| I'm not talking about something that requires | | | | people who have taken their toy dogs along on |
| batteries. No, I'm referring to the twenty-two | | | | their motorcycle trips! |
| breeds recognized by the AKC as being toy dog | | | | Toy dogs can be good home protectors, too. |
| breeds - from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier. | | | | Breeds such as the Chihuahua and Pekingese are |
| They make great human companions, adapt well | | | | naturally wary of strangers and bark readily at |
| to smaller spaces, they are generally | | | | unusual noises. |
| good-natured and they're cute. | | | | Finally, we can make some generalizations about |
| With so many people "down sizing" their homes | | | | the characteristics of various breeds, but keep in |
| and living in more compact areas, toy dogs and | | | | mind that dogs - like people - are individuals, and |
| other small dogs may offer the perfect choice in | | | | they may or may not possess the characteristics |
| a canine companion. But first, you need to assess | | | | of their breed. For that reason, you may want to |
| your environment to determine if a toy dog (or | | | | consider an older dog rather than a puppy so that |
| any pet) is compatible with your life style. | | | | you can observe the dog's behavior. |
| While toy dogs in general can make good | | | | OK, if you're determined to get a toy dog, and |
| companions in small apartments, some breeds | | | | have done your research to determine which |
| adapt more easily to these conditions than others. | | | | breeds best fit your lifestyle, what should you do |
| Toy Poodles, for example, adapt well to small | | | | to ensure you get a healthy, happy, well behaved |
| spaces, and they are "non shedding" which is | | | | pet? Should you consider a pure breed or a mixed |
| important if you have allergies. | | | | breed? |
| Will you be leaving the dog alone while you work? | | | | While many people will only consider a pure bred |
| While no one wants to leave their pet alone all | | | | toy dog, understand that pure bred dogs (of any |
| day, sometimes it is unavoidable. There are many | | | | size) will have more genetic-related health |
| opinions as to whether you should leave a dog at | | | | problems than mixed breed dogs. The reason is |
| home for eight or nine hours per day. Some feel | | | | that pure breeds started with a very small |
| it is not fair to the dog, while others do it | | | | population of dogs, and it is kept that way to |
| successfully, and have happy, well-adjusted pets. | | | | ensure consistency in the breed. Thus genetic |
| Develop a morning and evening routine with your | | | | problems are carried on from one generation to |
| dog in which you feed them, walk them, and play | | | | the next. If you're willing to accept these risks |
| with them so they know what to expect. Some | | | | and the inevitable veterinarian bills, then go for a |
| experts say that dogs have no sense of time, so | | | | pure bred toy dog. |
| they can't tell if you've been gone eight minutes | | | | It's now possible to have a pure bred dog's DNA |
| or eight hours. | | | | tested to see if it carries, has, or is free of |
| Obviously, ensure the dog has plenty of water | | | | specific genetic diseases. The problem is that DNA |
| and that the dog's barking will not disturb others. | | | | testing can only be performed for a few certain |
| If you have small children, you may want to delay | | | | diseases specific to a given breed. |
| getting a toy dog or get a larger breed. Toy dogs | | | | Mixed breed dogs, on the other hand, come from |
| can be quite fragile, and small children may indeed | | | | a much larger gene pool, so the chances of |
| think the dog is a toy. When the child is old | | | | chronic genetic disease are much lower. "Mixed |
| enough, a dog is a great way to teach | | | | breed" can be a misnomer because some "mixed |
| responsibility by feeding and caring for the dog. | | | | breeds" may have no pure bred dogs anywhere |
| Do you have other animals in the house? Some | | | | in their linage. Therefore, mixed breeds don't |
| toy breeds do not tolerate children, other animals | | | | develop any of the, well, "deformities" that are |
| or strangers very well. Others, such as the Bichon | | | | the hallmarks of pure breeds, like the Dachshund |
| Frise (BEE-shon FREE-zay) are very sociable, and | | | | (back problems) or Bulldog (breathing and many |
| get along well with other dogs. | | | | other problems). Mixed breeds have evolved to |
| As a group toy dogs are more difficult to train | | | | the right size and shape of what a dog should be. |
| than larger dogs. So you will need to be patient | | | | And, since many pure breeds are bred for certain |
| while house training your toy dog. Again, some | | | | behavioral traits, mixed breed dogs are more |
| breeds have a reputation for being easier to train | | | | even tempered. |
| than others. | | | | Another reality is that pure bred toy dogs have |
| In many ways, toy dogs are less expensive and | | | | become fashion accessories for the rich and |
| more convenient to live with. Obviously, they eat | | | | famous, and the price of toy puppies has risen |
| less, their beds, mats, and crates are smaller and | | | | accordingly. It's not uncommon for pure bred |
| they require less fenced area if you let them out. | | | | puppies of certain breeds to bring several |
| With many more travel facilities being "pet | | | | thousand dollars. A better alternative is to check |
| friendly," your toy dog can be a great traveling | | | | out pet adoptions and rescue centers. Not only will |
| companion. Many breeds can be "carry on | | | | you be giving a dog a home, but you'll be helping |
| luggage." While I don't recommend it, I've known | | | | to prevent over breeding. |