There is a wide range of miniature dog breeds for you to choose from, if you like very small dogs. Miniature or small dog breeds include the Miniature Pinscher, Pug, Toy Poodle, Chihuahua and Spaniel. There are many other small dog breeds available as well.

The term Miniature generally refers to what many dog breeders call “toy dog breeds”. Miniature dogs are very small dogs. There are pros and cons of owning these toy dog breeds that you should consider before adopting a toy dog breed.

Advantages of owning miniature dog breeds

The main reason people prefer miniature dog breeds over larger breeds is for its cuteness. Don’t think that its size makes these dogs less hardy for once they pass their puppy hood, they have energy that is similar to any other breed of dog. They make excellent watch dogs for their hue and cry is sufficient to make any intruder think twice before making a break-in.

The easier handling of a miniature dog breed is another reason people take to these dogs. If you live in an apartment, a miniature dog is the best option you have as a pet and partner for you. This is because these dogs don’t need much dwelling space, or as much exercise space as a large dog may require.

You don’t have much cleaning to do with a miniature dog as it does not shed as much hair as their larger counterparts do. This is not because their coat characteristics are different, but just because they are smaller in size and thus have less fur. All aspects of dog care are smaller in miniature dogs ranging from its cleaning, to its clean-up and from the amount of food it consumes and the amount of food it expels.

Miniature dogs have always been considered to be companion dogs and are friendly and alert and are always waiting to be held and petted. As they are comforting and bring peace to its owner, nursing homes and adult care facilities use them for soothing their patients. Of course, this does not imply that you have to stay in an eldercare facility to enjoy the company of miniature dog breeds. They are great companions for any dog lover.

Disadvantages of owning miniature dog breeds

The main disadvantage is that most small breeds don’t actually interact well with young children and toddlers. This means that you have to be extra careful of these dogs if you have small children in your home as the kids may get injured by the dog. Because of their small size, many miniature dog breeds are very nippy.

There are some miniature dog breeds that are prone to tooth and gum disease, and tracheal collapse. Then there are small breeds that are difficult to housetrain while some of them may have trouble lifting their legs. There are even some dogs that have tenancies to bark constantly.

Before selecting a toy dog breed based solely on it’s cute appearance, make sure you do your research on the breeds health and temperament.

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Have you seen a full-grown Pitbull? You probably will agree with me that this stocky, muscular, and big dog will make your spine chill. I will not blame you; you probably have seen stories in television, newspaper and probably have heard of banning of Pitbulls in the United States. However, if you want a friend, a very loyal friend who will protect you and your family, you need a Pitbull.

The picture to your left is my 3 month old son and my American Pitbull Terrier napping!

Believe it or not, pitbulls are amazing dogs. We have owned them for years and have been by far the best breed we have ever owned. This agile, playful, and caring dog will be your best friend for life. Pitbulls will protect you, your family and will be a best friend for life.

Knowledge in care and training of a pitbull is what is necessary. If you want a Pitbull but do not have experience in caring for it, seek help from a reputable Pitbull breeder. I would also highly recommend dealing with a knowledgeable pitbull breeder who has experience in ethical breeding standards.

Here are some common pitbull myths and the truths behind them.

Myth 1 – Pitbulls has a locking jaw mechanism. This is untrue. Experts examine the skeleton of a Pit Bull and state that skulls, mandibles, and teeth of a Pitbull are proportionate to its size. The jaw structure and functional morphology is not different from other any dog breed.

In reality, because of its size, Pit Bulls are bred for dog fighting, farm working, and protector of their owners. Thus, they have the tendency to ignore severe pain with the intension of finishing the job. If the training of your Pitbull is for dog fighting, he will stop at nothing just to finish his task. He will ignore pain and will do what he must do. If he feels that his family is at risk, he will ignore even poisonous snakebite just to ensure the life of his human family.

Myth 2 – Pitbulls are not affected by dog repellent sprays. Pitbulls may or may not be affected by capsaicin-based dog repellent sprays. It is just like in human where some people are not affected by OC gas spray. Another possible reason is that dogs tend to ignore minor pain. They do not seem to be affected but then minutes later, it could just do its job. It may also be true that indeed they are not affected because dog repellent sprays do not affect other breeds like Bull Mastiffs, Rottweilers, and many German Shepherds.

Myth 3, Pit Bulls continue attacking even after being shot. Aggression is common to animals especially if they are not trained to socialize. As mentioned above, a Pit Bull has the tendency to stop at nothing to finish his task. He will not stop attacking until he has served his purpose. This is true to any dog or animal on that matter not just the pitbull dog.

Myth 4- Pitbulls are not good with kids. This is one of the most appalling myth of all! Pitbulls have never been bred to be human aggressive! They were bred many years ago to be animal aggressive, which is completely different than human aggressive.

They are wonderful family dogs! I personally have 4 children and have raised all of my kids around pitbulls. They love kids and human companionship!

The key to owning a good pitbull is to deal only with reputable breeders who breed for quality!

Where do all these myths come from? The Media and the legislators that passed the ban of breeding and care of Pitbulls and other breeds that resembles a Pit Bull. These myths are also from rumors being spread by people who are not educated on the breed.

American Pitbull look-alikes attacks have also helped being on the bad name for the breed. Breeds like the Dogue De Bordeau, Alpha Blue Bulldogs, Vizsula, Dogos, and even Cane Corsos and Black Mouth Curs look allot like American Pitbull Terriers. When these dogs bite or attack, people generally immediately call them pitbulls!

You want to test your pitbull skills? Play the Can You Identify The Pitbull Game! Most people can not select the REAL pitbull!

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I was looking over the 2007 AKC Registration Figures to see what the world thought about different dog breeds. Here are the statistics from 2007 according to dog registrations.

Here are a few of the top 10 breeds listed under the city.

As you can see the Lab was #1, the Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Boxer appeared on every top 10 list. I had no clue that Golden Retrievers were so popular and was very shocked to see many of the top 10 dog breeds to be large dogs!

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