The Miniature Schnauzer originated in Germany and was bred to be a ratter in barns but is more commonly used as a companion breed. They are a mixture of the miniature poodle and the Standard Schnauzer, giving them the small size of a poodle and identical appearance of a Schnauzer. These little dogs are very popular due to their infectiously animated personality.

The Mini Schnauzer has a small compact body with frail legs and a prancing gait. They have a long rectangular muzzle and large circular eyes that have a curious expression to them. This breed has naturally floppy ears and a long tail but for show purposes these will be cropped and docked. The fur on their face gives them the appearance of a beard and mustache! They are identical to the Standard Schnauzer both in colour and body shape, but on a much smaller scale.

These little dogs are bright, happy, loving creatures that want to be with their owners at all times. They make good family pets because they like children and have the patience for them. Other dogs pose a problem for this breed because for the most part, they do not get along but if socialized extensively as puppies, this can be prevented. The Mini Schnauzer is a protective breed that will take on people, dogs or other animals if they seem to threaten their family or home.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 12-14 inches high
Females: 12-14 inches high

Weight

Males: 10-15 lbs
Females: 10-15 lbs

Color(s)

The Mini Schnauzer comes in a silver, black, salt & pepper, or white. Most commonly seen is the salt & pepper colouring which is the light gray with black and white accents on their chest and legs.

Coat

This breed has a thick double layered coat that consists of a harsh and wiry top layer and a soft, plushy undercoat. This keeps them very warm when in colder temperatures but since these dogs are so small, they will get cold easily because they don’t have much body mass. The coat does not shed much fur so will be good for people that have allergies to dogs.

Life Expectancy

About  15 years.

Personality

The Mini Schnauzer is a playful, animated character that will make a great pet for families or people that would like an affectionate smaller dog. They would do better in a home with no other animals because they enjoy being the centre of attention and for the most part, do not get along very well with other pets. Protective and responsive, this breed wants to be the guardian of the house and will make a great watchdog as they have a loud shrill bark.

These dogs are extremely clever and will be quite easy to train provided the owner is consistent. They can pick up little tricks and will be quite charming while performing them to impress their masters. Miniature Schnauzers enjoy playing and will need a variety of toys to choose from because if they become bored, they will find things to chew on that might not necessarily be something their master will approve of.

Care

This breed will need a moderate amount of grooming as they have a shorter coat that will not need much maintenance. Brushing 3-4 times per week and bathing once every 2 months will be perfect for this dogs coat. Trims should be given 4 times per year to keep the length equal. These dogs are prone to skin allergies, cysts, eye problems, kidney stones and diabetes. In general they are healthy dogs but owners should check the blood lines of the parents to ensure what their puppy might be inheriting at a later date.

Training

The Miniature Schnauzer is a clever breed that will need gentle methods when training. Consistency and repetition are key but a positive manner is a must to encourage these dogs to want to learn. Lessons should be kept short and fun so the training will not feel like work. Mini Schnauzers will need a lot of socialization as puppies especially with other dogs; they can become dog aggressive if this is not done!

Activity

The Miniature Schnauzer will need to be taken out to an off-leash dog park or out for regular walks as they need a moderate amount of exercise to burn off their energy. During the day these dogs play so after work they will not need too much exercise to tire them out. This breed is perfect for apartments because of their size and will not need a back yard but access to one will be a bonus.

The Miniature Bull Terrier originated in England and were bred for fighting bulls but later became a companion breed. They are a mixture of the English Bulldog, Spanish Pointer and English Terrier resulting in a muscular, agile dog. There are 2 types of Bull Terrier, the Standard and the Miniature.

They are identical except for their height and weight but have the same personality and characteristic traits. Although this breed was initially bred to fight, studies were done on their temperament in all scenarios and they ranked higher in comparison to all breeds.

This breed is a muscular, solid dog that has very short, hard fur. They have a distinctive oval shaped muzzle and a large square skull. The Bull Terrier’s ears are large and pricked upwards while their body is wide and stout. Their tail is slender and has a slight curve to it. Overall this dog has an intimidating look but their personality is completely opposite!

The Miniature Bull Terrier is an animated, playful puppy at heart, but they also have a courageous protective side to them. These dogs are extremely tolerant of children and have an intense affection for their owners. Though they have a “tough dog” reputation, anybody who has actually met one of these dogs knows exactly that they are big furry babies that thrive on attention and love. They are goofy dogs that have a sense of humor and can entertain themselves and their owners. The Bull Terrier has a charming personality that is truly one of a kind.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

STANDARD
Males: 20-24 inches high
Females: 20-24 inches high

MINIATURE
Males: 10-14 inches high

Females: 10-14 inches high

Weight

STANDARD
Males: 45-80 lbs
Females: 45-80 lbs

MINIATURE

Males: 24-33 lbs
Females: 24-33 lbs

Color(s)

The Bull Terrier comes in solid white, brindle, fawn, red, tri-colour and black. Most commonly seen are the solid white and brindle colouring.

Coat

This breed has a very short, hard textured coat that will need very minimal grooming. Weekly brushing and baths given roughly every 1-2 months will be perfect to keep this dogs coat looking great!

Life Expectancy

About 10-12 years.

Personality

This breed has an outgoing and happy personality that will make them great as family pets. They adore children and will make a gentle, trustworthy companion. These dogs will need to be socialized as puppies around other dogs and small animals to ensure they can be comfortable around these as adults. For the most part the Bull Terrier will get along with other dogs but usually problems occur with dogs of the same sex. They can be protective especially when their owners are near but are not the first to fight.

The Bull Terrier is an excellent breed to own but is not for owners with little or no experience raising dogs. They are stubborn and can be more difficult to train and will need a master that is comfortable with dogs of this caliber. This breed is well behaved and are amusing to own.

Care

The Bull Terrier will be a very low maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. Brushing them once per week will be sufficient and bathing when the owner feels it necessary, is all this breed needs to have great looking coat! These dogs are prone to luxating patella’s, deafness, and obesity. They are a generally healthy breed but some lines may show signs of OCD so when looking to own a Bull Terrier, have the parents medical history checked before you decide to buy!

Training

This breed will need an owner that is strict, firm, consistent and willing to put in hard work and discipline. They are very smart dogs but have a stubborn attitude at times that cannot be ignored or overlooked as they will adjust to their own way of living which will lead to problems in the future. Gentle methods are always implied but consistency and repetition are the keys to training. As with most dogs, short training sessions that are made enjoyable will encourage these dogs to want to learn and training will come much easier when this mental obstacle is acknowledged.

Activity

The Miniature Bull Terrier will need long walks every day to ensure they are getting the proper amount of exercise. They have a tendency to gain weight and become lazy if they’re not exercised enough. Trips to a dog park will be great so they can play and also have time of their own to run or explore the new territory. The Miniature Bull Terrier will do well in an apartment if they get their daily exercise. A backyard would be perfect for these dogs so they can roam around in an outside environment at home.

The Mastiff ancestors were probably brought to England by the Roman invaders. Renowned as a fierce war dog, the Mastiff has been used as a fighter by European knights and Spanish conquistadors as well as a valorous helper to hunt lion, wolf, bear and deer.

Nowadays, the Mastiff breed, also called the English Mastiff or Old English Mastiff is a gentle giant. Very massive, powerful and fearless the Mastiff gives the impression of nobility and integrity.

Breed Group

Working

Size

27 – 30 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

150 – 190 lbs. One of the heaviest breeds, male can exceed 200 lbs.

Color(s)

The color of the coat comes in fawn, brown, beige, apricot, or brindle.

Coat

The Mastiff has a double coat. The outer coat is short, coarse, and straight, while the close-lying under coat is dense.

Life Expectancy

About 8 – 12 years.

Personality

The Mastiff is a good natured, calm, and intelligent breed. They are extremely loyal and very possessive of home and family. This breed loves to please and needs plenty of human companionship and affection. The Mastiff is an Mastiff is a good natured, calm breedoutstanding family dog usually extremely patient with older considerate children and other pets they have been raised with.

Care

As the Mastiff is prone to GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus) feed two or three small meals a day, instead of a large one. They are also subject to CHD (Canine Hip Dysplasia), hypothyroidism, heart disease, bone cancer and cardiomyopathy. Prone to heatstroke he needs extra care in warm climates.

The smooth, short-haired coat of the Mastiff is easy to groom, occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush will suffice. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. This breed is a medium shedder.

Training

The Mastiff requires a dominant handler and is not recommended for the inexperienced owner. They do not respond well to heavy-handed methods and does best with firmness, fairness, patience and consistency.

Due to his large size early socialization and obedience are essential for this breed. Protection and guard training is needless for this naturally protective breed. Some of the Mastiff’s talents include: guarding, military and police work, search and rescue and weight pulling.

Activity

The Mastiff is relatively inactive indoors and inclined to be quite lazy, they will do okay in an apartment dwelling if it is sufficiently stimulated and exercised. Daily walks up to an hour will be ok and they should always be leashed in public. He does, however, require regular play session in a safely fenced large yard to keep them happy.

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!

The Manchester Terrier originated in England and was bred to hunt small rodents and is best known as a ratter. Their breed was created by mixing the Whippet and the Black and Tan Terrier together with the outcome being a quick, agile hunting dog. The Manchester Terrier resembles a larger miniature pinscher as the colouring and coat texture are quite similar. During the late 1800′s there were 2 versions of this dog being bred, the toy and the standard. English nobility often wanted small breeds and the Manchester Terrier was one that was created for companion purposes.

Today this breed is used primarily for companionship as they make excellent pets for people that want a bright and exuberant dog. The Manchester Terrier will be best in a home that has no other animals as they have a tendency to chase smaller family pets and to be snappy around other dogs. Older children would be better suited for this breed as they can become intolerant with younger children.

This breed has a very short, glossy coat that is smooth to the touch. They have 2 size varieties, the standard and toy, both have a long thin muzzle with pointed upward and erect ears. Their tail is skinny and long coming to a sharp point at the end. They have fine boned legs and small paws giving them a charming gait.

Breed Group

Toy and Terrier

Size

Standard

Males: 15-16 inches high
Females: 15-16 inches high

Toy
Males: 10-12 inches high
Females: 10-12 inches high

Weight

Standard
Males: 18 lbs
Females: 17 lbs

Toy
Males: 6-12 lbs
Females: 6-12 lbs

Color(s)

The Manchester Terrier comes in only one type of coat colouring which is black and tan. The majority of their body is covered in black and they have tan accents on their face, paws, underbelly and ears.

Coat

This breed has a very short, silky coat that will be very low maintenance to upkeep. Brushing this dog with a hounds glove will keep the coat looking shiny and bathing about once every 2 months will be needed for this breed. During the colder seasons, the Manchester terrier will need to have extra layers or a doggie coat to keep them warm because their fur coat will not be warm enough.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

The Manchester Terrier is a bright, loyal and loving dog that enjoys being around their owners at all times. This is not a breed of dog that should be left alone often as they will become depressed, so an owner who is at home during the day would be perfect for this breed. They are extremely intelligent dogs and can be skilled in basic obedience and agility trials because they have such high motivation to please their owners.

As puppies, the Manchester Terrier will need a lot of socialization especially around other dogs and small animals (cats) because they have been known to become intolerant of both as adults. These dogs enjoy affection from their owners but also need their own space because they can be independent dogs.

Care

This breed will need very minimal grooming. Their short coat will need a brushing about once every 2 weeks and should be bathed approximately once every 2 months. The Manchester Terrier is prone to Von Willebrands disease, and can be easily burnt if they stay too long in the sun. They are a healthy breed with very few genetically inherited diseases.

Training

The Manchester Terrier has ample potential to become excellent in obedience and agility because they have a high intelligence level. They will need very firm training as most terriers do, and consistency to ensure the information given to them is completely memorized. Positive training methods are a must because if taught in a negative fashion, these dogs will not succeed in any type of training. They have a very eager attitude towards pleasing their master so in general, the Manchester Terrier will not be difficult to train.

Activity

This breed will need quite a bit of daily exercise as they can be energetic dogs. Daily long walks will be needed but also time spent off-leash to run around at their own pace is a necessity as well. They will do very well in an apartment because they are such small dogs and a backyard is not needed as long as they get daily exercise!

The Maltese originated in Malta which is one of seven islands located in the Mediterranean Sea. They were bred purely for human companionship and are great dogs for people that want a tiny pet that can be taken anywhere. They are energetic dogs that keep their happy-go-lucky personality throughout their life. This breed is extremely affectionate and love to be carried around which gives them the reputation for being spoiled!

The Maltese is a very small white dog with a long glossy coat. They usually have a trade mark bow tie holding the fur up away from their faces. Their ears are triangular and floppy but are usually covered in their long fur. The Maltese’s compact body is lightweight, fragile, and will look like they are “walking on clouds” which is to say they are dainty yet light on their feet. The Maltese’s fur is around 8 inches long and completely covers their body from head to toe.

This breed is loyal, caring and smart although they have been known to be temperamental with young children. They are picky when it comes to their diet but should be kept on a strict food plan so they don’t become spoiled and only eat treats or doggie junk food. They will be a great pet for families that have older children, partly due to the fact that they love attention from anybody willing to offer it, and also because they get along with other dogs and small pets very well.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: 8-10 inches high

Females: 8-9 inches high

Weight

Males: 6-9 lbs

Females: 6-9 lbs

Color(s)

This breed will come in only one colour, white. A light cream or ivory will be permitted but there is to be no other colour patterns or markings on this dog at all or they will be disqualified from the Show ring.

Coat

The Maltese is notorious for their long white coat. It is pin straight and sweeps the floor when they walk. Curly or frizzy fur is not allowed as this dogs trademark must be perfected when being judged. They have only the outer coat which will grow to about 8 inches long.

Life Expectancy

About 15 -18 years.

Personality

The Maltese is a cheerful jubilant little dog that thrives on attention and love from their owners. They are animated and enjoy being the center of attention where they will take it upon themselves to do little tricks for the entertainment of their family. This breed will make a great watchdog because they have a piercingly loud bark that will alert even the neighbors! The Maltese is a stubborn breed that will need basic training and special a effort when housetraining as this can be difficult. Due to their small size and charming personality, owners might tend to let these dogs get away with more than they should, so a firm hand when setting the rules for the house is necessary.

These little dogs are spunky and are more tough than they appear to be. They can be protective of their property and be a bit snappish when they feel threatened but for a dog that averages around 7 lbs, they are a force to be reckoned with! Packed with charisma and grace, the Maltese is a very popular breed today.

Care

The Maltese is a high maintenance breed of dog when it comes to their grooming needs. Daily brushing and monthly bathes/trims will be needed to keep this show dogs coat looking perfect. Some owners opt to cut their fur to a few inches in length which gives them a more ruggedly cute look. This breed is hypoallergenic which is perfect for owners that have allergies to dogs. The Maltese is prone to slipped kneecaps, eye problems, and skin allergies.

Training

This breed will need training the day they are brought into the home. They are charming little dogs that tend to get their way, but this will not help them in the long run when it comes to obedience. Although they are small, a firm method and consistency will do them good and give them a job to constantly work on. Housetraining this breed is difficult as they can be fussy if the weather outside does not suit them. Encouraging them to do their business outside even when they choose not to is the most effective way to potty train this breed.

Activity

The Maltese will need a daily walk of about half an hour per day. They are not a breed that needs extensive exercise because they tire themselves out during their routines throughout the day. This breed will be a great apartment dog because of their small size but a small backyard would be excellent so they can run around in an outside environment at home.