When the Yorkshire Terrier Dogs came to the United States of America in the late 1800s, their sizes varied. Because of this, they did not gain much popularity until the early part of the 1900s. It was around this time that dog enthusiasts realized that they preferred the smaller Yorkshire Terrier.

The Yorkshire Terrier Dogs are bold, confident and courageous. Their height does not matter to them. They always have a desire to go have fun and adventure. These dogs can be rough and sometimes hostile to other small pets and strange dogs.

Taking care of the Yorkshire Terrier Dogs

The Yorkshire Terrier Dogs need a lot of exercise every day. They can get all the exercise they need just by running about inside the house or a small apartment. They should spend some time outside and their owners should take them for a few brisk walks on the leash whenever possible.

The Yorkshire Terrier Dogs should not be left to live outside. They should be allowed to live inside the house interacting with the family and keeping them company. If it is necessary to leave your Yorkshire Terrier outside for any period of time, make sure that you provide it with proper bedding and a lot of shelter.

The hair of the Yorkshire Terrier Dogs grows very long. If you decide to trim your Yorkshire, as most owners do, you will need to brush their hair thoroughly three to four times every week. However, if you decide to keep their hair long, then you will need to brush it more often to avoid the hair from tangling.

Health Issues of the Yorkshire Terrier Dogs

The Yorkshire Terriers are very healthy dogs and do not have any major health problems. They have only one minor health problem and that is patellar luxation.

It is recommended by veterinarians that they should be checked for eye problems, knee dysplasia and to also have a liver ultrasound done.

A Yorkshire Terrier Dog that is well taken care of can live up to sixteen years.

The Toy Poodle Dogs are devoted to their owners and ready to please them so they are the ideal pets for any household.

The Origin of the Toy Poodle Dogs

The Toy Poodle Dogs originated in Germany and Central Europe during the 1500s, but some people believed that their origin was France. The Toy Poodle Dogs have the same history as the Standard Poodles and the Miniature Poodles that belong to the Non-Sporting Group.

It is believed that the Barbet Dog is the original type of Poodle. It is also believed that several of the rough -coated dogs are also included in their bloodline. The Barbet Dogs found their way to Russia, France, Hungary and several other countries. However, it was the German type that influenced the bloodline the most and resulted in the Poodle that we know today.

The Poodles were very good water dogs and were named “pfudel” which is a German word for splashing. The French, recognizing their hunting abilities, called them “caniche”, which referred to their skills at duck hunting. These Poodles were used in the military as service dogs, to guard, pull wagons, guide and herd.

As the Poodles gained popularity, they became the official dogs of France. It was also very fashionable for women to have these dogs as pets. The smaller types of this breed were produced successfully. By 1920, this breed of dogs had declined in numbers, but eventually they made a comeback. Today, the Toy Poodles have become very popular house pets in many households.

Caring for the Toy Poodle Dogs

Because Toy Poodles always need to be loved and require a lot of attention, they should not be left alone in the house when the family is away all day. They require a lot of interaction from their families so that they can keep happy.

Toy Poodles are very energetic and need a lot of exercise. A few brisk walks on the leash and playing in the yard every day is good for them. They enjoy playing in a safe fenced-in yard during the day. However, Toy Poodles should not live outside and must be allowed to sleep inside the house at night with the family.

Toy Poodles should be brushed more often than other dogs. Actually, they should be brushed every day. These dogs shed hair that does not fall off and, if it is not thoroughly brushed, the loose hair becomes tangled making it harder to brush. Toy Poodles hair should be clipped by a professional at least three to four times a year. Their face and feet should be clipped at least once a month.

Health Issues for the Toy Poodle Dogs

Major health issues that are common among the Toy Poodles include patellar luxation, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), epilepsy and Legg-Perthes. Minor health issues that are of some concern include lacrimal duct atresia, cataracts, entropion and trichiasis. Urolithiasis and intervertebral disk degeneration is rare among these dogs.

It is recommended by veterinarians that Toy Poodles get checked for potential knee, hip and eye problems. A healthy Toy Poodle, if well taken care of, can live between twelve and fourteen years.

The Origin of the Toy Manchester Terrier Dogs

The Toy Manchester Terrier Dogs originated in Manchester, England as far back as 1860. During that period, The Black and Tan Terrier Dogs of the country were the most popular ones. The citizens of Manchester, England held these dogs in high regard because of their ability to hunt and kill rats.

During the 16^th century, people had fun just to see Terrier dogs kill rats. It was not only necessary to kill the rats to get rid of them, but for entertainment purposes, people would place bets to see which dog could catch more rats.

The rat killer Terrier was crossed with the Whippet Racer and produced what is today known as the Manchester Terrier. For a while these dogs, because of their similarities, were still being referred to as the Black and Tan Terriers. In 1923, this breed was officially named the “Manchester Terrier”.

It is believed that in the late 1800s, the Italian Greyhound was crossed with this breed becoming part of their bloodline. This would explain the reason why so many of these dogs had different sizes. Because people preferred a smaller dog of this breed, breeders came up with a miniature size known as the Toy Manchester Terrier to meet their demands.

Caring for the Toy Manchester Terrier Dogs

The Toy Manchester Terrier dogs need a lot of love and affection. Taking them for a few brisk walk on the leash every day and allowing them to play around will make them happy. These dogs are very energetic and always ready for fun.

The Toy Manchester Terrier dogs should not be allowed to live outdoors because they cannot withstand cold temperatures. However, because of their short coat, they can withstand hot temperatures better. These dogs require brushing at least every two weeks to remove dead hair.

Health issues of the Toy Manchester Terrier Dogs

The Toy Manchester Terriers do not have any major health problems. Some minor health issues include cardiomyopathy and VWD (Von Willerbrand’s Disease). Deafness,  patellar luxation, Legg-Perthes, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and hypothyroidism is rarely seen in these dogs.

It is recommended by veterinarians that these dogs be tested for DNA for VWD (Von Willerbrand’s Disease), eye and hip problems. A healthy Toy Manchester Terrier Dog can live up to between fourteen and sixteen years.

What these dogs enjoy most is to play inside the house with members of the family or with other pets. These dogs are comfortable with children around them and they are also comfortable living with a single person. The Toy Fox Terriers are very good house pets for anybody regardless of their age.

A Brief History of the Toy Fox Terrier Dogs

The origin of the Toy Fox Terrier Dogs only began in the early part of the 1900s. This breed of dogs was very popular among households in the United States of America.  They were also very popular with farmers. These dogs were very good companions and were used to chase away small rodents. It was so much fun to see these scrappy small Toy Fox Terriers run and play.

The Toy Fox Terrier Dogs were eventually crossed with different toy breeds including the Chihuahua, the Toy Manchester Terrier and the Italian Greyhound. The result of this crossing was a dog smaller than the   Smooth Fox Terrier and appearing slightly different than the other breeds. As a result of these crossings, this breed lost some of its energy.

The Toy Fox Terrier Dogs were previously registered with the American Kennel Club as the “Smooth Fox Terriers”. Then in 1936, the American Kennel Club gave this breed their own status and officially changed their name to “Toy Fox Terrier”. In 2003, The Toy Fox Terrier entered the show ring for the first time.

Caring for the Toy Fox Terrier Dogs

The Toy Fox Terrier Dogs require a lot of attention, love, exercise and a lot of playing time. These small dogs are so lively that they must keep active every day. They need to keep mentally stimulated and to play a lot. It’s easy to train them to obey commands as well as any other dog training routines.

The Toy Fox Terrier Dogs must be kept in a fenced-in yard because they love to dig. They also love to bark. It is not recommended for these dogs to live outdoors, so they should be allowed to sleep inside the house at night. The Toy Fox Terriers cannot withstand cold temperatures, so during the winter, they may require extra bedding to keep them warm. These dogs have a short coat and do not shed often so a quick brushing of their coat at least once every one or two weeks would be fine.

Health Issues for the Toy Fox Terrier Dogs

The Toy Fox Terrier Dogs are very healthy and have no major health issues. Minor health issues include demodicosis, congenital hypothyroidism with goiter, patellar luxation and Legg-Calve-Perthes. VWD (Von Willerbrand’s Disease) is rare in these dogs.

It is recommended by veterinarians that The Toy Fox Terriers get checked for DNA for congenital hypothyroidism, VWD (Von Willerbrand’s Disease), knee and thyroid problems. A healthy Toy Fox Terrier can live between thirteen to fourteen years.

The Silky Terrier, as they were now called, was the new breed that emerged from all the interbreeding. These dogs, unlike their ancestors, were medium in size and coat length.

The interbreeding of the Silky Terrier continued and very soon its own strain was established. Because these dogs originated in two different areas of Australia two breed standards were accepted, one in 1906 and the other in 1910.

The main difference between the two standard breeds was the weight but finally in 1926 one standard was established which included both breeds. With agreement from both sides, in 1955 the official name of these dogs became the “Australian Silky Terrier”.

It was during that same year that the Americans dropped the “Australian” from the title and officially named the dogs the Silky Terrier. Soon after that the American Kennel Club recognized this dog breed. Even though this type of dog is not rare, it has not become a popular house pet.

Characteristics of the Silky Terrier Dog

Even though Silky Terriers are small and are considered to be lapdogs, they are not as peaceful and quiet as you might think. These dogs are very high spirited and playful. They can become quite aggressive towards other dogs and house pets. Generally these dogs tend to bark a lot and are a bit difficult to train because they can be very stubborn.

Caring for the Silky Terrier

Silky Terrier dogs need more exercise than most other toy breeds. They require plenty of walks on the leash but what they love most is to be allowed to run around outside. A fenced in area outside is the ideal place for them to do so. The Silky Terrier dogs should not be left outside to live, but should be allowed to live indoors. To avoid matting of their long coats, these dogs require a good brushing every day.

Health Concerns of the Silky Terrier

The Silky Terrier dogs are believed to be the healthiest of dog breeds. There is really no major health issues connected with these dogs. There are only two minor health issues to worry about and they are Legg-Perthes and patellar luxation. With the proper care and attention a healthy Silky Terrier can live between 12 to 13 years, with some living up to 16 years.

During the 1800s and the early part of the 1900s, many breed of dogs became official members of the American Kennel Club. It wasn’t until late in the 1960s that the Shih Tzu was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. During that period the Shih Tzu Dogs became so popular as household pets, that the American Kennel Club could not help but notice their popularity and decided to register their breed.

The Shih Tzu Dogs are very energetic, very friendly and sweet. These dogs are very lovable lapdogs that have fun playing and running around with their owners. The Shih Tzu Dogs make very good house pets and are very good with children. The Shih Tzu Dogs are considered to be one of the friendliest dogs among other dogs, pets and even strangers.

Caring for the Shih Tzu Dogs

The Shih Tzu Dogs are small but they still need to get their exercise every day. Taking them for a brisk walk on a leash every day for 15 to 20 minutes is very good for them. Because of their small size, letting them run around the house every day is also a very good way for them to get their physical exercise.

The Shih Tzu Dogs are house pets that cannot withstand heat or humid weather, and like many toy breeds, they should not be allowed to live outdoors. You should groom these dogs every day because of their long, luxurious coat.

Health Concerns for the Shih Tzu Dogs

The only major health problem that is common among the Shih Tzu breed is CHD (Canine Hip Dysplasia). Some minor health problems include PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), renal dysplasia, otitis externa, patellar luxation, KCS (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca), entropion, portacaval shunt and inguinal hernia.

It is recommended by veterinarians that all Shih Tzu Dogs be checked for hip dysplasia, eye problems and DNA for renal dysplasia. It is rare for dental problems and cataracts to occur. If well taken care of, a healthy Shih Tzu Dog can live 14 or more years.

Pug dogs are very friendly, confident and love to play a lot. But, these dogs can be somewhat headstrong and stubborn. It may take some time to properly train these dogs. Generally Pug dogs are quite pleasant. They love to please their owners especially when they have the opportunity to show off.

Care and Attention for the Pug Dogs

The Pug Dog, like any other toy dog, needs to get plenty exercise every day. It would be nice if they could get a brisk walk for about twenty to thirty minutes. These dogs would enjoy an active fun dog game.

Pug dogs do not do well in hot, humid weather, so you should not leave your Pug dog outdoors for very long periods of time. This type of dog can stay outside in the yard for a couple hours a day if it has a nice shaded area to go to whenever he feels like it.

Because of all its wrinkles, it is important that you clean your Pug dog regularly. Special care should be given to its face and neck areas. This breed of dogs are prone to skin infection, so if your Pug gets wet you will need to dry him off right away to prevent any such infection. You need to note that Pugs tend to wheeze and snore a lot.

Health Concerns for the Pug Dogs

Owners of Pug dogs have only two major health concerns to worry about. These concerns are CHD (Canine Hip Dysplasia) and Pug dog encephalitis. Other minor health issues include patellar luxation, KCS (Kerato Conjunctivitis Sicca), hemivertebra, elongated palate, Legg-Perthes, stenotic nares and of course skin infection. Pug Dogs can live a healthy life up to fifteen years with some dogs living even longer.

The weight of the original Pomeranians was about thirty pounds and they were usually white dogs. They did not have the brownish color of the Pomeranian dogs we know today. The closest resemblance to these early Pomeranian dogs is the Japanese Spitz.

The English Kennel Club officially recognized the Pomeranian dog breed in 1870. The American Kennel Club recognized them as a standard breed after their popularity increased.  Breeders continued to minimize the size of these dogs. They also bred these dogs to develop a darker color which resulted in the light brown shade of the Pomeranian dogs that we know today.

The Care of the Pomeranian Dogs

The Pomeranian dog belongs to the toy group of dogs. These dogs are bold and very self-confident, and always looking for adventure. Even though these dogs do need daily exercise, because they are so small they can get their exercise indoors .It is always good to take the Pomeranian for a nice stroll or to allow it to run around and play games in a grassy area.

The Pomeranian dogs love to play and are very energetic. They need human companionship so they make very good house pets. These dogs do not do well in hot nor cold temperatures, so that is why they are best suited for living indoors.  Even though these dogs are so small they make excellent watchdogs and should be kept inside with the family.

Health Concerns of the Pomeranian Dogs

If you own one of these dogs, the only major health problem that you need to worry about is patellar luxation. Other minor problems that may occur with your pet include shoulder luxation, open fontanel, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), hypoglycemia and entropion.

It is important that you have a veterinarian test your Pomeranian dog for any eye problem, knee dysplasia and possible cardiac issue. A healthy Pomeranian dog can live up to about 16 years.

The Pekingese is a very friendly  dog  with  family and other pets in its household, but around strangers it can also be very reserved. These dogs are known to have an independent personality but they can be very stubborn when they are being trained.

Some background of the Pekingese Dog Breed

The Pekingese dog breed originated in China and dates back a very long time to Ancient Times. A long time ago the Lamaist form of Buddhism regarded the lion as the symbol of Buddha. At that time, Foo dogs were well respected because they looked a lot like miniature lions. To have these dogs maintain this appearance, they were carefully bred, and eventually they became known as “Lion Dogs”.

Under strict guidelines this breeding continued during the height of the T’ang dynasty and these dogs became even more revered as symbols of respect. A lot of these dogs were even treated as royalty and had their own servants to care for them twenty four hours a day. These small-sized Pekingese dogs could actually be carried around tucked into their Chinese masters’ sleeves and so they also became known as “Sleeve Dogs”.

During the 1860’s, the British looted and captured the Imperial Summer Palace. They discovered these dogs and took many of them back to England. One of these dogs was given to Queen Victoria who became very impressed by its look. Because of this, the Pekingese dog was talked about a great deal so many people became enthusiasts of that type of breed which helped to make the dogs become more popular.

Even so, because these dogs were mostly owned by the rich, this breed increased very slowly. Eventually, more people began to know more about the Pekingese and they became a loving companion to families and can now be seen more and more in the show ring.

Taking care of your Pekingese Dog

The Pekingese dogs are not known to be very energetic, so you can exercise them by giving them a few short walks on a leash or just let them play around the house every day.  Even though the Pekingese, like all members of the Toy Group, loves to play outdoors, they should live inside. They also do very well living in an apartment.

The Pekingese dog s do not adapt very well to hot temperatures but do quite well when the weather is cooler. These dogs can become ill or may even die if they are exposed to too much heat, so it is important to keep them where it is relatively cool. Because these dogs have long hair their coats can mat easily. You will need to brush their coats at least two times a week.

Health Concerns of the Pekingese Dog Breed

With these dogs there is no major health problem you need worry about. Some minor health problems may include trichiasis, KCS, elongated soft palate, skin fold dermatitis, patellar luxation and stenotic nares.  It is important that you have a veterinarian test your dog for knee and eye problems. The Pekingese dog can live for about thirteen to fifteen years.

The Dwarf Spaniels became so popular with the nobility that with time both Italy and Spain were well known for breeding the Dwarf Spaniels and trading them. History has recorded that the court of Louis XIV of France loved these small dogs so much that they imported hundreds of them.

Because these dogs look a lot like squirrels and they carry their tails over their backs when they walk, just like the squirrel does, they were also known as the Squirrel Spaniel. In these early times the Papillon Dogs had droopy ears but then eventually their ears started to stand straight up.

Presently you can find Papillon dogs that have droopy ears and those that have stiff, upright ears. Even in the same litter you can have both types of these dogs. The erect ear type of these dogs  are more a favorite with Papillon dog owners. In the United States, the Droopy-eared Papillon dogs are known as a “Phalene”, which is a French word that means moth. The Papillon Dog is known as the Continental Toy Spaniel or the Epagneul Nain, throughout Europe.

In the early 1900s, the Papillon Dogs were only shown by the French at French dog shows. After a time they were presented at dog shows in England and then in the United States. At first these dogs were a bit larger than they are today and they were mainly of a solid color. Due to careful breeding these dogs became smaller and are noted for their striking colors which include patches of white.

Personality of the Papillon

The Papillon Dogs, out of all the toy dog breeds, is believed to be the most obedient and are very easy to train. These dogs are very playful and gentle and are very friendly with people and other pets. Actually, they are friendly with anybody and any animal they come in contact with. They are very good with children, but care has to be taken when playing with them because they are so small.

Care and Attention of the Papillon Breed

Games and mental stimulation are very important for the well-being of the Papillon Dog. Exercise for these dogs may include daily walks on the leash and fun training which can be done either indoors or outdoors. It is important that you allow your dog to always sleep indoors. You can take care of its coat by brushing it every three to four days.

Health Information of the Papillon Dog

These dogs are very healthy dogs and do not suffer from any major health problem. Minor health problems that may occasionally occur are dental problems, seizures, and patellar luxation. On an average, a healthy Papillon Dog can have a lifespan of between 13 and 14 years, with some dogs living for up to about 17 years.