Learn About Small Dogs
An Appointment
Snapshot
You arrive. Your fluffy friend is trembling. But Rebecca is there with a soft voice. And while you are filling out your information on a handy card, Rebecca has made friends. Your dog is looking less anxious under her gentle touch. Yet, like a pre-schooler fearful of the first day, your dog doesn't settle down until you leave. At appointment's end, you arrive and your newly-couffed friend bounces up sporting a jaunty kerchief -- Rebecca's colorful signature on a job done with compassion.
Did you know that some Dogs do not have Fur?
Your dog may be one of them!
If your dog's fur sheds, is relatively short, and never mats, then your dog has fur, just like a deer or a fox. But, if your dog doesn't shed, has hair that grows long and has a tendency to mat, then your dog has HAIR and not fur!
And we all know what happens to our hair if we don't brush or comb it daily. The results are clumps of tangled hair that don't go away. They just keep getting larger.
If Rover has “hair” then it needs daily combing —just like yours!
How Big is Small?
The answer: 25 pounds, says the American Kennel Club (AKC), and these breeds fall mainly in the categories of Toy Dog Breeds and small Terrier Dog Breeds.
The past decade has brought an increase in popularity of small dog breeds, with the Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise leading the pack. The reasons are clear. Small dogs require less space, and tend to live longer than large dogs. The retirement set favors the size because they adapt well to apartment living, require little in the way of walks, and are even easy to travel with, fitting into most seat-stowed airline-carriers. Some, such as the Bichon, have hypoallergenic coats, ideal for allergy-prone owners.
Today's Featured Breed: Bichon Frise
A fluffy white ball, ranging between 7-12 pounds, this cheerful little dog carries a twinkle in its eye. It sports a dense inner coat, and a white outer coat of tight curls that must be kept brushed (the breed is sometimes termed, "Little Puff Ball") The breed is believed to be of French origin, hence the name "Bichon Frise" which means "curly lap dog" in french. The breed tends to bark little, is considered friendly and is easily trained, though somewhat difficult to housebreak. Bichons should be brushed daily, and be professionally groomed once per month.
Watch this spot for occasional features on various small breed dogs
