25 Feb 2008 11:29:04 | Kirsten Hawkins
No, you don't wind them up and they don't take batteries
"Toy" dogs are becoming more popular all the time. These little
dogs, the result of generations of selective breeding, are
generally bred as companion animals and people just seem to love
them. Their miniature size and playful nature (most toy breeds
are good natured dogs with a few exceptions) make them wonderful
companions and for several years they have been chic among well
to do people.
Most of the toy dog breeds hail originally from Asia where the
process of selectively breeding dogs to make them smaller is
believed to have begun, but there are plenty of toy breeds from
other areas of the world as well.
Bichon Frise:
A small dog that was originally bred as a companion dog, the
Bichon Frise possesses a boisterous personality, is very
tolerant of children, other animals and strangers, and is highly
intelligent and very trainable. These dogs have a short and
curly white coat that does require frequent grooming.
Chihuahua:
The Chihuahua may be the best known of the toy dog breeds. They
have a short or medium coat, are easy to groom, and possess
average intelligence and trainability. They do not have the best
personalities and are not tolerant of children, other animals,
or strangers. The Chihuahua hails from Mexico originally and is
the smallest of the toy dog breeds.
Maltese:
The Maltese is a companion dog that was originally bred for
royalty or the very wealthy. They are natural born
troublemakers, but are very loyal to their owners. They are not
at all good with children, other animals, or strangers. They're
considered to be dogs of average intelligence and trainability.
Their beautiful coats require frequent grooming.
Pekingese:
The Pekingese was originally bred for the Emperors of China.
These little dogs have a boisterous personality and are not very
tolerant of children or other animals. They do bark a lot and
are often difficult to train. Wary of strangers they can make a
good watchdog and will bark loudly when strangers approach their
home.
Pug:
The Pug comes from East Asia. Their short coat requires little
grooming, but the folds and wrinkles of their faces must be
cleaned often. Pugs make wonderful family dogs because they are
very docile, don't bark a lot, and are good with children and
other animals. They are highly intelligent dogs and very social.
About Author :
Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville,
TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for more information on
dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.