Small Dog Breeds

Small dog breeds are increasing in popularity every day, and not just because of Paris Hilton. Small dogs have a lot of great attributes that many people want in a dog without any of the size problems.

Small dog breeds are great for several reasons. Of course they are small, so if you live in a small apartment a small dog is ideal. Also, it is much easier to travel with a small dog because they can fit easily in a bag around your shoulder or in a small carrier, and don't they don't take up much space in the car.

Caring for small dogs is a lot easier and cheaper as well. They eat a lot less than a normal sized dog and also most of them shed less than a normal sized dog which is good for people who want to avoid allergens.

There are many small dog breeds that are in the top 10 in terms of popularity in the AKC list of breeds. These include the Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire terrier, Dachshund, and the Toy and Miniature Poodle. These small dogs keep moving up in popularity and push even more familiar breeds out of the top ten list. The trend looks to be continuing this year and at least for the near future they will continue to gain in popularity.

Often times people think that small dogs are not as aggressive as large dogs. Don't underestimate small dog breeds; they can be just as aggressive as large dogs. Most make great watchdogs, and will let you know the minute something is not right. A lot of small dogs will even try to attack larger breed dogs!

Always be sure to purchase your dog from a reputable breeder. Check with other people and see where they purchased their dogs from and ask for buying tips. Often times buying from a pet store is the worst place to buy your small dog breed from. Small breed puppies can be prone to many medical issues like hypoglycemia and congenital defects so it is important to have you new dog examined by a veterinarian soon after purchase.

Small breed dogs offer a lot of advantages leading to an ever increasing popularity. There are many different Toy and Miniature dog breeds to choose from, but do your research and ask around. Whether it be a Shih Tzu or a Miniature Schnauzer, you'll find many small dog breeds that are right for you.