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.

picture from:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3564251170_4fe723ee9f_o.jpg

http://kotisivukone.fi/files/pikkukopla.tarinoi.fi/kuvat/ulkona_9.5.07_013.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Brussels_Griffon_Rembrant.png

They are a type of spitz. These dogs are probably one of the fluffier tiny dogs. Pomeranians are commonly known for their thick fluffy orange coats. But not all are orange. They can be a wide variety of colors; red, orange, cream, sable, black, brown, blue, white, wolf sable, merle, brindle, and combinations. There are also rare colors they can come in too. Like beaver, and chocolate sable. They have a thick undercoat and a coarse topcoat. Their tail curls back and lies against their back. They have large, crazy eyes and small ears that stick up. Their ears are often not very noticeable because of the long thick fur covering them. They need to have their ears cleaned regularly. They weigh from 3 to 7 pounds and stand 7 to 12 inches high. They will live about 12 10 15 years, but it is not impossible for them to live to be 18 or 20.

Personality:

They are curious and brave. Typical of tiny dogs, they think they are bigger than they actually are. There is something about being small that makes them want to be so big. They might try and take on a bigger dog, which is trouble. Keep watch of them and make sure they don’t tempt larger dogs into fighting. They love to get into trouble and can be destructive. Training is a good idea if owning one. They can also be aggressive toward strangers and guests. Lots of socialization can help with this. They get along well with other animals and have tons of energy. It is important to become the dominate one and not let that cute puppy face take control. If that happens they will go insane. They make good companions and are loyal friends to their owners. They are good with kids, but not young kids. Kids over 5 should be fine with a Pomeranian.

Origin:

Pomeranians come from an area that was once called Pomerania, but it is now parts of Germany and Poland. It is descended from different types of spitz breeds. Over time Pomeranians have become much smaller. Older ones were large, weighing up to 30 pounds and they were herding dogs. They are often thought to be the same dog as Volpino Itailano, but they are not. It is thought that early Pomeranians and Volpinos were bred to create the smaller Pomeranian. But Volpinos are larger than the modern day Pomeranian. Queen Charlotte of England (1767) attributed to the rise of Pomeranians. Her granddaughter, Queen Victoria, shared her love of Pomeranians. She owned a small Pomeranian and then that became a trend. Pomeranians started to become much, much smaller. Queen Victoria started a breeding club to make smaller Pomeranians. She imported the smallest Pomeranians she could. Eventually they got to the size they are now.

Picture from:

http://www.pomeranianpuppies.zoomshare.com/files/102_0250.jpg

Chihuahuas are the typical tiny dog. They are the smallest breed of dog, since they are only 6 to 9 inches tall and weigh only 2 to 6 pounds. (Some do weigh more, depends on how over weight it gets) They have large heads. There are two types of heads they can have. Apple-head and deer-head.  Some Chihuahuas have a soft spot on their head, between the eyes called a molera. It is the same as a soft spot on a baby’s head. Sometimes it will eventually harden, but not always. They have large, round, bulgy eyes and giant ears. Their bodies are small and they have skinny tails. They can be long-haired or short-haired. They come in many different colors. They can be white, black, and sable. They can also be, tri-colored, ginger, cream, and blue. But there are even more colors like blue, red, lavender, fawn. And also, brindle and parti-color.

Personality:

They don’t like strangers. They will bark a lot. Don’t like being separated. They are alert and energetic. They are lap dogs. And bond to their owner. They make perfect watch dogs, too. But they are not for young children. They bite and get annoyed easy. They should are better off with children 8 and over. The Chihuahua’s tendency to shiver or tremble is not a health issue but takes place when the dog is excited or stressed. One explanation is the toy dogs have a higher metabolism and so dissipate body heat faster than larger dogs. Shivering helps to generate body heat – that’s why people shiver when we are cold. However, rapid dissipation of body heat is a distinct disadvantage in cool or cold climates, so Chihuahuas should always be protected when taken outdoors in these areas. Fortunately, there are dozens of styles of protective sweaters available.

Origin:

Chihuahuas get their name from a state in Mexico called Chihuahua. Chihuahuas are thought to originate from Mexico, but evidence supports they may have come from other places. In Mexico they were sacred and used in spiritual rituals. They were also thought to be able to chase away spirits. Some historians believe that Chihuahuas came from an island in the Mediterranean. In Europe there are paintings of small dogs that look like Chihuahuas. Some dating back to the 1400s.Some even think it came from China and that they were brought to Mexico. The Chinese were known for dwarfing plants and animals and rich merchants from China moved to Mexico. They are also thought to be descendants from the Mexican dog, techichi. And that the techichi was mixed with a smaller Chinese dog, such as the Chinese Crested. This is the most popular and most likely theory.

 picture:

Sheen, our chihuahua

Dachshunds can have 3 different types of coats; long-haired, short-haired and wired-hair. Wired-hair dachshunds have scrappy looking fur. Its not very long but isn’t short. Dachshunds have short legs and long bodies. They are often called “weenie dogs” because of their shape.  They have a large head with a long snout. Their eyes are small and beady , but they have large droopy, hanging ears. They can come in many colors. They are severely out of proportion and have large noses. There are  three different sizes, also. Standard, miniature and kaninchen (also know as “rabbit”). But the AKC does not recognize the kaninchen dachshund. The standard dachshund is 8 to 11 inches high. They weigh over 11 pounds. The miniature dachshund is 5 to 7 inches tall and weighs 11 pounds or less. The kaninchen dachshund weigh about 14 to 15 pounds and is about 10 to 1 inches tall. There is no such thing as a toy dachshund, although many people believe so.

Personality:

They were originally bred to assist in hunting, but now in modern times they are used as lapdogs. They are good for cuddling and chilling on the couch. But they can also be hyper and active. They enjoy be the center of attention and often will entertain guests with their wild behavior. They are brave, crazy animals, but are not very good around younger kids. They can be destructive and evil if not trained correctly. They do suffer from separation anxiety and that might lead a to problems. They will become very naughty if not given lots of attention. They need lots of exercise because gaining weight is dangerous for their back. They can be good apartment pets, but as long as they do get exercise daily. Simply taking a walk or short run will do. Or taking them to a dog park where they can socialize with other dogs will help them to be more controllable.

Origin:

Dachshunds come from Germany. They were used to hunt badgers. Dachshund translates to be “badger dog”. They trace back to as far as the mid 1500’s. They were used because of their ability to go underground into the dens of badgers and chase them out. They needed to be fearless. They were up against a 25 to 40  pound badger, that’smore than twice their weight. Dachshunds came to the United States of America around 1880. But soon World War 1 broke out. People were looked down on for  owning the German dog and they became extremely unpopular. But then, after the war was over things went back to normal. Until World War 2. But after the war ended, the Dachshund Club of America released an educational campaign to increase Dachshund popularity. Since then they are a common household pet.

photos from:

http://www.bestbullysticks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/dachshund.jpg

http://thelovemagazineblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/wirehaired-dachshund-2-picture.jpg

http://www.justusdogs.com.au/upload/flex_img/31052008091341_01.jpg

There are two different looks to this dog. Most people think that they can only be hairless. But there is also a powder puff version. The two different types can be born in the same litter. The hairless Chinese crested is more dominate so they are more common. They have have on their head, feet and tail only. The powder puffs have long soft hair all over. They can have any colored coat, from solid to spotted. The color of the nose depends on the color of the dog’s skin or fur. They are around 12 inches tall and weight  5 to 12 pounds.

Personality:

These dogs don’t like strangers, but love their owners. Once they get to know you they will love you. They are not necessarily aggressive, but are fearless. They can be kind and happy. They make great companions, but can be stubborn. They are smart . Though, they aren’t going to scare of burglars, they will alert you when they see a stranger. They love to play and can be good with children if they are gentle. Preferably over 5 years of age. They are mainly used for dog shows and are not popular among pet owners.

Origin:

The origin of the Chinese Crested is unknown. Although the name suggests they come from China, some think they come from Mexico. Some think they are a cross between the chihuahua and the Mexican hairless dog. Some claim they come from the African hairless terrier. It is also thought to have been used in China as a ratter. Although the history is unknown, there have been paintings discovered in European countries with the dogs present.

Health Problems:

They live around 13 to 16 years. The hairless ones can get skin cancer and sunburn, so if going out in the sun apply sunscreen. You can use childrens sunscreen or you can buy dog sunscreen.

pictures from:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/devilstar/2689689191/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24314769@N06/3091826892/

Origin:

England, France and Belgium are considered to be the countries of origin. They are recorded to date backaround 700 years ago. They are one of the oldest breeds of dog. They are found in paintings from around the 15oos in Italy. These dogs were extremely popular among royal families. A papillon is shown in a family portrait of Louis XIV.

Personality:

They are very smart and should be easy to train. They are full of energy and life. They are not a good lapdog because they are very hyper. Unlike Chihuahuas, they are kind to guests and aren’t ankle biters. They are very obedient and normally not vicious. They’re friendly, small and gentle.

Appearance:

They have long flowing coats, with no fluffy undercoat. They have long strands of hair flowing off their ears and chests. They have massive, unmistakable ears. They should always be white with an additional color. The color should cover both eyes. A nose-band or white strip on the nose is preferred because it adds to the butterfly look. They weigh from around 7 to 10 pounds. Height is from 8 to 11 inches. The nose should not be black. That is considered a penalty in the AKC.

A papillon will not meet AKC requirements if:

• Height over 12 inches
• All white
• No white

Picture from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ku_non/68107596/

PROS:

• Portable/easy to carry
• Lovable
• Lapdogs
• You can dress them up
• Great for lonely people
• Big personalities
• Great for apartments or places with little or no yard
• Easy to clean up their mess

CONS:

• Easy to trip over
• Fragile
• Destructive
• Easy prey for wild animals
• Can get into trouble
• Health concerns
• Not good for kids
• Difficult to train (Its hard to be stern with them)

American yew

Angel’s trumpet

Apricot

 Almond

Arrowgrass

Azalea

Bird of paradise

Bittersweet

Black locust

Buttercup

Castor bean

Cherry tree

China berry

Coriara

Daffodil

Delphinium

Elderberry

English holly

English yew

Foxglove

Hemlock

Jasmine

Jimsonweed

Larkspur

Lilly of the valley

Locoweed

Lupine

Mescal bean

Mistletoe

Mock orange

Moonweed

Mushrooms & Toadstools

Oleander

Peach tree

Pokeweed

Privet

Rhododendron

Rhubarb

Skunk cabbage

Soapberry

Spinach

Tomato vine

Wisteria