The Care & Feeding 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 their own set of problems, so do small dogs. 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

All dogs bark, however some dogs yip while others have a lower bark. As a general rule, small toy dog breeds have more of a bark than other, larger dogs and are more likely to bark ferociously at the mail carrier when they come by. It's your responsibility to take care of your dog and make sure that it doesn't harm anyone and isn't a potential threat to anyone who decides to come by your house. Before you buy a toy dog, make sure you ask the breeder about your dog of choice's bark. Do a little research yourself regarding small dogs and their barks. Some of the most common toy dog breeds that are known for their barking are the terriers including the Bedlington Terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier and the Cairn Terrier; Chihuahuas and Dacshunds are also notoriously loud barkers. The first step to curbing this potential problem is realizing that you're going to have to train your dog to control their bark.

Health Concerns

Many of the toy dog breeds yield purebred puppies which almost always come with some health concerns. Since they are bred to have infantile traits, orthopedic problems are common as are heart complications. You'll need to monitor your dog's health and schedule regular check-ups for him or her in order to keep your dog healthy. Some toy dog breeds will also have problems with the bones in their knees, a condition known as Legg-Calve-Perthes, which will eventually make one leg shorter than the others. Again, making sure your dog has regular visits with the vet will help keep them healthy and out of pain, if this condition develops. Visiting with your vet about your dog's health will keep you informed about their development and their well-being.

Grooming

Caring for any dog that is part of a toy dog breed will require you to groom them. If you're buying a toy dog that you intend to enter into competitions, you must make sure that you groom them specifically to adhere 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 competition purposes, they still need to be kept neat and groomed often. Small dogs such as the Maltese, the Poodle, and the Pomeranian need constant hair care and grooming. These dogs, and dogs like them, have hair that tends to get tangled and matted if left unkempt; it needs to be brushed weekly or bi-weekly, at least. As keeping them properly groomed can be quite expensive, make sure that you can afford it before you decide to buy one.

General Care Tips

Generally speaking, toy dog breeds need constant attention. They require strict feeding and watering schedules and, as already stated, a lot of grooming. Many, if not most, of the toy dog breeds also require extensive training so that they don't become spoiled or aggressive towards strangers and visitors. Teaching proper dog etiquette and manners is a must and a critical component 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, make sure that you have the time to train it, groom it and play with it, as most require constant attention and companionship.

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