small dog breeds
Living with a dog provides great satisfaction, regardless of its age, characteristics, breed or sex. However, many times it is not possible to adopt a pet with a large wingspan; so a small breed dog might be the best choice as a companion. In addition, the size of these animals offers many advantages.
Science has confirmed that living with a dog brings great benefits to people; for example: it improves self-esteem, confidence and personal value. In addition, dogs help deal with stress, depression and high blood pressure. In fact, just by stroking their fur, in many cases, blood pressure leveling can be achieved.
However, owning a dog also implies commitment and responsibility . These aspects include food, veterinary care, transportation and time available to exercise daily. All this is conditioned to the size of the animal, which is why many prefer a small breed pet.
Some advantages of having a small dog
As a general rule, a dog can be considered to belong to the small breed category when it weighs less than or equal to 10 kg. However, many caregivers limit this group to only those who do not exceed 5 kilos in weight, a characteristic that favors being able to carry them easily.
The small size of these specimens means that they can be transported anywhere without problems, as they are well received in cafes or shops . In addition, they are admitted by companies to travel in a container in cars, trains or planes; while with a large breed dog it is more complicated.
Likewise, these small breeds have an inoffensive appearance that arouses sympathy in most people; so they are not perceived as an aggressive dog or as a threat.
On the other hand, a small dog in the home allows us to house it in any space, even if the house is small or does not have a large garden.
They are also pets that adapt easily to the pace of life of their owners. In the event that they travel frequently, they could take him with them or if they have to leave him alone at home, they could provide him with one of the comfortable dog kennels (if you click here, you will find several products to choose from) available in the market.
In addition, if you are an owner with a busy lifestyle and do not have time to exercise your pet on a daily basis, this does not represent a serious problem for the emotional or physical balance of the animal; since being a small breed it does not need long walks or intensive exercise.
Basic care and feeding
Small dogs need some basic care. Among the main ones we will mention that it is necessary to cut your nails periodically; Likewise, we must not forget the hygiene of their teeth and gums, as these specimens are prone to caries and dental diseases.
As for their diet, these dogs also save on food; since they consume less food than a large dog. The most advisable thing is to give them an appropriate feed for them, rich in vitamins and with the necessary ingredients to keep them healthy.
The best small dog breeds
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yorkshire terrier
This is one of the best known breeds in the world. It is one of the smallest dogs, since it is only between 15 and 20 cm tall in its adulthood and its weight can be between 1 and 4 kilos. The Yorkshire stands out for its physical attractiveness and its long, golden and black coat that is very soft to the touch, which gives it great elegance. For this reason, it is a prominent competitor in competitions and exhibitions. In addition, you need daily physical activity and a quality diet that promotes your well-being.
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Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu are small dogs that reach approximately 28 cm in height. Unlike the Italian Greyhound, which has very short hair, this breed has abundant, wavy and thick fur; Therefore, it requires constant maintenance. They are dogs that are very affectionate, sociable and calm; which, together with their friendly character, makes them an ideal pet for families with small children. Their life expectancy can reach 15 years.
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Poodle or Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle is the smallest of the four types of poodles known for their size: Toy, Miniature, Medium, and Standard. This dog, with its diminutive size, does not exceed 4.5 kilos in adulthood and is considered a very intelligent dog, just like the Border Collie. It has a distinctive coat, with a dense and curly coat, very soft to the touch and in various colors: cinnamon, white, grayish and black. Likewise, its ears are long and its head is round.
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Cardigan Welsh Corgi
This breed has a particular appearance; its muscular build presents a long and thick trunk. However, its height only reaches 33 cm and unlike Collies, which are dogs with long limbs, the Corgi dog has robust and very short legs, which do not maintain symmetry with the rest of its body. Its dense, soft coat comes in tricolor shades of sand red, brindle, or merle blue. Likewise, it is a dog with a medium head similar to that of a fox.
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havanese
With a tender and adorable appearance, this dog has a long wavy coat that is presented as a single layer of hair, with a length between 12 and 18 cm. Its accepted colors are light tones, such as brown, lion brown and white. They are pets that eat small portions of food, so they do not tend to be overweight. It shares its origin with other sister dogs such as the Poodle, the Maltese Bichon, the Bichon Frize and the Bolognese Bichon. In addition, the Bichon Havanese is an easy dog to train and a great companion for the little ones.
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french bulldog
This is a dog with a calm, gentle and sociable character; he stands out for being affectionate when relating to children and for his great intelligence in following orders; just like the Cocker Spaniel. The French Bulldog has a flat snout, which is why it tends to suffer from respiratory problems and is quite loud when snoring. In their adult life they can measure up to 35 cm and since they have a voracious appetite, they are prone to obesity, so physical activity is essential in their routine.
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chinese crested
There are two types of this breed of dog, the Hairless Chinese Crested and the Powderpuff. The first has sprouts of fur only on its tail, on its head and at the end of its legs; while the second typology offers a long and soft mantle that covers his entire body. Both varieties require special care for the skin and hair. In addition, they are docile dogs, very intelligent, with a skittish character and a life expectancy of 14 years.
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dachshund
Also called Dachshund or sausage dog, these dogs are originally from Germany. They have short extremities and an elongated and cylindrical trunk; Its long ears and thin tail stand out in its appearance. They are usually fun and playful; however, with unknown people or pets they tend to be suspicious.
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Beagle
They are dogs descended from bloodhounds. They are characterized by having a compact musculature throughout their body, reaching up to 41 cm tall and living up to 15 years. The Beagle has short, dense hair, it also has a stocky head and long ears that fall to the height of the jaw. The color of their fur can be in two or three shades: chocolate, white or tan.
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miniature pinscher
This is an elegant dog, which despite being of the Toy type, has a robust complexion. Its height reaches a maximum of 30 cm and its weight does not exceed 6 kilos. He is a dog descended from the German Pinscher and his temperament is not that of a docile lapdog; as he is inquisitive, fearless, and wary of strangers. He has short, shiny, smooth fur in brown, black, tan, or reddish.
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affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher is a dog with an unusual appearance, since it has a face covered with thick and abundant fur, in the center of which there are two small eyes, a flattened snout and a mouth very close to the nose; so its appearance resembles the face of a primate. His thick fur covers his entire body and his character is that of a brave little dog with a great protective instinct.
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miniature schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzers are the product of different crosses, where it was considered to obtain a specimen not only with a cheerful temperament, but also obedient, of great beauty and with an elegant bearing. For this reason, it is one of the favorites in dog shows and competitions. It has a weight of up to 8 kilos and its coat is double-layered, hard and between medium-long; with shades of silver gray, black and white.
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Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is one of the most popular miniature dogs. It stands out for its tender appearance and the abundant fur that covers its entire body. However, that beauty requires certain care that must be maintained throughout its life. It is a very intelligent, affectionate dog and shows great loyalty to its handlers. His stature does not exceed 18 cm tall in adulthood.
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Pug Pug
This dog is of oriental origin, it comes specifically from the Chinese royalty of the 2nd century BC. It has a strong complexion that stands out for its developed musculature, which is covered by hard, wrinkled skin and a short coat. One of the peculiarities of the Pug is the flattened shape of its snout, which causes certain breathing difficulties throughout its life. It is a very calm dog that really enjoys the attention and company of children.
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basenji
The Basenji or Congo dog, is a breed native to central Africa and one of the oldest known specimens. It is an athletic dog, of great courage, curious and agile; although it has the peculiarity that it never barks, it only emits unusual sounds. The average weight is around 11 kilos maximum and the females only have one heat a year. It is an affectionate and protective dog that has a short and dense coat.
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chihuahua
The chihuahua is a dog from Mexico, it is one of the smallest breeds in the world, weighing up to 3 kg. It has poorly defined musculature, so at first glance it appears to be fragile. On his face, his bulging eyes and his large curved ears stand out. It is a very territorial specimen with a courageous and challenging temperament before other dogs; however, it is docile and affectionate with its owners.
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Papillon
The Papillon dog is also known as the butterfly dog or dwarf spaniel, a breed that comes from Belgium and France. It is one of the most elegant and fine dogs in the world. It is a small specimen with short legs and its weight is around 1 to 5 kilos. Its main physical attribute is its soft head and large, butterfly-shaped ears. It has a coat of long white hair and brown, sable or black spots.
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Pekingese
The Pekingese is a small dog that stands out for having a flattened nose, short snout and a leonine appearance. They were once revered dogs by Buddhist monks in China and Asian royalty. Its weight does not exceed 5 kilos, despite its somewhat robust build. They have abundant double-layered fur, which gives them an outstanding elegance, and their ears are heart-shaped.
Dog breeds are constantly evolving, either by the intervention of man or nature; so the list of small dogs could increase in the future. In this sense, it would not be unusual for some new outstanding breed to be added to this list of small dogs in a few years.
