SMALL BREED DOGS

SMALL DOG BREEDS

INTRODUCTION

The big dog clubs worldwide recognize hundreds of breeds of all sizes, coats and physical characteristics. The FCI -Federation Cynologique Internationale- recognizes more than 300 different breeds and, within the national clubs that conform it, we can find as many native breeds of those same countries that are not recognized by that federation or are in the process of being recognized; the AKC -American Kennel Club- of the United States, on the contrary, recognizes only 193 canine breeds, having a different operation from the first one. Within all these canine breeds that have emerged and accompanied the human being throughout the centuries, many of them have a small size by nature or, because over time, smaller specimens have been selected in order to fulfill their functions more effectively. We are going to focus on the small breed dogs recognized by the FCI or by clubs that conform them -Spanish or foreign-.

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WHAT IS A PUREBRED DOG?

What is a purebred dog?The term "breed" will be focused in this article on dogs, but it is extrapolated to all domestic animals with the exception of some types of rodents - for example, chinchillas, hamsters or rats.

A purebred animal is one that maintains, within the same species, specific characteristics that are maintained throughout the various generations: size, type of coat, colors, natural aptitudes, behavior... But, there is a small detail that many people overlook when acquiring -through adoption or purchase-, and that is that for an animal to be purebred it must have a pedigree recognized by a national or international club. The pedigree -and the individual identification of origin that accompanies it, either tattoo, microchip or ring, depending on the animal- is the only thing that can demonstrate that a small breed dog is truly of that breed, if it does not have it, our dog will be considered a "mongrel" or "similar to" because even though it may look like it, there is nothing to prove it. The genealogical tree is not only interesting for the owner regarding breeding -a very serious subject that should not be put into practice by anyone without the appropriate knowledge-, but it will also give us a lot of information regarding the health tests carried out on that genetic line and, above all, on our pet.

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TYPES OF SMALL DOG BREEDS

The term "small" varies according to the perception of each person, but in general terms it would refer to any dog of less than 12 kg in its adult age; in the case of the breeds, the ideal weight is marked by its standard (regulations) and we will be guided by them.
According to their functionality, dog breeds are divided into different groups, and below we will see the small breeds that make up each of them:

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GROUP 1: Shepherd dogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs).

Shetland Shepherd Dog

Schipperke

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GROUP 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer type dogs - Molossoids - Mountain dogs and Swiss Cattle Dogs

Affenpinscher

Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Pincher

Danish and Swedish Farm Dogs

Dutch Smous Dog

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GROUP 3: Terriers

Australian Terrier

Kishu (Japanese Terrier)

Cairn Terrier

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Norfolk Terrier

Norwich Terrier

Scottish Terrier

Sealyham Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier

Parson Russell Terrier

West Highland White Terrier

Czech Terrier

Bedlington Terrier

Australian Silky Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier

English Toy Terrier

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GROUP 4: Teckels

Standard Dachshunds

Miniature Dachshund

Kaninchen Dachshund

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GROUP 5: Spitz and primitive type dogs

Norwegian Lundehund

Mittlespitz (Medium German Spitz)

Kleinspitz (Small German Spitz)

Pomeranian (Dwarf German Spitz)

Italian Volpino

Shiba Inu

Japanese Spitz

Italian Volpino

Basenji

Miniature Xoloitzcuintle

Peruvian Hairless Medium

Peruvian Hairless Small

Small Portuguese Warren Hound

Etna Cirneco

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GROUP 9: Companion Dogs

Maltese Bichon

Havanese

Coton de Tulear

Bichon Frisé

Bichon Bolognese

Small Lion Dog

Medium Poodle

Dwarf Poodle

Toy Poodle

Brussels Griffon

Petit Brabançon

Chinese Crested

Shih Tzu

Lhasa Apso

Tibetan Spaniel

Chihuahua

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

King Charles Spaniel

Chin (Japanese Spaniel)

Pekingese

Continental Dwarf Spaniel (Papillon and Phalene)

Russian Toy

Pug

Boston Terrier

French Bulldog

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GROUP 10: Sighthounds

Small Italian Greyhound

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BREEDS PROVISIONALLY RECOGNIZED

Valencian Mouser

Biewer Terrier

Prague Mouser

Andalusian Bodeguero

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FOOD FOR SMALL BREED DOGS

Looking for a quality feed for your small breed dog is very important, and here we will recommend Reis d'Aranda's Scottish Salmon Puppy Food -which will help to a good maintenance of joints and skin- and Reis d'Aranda's adult dog feeds, which have a great composition. As far as treats are concerned, we will look for those that help reduce tartar and have beneficial properties for health, as well as being as natural as possible, such as Reis d'Aranda's handmade cookies.