Different Personalities Of Small Dog Breeds

Article Title: Different Personalities Of Small Dog Breeds
Author: Kelly Marshall

Once you have decided that you are going to get a small dog, it
is time to find out about the different personalities and
characteristics of small breeds, so you get one that fits your
home and lifestyle.

Brussels Griffon

These adorable little dogs found in two varieties, which are
rough and smooth, usually weigh between eight and twelve
pounds. They can be a little stubborn when it comes to
housebreaking. The smooth Brussels griffon needs brushing once
a week and the rough coated Brussels griffon about twice a
week. These dogs are great for apartments or small homes as
long as you provide them with exercise. In general, this little
dog is happy, playful, friendly, but may be a little standoffish
with strangers and is better with children that are older. Their
average life expectancy is twelve years.

French Bulldogs

French bulldogs are perfect for smaller homes and apartments as
long as they can play and romp a little and you do not force
them to exercise. They are wonderful, loving, good-natured dogs
that love being with the family. They should spend most of their
time indoors, especially if it is warm out. The average lifespan
of a French bulldog is twelve years.

Australian terriers

These small dogs are extremely energetic and do best in a home
with a fenced backyard for lots of exercise. These terriers are
great watchdogs that are brave and fearless. They shed very
little so brushing them once a week is enough. Australian
terriers love being part of the family.

Miniature schnauzer

Twelve to fourteen inches high, these wonderful dogs are salt
and pepper, solid black or black and silver colored. They are
happy in an apartment or large home in the country, as long as
they are with their family. These great companions are
intelligent, busy, friendly, and love to play. They require
trimming every four to six weeks and brushing occasionally.

Italian greyhound

You need a home with a moderate amount of room to keep this
active dog happy. A small dog, usually less than fifteen
inches, they come in many different colors. With their very
short hair, they appreciate a sweater when going outside in
cooler weather. These dogs let you know when a stranger comes
in, not aggressive. They are a long-lived breed with their
average life span around fourteen years.

Pomeranians

Usually weighing in at a petite six pounds or less, these cute
little dogs require a fair amount of grooming and brushing
because of their longer hair. Well suited for smaller places,
they love being a lap dog and getting lots of attention. Good
with children they grew up with, they are playful and very
loyal to their owners. Their average lifespan is fifteen years.

Toy Poodle

A toy poodle is perfect for smaller places but is happy
wherever their owners are. Weekly brushing and grooming ever
four to six weeks will keep them looking their best. Poodles
were born to play and should have a supply of their own toys.
Extremely intelligent, you can train them easily. Poodles do
not like being alone so are a poor choice for anyway that
travels or is away a lot. Their average life span is eleven
years.

About The Author: Small dog breeds are hard to shop for at the
pet store. Try finding some great gear specially made for small
dogs at http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com

.

__,_._,___

Dental Care For Your Dog

Article Title: Dental Care For Your Dog
Author: James Hunaban

Did you know that dental care is just as important for your dog
as it is for us human beings? Just like with our teeth, your
dogs’ teeth can gather plaque during eating. This plaque can
then build up and harden which then becomes known as a brown
substance called tartar.

Then as this tartar accumulates it will work its way beneath
the dog’s gums and become the reason behind painful infections
and gum disease. This process occurs in the mouths of dogs, and
is no different to what occurs in people. You no doubt brush
your teeth on a regular basis, but think about your poor dog
for a moment. What can he/she do?

The Veterinary world says that dog owners should brush their
dog’s teeth twice a week to stop the accumulation of tartar.
Well, I honestly don’t know any owners who take the trouble to
do this. Hopefully you do. A lot of pet shops stock
toothbrushes and toothpaste especially for dogs. You need to
know that a dog’s sense of taste is a lot more sensitive than
that of us humans and the minty, tingly, sort of toothpastes
that we use will be pretty unpleasant to a dog. So just make
sure you use the proper doggie toothpaste.

It is fortunate that dog’s have a natural tendency to chew and
this acts as a dental care mechanism. Dogs crunch biscuits into
small pieces when chewing and these rub against their teeth,
providing a cleaning function. This is no substitute for
brushing, but if you can’t manage that, just try to ensure
he/she regularly gets some type of crunchy dog biscuit.

Any dogs that do not get the correct dental care and do not
have access to good teeth cleaning foods run the risk of
different types of mouth disease. These can be mild like
gingivitis or a rather more serious type of infection that can
get into the dog’s bloodstream and damage vital organs.

Dental services are readily available for dogs. A dog’s teeth
can be capped, filled, and extracted if required, just like a
human beings. Of course the best way is to avoid the need for
these services by looking after your dog’s teeth. Preventative
dental care for your dog can save you money as well. Dog dental
care can unfortunately be quite costly, but then it’s less
painful than toothache.

About The Author: James Hunaban is the owner of -
http://dog-health.jims-info.com/ and
http://dogs-care.jims-info.com/ - sites dedicated to Dogs.