From Chihuahuas to Great Danes, Dogs 101 has got pups of all sizes covered.
ChihuahuaAKC Ranking: 10
Family: companion, Southern (pariah)
Area of Origin: Mexico
Date of Origin: 1500s
Original Function: ceremonial
Today's Function: companion
Average Size of Male: Height: 6 to 9 inches; Weight: less than 6 pounds
Average Size of Female: Height: 6 to 9 inches; Weight: less than 6 pounds
Other Name: none
Temperament
The saucy Chihuahua has earned its place as a favored toy dog because of its intense devotion to a single person. It is reserved with strangers but good with other household dogs and pets. Some try to be protective, but they are not very effective. Some may be quite bold; others may be timid. It is often temperamental. Some bark.
Upkeep
The Chihuahua is a lively dog that nonetheless can get its exercise running from room to room indoors. It enjoys exploring the yard or going for short walks on a leash and especially enjoys accompanying its owner on outings. The Chihuahua is not an outdoor dog; it hates the cold and seeks out warmth. Coat care for the smooth is minimal. Care of the long coat entails brushing two to three times a week.
Health
Major concerns: none
Minor concerns: pulmonic stenosis, hydrocephalus, patellar luxation, KCS,
hypoglycemia
Occasionally seen: none
Suggested tests: cardiac, knee
Life span: 14 to 18 years
Note: A soft spot (molera) in the skull (due to incomplete fontanel closure) is a common
breed trait.
Form and Function
The Chihuahua is graceful, small and compact; it is slightly longer than it is tall. It has a saucy expression and an alert, terrier-like attitude. It should move out at a swift pace with good reach and drive. Its coat can be smooth, with soft, glossy hair or long, with soft straight or wavy hair and fringed ears.
For more on the Chihuahua, check out our Dog Breed Selector.
Image Credit: iStockphoto (2) Eric Isselee/Fotolia Michel
Tibetan MastiffAKC Ranking: n/a
Family: Mastiff
Area of Origin: Tibet
Date of Origin: Ancient times
Original Function: Guardian
Today's Function: Guardian, companion
Average Size of Male: Height: 26 inches; Weight: 90 to 150 pounds
Average Size of Female: Height: 24 inches; Weight: 80 to 110 pounds
Other Name: Do-Khyi
Temperament
As befitting their long past as a solitary sentry and protector, Tibetan Mastiffs are independent, strong willed, and territorial. They are aloof toward strangers but devoted to their family. Proper socialization is essential so that they will accept strangers and not become overly suspicious. They are gentle and patient with their children, but may guard their home against visiting children who may appear to be threatening the family children. They are generally good with other dogs and are rarely dog aggressive. (In Tibet, they were often kept with Lhasa Apsos.) Most Tibetan Mastiffs are good with other animals.
Upkeep
The Tibetan Mastiff tends to be calm indoors and moderately active outside.
A long daily leash walk along with access to an outdoor yard should meet its needs. When confined to even a large space, the breed can become bored, frustrated and destructive. In fact, young Tibetan Mastiffs are among dogdom's most skilled demolition experts. Grooming consists of brushing a few times a week (daily during shedding), paying special attention to the longer hair of the britches, tail and ruff. Their weather-resistant coat allows them to be comfortable in cold temperatures and surprisingly comfortable in warm, dry climates, but they are not suited for hot, humid climates. Nor are they suited to living outside, as their temperament suffers unless they are integrated into the family. They like to bark loudly at night. Females have only one estrus each year.
Health
Major concerns: none
Minor concerns: CHD, hypothyroidism
Occasionally seen: entropion, seizures, canine inherited demyelinative neuropathy
Suggested tests: hip, thyroid
Life span: 11 to 14 years
Form and Function
A powerful, heavy, but athletic dog, the Tibetan Mastiff is built to combine strength and agility. Its body is slightly longer than tall. Its walk is slow and deliberate, while its trot is powerful and light-footed. The whole appearance is impressive, with a solemn but kindly expression. The coat, which is noticeably heavier in males than in females, is thick and fairly long, especially around the neck and shoulders. The tail is densely coated and the hind legs well feathered on the upper parts. The hair is coarse, straight and hard, standing off from the body. It carries a heavy undercoat in cold weather, but little undercoat in warm weather. This combination of coat types allows the Tibetan Mastiff to endure the extremes of Tibetan weather.
For more on the Tibetan Mastiff, check out our Dog Breed Selector.
Image Credit: iStockphoto (2) Eric Isselee/Fotolia Michel
Dandie DinmontAKC Ranking: 143
Family: terrier
Area of Origin: border of Scotland and England
Date of Origin: 1700s
Original Function: otter and badger hunting
Today's Function: earthdog trials
Avg Size of Male: Height: 8 to 11 inches; Weight: 18 to 24 pounds
Avg Size of Female: Height: 8 to 11 inches; Weight: 18 to 24 pounds
Other Name: none
Temperament
The Dandie Dinmont is no "dandified" dog; it is rough-and-tumble and ready for the hunt. Yet it functions well as a dignified house pet, affectionate but not doting. It is a loyal companion suitable for people of all ages, but it does need daily exercise to keep it from becoming frustrated. It is intelligent and very independent. It tends to be reserved with strangers and aggressive toward strange dogs. Some dig.
Upkeep
The Dandie enjoys the chance to hunt around and explore in a safe area and needs a moderate walk to stay in condition. It does best as an indoor/outdoor dog, and should sleep inside. Its coat needs combing twice weekly, plus regular scissoring and shaping. Shaping for show dogs is done on an almost continual (but light) basis; that for pets can be done by stripping or clipping about four times a year.
Health
Major concerns: intervertebral disc disease
Minor concerns: shoulder and elbow luxation
Occasionally seen: patellar luxation, otitis externa
Suggested tests: (elbow)
Life span: 11 to 13 years
Form and Function
Unlike the prototypical terrier, the Dandie is made up of a series of curves, topped off with a long, scimitar-shaped tail. It is almost twice as long as tall, constructed to go to ground after tough quarry. Its hind legs are definitely longer than its front legs. Its gait is free and easy. It has a distinctive coat made up of about two-thirds hardish (not wiry) hair and one-third soft hair, about 2 inches in length. The head is covered with soft, silky hair, lending to the appearance of a large head. The topknot also enhances the expression, which is determined, dignified, soft and wise.
For more on the Dandie Dinmont, check out our Dog Breed Selector.
Image Credit: iStockphoto (2) Eric Isselee/Fotolia Michel
AffenpinscherAKC Ranking: 117
Family: terrier, pinscher
Area of Origin: Germany
Date of Origin: 1600s
Original Function: small vermin hunting, lapdog
Today's Function: companion
Average Size of Male: Height: 9 to 11.5 inches; Weight: 7 to 9 pounds
Average Size of Female: Height: 9 to 11.5 inches; Weight: 7 to 9 pounds
Other Name: none
Temperament
The affenpinscher lives up to its name — "monkey terrier" — in both looks and actions. A terrier at heart, it is busy, inquisitive, bold and stubborn, but it also loves to monkey around, being playful and mischievous. It tends to bark and even climb. Unlike most terriers, it is fairly good with other dogs and pets. This little dog is best with a family that likes entertainment and has a very good sense of humor.
Upkeep
Although an energetic and active dog, the exercise needs of the affenpinscher can be met with vigorous indoor games or romps in the yard, or with short walks on leash. It enjoys playing outside, but it cannot live outdoors. Its harsh coat needs combing two or three times weekly, plus shaping every three months. Shaping for pets is by clipping, whereas show dogs require stripping.
Health
Major concerns: none
Minor concerns: patellar luxation, Legg – Perthes
Occasionally seen: PDA, open fontanel
Suggested tests: knee, (cardiac)
Life span: 12 to 14 years
Form and Function
The affenpinscher is square-proportioned, compact and sturdy, with medium bone. It is a smaller version of a working terrier, and as such is not a delicate dog. This is an active, tough dog that is agile enough to catch and dispatch rats and mice. Its gait is light, sound and confident. The affenpinscher has a monkeylike facial expression with long eyebrows and beard, which lends it an air of comic seriousness. This breed's rough coat is about 1 inch long on its body and somewhat longer on its head, neck, chest, stomach and legs. The coat type provided protection from vermin and harsh conditions.
For more on the Affenpinscher, check out our Dog Breed Selector.
Image Credit: iStockphoto (2) Eric Isselee/Fotolia Michel
Great DaneAKC Ranking: 27
Family: livestock dog, mastiff
Area of Origin: Germany
Date of Origin: Middle Ages
Original Function: guardian, hunting large game
Today's Function: companion
Average Size of Male: Height: 35 to 35 inches; Weight: 130 to 180 pounds
Average Size of Female: Height: 31 to 33 inches; Weight: 100 to 150 pounds
Other Name: Deutsche dogge, German mastiff
Temperament
The Great Dane is gentle, loving, easygoing and sensitive. It is generally good with children (although its friendly overtures may overwhelm a small child) and usually friendly toward other dogs and pets. It is powerful but sensitive and responsive to training. It makes a pleasant, well-mannered family companion.
Upkeep
The Great Dane needs daily moderate exercise. Its needs can be met with a good walk or romp. Despite its sturdy appearance, it is not well-suited to living outdoors and is best suited to dividing its time between indoors and out. Inside, it needs soft bedding and sufficient room to stretch out when sleeping. Some tend to drool. Coat care is minimal.
Health
Major concerns: gastric torsion, CHD, cardiomyopathy
Minor concerns: CVI (wobbler's syndrome), cataract, elbow dysplasia, osteosarcoma, OCD, HOD
Occasionally seen: glaucoma, vWD
Suggested tests: cardiac, elbow, hip, eye, blood
Life span: 6 to 8 years
Form and Function
This regal breed combines great size and power with elegance. It is square-proportioned and well-balanced. Its gait is strong and powerful with long, easy strides. These attributes are necessary in a dog required to overtake and then over-power relatively swift but formidable quarry. Its coat is short, thick and glossy. The Great Dane is most noteworthy for its majestic carriage and appearance — the "Apollo of Dogs."
For more on the Great Dane, check out our Dog Breed Selector.
Image Credit: iStockphoto (2) Eric Isselee/Fotolia Michel
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