space to run around in. These dogs will be perfect for people that live in apartments as they take up very little space. A backyard would be preferable so they can have an outdoor area to run around in, but it will need to be fenced in as this breed can be an escape artist!