As more and more folks move into urban centers (condos, townhouses), miniature dog breeds continue to gain in popularity. This is not a surprise as such breeds take up less space indoors and many such breeds can do without the luxury of a back yard. However, it’s important to remember that there are many differences between the kinds of toy dogs and some will have much different requirements than others – you want to ensure that the one you choose is among the good dog breeds for your lifestyle. It’s of the utmost importance to do adequate research on any breed before selecting one for your family. Matching the dog’s needs with your lifestyle will allow for a high chance of a harmonized family – dog relationship, that will hopefully last many years!
Unfortunately, small dogs often get an unfair bad rap for being yappy and aggressive, when the reality of the fact that these behaviors are often caused by the humans they live with. While all miniature dog breeds are small and cute it’s important to remember that they still are dogs, and treating them as toys or fashion items will not yield the best results for their temperament. Proper training, discipline and exercise will almost always produce a dog that is well mannered and polite regardless of its size.
Many toy dog owners make the mistake of always carrying their furry friend around, and allowing unsavory behaviors that may appear cute when a small dog performs them, but would never be tolerated if it were a larger dog. Allowing behaviors such as jumping up, chewing items, or barking because a dog is small will have the dog believing it can make its own rules, and contributes to the “yappy” stereotype of small and toy breed dogs. Miniature dogs require training and rules just like you would provide for a larger dog. Also, while they are small and cute remember that miniature dog breeds are still dogs and benefit from regular daily walks in which they can burn off energy and enjoy some sniffing in the great outdoors. They are still dogs and enjoy nearly everything a larger dog breed would.
One thing of note with dogs under twenty pounds is that they should not be left unsurprised outdoors, even in a fenced back yard in many ares. This is because they are at an increased risk of attack from birds of prey such as hawks, eagles and owls. Even if the bird is unable to fly away with the dog its talons will have often killed or maimed the canine significantly. In other areas you may need to keep an especially close eye on your small dog as coyotes can be a major danger, striking and killing in only a few seconds.
Also, I know that a lot of people look for dog breeds good with children, and if that’s you then you should know chihuahuas are a poor choice because kids can easily step on, drop and accidentally hurt tiny dogs.
Good Dog Breeds – Picking The One That’s Right For You
Unfortunately every year millions of dogs end up in animal shelters or living in sub par conditions because of one simple problem – people don’t take the time to consider which are the good dog breeds for their lifestyle, as well as truly consider if they are properly settled and equip to take on the responsibility of canine ownership in the first place. Choosing the right dog is so important, and by doing breed research we can learn a lot about which kind of dogs fit us best.
Now, don’t get me wrong – I also believe dog ownership is one of life’s great joy and that having a pet can greatly increase ones quality of life. However it is also a large responsibility and so when one is considering bringing a dog into their life, they must consider whether they have the commitment, time and resources to truly give the dog a good life. It’s also important to take the time to consider which are good dog breeds for your family, based on the type of dwelling you live in and the amount of exercise you’re able to provide for the pooch. Unfortunately, too many people decide on a breed of dog simply based on looks, without much regard to the needs of that particular breed.
I urge all prospective dog owners to choose the breed that best fits the lifestyle you enjoy. I mean, perhaps you prefer the looks of large dogs, but if you live in an apartment or other dwelling that does not have enough space for such a breed to be truly happy, will you really be able to provide the best life for the dog? And when said dog becomes an inconvenience, because it did not match your lifestyle in the first place, what will you do with it? For many people the answer to the question involves dropping their pooch off at the nearest animal shelter. Of course, these people would like to believe that their dog will find a home, but the sad fact is in the majority of cases the dog will not, and will eventually be euthanized.
If only people thought not only about what dogs they have nostalgia for, or which ones have the cutest looks, but about which are the good dog breeds for their lifestyle. Myself, I grew up with large dogs and that is what I desired as an adult, but as an apartment dweller I took the time to do research and found that truly one of the miniature dog breeds would be best suited for my scenario. I took some time to find not only dogs that stay small, but ones that had exercise and grooming requirements that I could easily meet. After meeting with and finding out a lot about good small dog breeds, I was able to choose a great little chihuahua that fit in right with my lifestyle.