Exercise: Being small, the Cavalier King Charles needs less exercise than the bigger spaniels. However, it’s keen on activity of all kinds – loves frequent free running and play.
Feeding: There are no special feeding requirements.
Health Problems
Some hip dysplasia; both sexes should be heart tested; and puppies and their parents should undergo eye testing.
Pug
The Pug is always an amusing companion and they are guaranteed to bring laughter into any house with their strange facial expressions. They like sitting up high to watch the world go by. Pugs have forceful characters and are very strong-willed. They make rewarding and entertaining pets – a great companion if you don’t mind a little snoring!
History
The great canine authority Clifford Hubbard believes that the Pug and Pekingese were originally related because of the striking similarity of their muzzles and their body shape. However, they were separate by the 1600s, as shown in Chinese art. Dutch mariners brought them to Holland, whereupon they became favourites of the Dutch royalty. William and Mary later introduced the Pug to Britain, where it was often decorated with orange ribbons as an honoured member of the Royal Household of Orange.
Description
A sturdy, thick-set small dog with a fine, smooth, short coat, which may be coloured silver, apricot, fawn or black with a facial mask. The Pug has a distinctive flat face and prominent eyes. There is no evidence that this breed ever worked, although, from an evolutionary point of view, they are Mastiffs. Their ‘work’ has always been to bring solace to human beings, for whom they have an uncanny understanding.
Fact File
Group: Toy
Country of Origin: China
Male and Female:
Ideally 25–28 cm (10–11 in)
Coat: Smooth, short coat, which may be coloured silver, apricot, fawn or black.
Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
Guarding Instinct: Not a guard dog but will warn.
Temperament & Grooming
Temperament: Even-tempered, lively and humorous. Tolerant, easy-going with children, Pugs are very intelligent, with an independent comical character.
Grooming: Grooming is easy; a light brushing daily gives a glow to a Pug’s coat. In addition, you should keep the eyes and ears clean. They can easily be trained to be clean.
Exercise & Feeding
Exercise: Pugs do not require excessive walking but enjoy a walk twice a day as they like seeing the world.
Feeding: There are no special feeding requirements.
Health Problems
The Pug enjoys good health generally but sometimes experiences a little difficulty in breathing, so take care in hot weather.
Chihuahua
(© Jean-Michel Labat)
Totally unaware of their truly diminutive size, these dogs believe themselves to be Mastiffs in heavy disguise. Intelligent and easy to live with, their only work is to be amusing companions and hairy hotwater bottles in the past! Affectionate and bright, they make the perfect pet – ideal for the elderly.
History
Experts are unsure as to the origins of this tiny dog. Some Americans discovered the breed in Chihuahua State, Mexico, and they thought it was Mexican, but there is no evidence to support this. The European breeds they most closely resemble are the Portuguese Podengo and the Maltese Kelb Ta But (the pocket dog). In 1530, the Knights of St John, including the Spanish and Portuguese, captured Malta, so perhaps they took back tiny dogs for their ladies? When the Spanish colonized Mexico, would not the ladies have taken their companion dogs?
Description
Tiny, dainty, active and even feisty, the Chihuahua comes in smooth-coated and long-haired varieties in any colour or mixture. Most people keep more than one as they live together easily and will share their home with cats and other household pets. Care must be exercised when children handle them as their bones are very small. Most Chihuahuas adore being fussed over.
Fact File
Group: Toy
Country of Origin: Portugal/Malta?
Male and Female:
Ideally 15–23 cm (6–9 in)
Coat: Comes in smooth-coated and long-haired varieties in any colour or mixture.
Life Expectancy: 15–20 years
Guarding Instinct: Will warn of approach of strangers.
Temperament & Grooming
Temperament: Very affectionate, active and a bit feisty.
Grooming: The smooth-coated variety needs minimal grooming, but the long-haired variety should be brushed and combed lightly twice weekly.
Exercise & Feeding
Exercise: Active and athletic, this little dog loves a walk and to play in the garden. However, it does not need excessive exercise. A daily walk with plenty of play.
Feeding: There are no special feeding requirements.
Health Problems
Slipping patella and some heart murmurs. Check with your vet.
Pomeranian
A happy and amusing dog that is very fond of its family and given to being noisy unless trained otherwise. Full of vitality and fun, Pomeranians are always anxious to involve themselves in family activities. An ideal pet for a busy urban family. A type of tiny Spitz dog is depicted on some Roman artefacts and there is evidence of this dog’s existence throughout Europe ever since.
History
It is likely that this minuscule dog is closely related to the much larger Nordic Spitz breeds, such as the Samoyed and Keeshond. It came to Great Britain from Pomerania, Germany, in around 1870 in the form of the much bigger German Spitz – the British bred them smaller and gave them their new name. However, they did not become popular until Queen Victoria exhibited her own dog at the Kennel Club’s show, after which the breed’s future was assured.
Description