Info About - Dog Breeds

Cairn Terrier Dog Breed

The Cairn Terrier is a hardy, small, solid, and sporty dog, with a rough weather-resistant coat that sheds. The Gaelic word “cairn” means a heap of stones, which is a suitable name for a terrier that goes to ground. This breed is in many ways the classic terrier, exhibiting the same tenacious, sassy, obstinate yet charming personality that is common to this group. He is intelligent, active, and affectionate, often reluctant to cooperate with his trainer and somewhat of a barker. This breed is initially suspicious of strangers and makes a great watchdog. He has a high prey drive toward small animals and will not likely get along with a kitten or a hamster. He is good with children provided he is raised with them from puppy hood, although he does not tolerate roughhousing. The Cairn can be a nipper, especially when he is spoiled. Also, because of his stubborn nature, it is very difficult for him to learn the “Down” command. He is a long-lived dog and is not susceptible to any major medical problems.

Size: The Cairn Terrier stands approximately 9-10in at the shoulder and weighs between 12 and 15lb.

History and origin: The Cairn Terrier was developed in Scotland and was used as a ratter and as a bolter of foxes and otters. His weather-resistant coat allowed him to withstand the cold and windy Scottish climate. It was recorded that James VI of Scotland (James I of England) ordered half a dozen of terriers or “earth dogs” to be sent as a present to France. These were believed to be the forerunners of the present-day Cairn Terrier. In his work “The Popular Cairn Terrier,” Mr. J.W.H. Beynon stated that as far as he could learn, the oldest known strain of Cairns was founded by the late Captain MacLeod of Drynoch, Isle of Skye, which goes back over 150 years.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this small terrier is � can of high quality dog food or the fresh meat equivalent supplemented with biscuits. This breed prefers to have 2 small meals each day, rather than 1 big meal. He also loves an occasional large dog biscuit to chew. 1 teaspoon of cod liver oil taken once a day will keep him in good health.

Exercise: Apartment living is adequate for this small dog as long as he gets enough exercise. The Cairn Terrier is a very energetic dog and an expert of killing rodents. His ideal exercise would be running in the fields or playing a ball game.

Grooming: As a house pet or a show dog, the Cairn Terrier is an easy breed to groom. His coat should be brushed and combed. Any excess feathering from behind the front legs and tail should be removed. In addition, the long hairs near the ears and on the underside should be removed for tidiness.

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Border Terrier Dog Breed

The Border Terrier is the smallest of all the working terriers. He has a compact, sturdy body, medium-boned, and well put together. His otter-like head sets him apart from the other terriers. His eyes have been described as “full of fire and intelligence.” He has long legs that enable him to keep up with dogs of much larger size. Perhaps the most personable of the terriers, this plain little brown dog is full of charm and life, which makes him a wonderful family dog. He is a playful dog with lots of energy. He loves children and will play tirelessly with them. However, young children need to be instructed not to roughhouse with the dog. He is hardy, reliable, a very active breed with tenacity and great drive. He seems to have a greater desire to please than other breeds in his group. This lovable breed usually shows aggression only if spoiled. He can be dog-aggressive if not socialized early. Because of his terrier instinct, he has a high prey drive toward small animals. Training should be patient and consistent but not overbearing, as this breed have a sensitive side to him. The Border Terrier loves to dig and should not be left alone in the yard for long periods of time. Overbearing owners may cause this breed to worry and exhibit fear-aggression.

Size: The Border Terrier stands 9-11in at the shoulder and weighs between 11 and 15lb.

History and origin: The Border Terrier is one of the oldest terriers that were used to hunt fox and badger. He is a spunky, athletic dog bred to have endless stamina and determination. He is a natural breed that evolved in the border counties of England and Scotland in the middle of the 19th century when it was a common practice to produce a terrier tailor-made for the job it would perform. The Border Terrier still works with hounds and has been less changed to meet the standards of the show ring. The breed was recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1920.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 1/2 - 1 can of high-quality meat product (13.3oz size) with biscuit added in same amount or 1 1/2 cups of a complete dry food. Increase the amount of food for a very active terrier.

Exercise: An ideal surrounding for this breed is a fenced-in yard with plenty of space for him to run around. However, the Border Terrier can make a good apartment dog as long as he is getting plenty of exercise.

Grooming: This breed has a short, weather resistant coat that is coarse and wiry with minimal shedding and requires minimum grooming. Show dogs should be hand-stripped to tidy up for the show ring. Hand-stripping is a lengthy plucking method that preserves the texture and luster of the coat.

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Chinese Crested Dog Breed

The Chinese Crested dog has a delicate and fine-boned body. The breed comes in two types- the hairless and powder puff. The hairless variety has no coat aside from the silky tufts on his head, tail, and feet - which means no hairs on carpet. Unlike all other breeds, he is hairless and has sweat glands on his body. The powder puff variety has a medium-length, silky, soft, and shedding coat. Although still very apparent, the powder puffs have been excluded from selective breeding over a period of years. Many believe that the powder puffs are nature’s way of keeping these hairless breeds warm. This dog is handy sized, clean, odorless, and is great a pet dog as well as a show dog. He is intelligent, alert, inquisitive, courageous, gentle, devoted to his owners, and gets along well with children. He is sometimes timid with strangers and other dogs. Training should be precise and patient. Socialization is crucial from puppy hood to help boost the confidence of this sensitive toy breed. This dog can be difficult to housebreak and can be noisy at times. Spoiling may result to a pushy and nippy dog that lacks confidence. He seldom requires veterinary care and is a free whelper. He has the ability to grip his paws in a charming and almost human fashion. This breed is allergic to wool.

Size: The Chinese Crest stands between 11-13in at the shoulder and weighs between 6-10lb.

History and origin: Though the age of this breed is not clear, it is believed to have been developed by the Chinese in the 17th century from the bloodlines of African Hairless dogs. Up until 1966, an elderly lady in the United States, Mrs. Ruth Harris owned the only examples of this breed in the world. She introduced 4 of these to the United Kingdom. Nowadays, the Chinese Crested is becoming more and more popular and is being included in an increasing number of dog shows. The breed is also recognized by the British Kennel Club.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 1/2 -3/4 can of high-quality brand dog food (13.3oz size) or the fresh meat equivalent with a cupful of small dog biscuits. You may want to keep a bowl of biscuits handy so that the dog may help himself when puckish, but remove them if you think he is becoming overweight. This breed lack premolar teeth, and thus it is inadvisable to give them bones.

Exercise: An apartment is fine for this small breed provided he gets a brisk walk or 2 each day.

Grooming: This breed requires frequent bathing. The skin should be regularly rubbed with baby oil to prevent cracking and to keep it smooth to the touch. Extra care must be taken to prevent sunburn and to maintain the skin free of blackheads to which they are prone to during adolescence.

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Kerry Blue Terrier Dog Breed

The Kerry Blue Terrier, also known as the Irish Blue Terrier has a strong, sturdy body and a short and curly coat. He is an active, athletic terrier that is affectionate with his owners, marvelous with children, a great watchdog, and a tough competitor in the show ring. His Irish descent has made him a rugged workman who is capable of a day’s ground chores. The Kerry Blue is stubborn and needs a consistent and firm training method. The “Stay” and “Come” commands are usually the most difficult to teach. In addition, early socialization is important. This breed has a tendency to be aggressive toward other dogs as well as small animals and suspicious of strangers. It may be difficult to keep small pets such as cats or rabbits in a home with this breed. He needs to be well trained and be able to learn to respect his owner’s leadership. This breed needs an owner who is confident, firm, patient, and persistent. The Kerry Blue Terrier may be restless and noisy if left alone for too long. Overall, he makes an ideal house pet and lives an average of 15 years.

Size: The Kerry Blue Terrier stands 17 to 20in at the shoulder and weighs between 35 and 40lb.

History and origin: The Kerry Blue originates from the county of Kerry in south-western Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries. He was believed to be a cross between the Irish Terrier and Bedlington Terrier, and some think that the Bull Terrier may have also contributed to the breed’s make-up. He was considered as an all-around utility dog. He started his life as a hunter of foxes and badgers. Being a keen and strong swimmer, he has also been used for otter hunting. This breed has also guarded livestock and saw Army service during World War II. Nowadays, he is mostly kept as one of the most popular pet and show dog.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Kerry Blue Terrier is 1 � 1 1/2 cans (13.3oz size) of high-quality meat product with biscuit added in same amount or 3 cupfuls of complete dry food.

Exercise: He is a working dog that needs and deserves plenty of exercise. The ideal place for this breed is a house with a fenced-in yard. However, he can easily adapt to an apartment living as long as he gets enough exercise. With proper training, the Kerry Blue Terrier is an excellent breed to jog with.

Grooming: The Kerry Blue Terrier has a short, curly coat that sheds very little and needs to be brushed daily with a stiff brush and metal comb. In addition, the coat needs to be clipped every 2 to 3 months.

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The Yorkshire Terrier competes with the Chihuahua for the title of the world’s smallest dog. He has a very small compact body and a long silky coat. Though developed from terrier bloodlines, this intelligent petite breed is less active and robust than his larger terrier cousins. He is healthy, fearless, and a good watchdog. He is affectionate to his owner, initially shy with strangers, and prefers not to be petted by those he does not know. He needs consistent and patient training along with early socialization to prevent a tendency toward timidity. This breed has been described as a big dog inhabiting a small dog?s body. He can be a barker, a very difficult toy dog to housebreak, and is inclined to dig if left alone in a yard. This dog is sensitive to extremes of temperatures and may need a sweater on cold days.

Size: The Yorkshire Terrier stands between 7-9in at the shoulder and weighs between 4-7lb.

History and origin: The Yorkshire Terrier was developed in England and Scotland in the 19th century and was used by working people as a ratter. His appearance is very similar to the Australian (or Sydney) Silky Terrier and is believed to have been evolved through the crossing of the Skye Terrier with the old Black and Tan Terrier. It has also been rumored that the Maltese Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier may also have contributed to producing this tiny breed.

Feeding: Just like other toy breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier requires 4 meals during puppy hood, which is reduced to 1 meal once he turns 1 year old. Recommended feeding is 1/2 can of high quality dog food or the meat equivalent (about 7-8oz) lightly cooked and supplemented with biscuits. Lean meat scraps and bones are also appreciated, but no chicken bones.

Exercise: An apartment is adequate for this breed that only needs minimal exercise to remain healthy and happy.

Health care: The Yorkshire Terrier has strong terrier-type teeth that should be scaled by a vet at regular intervals. This breed tends to lose his teeth at an early age, sometimes as early as 3 years of age. Avoid feeding him tidbits to preserve his teeth for as long as possible.

Grooming: The Yorkie has a long, silky shedding coat that mats easily and must be brushed and combed daily. He needs an occasional trim and can be kept in a shorter pet clip for a lesser maintenance.

The Shih Tzu is a proud toy breed of noble bearing and arrogant carriage whose long, silky, flowing coat, distinctive facial features, top knot, and tail plume over his back assure his unquestionably pure Chinese lineage. He has a compact, sturdy body with short legs, a blunt muzzle, and large ears that are heavily coated. The hair on his head is tied up and a lion-like mane radiates around the face. The Shih Tzu is a hardy, playful, feisty, alert, and very intelligent, little breed. Few dogs are as unconditionally loving to their owners as the Shih Tzu. He loves to be carried around, yet he does not become rotten and obnoxious like some other toy dogs. He is an attractive, curious, and happy dog who loves to be around people and hates to be neglected. He is initially reserved with strangers but warms up to them quickly. He is a little stubborn though not nearly as difficult as the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso. Training should be consistent and patient. This is an intelligent breed and can be a good obedient dog if trained properly. Spoiling him could result in a pushy, nippy behavior as well as timidity. Socialization increases his confidence and should start early in puppy hood. The Shih Tzu may be difficult to housebreak and can be a picky eater. He can suffer from respiratory problems and may snore and wheeze. In addition, his protruding eyes are susceptible to injury.

Size: This Shih Tzu stands 8-11in at the shoulder and weighs between 10 and 16lb.

History and origin: Developed in China, this ancient breed may date back to the 7th century Tang dynasty. Many believe that the Chinese may have crossed the Lhasa Apso with the Pekingese to develop the Shih Tzu. Similar to the Imperial Pekingese, the export of Shih Tzu from China was forbidden. It was not until the death of the Empress Tzu-his in 1908 that the toy breed was smuggled out to Europe. The Shih Tzu has always been a companion dog.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Shih Tzu is 1/2 - 1 can (13.3oz size) of high-quality meat product with biscuit added in equal amount or 1 1/2 cupfuls of a complete, dry food.

Exercise: An apartment is fine for this toy breed provided he is walked several times a day.

Grooming: His long, silky shedding coat requires a daily brushing with a pure bristle brush. Do not neglect this task to avoid the painful combing out of tangles. Keep the topknot from getting into the eyes and make sure that the ears are free of matted hair. Periodic clipping is also necessary. His coat can be kept in a shorter clip to reduce the grooming maintenance.

The Maltese (also known as Maltese Terrier) has a compact and petite body with a long silky coat. He is a gentle, refined, and sweet-natured breed that is good-tempered and makes a great family pet. Although he is normally quiet and sensitive, he gets along exceptionally well with children and generally remains playful throughout his long life. He is usually healthy and adaptable about exercise. This breed may be initially reserved with strangers. Although he is intelligent, his sensitive nature requires a slow and patient training and should never be treated in an overbearing manner. Socialization is very important from puppy hood in order for him to develop confidence. He may be difficult to housebreak and may be a picky eater. This breed is also sensitive to extremes in temperature.

Size: The Maltese stands between 7-8in at the shoulder and weighs about 4-6lb.

History and origin: This breed is described as the oldest of the European toy breeds. There is a controversy as to whether the Maltese originated in Malta, although he has certainly existed there for centuries. He was kept as a companion by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and also the Phoenicians who settled the island of Malta in 1500 B.C. He has eventually found his way to China and the Philippines, probably due to enterprising Maltese traders. Similar to the Papillon, the Maltese has been depicted by many famous artists, including Goya and Rubens. He was also depicted by the famous animal painter Sir Edwin Landseer, who in 1930 produced a portrait entitled ?The Lion Dog from Malta ? the last of his race? which shows the dog?s rarity on the island at that time. The breed first became established in the United Kingdom during the reign of Henry VIII and was a popular pet among elegant ladies. The Maltese gained popularity in the 1800s in both the United States as well as the United Kingdom.

Feeding: Required feeding for this breed is 1/3 can (13.3oz size) of high quality meat product with equal amount of biscuit or 1-1 ? cups of complete dry food. Lightly-cooked minced beef mixed with biscuit is also ideal.

Exercise: An apartment is fine for this small and quiet breed, although he requires regular walks or a game of ball in order to get a sufficient amount of exercise.

Grooming: His long, silky coat sheds and must be brushed and combed everyday from puppy hood with a bristle brush. The coat is absorbent and must be kept dry to prevent matting. Many owners keep the coat in a short clip to reduce the amount of maintenance. Apply baby powder on his legs and along underside to keep him fresh and clean between baths.