Buying A Small Dog – 3 To Consider
If you don’t have a particular type of dog in mind, it isn’t easy deciding which breed to purchase. The first step is to think about what size dog you want. Is your house big enough for a large dog? Or do you live in a small house or apartment? Small dogs can provide great companionship. And there is a lot of variety in the temperament and look of a small dog. Whilst toy dogs are amongst the most well known of the small dogs, there are others that are similar to their larger cousins.
We’ll discuss 3 different breeds in this article – Brussels griffons, welsh terriers, and whippets.
Brussels Griffon Dog Breed
Rumors have it that the large, soulful eyes of the brussels griffon were part of the inspiration behind the creation of the ewoks by George Lucas in the Star Wars films. Looking at these cute dogs, you can see the kinship.
Brussels griffons are extremely sensitive and devoted dogs who will be more closely bonded with one person than others. They should be socialized when they are very young. Their sensitivity and one-person nature make them a better choice for childless couples, singles, and the elderly than those looking for a family pet.
Brussels griffon get along well with other animals, including cats. You may need to keep an eye out on how they are around bigger dogs, however. Unaware of their size, they may challenge for dominance, with fights ensuing.
The Welsh Terrier Breed
These cute dogs are fairly calm when you look at other terrier breeds. They are sturdy looking dogs with quite a big personality, particularly the males. They are affectionate, happy, without fear, outgoing, and curious.
Initially, Welsh terriers were used to keep the rat and vermin population down, and because of this, welsh terriers love to chase things – including cats. So,, if you own a cat, this may not be the ideal pet for your family.
Excellent with children, welsh terriers really need a ‘dog proof’ yard as they like nothing better than to dig, and could thus escape. When taking your welsh terrier for a walk, be sure he stays on the leash, because his road sense when on a quest for fun is not very good.
Welsh terriers require quite a bit of time from their owners. They have to have regular grooming, and get bored when home alone for too long. They probably suit someone with a part time job instead of a full time job. When they’re bored, they can be destructive around the house.
The Whippet Dog Breed
Whippets belong to the family of dogs known as sighthounds, so named as they hunt using sight and speed instead of smell. whippets are petite, elegant dogs, with heights that span 17.5 to 20 inches. And the whippet dog breed look just like small versions of greyhounds!
In temperament, whippets are like toy dogs, liking nothing better than curling up on your lap. These are very loyal dogs, bonding with their owner strongly, though still friendly to strangers and children. Whippets are gentle dogs, and as such they have been used in aged care facilities.
Whippets need to be kept indoors. With such thin coats, they will be too cold outside, and they don’t like to be away from their owners for such a long period of time. They make great apartment dogs if you are willing to exercise them regularly.