Taking Care of Toy Dog Breeds

Owning a dog is a big responsibility, even if it is a small toy dog like a Terrier or a Poodle. Just as big dogs come with a set of their own problems so do small dogs and learning how to take care of them takes a lot of practice and time. Here are some things to consider when taking care of toy dog breeds.

Barking
As with every dog they all bark, however some dogs yip and others have a lower bark. As a general rule about small toy dog breeds they will have more of a bark to them than other dogs and are more likely to bark ferociously at the mail carrier when they come by. It's your responsibility to take care of the dog and make sure that it doesn't harm anyone and be a potential threat to anyone that decides to come by the house. Before you buy a small toy dog make sure you ask the breeder about this habit. You might even want to do a little research yourself. Some of the most common toy dog breeds that are known for barking are the Terriers; Bedlington Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Cairn Terrier, etc. as well as the Chihuahua and Dacshund. The first step in taking care of this potential problem is realizing that you're going to have to train them well to be in control of their bark and to limit their noise and bad behavior.

Health Concerns
Many of the toy dog breeds that are purebred will have almost always come with some health concerns. Since they are bred to have infantile traits there will be orthopedic problems, as well as heart complications that you will have to stay on top of in order to keep your dog healthy. Some toy dog breeds will also have problems with bones in their knees; a condition known as Legg-Calve-Perthes which will eventually make one leg shorter than the others. Making sure your dog has regular visits to the vet can help keep them healthy and out of pain if this process occurs and can help keep you informed on how they are developing and if they are developing normally.

Grooming
Taking care of a toy dog breed will also require you to do some grooming for them. If you're buying a toy dog for competing purposes then you will have to make sure that you groom them specifically to the rules and regulations of the competition. Each toy dog breed has a different grooming regiment and if they are competing it has to be done a certain way. Even if you're not buying a small dog for competing purposes they will still need to kept neat and groomed often. Small dogs such as the Maltese, the Poodle, and the Pomeranian need constant hair care and grooming. Dogs such as these have hair that tends to get tangled and matted if left un kept and needs to be brushed weekly or biweekly at least. This can be quite expensive so make sure your wallet is up for the task before you decide to buy one.

General Care tips
As a general rule small toy dog breeds need constant attention. They require strict schedules when it comes to feeding and water and as already stated a lot of grooming. Many if not most of the toy dog breeds will also require extensive training so that they don't become spoiled and aggressive towards strangers and visitors. Proper dog etiquette and manners is a must when it comes to taking care of your dog.

Taking care of toy dog breeds takes a lot of time, money, and effort. If you're planning on adopting a small toy dog into your family make sure that you have the time to train them, groom them, and play with them as most require constant attention and companionship.

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