Let’s face it: there are quite a few small dog breeds, aren’t there? But small and small are far from the same thing. Because among the small ones there are also the very small ones, the dwarf dogs. But which ones belong to them and what do you actually do with them? Surely they have more potential than being carried around in a bag.
Small but mighty
You can be sure of one thing: small dogs don’t seem to have much to show at first glance. But on this point they are actually all quite underestimated. Even the smallest of the little ones can look after the house and yard very well, excel at dog sports and of course stand their ground when it really counts.
No, they often don’t lack courage at all. They can appear out of nowhere like savages and loudly voice their concerns. This is not even unusual. They have probably learned that being small is not always easy. That’s where attack can actually be the best form of defence. It’s always good to have the element of surprise on your side.
Another point that dwarf dogs have in common is the fact that they can literally be kept anywhere. Of course, they are also happy when they can romp around outdoors, on green meadows. But only short walks outdoors are necessary to satisfy them already. The prerequisite for this, however, is that you playfully occupy yourself with them within your own four walls.
Of course, they can also play with other dogs for hours on the dog run and in the dog sports centre. But because of their size, they are also easy to play with in a flat. In addition, they are usually quite eager to learn, so that various tricks or even dog dancing can be practised with them.
Let’s take a closer look at the smallest of the small:
Russkiy Toy Dog / Russkiy Toy
It weighs only one to three kilograms. Its size is between twenty and twenty-eight centimetres. The Russkiy Toy has a life expectancy of twelve to fifteen years, although these figures are not yet strongly substantiated, as the breed is still quite young.
In the early years of the 20th century, the English Toy gained an important position in elegant Russian society. However, it was not pursued as a breed and continued to be bred. In the early 1950s, the breeding of the Russkiy Toy as a new dog breed was started.
The aim of the breeding was quite specific: a new luxury dog was to be created. He was to be as graceful and delicate as no other luxury dog before him. A project that has been quite successful.
Well, the Russkiy Toy is, strictly speaking, the largest of the smallest. While at first there was only one type of this breed, the short-haired Russkiy Toy, there is now another type – one with a long coat and fringes on the ears.
The Russkiy Toy appears in different colours: brown with tan, black with tan and also blue with tan. Red appears in all varieties. They are allowed with and without brown tan. The standard is very liberal in this respect. The more intense the colours show, the more satisfied are breeders and owners.
The Russkiy Toy is a typical terrier, which is spirited, cheeky, courageous, curious and lively. He also shows great agility, alertness and temperament. Whoever chooses this dog can be prepared for the fact that he likes to move around a lot and needs a lot, no a lot of attention.
Actually he is always cheerful. But if he is bored, he becomes a yapper, because he can give off his energy by making noise. Therefore, it is better to keep him busy in a meaningful and playful way. As he builds up an intimate relationship with his humans, he should always be by their side if possible. Too many people can confuse him, as he does not know to whom loyalty should belong. He is very well suited as an only dog for a single person.
Like many small dog breeds he is prone to eye disease, patellar luxation and heart problems.
His diet and also his care are quite unproblematic. The only requirement is sufficient exercise, every day.
Bolonka Zwetna
This dog also finds its origin in Russia. It originated after the Second World War and for a long time was found exclusively in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Various other small dog breeds are responsible for its origin: primarily the Bichon Frise, the Bolonka Franzuska, the Shi Tzu and also the Lhasa Apso.
It should not be taller than twenty-eight centimetres and weigh between two and five kilograms. The coat is medium to long and airy, soft and very silky. Except for a pure white colouring, literally any colour is allowed. The variety of colours is probably due to the various crosses. Its life expectancy is thirteen to fifteen years.
Lively and playful, that is how he is known. He loves his owners more than anything and makes friends with everyone immediately. You could say he is irresistible. As he has great stamina and is very robust, longer walks, even short hikes are no problem for this little dog. As he wants to please AND learn, his training is quite easy even for the beginner. However, he does not like to be left alone and literally “sticks” to his humans.
A life in the city is no problem for him at all. However, even there he needs enough space to let off steam. He will not let himself be fobbed off for less than one or two hours. He loves the dog park more than anything else, because there he can not only learn a lot and let off steam, but also enjoys the company of other dogs.
Grooming is really easy because this dog does not shed. Only dead hair falls out. The undercoat is thick and warm. It is sufficient to brush him for a few minutes every few days – and that’s it. The coat colour becomes lighter with age.
Basically, the Bolonka Zwetna is a very robust fellow. He has some problems in common with the other dwarf dogs: eye problems, HD (hip dysplasia), patellar luxation. He also shows some weakness in his stomach, so it makes most sense to divide his food over several meals a day. Adding fresh fruit and vegetables can help his digestion.
Prague Rattler
This dog is already a little better known. Its key data: Just under 20 centimetres, one to three kilograms, twelve to fourteen years old. Initially a social dog at the Bohemian court, it was later used in the stables to put an end to rodent plagues.
He has a high threshold of irritation, is playful, attentive, social and friendly to everyone. He is ideally suited as a second dog and is happy to stand by older dogs. He is playful, friendly to people, is not only loyal but also trusting, reliable and sometimes a little shy.
His black coat with red markings is short and very easy to groom. His urge to move is not very great, which makes him a good companion for senior citizens, but also for young dog owners. Other animals are welcome in the household.
In terms of upbringing and socialisation, the Prager Rattler is actually trouble-free if a consistent line is followed from puppyhood. If this possibility is missed, a lot of trouble can be in store. The Prager Rattler is quite self-confident. He can sometimes get into fights with larger dogs or develop into a grump on the leash, barking at everyone.
No, strictly speaking, the Prager Rattler is light-footed. But one should pay attention to a balanced choice of food. It may be necessary to add fresh food to meet this high food requirement.
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Basically, however, this dog is a sunny soul who carries the sun behind him every day.
German Dwarf Spitz
The German Dwarf Spitz is a distinct family dog, belonging to the top and primitive type dogs. They can live to be over fourteen years old. Diseases are a foreign word for him. Its coat is of medium length with a collar resembling a quaint mane.
They have a good undercoat that keeps them well warm, but also keeps the heat out in summer. As its outer coat is absolutely water-repellent, it should never be shorn. Many colours the Miniature Spitz can show, only brown and red will not be found.
He is small, yes. But for that he is also very bright, adaptable, with a great play instinct, affectionate, very people-oriented, intelligent, affectionate and sometimes childishly high-spirited. But be careful – he can also be really stubborn at times and play dumb. That makes things easier, he thinks.
For him, it’s not only jogging and accompanying him on his bike that are great activities. He also loves dog sports that challenge his intelligence. These include dog dancing, trick dog and agility. As he likes to show his best side, his training is no longer a problem, even for beginners. Adapting to his owner’s daily routine is a matter of course for him.
His grooming amounts to brushing two to three times a week. As far as his diet is concerned, he is completely uncomplicated. His health is not a problem. However, it does not hurt to keep a watchful eye on the patella and to keep an eye on the eyes.
Chihuahua
With him we have found the smallest of the dwarf dogs. Its size is between thirteen and twenty-three centimetres. It weighs between one and three kilograms. This dwarf dog can also live a long life, as it lives from twelve to fourteen years. It belongs to the family of social and companion dogs. He is a wonderful family dog.
The Chihuahua finds its origin in Mexico. No one knows exactly how old this dog breed really is. However, it is believed that they go back to the Aztecs. In the 19th century, breeding began not only to expand, but also to sell the animals to tourists. As a result, breeding was taken up worldwide.
The Chihuahua is very temperamental and yet extremely devoted to its master. Leaving them alone is not a good idea, because they don’t like that at all. Due to their affectionate nature, they may even become jealous of other people, dogs and other animals. They require socialisation and training to start early so that they can fit in at the dog park.
Even if it can be kept in flats without any problems and can be kept busy there, it should definitely be given sufficient exercise. Nothing can replace this. He likes to be in the dog playground where he can show his owner how intelligent he really is.
Basically, the Chihuahua is easy to care for. Nevertheless, he should get a daily unit of grooming. This strengthens the bond with his owner.
Although it is not easy to believe, many small dog breeds, including the Chihuahua, struggle with hypoglycaemia. So they tend to need many small meals, well spread throughout the day. Care should be taken to ensure that a high meat content predominates. This can also be done with the help of BARFEN. Unfortunately, Chihuahuas have other “problem areas”: Tartar, eye inflammation, heart disease and patella luxation.
Conclusion
Even though these dogs are still so small, they are devoted to their owners and love to fit in with their families. Perhaps they don’t look as imposing as larger dog breeds. Perhaps it seems that they actually need more protection and should therefore be carried in dog carrier bags or dog backpacks in larger crowds.
Especially in the disciplines of Trickdog or DogDancing you will be able to have a lot of fun with them. For the city, they are fantastic dogs that are valuable members of the family and can still bring a lot of joy to senior citizens.
