Info About - Dog Breeds

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed that is slightly larger than the King Charles Spaniel. In addition, the Cavalier King Charles has a skull that is almost flat between the ears and his stop is much shallower than that of the King Charles. However, he shares the same characteristic of courage, and hardiness as his close relative. The Cavalier is a beautiful dog that is relatively clean, adores children, and gets along with other pets. He is a gentle, affectionate, and sweet tempered breed that is also friendly toward strangers. Training method should be precise and gentle. Spoiling this breed does not usually encourage a nippy behavior. All in all, the Cavalier makes an excellent companion dog for all types of household.

Size: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel stands 11-12in at the shoulder and weighs between 12 and 18lb.

History and origin: The Cavalier and the King Charles were both originated in England from the same stock. Once it became common to produce a King Charles Spaniel with a short nose, the original type almost disappeared. However, in the late 1920s, a group of breeders worked to bring back the old type of King Charles and added the prefix name Cavalier to distinguish the breed from the newer and separate variety.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is about 1/2 - 1 can (13.3oz size) of high-quality meat product with added biscuit in the same amount or 1 1/2 cupfuls of complete dry food. This breed would also enjoy and occasional meat scraps.

Exercise: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel easily adapts to apartment living provided he gets enough exercise of 1 or 2 walks per day.

Grooming: The Cavalier has long, fine, and straight, shedding coat. Regular brushing with a bristle brush is essential to keep it from getting tangled. Check the paws regularly for any sign of interdigital cysts and also check the ears for canker, which is often detected by an unpleasant smell. Wipe his eyes regularly with cotton wool dipped in a weak saline solution in order to keep them clear of unsightly tear streaks. The Cavalier also needs a monthly bath.

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Chihuahua Dog Breed

The Chihuahua is considered to be the world’s tiniest dog, weighing from 2 to 6 pounds. He is perceptive, intelligent, intensely loyal and passionate, very affordable to keep, and extremely protective of his house - which makes him an excellent miniature guard dog. And because he is a tiny dog, he easily gets the approval of many landlords; therefore, he is the ideal dog to own for those who live in apartments and small houses.

The adult Chihuahua normally takes a few weeks before he shows his true personality, which keeps his owner under careful observation. Some Chihuahuas give their owners an impression that they are shy, although what they are actually doing is sizing up their owner to see which one of them is to be the leader in the home.

Brief history: The Chihuahua got its name from the state of Chihuahua in Mexico where he is believed to be the sacred dog of the Incas. There is a theory that Chihuahuas were once fierce little dogs that lived in holes in the ground, which could well account for their inclination to huddle together in every warm nook and cranny.

Feeding: Chihuahuas only need a small portion of food in each meal. The requirement of a very small Chihuahua should be 2-3oz of cooked minced beef of a high-quality brand of dog food, along with a handful of puppy biscuits. These dogs do best on 2 or 3 small meals rather than 1 large daily feeding. Bigger sizes Chihuahuas are able to eat up to 1/2 can (13.3oz size) of high-quality dog food or the equivalent portion of home-made dog food, and a handful of biscuits.

Exercise requirement: Contrary to what many people believe, the Chihuahua is ready and able to walk as far as most owners would wish, though he will not object to an occasional ride in a shopping cart either. He gets most of his needed exercise from running around inside the house as he is playing. The fact that he only requires moderate exercise makes this dog a great choice of pet for the elderly.

Grooming: The Chihuahua should be groomed using a soft brush. A rub down with a glove or wet towel makes his coat shine. His nail needs to be trimmed regularly and the ears need to be kept clean.

Health care: This dog is not as fragile as one might think, but he does not like the cold and appreciates a thick covering to keep him warm outdoors. He is absolutely not designed for kennel living. Be careful with his molera, a small opening on top of the skull. His molera, unlike that of the human baby, may never fill in and a blow on the head could be fatal. They also have the tendency to shiver.

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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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Dachshund Dog Breed

The Dachshund was used as a tracker of badger in medieval Europe, and was once larger than it is today. His size eventually became smaller because it was purposefully bred down in size to hunt foxes and rabbits. It has an excellent sense of smell and a bold and fierce temperament that allowed it to tangle with its sometimes difficult prey.

Size: The Dachshund comes in two sizes: standard and miniature. The standard-size Dachshund is approximately 9 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 12 to 24 pounds. The miniature stands 5 to 6 inches at the shoulder and weighs under 12 pounds.

Description: The Dachshund has a superior scenting ability and may be stubborn, dominant, and somewhat resistant to training. Nevertheless, the Dachshund is very personable and can make a great companion.

There are three types of coats with this breed; long and short.. The smooth is usually alert, bold, and friendly. The long-haired is usually more timid and reserved with strangers and requires a more patient training technique. The wire-haired tends to be the most active of the three and, though friendly, is the most stubborn.

The smooth coat is short, glossy, and shedding and requires little maintenance. The long-haired coat, also shed- ding, is of medium length, shiny, silky, slightly wavy, and of low maintenance, requiring brushing twice a week. The wire-haired coat is rougher and harder, almost terrier-like in texture, medium-length, and shedding.

Training: The Dachshund requires consistent obedience training and early socialization. His great sense of smell will often lead it astray, so make sure you develop a firm training attitude. The “come” command can be difficult to teach to this breed. Don’t pamper your Dachshund because it may get spoiled. It may be small, but it is very pushy and will take over if given the chance. This breed can be a barker and will make a good watchdog.

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dog Breed

Although once popular as a badger and fox hunter, the Dandie Dinmont is now kept mainly as a household pet. However, they fare batter living indoors as a single pet than living with their fellows in kennels. They do, however tend to be a little suspicious of strangers, giving all their devotion to their owner. They are excellent guard dogs with a bark that should deter any burglar. The size of this dog breed may reach a height of 11 inches at the top of the shoulder. The ideal weight for a Dandie Dinmont in good condition is approximately 18 pounds.

Brief History: Most Dandies can be traced back to the late 1700s, to an individual named Piper Allan, something of a character of his day. He had two Dandie Dinmonts, called Charlie and Peachem. Also well known is James Davidson, who was renowned for his “pepper and mustard” terriers, so called because of their color. It was from Davidson that Sir Walter Scott Acquired his dogs, and indeed it was from a character in his novel called “Guy Mannering” that the breed received its name.

Feeding: The Dandie Dinmont is recommended to be fed 1/2 to 1 can of a branded meaty product (376g, 13.0oz size), with biscuit added in equal part by volume; or 1 1/2 cupfuls of a dry, complete food mixed in proportion of 1 cup of feed to 1/2 cup of water.

Exercise Requirement: The Dandie Dinmont is an adaptable dog and will be happy outside moving around regardless if he is in action killing foxes, or enjoying a slow walk in the park. It would be unfair to keep this naturally active dog breed at home locked inside without the ability to move about.

Grooming: Grooming this dog is not difficult to do at all. All you need for equipment is a stiff brush and a comb. Old hairs should be removed with your finger and thumb, allowing the undercoat to come through. Incidentally, don’t use a trimming knife, because this will ruin the coat. For a healthy look, brush your Dandie Dinmont daily.

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English Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed

This ‘merry’ Cocker, as it is sometimes called makes an excellent family pet. Being considered as an excellent gun-dog, he is a great dog for Dad to take out shooting with. And because he is also a good playmate for children, he is the ideal dog for them to romp with in the garden. He is intelligent, manageable, affectionate, gentle natured, and has a merry temperament.

Size: His ideal weight should be about 28-32lb. Full grown height for the male should be 15 1/2-16in and 15-15 1/2in for the female.

Origin and history: The Cocker Spaniel is very popular in Britain, and in the United States where he is known as the English Cocker. He is also sometimes referred to as the ‘merry’ Cocker because of his happy and lively temperament and constantly wagging tail. Other titles that he has been referred to were the Cocking Spaniel or simply “Cocker” because of his one-time prowess at flushing out woodcock. The Cocker Spaniel was originated in Spain where the name ‘Spaniel’ and his ancestry can be traced all the way back to the 14th century. He is believed to have been used in various countries in falconry. Today, however, he is in his element while rabbit hunting, flushing out game for his master. The larger Field Spaniel is of a similar origin to the Cocker.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed would be 1-11/2 cans of a branded meaty product (13.3oz size) with biscuit added in equal part by volume; or 3 cupfuls of dry food. Rations will need to be stepped up if the dog is taking vigorous exercise. This is a breed that will plead endearingly for small meals, which should be denied to avoid it from becoming overweight or smelly. With correct diet and exercise, he proves to be one of the healthiest and most long-lived of dogs.

Exercise: He is a very active dog that needs plenty of exercise. He adores the country and is likely to return from a walk with tail wagging and covered with mud so he is not perhaps the ideal choice for town living

Grooming: This breed requires daily brushing and combing. Extra care is needed to make sure that his coat does not become matted and his ears do not become tangled. Also, make sure that his ears do not flop into the feeding bowl. You might want to tape them back while he is eating or you may use a special ’spaniel’ bowl.

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English Toy Spaniel Dog Breed

The English Toy Spaniel or King Charles Spaniel as he is referred to in the United Kingdom has a small, compact body, a domed head, long ears, protruding eyes, and a docked tail. He has a short nose with a very short muzzle, a broad square jaw, and a slightly undershot bite. He is a sturdy dog despite of his delicate and small stature. He is sweet, shy, quiet, and easygoing, very affectionate with his owners and with those he is familiar with, and gets along well with children. Though timid at first, he quickly warms up to strangers. Patient and consistent training should begin early from puppy hood. If he is pushed too hard, he may become passive-resistant, taking a head-in-the-sand attitude. It is important for you as his owner to go slow and to socialize him as early as you can. Spoiling may encourage this breed to develop a bossy, pushy behavior and may reduce his confidence level. In addition, a nervous or overbearing owner will also reduce his confidence level. Housebreaking can be difficult with the English Toy Spaniel. Because of his spaniel instincts, this dog enjoys a game of retrieving a toy or a ball. This breed is susceptible to ear infection. In addition, be careful of his protruding eyes because they can easily be damaged by rubbing against a wall or a leash. This breed is sensitive to extremes in temperature.

Size: The English Toy Spaniel stands 9-10in at the shoulder and weighs between 8 and 12lb.

History and origin: The English Toy Spaniel was first thought of as a British breed but was in fact an ancient breed that can be traced back to Japan in 2000BC. He was introduced into Spain and then England by traders in the 16th and 17th centuries. This breed has been associated with many royalties, including one that was found hidden in the folded gown of Mary, Queen of Scots, right after her execution. In 1903, the United Kingdom tried to change the breed’s name to Toy Spaniel. However, King Edward VII, a devotee of the breed, opposed the change and the breed name remained as King Charles Spaniel.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the English Toy Spaniel would be 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 the English Toy Spaniel as long as he gets 1 or 2 walks a day.

Grooming: The English Toy Spaniel has a long, silky, and wavy shedding coat that requires daily brushing with a bristle brush. Keep in mind that his coat mats easily, particularly if the dog is left outside in wet weather. His eyes need to be wiped everyday with cotton wool dipped in a weak saline solution to keep them clear of unsightly tear streaks.

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French Bulldog Dog Breed

The French Bulldog has a compact, muscular body with bat-like ears and a straight or screwed tail. He is a happy, affectionate and devoted dog who loves being around people and has a keen, clownish sense of humor. This breed gets along well with children, able to tolerate other dogs and even enjoy the company of cats. He is initially reserved with strangers but warms up to them quickly. He is alert, intelligent, and easy to train. He is perhaps the healthiest of all the Bulldogs and does not suffer from the over-developments of nasal difficulties of the Boston Terrier and the English Bulldog. Though mildly stubborn, he responds well to patient and consistent training techniques, although spoiling may increase his stubborn nature. He can be difficult to housebreak. He is a relatively clean dog that can get by with minimal exercise.

Size: The French Bulldog stands 10-12in at the shoulder and weighs between 18 and 28lb.

Health care: This breed may suffer from respiratory problems. Extra care must be taken in order to protect his protruding eyes. He does not cope well with extremes in temperature and may wheeze and snore.

History and origin: The French Bulldog was developed in England and France during the 19th century. However, it is unclear whether he derives from small English bulldogs taken to France by Nottingham lace workers or from crossings with dogs imported to France from Spain. In any event, this lovable breed is obviously the descendant of small Bulldogs and has always been primarily a companion dog. By the beginning of this century, he has been a favorite in both United States and Britain.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the French Bulldog would be 1 � 1 1/2 cans (13.3oz size) of high-quality meat product with biscuit added in equal amount or 3 cupfuls of a complete dry food.

Exercise: An apartment is adequate for this breed. He needs minimal exercise consisting of short, regular walks once or twice per day. Do not overexert this dog, especially in warm weather.

Grooming: The French Bulldog has a short, smooth shedding coat that requires daily brushing and rub down with a silk handkerchief.

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Irish Terrier Dog Breed

The Irish Terrier has a strong, leggy body, and a short, dense, wiry coat that sheds a little and resembles a small Airedale. He is alert, courageous, curious, spirited, active, a bit sensitive, a great ratter, and not as snappy as most terriers. He is a good watchdog, a loyal protector, and a wonderful family pet. Because of his sensitive nature, puppy training should not be rushed or overbearing. Consistent and patient training method along with early socialization is important. An adult Irish Terrier is more confident and slightly stubborn, therefore requiring a firmer training attitude. He may be suspicious of strangers and may show aggression toward other dogs. He is good with children if he was raised with children from puppy hood. This breed is an outstanding performer in obedience competitions.

Size: The Irish Terrier stands 17-18in at the shoulder and weighs between 25-30lb.

History and origin: This ancient Irish breed was used as a ratter and hunter of small game. He also worked as a retriever on land and in water. During wartime, this breed was used as a messenger dog. Irish sources claimed that this breed was established in the country even before the arrival of their patron saint St. Patrick. Some say that the Irish Terrier is a smaller version of another one of their national dogs, the Irish Wolfhound, though the relationship seems somewhat remote. The breed is more likely a descendant of the Black and Tan Wire-haired Terriers whose purpose was to hunt fox and destroy vermin in Britain some 200 years ago. However, the standard breeding of the Irish Terriers did not start until 1879. It was also in that year when a specialist Breed Club was formed.

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

Exercise: The Irish Terrier is a small, sporty dog which has been successfully trained to the gun and is excellent at destroying vermin. He is suitable for apartment living as long as he gets his daily exercise in order to stay healthy and well behaved. A bored and restless Irish Terrier may bark and dig incessantly. Given his trim and athletic body, this is a good dog to jog with.

Grooming: The Irish Terrier requires only periodic brushing and an occasional clipping. However, show dogs must be hand-stripped several times a year and is best when done professionally. Hand stripping is a time-consuming hair-plucking procedure that preserves the texture and luster of the coat.

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Italian Greyhound Dog Breed

The Italian Greyhound is the perfect mini-Greyhound and also the smallest of the sight hounds. He has a slender body, fine-boned, muscular, and has a slightly curved back. His shedding coat is short, glossy, and odorless. He is a high-strung friendly toy breed with lots of nervous energy. This elegant and graceful dog makes an ideal house pet. He is intelligent, obedient, sensitive, affectionate to his owner and initially timid toward strangers but quickly warms up to them. He is not at all an aggressive dog in nature, though he may worry over the unpredictability of young children and may bite if scared or teased. Roughhousing should not be allowed. The Italian Greyhound is an athletic dog that needs to run and play everyday. Training should start early and must be patient and precise. This is an easy breed to train. However, because of his dynamic behavior and high-strung attitude, the “Come” and “Stay” can be the most difficult commands to teach. Housebreaking is also difficult with the Italian Greyhound. You should never be too hard on this sensitive dog or he can get wounded by your harsh words. Socialization is vital and should start early to boost his confidence level. He is very susceptible to the cold and will appreciate a sweater on cold days. He does not enjoy the wind and rain and needs a coat on rainy days. His thin legs could easily break if he jumps from a high place.

Size: The Italian Greyhound stands at about 13-15in at the shoulder and weighs between 8 and 12lb.

History and origin: The Italian Greyhound is an ancient breed that appears in Greek and Turkish works of art that are 2000 years old. He is believed to originate from the Greyhounds depicted on the tombs of the Pharaohs. However, he has existed in his present form for centuries and takes his name from his great popularity in 16th century Italy. He was a favorite of Queen Victoria, who did a lot to popularize him and several other toy breeds during her reign. In an effort to further reduce his size, he was introduced to an English Toy Terrier blood which only spoiled the breed’s character. Attempts were made to restore the breed but with little success that by the early 1950s, only 5 registrations with the British Kennel Club remained. Fresh stock was imported from Italy and due to the efforts and dedication of breeders; the Italian Greyhound was once again established as a stable breed in the early 1970s.

Feeding: This breed requires about 1/2 can of high-quality meat product (13.30z size) with biscuit added in equal amount or 1-1 1/2 cupfuls of complete dry food.

Exercise: Apartment living is ok for this breed as long as he gets out to run everyday. He is a busy dog with high-energy and should not be deprived of regular exercise outdoors.

Grooming: This breed’s low maintenance coat only requires periodic brushing. His teeth need to be brushed regularly.

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