The Maltese is a small, white and fluffy dog. Their coat is long and silky. Some do have curly or wooly coats, but this is not standard. They do not have an undercoat. They coat is typically white, but in some cases it is cream or a slight lemon color. They have black noses, but it is not uncommon for their noses to fade or change color. But many times it will return back to black with more sun exposure. They weigh from 4 to 13 pounds and are 8 to 10 inches tall. Their fur is similar to a Yorkshire Terriers, also known as a Yorkie. Most people cut their Maltese’s fur short. But most show dogs have long silky fur reaching the floor. Grooming is important. Since they are white it easy for dirt to be noticeable. Also, they get tear stains underneath their eyes. This needs to be cleaned.

 Personality:

The Maltese is a cuddly breed. They have lots of energy and are extremely brave for their small size. They are very trusting and lovable towards their owner. They were bred for companionship, so they are lovable and kind. But, if not raised properly they will not be as kind and cuddly as you would want. It is important not to treat them like a baby. Spoiling them or sheltering them can make them destructive and bratty. They need to have some freedom. Training is important, also. It helps them become the perfect companion and become easier to handle pets. They love praise and treats. They are easy to train and love to please their owner. Do not use harsh tones or discipline. This will lead to worse behavior, biting and mistrust toward you. Small dogs easily feel threatened and are not hesitant to bite or bark at you. House training can be difficult. Like most small dogs, finding where they went to the bathroom is hard to find, since it is so small. Also, like most small dogs, the Maltese has separation anxiety. This means they don’t like being alone or separated from their owner for very long. They are best for homes where someone is present most of the time. Remember to walk your Maltese, they need lots of exercise and have tons of energy. They get along with other dogs and animals and often play with dogs three times their size. They are not the best choice for people with children though. They love children, but a small child can easily harm one. They live about 12 to 14 years.

Origin:

There is not much known about the history of the Maltese. The exact origin of the Maltese is unknown. They are thought to be descended from a spitz-type breed from the Swiss Lake area. There is also evidence that supports that they are relatives of the Asian Tibetan Terrier. The oldest record of a Maltese was found in the Etruscan town of Vulci. A Maltese like dog is portrayed on a Greek amphora. It dates back to around 500 B. C.

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Italian Greyhounds are odd looking dogs. They are skinny and look very fragile. They look like they are nothing but skin and bones. But they have tons of muscle and can run extremely fast. They are part of a dog family called “sighthounds.” Sighthounds are breeds of dogs that hunt with speed and sight, rather than scent and endurance. The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of all the sighthounds. They are only about 13 to 15 inches tall and weigh 8 to 18 pounds. They are taller than most toy dogs, so be careful when buying apparel for them. Their coats almost always have white on them. It is extremely rare to find one that is a solid color unless they are white. Occasionally they can be solid black. They are commonly found in different shades of fawn. They can also be mouse, seal, red, chocolate, sable, blue or cream.

Personality:

They are extremely curious and love to get into trouble. It is smart to watch them and make sure they don’t try jumping off things, because they can hurt their legs and back. Italian Greyhounds are like cats in some ways. They enjoy sitting in the sun, or sun bathing. But you must remember to make sure your Italian Greyhound does not over heat or get sunburned. They also like high up places, like the back of chairs and couches. Window seats are their favorite though. They do not like getting wet, as slot of dogs are. If they have to use the bathroom, they will not do it while it’s raining. Some people resort to litter box training them. They are easy to not punish. They have big eyes that can melt your heart. But be careful, if you are too soft and not strict they will go wild and think they own the house. They do need early socialization to keep them from being aggressive towards strangers. They live about 12 to 15 years.

Origin:

Italian Greyhounds are an old breed. They are seen in ancient artifacts dating back to 2,000 years ago. Most of these artifacts are found in modern day Greece and Turkey. Archaeologists have also found small greyhound skeletons. There was a small greyhound body found in the ancient city of Pompeii, a Roman city that was destroyed by a volcano. In the Middle Ages they started becoming popular in southern Europe. Italians were very fond of them, hence the name Italian Greyhound. In the 1600’s they started showing up in England.  Like in Italy, they were very popular. They were especially popular with royalty and aristocrats. The American Kennel Club registered the Italian Greyhound in 1886, even though they were not as popular in the United States.

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The havanese comes in many different colors. But they all have in common a black nose and eye rims. Although in a brown, or chocolate, havanese it is exceptional to be dark brown. The color a havanese is as a puppy may not stay. By the time they are an adulthood they could be a different color. They can be black, blue, gold, chocolate, champagne, silver, and white cream.  Their fur should be long, soft, and smooth. Their fur can be curly, straight or wavy. They have shady, round eyes and large ears. They are non-shedding and hypoallergenic. They need daily grooming to keep their fur from getting matted and messy.  Their fur may appear to look like they are prepared for the cold of winter but it serves no protection from the cold. They weigh from about 8 to 17 pounds. And they can be around 8 to 12 inches in height.

Personality:

The havanese is a playful, cheerful and friendly dog. They get along well with kids and other animals, which is hard to come by in most tiny dogs. They are not as fragile as most tiny dogs. They do not require a lot of exercise and can keep themselves entertained. But they do love attention. They will do tricks and entertain guests. They love people and will follow you around your house, so be careful not to trip over them. Some havaneses have been known to only eat in the company of someone. Which means sometimes they will carry their food to wherever their owner is to eat it. They are super easy to train and are very smart. They are wonderful companions as well as kind and gentle dogs. They do not respond well to harsh tones and punishment. They are better with positive reinforcement and praise. They live about 14 to 15 years.

Origin:

The havanese is part of the Bichon family. Other members of this family are; the Bichon Frise, Coton de Tulear, Bolognese, Maltese, Bolonka and Lowchen. They are often called the Cuban Bichon, because they are from Cuba. But they had many other names too.  They originated from Havana, Cuba.  They are the National Dog of Canada. They were popular in other countries. The queen of England and Charles Dickens owned one. They often belonged to the aristocrats in Cuba. But during the Cuban Revolution the aristocrats fled to the United States, however few were capable of bringing their dogs. They became very unpopular and rare. But more recently they have been making a comeback. Breeding the havanese in the United States only started in the 1970’s. A US breeder names Mrs. Goodale is given credit for saving the breed. She started breeding havaneses that were brought by some Cubans and eventually saved the breed.

picture from:

http://hhavanese.com/dogfiles/p5100199.jpg

The pug is a very strange looking breed of dog. It is hard to believe that they can be descended from wolves. Their main and most notable characteristic is their flat, squished in, wrinkly faces, with their little flat nose. They have small, packed in bodies with a short curled tail. They can come in four color varieties; black, silver, apricot, and fawn with a black face and ears. Fawn with a black face and ears are very common and seen in most pugs. They can also simply, just be described as fawn, instead. Black pugs are somewhat rare. Silver pugs are often mistaken as “smutty” pugs, which are not very popular and considered “undesirable”, while apricot pugs are a burnt orange color. Most pugs are about 10 to 14 inches tall and weigh about 13 to 20 pounds. They may be small and compact, but they do weigh a lot.

Personality:

Pugs are goofy, silly tiny dogs. Pugs are super loving and are normally not aggressive towards anyone. They get along great with other pets and are actually really great with kids. You must be careful though; larger dogs can easily hurt a weaker pug. Also, children can easily hurt them too. They make great family pets and they love to show off and amuse their owners. They often just run around chasing their tails or acting goofy. But remember, pugs do shed. A lot. Pugs are very sensitive to the temperature. They can get hot way too easily. They should not be outside pets. It is also very important to watch their weight. They can gain weigh without any trouble. Do not feed them table scraps or people food. They need exercise but be careful. Simply playing in your yard with other animals or kids is enough. Do not try and go running or jogging with them. They cannot handle that kind of exercise. There are a bunch of health concerns when owning a pug but most pugs live to be about 12 to 15 years old.

Origin:

The word “pug” comes from England where “pug” meant “monkey” or “dog.” Which is wear the pug got its name. The face of the pug resembles that of a monkey. The pug breed comes from China. Although the exact origin is unknown, all records were destroyed by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who was the first emperor of China. There they were bred as lap dogs.  They were called “foo” or “Lo-Chiang-Sze.” It is believed that the pug is an ancestor of the modern day Pekingese. The pug breed became popular among Tibetan Buddhist monks. Their popularity then spread to Japan, and eventually Europe. Later on they were bred with the King Charles Spaniel to create the modern day King Charles Spaniel.

pictures from:

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/lost-moments/245283519/

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/21315468@N06/2291474830/

An English Toy Spaniel, also known as a King Charles Spaniel, has a very short, smashed in nose. It is similar to that of a pug. They have big, murky eyes and long hanging ears. They have a large, round-shaped head. The head is exceptionally large in comparison to the rest of an English Toy Spaniel’s body. The fur on an English Toy Spaniel is long, smooth and silky. They come in a few colors. They can be black and tan, which is normally referred to as “King Charles”. They can be solid or almost solid red, which is called Ruby. They can be black with tan markings, which is called Prince Charles, and they can be white with red markings, that is called Blenheim. They are small and compact, along with a solid, well-built frame. They are about 10 inches in height and weighs from 8 to 10 pounds. In the United States of America it is popular to dock, or bob their tails. But that is illegal in most parts of Europe.

Personality:

The English Toy Spaniel is an affectionate little dog. They can be playful, but are normally calm and sophisticated. But it is smart to keep them in a confined yard, they love to chase animals, hence the spaniel in them. They are wonderful lap dogs. They love to cuddle and just lounge around on coaches. They don’t like strangers too much and they can be shy, and possibly aggressive though, if they have not been socialized enough.  They make wonderful pets for the elderly, but not children. They are caring and gentle, and get along with other pets. Like most small dogs, they suffer from separation anxiety, a state of anxiety caused in somebody by the thought or fact of being separated from primary caregiver. They need lots of grooming, also. Since their fur is long and thick, it must be taken care of. They are easy to train They live around 10 to 12 years. The English Toy Spaniel does have many health problems. Some of these problems are: slipped –knees,-palettes, -stifles, Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA), Mitral Valve Disease are just to name a few.

Origin:

In the early 1600s toy spaniels were very popular in Europe.  Charles the II was very affectionate toward this breed of dog, which is why they now carry his name. But back then they didn’t have the smashed in face of the modern day English Toy Spaniel. Back then they would have looked like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. But later on in the century and early into the next, pugs were becoming popular. Eventually the pug and the English Toy Spaniel were bred together to create the modern day breed. The AKC recognized the breed in 1886.

picture from:

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SHOW CLIPS:

• Puppy Show Clip:

This clip is for poodles under the age of one. The coat is long, but the face, feet, and throat are shaved. Also, there is a pompom on the end of the tail.

• Continental Clip:

This is a very common clip. The face, throat, feet and hindquarters are shaved. Pompoms on the hindquarters are optional. There are pompoms on the front legs and “bracelets” on the back legs. And there is a pompom on the tail.

• English Saddle Clip:

The face, throat, and feet are shaved. The hindquarters are trimmed short and there are pompoms on the front legs. There is a bracelet on the back legs, along with a pompom above it. There is a pompom on the tail.

PET CLIPS

• Sporting Clip:

The face feet and throat are shaved. A cap-like puff is left on top of the head. The body is trimmed and is very short, no longer than 1 inch of fur. The leg hair may be a little longer.

• Kennel Clip:

This is the easiest to maintain. The face and feet are shaved. The body is trimmed to be really short and close to the body of the poodle. There is a pompom on the tail, also.

• Lamb Trim:

The face and feet are shaved, and there is a pompom on the tail. The legs have longer hair than the body. The leg hair is fluffy and long.

• Bikini Clip:

The face and feet are shaved. The hair on the body is fluffy but is cut short. There are pompoms on the feet above the shaved parts.

• Town and Country Clip:

The face, feet, throat and wide belly band are shaved. There is a pompom on the tail. The legs are left fluffy and curved around hips and shoulders.

• Teddy Bear Clip:

The teddy bear clip is common with most household poodles. The body hair is shortened and shaped. The hair is normally a few inches long, and there are now changes in lengths. The feet, tail and face are trimmed, and they do not have a pompom on the tail. The topknot is trimmed and rounded, but not into a cap.

In addition, many people use poodles to create art. It is called; creative grooming. Groomers create wild designs and can transform an ordinary poodle into almost anything. They range from pandas to football players to bison. Poodles can also be very colorful. People commonly purchase white poodles out of any color. This is because you can dye poodle hair. Some people dye them hot pink, others go for electric blue. Do not try and dye dog FUR. Poodles have hair, remember.

Pictures from:

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The toy poodle is the smallest in the poodle family; the others are standard and miniature poodles. The toy poodle is only are under 10 inches and weighs about 4 to 8 pounds. The miniature poodle is 11 to 15 inches and weighs about 15 to 17 pounds. There are such things as teacup poodles, but those are not recognized by kennel clubs. They have a very thick, curly hair, not fur. Poodles are hypoallergenic and do not shed. But this means they need regular grooming to maintain a nice clean coat. They are most commonly found in just a solid color, most kennel clubs only allow dogs with one color. Their color might fade as time goes by, but it might stay the same. Not all poodles have the same texture of fur. Some of it is really soft, some is very course and rough. There are many different ways to clip a poodle. A show clip is very hard to maintain and not recommended for the average pet owner.

Personality:

Poodles are often a misunderstood dog. When people think of poodles they often think of a show poodle, not what most poodles are like. They are thought to be prissy and high class. But underneath that weird show clip, they are normal friendly dogs. Poodles are extremely smart, which makes them easy to train. They are often used in obedience competitions. They are also very full of energy and make great agility dogs. They love to play and need a mental challenge game to stimulate the brain. Simply playing hide and go seek with them makes them happy. They also make great watchdogs. They may be small but they have a bark that will warn you of anyone approaching your home. But this does not mean they are aggressive. Most Poodles tend to be sort of “polite” with strangers. While others love everyone. Poodles get along with other dogs and cats, also. Poodles are not recommended for families with young children. Children can be rough and might hurt a poodle.

Origin:

The country of originality is unknown. Many think it comes from France, others think they came from Germany. But one thing is known for sure. The toy poodle and the miniature poodle both come from the standard poodle. They were just bred down into a smaller size The standard poodle was bred from the barbet and Hungarian water hound. In Germany they would have been used for hunting and retrieving water fowl. The “poodle clip” was created by hunters. It left fir on the legs to protect against branches and thorns. In France, the poodle was used as a gun dog, water fowl retriever and to sniff out truffles. The French also used Poodles in the circus as performers, since they are so easy to train. In the 1700s smaller poodles started showing up. They were very popular among the royal people of Europe. In current times, poodles are often used to create art. People often shave them and dye their fur. Its called creative poodle grooming.

pictures from:

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http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Miniature_Poodle_pup.JPG

 Miniature Pinschers, also known as Min Pins or Mini Pins, are the smallest in of the family of Pinschers. The others, Doberman and German, are much larger but look almost identical, except size. The Miniature Pinscher has a small, elegant body with a docked tail and normally the ears are cropped. They’re body is slim and muscular. They a have sleek and shiny coat that is very short and lies close to their body. Also, their face resembles that of a Chihuahua. Miniature Pinschers have large eyes and a long snout, in comparison to the rest of their body. They are black and tan. The majority of their body is black. But they have tan near their eyes, on their cheeks, chest and legs. But they can also be different colors, too. They can be red or chocolate and tan. They weigh about 8 to 10 pounds and are about 10 to 12 inches tall. Anything shorter than ten or taller than 12.5 suffers disqualification is the show ring.

 Personality:

The Miniature Pinscher is a feisty, rambunctious, tiny dog. They are defiantly not a lapdog. They are extremely curious and love to get into trouble. They are definitely not a good choice for any first time pet owner. They enormously nosy and need to be watch over a lot. They will find any way possible to escape a confined space. If put in an outdoor pen, make sure it has a lid. They can leap exceptionally high. They are very quick and if they get loose it is almost impossible to get them back. If you decide to take them into a yard or open space, make sure they are carried, put into a pen that it cannot escaped from or on a leash or harness. You must be very careful and not let you Miniature Pinscher think, at any time, that it he/she is more dominate than you. They will take advantage of any weakness. You must be strict with them and not ease up on punishment. But they can be worth all the trouble they can cause. They live about 15 years or more.

 Origin:

They were not originally bred to be a house dog. They were a working dog that was placed in barns and normally had very little human contact. They were bred to chase rats and other small animals away from farms.  They are thought to be bred between a dachshund, a German smooth haired pinscher and an Italian greyhound. They greyhound made them fast and quick, which was needed to chase down and kill mice and other animals. The dachshund was a very popular ratter at the time, which is why it was bred too.

picture from:

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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has large eyes and large droopy ears. They have a short muzzle and long, silky and straight fur. Grooming is simple. Just about three times a week should be good and occasional trims around the behind.  You also need to check and clean their ears.  There are four different variations of their coats. They can be Blenheim. This is when their coat is white with chestnut (light reddish brown) markings. They have chestnut ears and the areas around their eyes are chestnut, also. They can also be black and tan. They are mostly black and have a couple tan markings, like on the chest and legs and a few spots on the face. Cavaliers also come in ruby. This is when their entire coat is chestnut. They can have white on them, but if the dog is a show dog then they can’t. And last but not least, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be tri colored. This is when they are black, tan and white. Their body is mostly white with a black back. And they have random tan markings normally around the face and eyes. They weigh about 10 to 18 pounds and are about 12 to 13 inches tall.

Personality:

These tiny dogs are playful, full of energy and gentle. They are wonderful lap dogs, but can be full of life. They love to chase squirrels and other small critters. It is a must to keep them in an enclosed yard, or they might get lose and get into serious trouble. They do not like being left alone, but that is common in most dogs. They love their owner(s) and people in general. They need a good bit of exercise. It’s as simple as a few walks and a yard to keep them fit. They are not good for people who don’t have yards. They need to burn of all their energy or bad behavior can arise.  They get along with other animals and don’t try and attack anyone who walks into your house or yard.  They are really smart and easy to train. They live about 9 to 14 years.

Origin:

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is descended from the King Charles Spaniel. In the early 1920s an American names Roswell Eldridge offered money to any who could show him a King Charles Spaniel before it was bred with the pug back in the late 1600s.  Before it was breed with the pug it had a long nose, not short. A dog named Ann’s Son, owned by Mostyn Walker, won the Eldridge prize, but sadly Roswell Eldridge had died about a month before. But his work continued. The dog he wanted is now called the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are considered a different breed from the King Charles Spaniel. Now the Cavalier is more popular than the King.

Picture From:

http://www.searchpictures.net/cats_and_dogs/small_dogs/shelley,_cavalier_king_charles_spaniel.jpg

The Brussels griffon is a strange looking tiny dog. It has a smashed in face and dark, bulging eyes. Their nose is right in between their two eyes and their mouth is right underneath. They have small floppy ears and a small body. They are not very big and normally have a docked tail. They are very often compared to an “ewok” which a typed of alien from the famous movie series “Star Wars.” But in reality they resemble a monkey or an affenpinscher. There are three different types of Brussels Griffon. There are the Griffon Bruxellois, Griffon Belge and Petit Brabancon.  There are not many differences between the three. They just have different colored coats and texture of the coat. The Griffon Bruzellois and Griffon Belge have a rough wiry coat. Their coats are short but not as short as the Petit Brabancon. The Petit Brabancon’s coat is similar to a pug’s. It is short and smooth, unlike the other two types. The Griffon Bruzellois’ coat is red or reddish. The Griffon Belge is black or black with tan or red. The Petit Brabancon can be any of those. They are 7 to 8 inches tall and weigh about 6 to 12 pounds.

Personality:

The Brussels Griffon is a happy, little, tiny dog. They are full of life and energy. They are skilled climbers and full of curiosity, but be careful they can get into some serious trouble. They can be comfortable with guests. But they can also be vicious. They need to be socialized or they can become shy and not defensive. It is important to train any dog. Brussels Griffons can be difficult to train. They are not dogs that enjoy pleasing. They are stubborn and strong willed. You must be firm and not give in. If they become dominate things will go downhill from there. Since they are difficult to train they are not great for people who have children. They may snap at children and training them to like children or become comfortable with children is difficult and most people don’t have the will power to make them get along.

Origin:

The Brussels Griffon is from Belgium. It is thought that they are part affenpinscher and part Belgium street dog, which is similar to a fox terrier. And later it was thought to be bred with the pug. Cab drivers used them to attract people and discourage thieves. They were also used as ratters in stables. They were often referred to as the “bearded dog”. This referred to the long patch of hair around the mouth or muzzle area. During the outbreak of World War 1 in the early 1900s they became extremely unpopular. But they are making a comeback.

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