Miniature dogs - Description and characteristics of the breed

Breeds of miniature dogs

Miniature dogs love to be with you, sit on your lap, and often tolerate being carried and stroked well. They also enjoy walking and sometimes chasing a ball and swimming, but rather because they spend time with you rather than the training themselves. They quickly get used to the comforts of the home and therefore will be reluctant to go outside in cold and wet weather. Some miniature dogs are more active, like terriers, but many just want to be as close to their owner as possible.

Examples of typical miniature breeds

• King Charles Spaniels
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Shih Tzu
• Chihuahua
• Bichon Frize
• Pug
• Maltese
• Bolognese
• Miniature Spitz / Pomeranian
• A miniature poodle

Walking and playing with a miniature dog

Despite being the smallest of dogs, miniatures are usually more resistant to disease than you might expect, meaning they're always ready for active leisure, play and adventure. Some miniature breeds like to jump into a dirty puddle just like other dogs, so don't prevent your pet from doing regular canine activities.

The exercise needs of miniature dogs are an important determining factor for owners. Since they are small, they do not need the same amount of activity as larger breeds, but still require regular walks to stay fit and healthy. They can be taken to crowded places, but be sure to have the opportunity to run out and learn new things in a safe, joyful way.

Miniature dogs also need opportunities for socialization, just like other dogs. They should not be separated from contact with other dogs, e.g. for the sake of "that the bigger dog would not hurt them ". If we do not have the right partners to play for our miniature friend, let's make an appointment at a dog school or in dog groups with an appropriate company for joint walks. Although they develop a close bond with the human family (and often with one specific person), this does not mean that they feel at ease in everyone's company, thereby quickly gaining a reputation for being touchy and possessive.

Caring for a miniature dog is different from caring for a larger dog, but this does not mean being overprotective of your little but energetic friend. Despite the best intentions, it is easy to teach a dog to fear putting him on the floor and become addicted to himself. To prevent this from happening, do not pick him up when you see another dog. Of course, you should intervene if the threat is real, but if you don't let your doggie interact with bigger, friendly dogs, he'll end up fearing them for no reason! If you are struggling with raising your dog, ask for help from dog trainers and specialists in behavior and behavior.

For some miniature brachycephalic (flat-mouth) dogs, such as pugs, hot weather and heavy winds to cool down can cause breathing problems, so limit walks and consult your veterinarian if your dog needs surgical intervention or other assistance to improve his quality of life.

Independent fun

Miniature dogs are not particularly independent, with the exception of some Miniature Terrier breeds, and are therefore likely to spend as much time as possible with humans. You can encourage your dog to be more independent by having small relish-filled toys at your feet or an olfactory mat to play with; after some time, go to another room or garden, leaving the dog alone with his toy. Soon he will become less dependent on you and if you progress gradually, leaving him alone for longer and longer periods of time, he will be able to cope with the loneliness caused by the lack of a carer. This is important as small breed and miniature dogs have problems with separation anxiety.

Miniature dogs usually like to sit for an hour or two in high places - on a bed placed on a deep window sill, or on a piece of furniture placed in a strategic place where safe steps can be used. They will be very happy to see the world outside and take a nap in the sun. Unfortunately, they can often bark very much at what they see, so limit his access to viewpoints during your absence and teach him to be quiet on command.

There are lots of games for little dogs that your friend will like. Terrier-style miniature dogs like to play with squeaky toys of the right size, pull string or durable toys with flavors inside to find and consume.

Fun with you

Your dog will be happy as long as he is with you, whether you take him for a walk in the park, throw him a ball, or play with a toy on a string that he has to catch.;

Emotional bond

From Chihuahuas to Pugs, to Bichon Frize and other miniature breeds, a huge part of caring for them is the bond forged between you and your dog. These adorable dogs spend time with you, they are companion animals by design that have been used for centuries as pampered companions, kept their knees warm and were companionship for royal families and the common people. With this in mind, it's no wonder these dogs need to spend most of the day with their human family.

the miniature must be a part of your life, it's important that you stay happy, so take it for car rides, shopping trips or meeting friends in cafes and pubs. Fortunately, they are small, so they are easy to transport in crowded places such as buses or escalators, of course, as long as you have a secure transport bag for them, which they accept. They are also less scary to people who are afraid of dogs.

Many miniature dogs have rich fur, so they will enjoy brushing if used to it from an early age. Brushing your dog regularly will also help you notice any skin or coat changes beforehand, which undoubtedly means more effective treatment when needed.

An important element of caring for a miniature dog is teaching him the ability to be alone. Keep in mind that while your dog loves your company, spending time with him constantly can lead to social dependence on you and if you happen to have to go out without him, even for just one evening, he will be very scared when left alone. Help him build up his own confidence by leaving him at home for a short time from an early age. You can try to separate you by going to another room, even when you are at home.

Provide him with a comfortable cage or booth at home, giving the possibility of a hideout (you can use a transporter for this purpose) or a cozy bedding in a dog-friendly room, where he will be able to take a nap or nibble on his favorite toy alone. Leave your worn-out scented T-shirt on the bedding to help him calm down. Before you leave the house, take your dog for a walk, take care of his needs and run out. It is also worth hiding somewhere a toy filled with dog delicacies so that he has something to work on while you are away.

It is true that we want to pay as much attention to our faithful dog as possible. However, some miniature dogs can be persistent in asking for attention, jumping on their knees or hands at every opportunity. Teach your dog that attention and contact is not possible when a particular signal is visible, such as a scarf hanging on a door handle or some particular ornament on a table. It really helps you to cope with the type and intensity of your bond with your dog as he will not develop expectations and then frustration and will not become a nuisance through your constant demand for attention. He will get as much as you want to give him, but his happiness will not depend on it.

Miniature dogs may also like other dogs or cats very much, depending on their temperament and experiences. If the human's knees are unavailable, two miniature dogs will cuddle each other or a dog and a cat.

Training miniature dogs

It is part of caring for your dog, so why not train him? Some miniature dogs can be trained at a high level, because they will be happy to participate in agility courses (of course, appropriate for their size!), obedience (called Rally-O) or dog relay (flyball). If you cannot devote the time to regular fitness training, you can take your dog to an introductory course and teach him the basics. Then it is worth repeating the exercises as a hobby in your own garden or under the block, with the help of ready-made accessories or improvised equipment, for example a tunnel, small obstacles or slalom poles. Your dog will surely be happy to face such mini challenges, as these breeds are very close to their owner and his body language, and they often learn very quickly how to use new equipment.

Feeding miniature dogs

Sometimes miniature dog breeds are very picky, but mostly because they have been trained to do so. Caregivers often give them too much food and snacks, and when the oversaturated dog does not reach for food, more and more new treats are put under his nose. Owners inadvertently (despite their best intentions) make matters worse by immediately serving something more delicious at the first sign of being fussy. If you constantly replace uneaten food with something freshly cooked, for example, the dog will quickly learn that refusing to eat gives you luxurious bites and an extra dose of interest and attention from the handler, and this is the greatest reward for him.

Be creative when feeding a miniature dog. Eating a full bowl twice a day may not be very appealing to him, so it's a good idea to think of another way to feed him during the day. First of all, dogs are very tiny, they have a very fast metabolism, so the daily amount of food should be divided into 3-5 meals.

If your dog is receiving a dry complete food, try to feed at least one of the meals in an engaging and interactive manner. Interactive feeding consists in giving the food in a bowl with insets or a labyrinth, or in the olfactory mat, from which your dog takes longer to choose individual pellets and has to work for it. You can also make interactive feeders yourself from egg bags, ice molds or muffin sheets (just remember to keep them clean and safe). You can also put food into the maze toy, which they fall out of as a result of movement. Hide the toy in the garden or behind furniture in the house so that your adventurous little dog has to find it. Pamper him a bit from time to time and keep your close bond alive by hand-feeding some of his daily food requirements (one of four meals). You can use food as a reward (if your motivation is food) during training - just remember to add it to your daily amount of food. Divide the remainder of the food into at least two meals and serve in a bowl in the morning and evening so that the dog continues to consider you as its host. Have other family members do this regularly as well, and they will develop a stronger relationship with the dog.

If your dog is on wet food as a reward during training, give him more handy dog ​​treats, but remember to include these in your dog's daily ration. Remember that snacks should not constitute more than 10% of the daily portion, which in the case of a miniature dog means that they should fit on a large tablespoon. Give him at least two meals a day, but half of one meal should be divided into 4-5 smaller portions and placed in different places for the dog to find them.

As long as you follow your dog's daily feeding guidelines (check them on the food package) and monitor his weight to keep his body perfectly fit, don't worry when the amount of food in the bowl turns out to be quite small as a result, and absolutely don't add extra food. By providing your dog with the daily ration of food and feeding them a balanced diet, they will receive all the necessary nutrients and energy they need.

Recommendations for the best nutrition for a miniature dog (click for more)

If you shop in large stores and drugstores, you will find dry and moist food dedicated to small breeds and miniature dogs, both at an affordable price, such as Purina® Friskies® and premium products such as Purina® ONE® Mini> 10 kg. In turn, in specialty stores and pet chains with products for animals, you will find a functional food line that helps to improve the appearance or well-being of your miniature friend, Purina® Pro Plan® Small & Mini . Familiarize yourself with their properties and dosage to best match the food to the needs of your pet, as well as your purchasing habits and the possibilities of your home budget. A miniature dog of 5 kg body weight eats relatively little, up to 100 g of dry food per day or up to approx. 400g of wet food. Therefore, one bag of 3 kg of dry food is enough for the entire month of feeding. If you are feeding in a mixed way, e.g. 1 sachet of wet food and ¾ portion of dry food, that is enough for two weeks of feeding a miniature dog, you need to calmly approx. 700 g pack of dry food and 14 sachets. For small breed dogs up to 10 kg body weight, the values ​​are roughly doubled. Watch out for snacks - because your dog should not get more than 10% of the daily portion, which means that for a maximum of 5 kg of body weight, he should receive as much as can fit on one large tablespoon.

Whether you are caring for a Chihuahua, a Miniature Terrier, or another lovely and faithful miniature dog, remember that caring for them means spending a lot of time together. After all, there is nothing better than the unique bond that binds you and that is the most precious bond for your dog!