The most popular breeds of small dogs include the selection of bull terriers, beagles, dachshunds, border collie and the toy poodle. On the other hand, among the most famous extra small dogs are the Yorkshire terriers, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Maltese and the Shih-tzu.

This article is an attempt to provide some details on the most common small dog breeds:
· Bull Terrier
· Beagle
· Dachshund
· Border Collie
· Toy Poodle

Bull Terrier- is a small dog that has its origin in England. They are known for their independence and liveliness (they actually love playing, long walks may seem unnecessary). However, these are not good as second dogs as they have the natural tendency of becoming overly dominant.

The usual coat of this small dog is white but some may also appear in tan, black and fawn. Also, it is important that the ears of the bull terrier are kept clean, this can be done though the use of a rubber brush.

Beagle- is also an English dog. It is highly recommended that this small dog should be trained to become sociable, by this they may become effective social dog whereas they can easily mingle with other dogs, children and other household pets.

Beagles are very independent therefore they should be trained in an early age for obedience and temperance. Due to their independent nature, they need to have regular walks outdoors.

Dachshund- this breed is of German origin. Known for their intelligence, braveness and independence, they may often become reserved for strangers but training may develop them into sociable animals. Also, they have the strong tendency of developing closeness towards their family and may form close bands with their owners.

De to their independence, training may prove to be quite difficult for they most often would not heed commands. However, long hair Dachshunds are more trainable than that of the wire haired or short haired.

In general, this breed is grouped into three: standard, miniature and kaninchen (chategorized depending on their girth size).

Border Collie- is believed to have come form Great Britain. Like with most of the small dogs mentioned here, Border Collie is of the intelligent breed and is recognized for its hardiness. Normally, they are apt for socializing with other pets (so long as they are occupied with their own activities).

They need to be constantly working or else they may become ill behaved. This is significantly true for they originated from a sheepdog breed. Generally speaking, the coat of the Border Collie is either black or white.

Toy Poodle- this small dog is known to be an intelligent breed, along with their sensitivity, playfulness and eagerness to learn. The breed is believed to have come from France, and from a hunting dog breed. They are also very sociable and are apt for getting along with other house pets and humans.

Because they are intelligent, this small dog easily recognizes training and is very capable of learning new things quickly.

The breed is noted for their unusual coat, characterized with wooly and frizzy hair. The most usual colors are brown, white, black, gray and apricot.

No…this is not the hotdog that you get to eat in a sandwich with creamy mustard and ketchup. No to mention, tomatoes, spinach and everything in between. The hot dog being discussed here is the most popular breed of dogs, or better yet the most appealing to the majority of dog owners.

Based on the information released by the American Kennel Club in the year 2004, the hottest dog in all dog categories is the Labrador Retriever breed great both for outdoor activities and as fine pets. (And by the way, born dog chasers and do love to chase around with balls.)

The second hot dog in the list is dominated by the Golden Retriever breed, which goes to emphasize the Retrievers held the two hottest dog spot for the year of 2004. Known for their sociability and their efficiency as pets, these hot dogs make good companions for most dog owners.

Third on the list for hot dogs are the ever-popular German Shepherds. This breed is recognized for their capability of holding control and dominance over other animals (like for example, sheep and goats). Originating from Germany, this hot dog breed was first used as working dogs particularly working around sheep to lead them through the mountainous terrain and back to their fences. To this date, many German Shepherds are still employed to guard over other animals.

The beagle breed, known as a small dog clears the way for the fourth hot dog spot.  Recognized for their playfulness and capability of getting along with other pets and breeds, beagles require regular outdoor activities and need to spend their energy playing or exercising.

The Yorkshire Terrier breed closed the first half of the top ten hot dogs. Next to it is the Dachshund breed.

This hot dog is betterly known for their independence, thus their being stubborn but this only happen if they don't will to follow the command given to them. Yet, with proper training, a loyal and loving Dachshund can be produced.

Next in line is the intelligent and playful breed of the Boxers. This hot dog is very well loved by their owners for their tendency for entertainment. In the recent poll vote done, the profession suggested (if it were possible) for this dog is to become a clown. Also, they are capable of tolerating children and always have the knack for performing tricks like the kidney beans and the woo-woo.

The eight hot dog is the breed of Poodles. Poodles are of the intelligent breed and are capable of quickly learning commands. Also, they are loved as toy dogs and are often seen in dog shows.

Resting in the last two places are the Oriental dogs- Shih-tzu and the Chihuahua breed. Characterized for their size, these small dogs are well loved by many dog owners who would rather have a small dog running around in houses than the larger versions of the dog breeds.

Interestingly the majority of the ten hot dogs are dominated with small dogs and toy dogs. this is true due to the reason that most dog owners love lap dogs and those that may be customized to become fanciful. Often these dogs are also popular in dog shows that has given them their fame.
 

In effect, dog training was created because man acknowledged that certain dog behaviors may only manifest on specific conditions. An example of which is the dog behavior wherein they will only repeat the action if an affirmative reaction was attained on the trainer's part. Conversely, if they were punished for such behavior, chances are that they will not repeat the same conduct. This principle is then combined with proper training methods to encourage the repetition of the desirable behavior.

Interestingly, dog training is at its prime if the dog is still aged six to eight weeks old. This stage is said to be the most ideal juncture for dog training. The theory in here is that puppies are not yet accustomed to reacting to its environment, this way you may still control the over-all behavior of your dog. Yet, this does not negate the fact that more matured dogs are non-trainable. In actuality, they are but as with many other animal species, it is more difficult to train them at this period.

Undergoing your pet to a regimen of dog training will recondition his system for eliminating misconduct and repeating desirable behaviors. In addition, this may also become a preparation to diminishing the future dog behavior problems.
 
House breaking is often an issue. This typically concerns dog bhavior problems on elimination of waste like defecating and urinating. Also, there are natural behaviors which may become a problem if the dog is not properly trained, examples of which are scenting of territories and ground digging.

Dog training is easiest when you successfully structured a specific environment wherein your dog will react in well-defined, affirmative ways. It is important that this environment is consistent to further guide the puppy into following specific orders. Also, this will prevent the confusion, thus quicker and more productive dog training.
 
For example, if you are consistent in rewarding your dog every time he achieves a desirable reaction to a specific command, then he will be able to identify his affirmative response with a treat. But if in case you missed for several times in giving him his reward, chances are he would hesitate following the orders.

In the whole process of dog training with your puppies, it is essential that you recognize the limitations of your pets. He does not have the endurance that most adult dogs posses. Allow him to rest at intervals to rejuvenate his used up energy, then proceed with the training. Also, it is possible that if the puppy gets tired with training, he may altogether lose interest in the routines. In addition to this, it is recommended that only mild methods must be employed for harsh training may distract the puppy's learning and may destroy his confidence level.

There are certain institutions offering dog training, these are often termed as dog schools or dog academies. They train your dog for proper behaviors and they train you to train your dog. They may hone your dog's skills using different training methods developed specifically for dog training while developing in you the fundamentals and techniques to serve as good foundation for you do it yourself dog training.

But since you cannot always be available to give your pet some attention and to spend some time with him, you might as well provide him with dog toys.

In most cases, bored dogs can be very dangerous, in a sense that they may seriously damage many of your favorite sneakers, not to mention your furniture and your carpet.

Dog toys can be anything from your rugs to household items like the tissue rods, or to specially designed dog toys, which can be bought from your local pet shops or dogs accessories store.

Generally speaking, the size of your dog toy must never be small enough so as to fit into the mouth of your pet or can it be separated into smaller pieces that they wont stick into his throat. By this, you may not run against the risk of having your pal suffocated to death if he incidentally swallowed his dig toy. In effect, small dog toys and smooth balls are not some of the best choices for your dog to play.

For small dogs, baseball and other larger balls (so long as they are not yet cracked) may be good playthings for your dog. In addition, nylon rapes may be good alternatives but keep watch if your dog chews the ropes, chances are he may eat the rope and in turn, gets suffocated. Many dog breeds are born chasers like the Shepherds, Rottweillers and the likes. You can easily provide him with a tube of tennis balls.

Dog toys manufactured by Kongs may give your little buddy the time of his life with toys. They have the best selection of doggie toys that are safe, not even the big dogs can easily tear their products into smaller pieces. Also, there are certain types of Kongs dog toys that can be stuffed with foods which your pet may find pretty amusing.

Many dog breeds love to have fun in water and to chase their dog toys around it. Have you though of getting your dog a pool? You must assure that your pet can easily clamber out of it though. Ensure that the sides of the pool are low enough so that your dog may not drown.

Does your dog show aggressiveness when he plays? If so, then avoid giving him toys that can be easily ripped, or those that have replaceable parts, ribbons and squekers that can be swallowed. 

When choosing for a toy, avoid those that can potentially pose danger to your dog's health. Most materials used in making dog toys are not designed to be eaten by the dogs and some may even have sharp edges. Both of which may cause digestive problems or may puncture your dogs internally. So the best thing to do is to provide him with non-toxic toys. Some manufacturers have gone to the extreme of producing dog toys, which are normally made of vinyl and latex materials.

If you would not want to spend much for toys, you can be helped with household materials that you would rather throw away. Old socks may prove fun dog toys for your pet along with old belts and sneakers.

Ultimately, the choice for your dog toys will depend largely on your pet's habits and the innovative solutions you can produce out of the many usual things you can find in your own home.

Normally, dog tags are attached on your pet's collar. Thus, it is equally important that the dog collar you would buy him matches his tag, or vice versa.

Giving you dog his dog tag may be one of the most lasting thing you can give your pal as this may go with him for quite a time, some even for a lifetime. Majority of which usually grows old together with their dog tags so it essential that you get him a hard wearing, comfortable dog tag.

Fortunately, for style conscious dog owners, modern designers and dog tag engravers has innovated many designs that would surely give a touch of fashion for your pet's tag. You'll be surprise to know that just like with dog collars and dog clothes, there are now available gem-studded dog tags and those that are designer dog tags. Off course, this would come along with a designer tag price.

The best choice for you will largely depend on the personalization you would like to give your pet and the image you would want to portray.

Dog collars are helpful in training your dog. As with most of the dog stuffs, dog collars come in many forms. Most of which are designed purposely to hold the dog's identification and your contact number. But there are those that are not made for dog tags. This will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

One possible dog collar, which may not carry the dog tag, would be the anti-barking collar. This is primarily made for dog training which is designed to discourage a dog from excessive barking. Additionally, dog shock collar or electric dog collars may not hold your pet's identity tag. This works by sending minimum shocks everytime your dog barks. Another collar of the same type is the pinching collar. The primary use of which is to discourage any improper or undesirable behavior of the pets, in this case too much pulling of the leash. All of these collars are not recommended for daily use, this is why they may not necessarily hold your dog's tag.

Selecting your dog's collar has an essential bearing in caring your dog, and do does his tag. Dog collars are not made equal, there are those that you cant afford to stay with your dog throughout the day and during his usual activities. But whichever dog collar you give him, see to it that he always wear his tag.

More often than not, it is recommended that the dog tag be never separated from him. Not even while he bathes or sleeps. This is made so that your dog can be easily retrieved in case he gets lost or wanders off alone.  Obviously, if you contact number comes along with your dog at all times, people would easily identify your pet and they can quickly return him to your custody. Or if not, the police can easily locate you and they'd be sending your pet home in no time flat.

Dog supplies are generally classified into:

· Beds
· Collars
· Crates
· Food & Treats
· Health Products
· Toys
· Training Products

Beds
Your choice of dog supplies like that of dog beds largely depends on the breed of your pet. Typically, larger breeds require bigger dog beds and smaller dog types like the pugs and the Chihuahua may only be needing small-type bed fillings. In choosing a dog bed, assure that the general framework of the bed will suit with the stature of your dog. Remember that dog beds are provided to give your dog his own place, a safe spot to retreat during the day and for sleep.

The practice of having your dog sleep with you at night may sound appealing, however it may not be productive for the both of you. If you are planning for this, then wait until he is matured enough with his temperament. You would not want him in the end to make your bed his territory.

Collars
There are different sets of dog collars and they often come with other dog supplies like the leash and the chains. There are standard dog collars made from a variety of materials, usually nylon. And raining dog collars like the choke collar, electric shock collar and the pinching collar.

Crates

As a preparation for dog beds or in place of a dog bed, crates are used to train dogs and to provide for them their own place. Dog supplies such as the crates come in a variety of forms. From fancy-looking crates to simple structured ones made of plastic, wood, iron and fiberglass, the important thing is your dog learns to use his crate. Provide two crates in your house, one in the busiest room so he wont feel isolated and another in your bed room.

Food & Treats

As with any other dog supplies, dog beds come in a variety of forms.  Majority of dog owners feed their dogs and puppies with dry kibbles bought form the local petshops, which often comes in large bags. These are observably the least expensive and cheapest food for dogs and may help in maintaining your pet's dental health. Depending on the brand of dog supplies like the bed, your dog's health may be considerably affected. On the other hand, wet foods are more expensive and may contain questionable amounts of dog preservatives.

Health Products

Dog supplies concerned with your dog's health may come in forms of vitamin supplements, food supplements and medicines.

Toys
To reduce the chance of your sneakers being chewed by your pet, it is best to provide them with dog toys. Dog supplies like this may come in forms like balls large enough for your dog's mouth, unusually shaped dog toys like the Kongs, small plush animals and squeaky rubber toys. To eliminate the chance that your dog gets choked with such dog supplies, it is essential that the dog toys don't have small parts which may separate from the main body of the toy.

Dog Training Products

Many dog owners are now considering the use of dog training equipment such as pee pads, anti-barking devices, dog crates and the likes

You can only answer for that but definitely, you are not alone in your stand for there are countless dog lovers who are investing much in raising their pals. 

Adopting one is not as simple as bringing home an animal and leave him to his own affairs. There are consequences to raising a dog and one must be ready to uphold to the commitments.

Initially, he must be introduced to the family members in the most welcoming way as he may live a lifetime in the boundaries of your home. Dogs are apt to giving unconditional love towards their owners, it is but important they are given the love and attention they deserve.

You may either prepare this prior to your adoption of the pet or after you have transferred him into your care. "These" pertain to the dog supplies. Some of which may seem a bit farfetched ideas and may appeal unnecessary like the dog clothes and accessories but most dog piles are essential components of a dog's daily living. A good example is the dog food.

Obviously, dogs cannot survive without having anything to eat. There is a wide selection of commercially produced dog foods( may be dry or wet) but you can provide him with home prepared treats or raw foods. However, there are pros and cons to both of these.

Commercially manufactured dog foods are normally designed to meet the nutritional needs of the dog. However, there are those that may produce quite a number of bad effects to the dog's health, the most common of these is the nutritional deficiency. This can be best attributed to the fact that dog foods are usually created to appeal to human sight. Meaning, they appear in attracting forms but may be lacking in the nutrition that must be incorporated in the products. But it must be noted that there are dog foods that are scientifically prepared.

Feeding your dog with wet dog foods may be even a worse idea. These don't only contain lots of questionable preservatives but may also create a disaster for your dog's teeth.

On the other hand, you may provide him with raw treats, though they are costly, you can be assured that your dog gets his main staple of meat and natural ingredients.

Dog piles do not end with foodstuffs. These also concern many other things like dog beds, dog crates or kennels, dog houses. Primarily, these are base on the idea that your dog is provided with his own place for retreat and rest. Principally, these equipment must be placed where your dog is can find rest while being able to interact with the family.  With proper training, your dog will get used to the idea of having a place of his own.

Dog collar and leash, dog tag, and dog toys also comprise your dog pile.

More often that not, dog leash and collars are the basic requirements in training your dogs, as well as to keep him in place, thus providing him safety. However, it must be understood that by means o dog collar and leash, you are not depriving him of his freedom. Some dog breeds are naturally outdoor dogs, they need to have frequent time outside. It is not wise to secure him in a stationary place where he is not allowed of playing freely. Many dogs when bored can e really bad dogs, plus by concealing them in an area you may bring create for him some dog behavior problems.

Your dog must never go out without his dog tag. Essentially, this dog pile component bears his identification and your contact number, which are useful in case your dog runs around and gets lost.

One theory is that the love started when a wild hungry dog approached human habitation for food, thus the contact started. Since then dogs were essential in daily affairs of men in order to cope better with his surroundings. You can see paintings depicting prehistoric people where dogs are usually involved in hunting and in the food gathering.

These visual depictions are evidences that love between dog and man is so old. And now he wanted his picture taken.

Presently, there are thousands (and even millions) of copies of dog prints, dog portraits, dog pictures, dog paintings, and keyrings of dog breeds…all suggesting only one fact- man has captured dogs through art.

The most common medium for depicting dog images is through the camera lenses and this has invariably created more profound knowledge on dog images. The lenses brought forth countless images of dogs, capturing their cute dog pictures, pictures of dog breeds, funny dog pictures, and anything and everything in between.

Normally, dog pictures are commonly published and printed in magazines and books but through the advent of modern technology and Internet, dog pictures are now easily accessible right in your own home. Now, you have thousands of great ideas of what dog breeds appear to be. Thus, you are not only limited with the appearance of your own dog. Moreover, dog images are as also used in post cards, Christmas cards and many other types of cards.

There are websites that are entirely dedicated to posting dog pictures with some data for each image, depending on the extent of the coverage of the websites. Many may even suggest that you post your own dog pictures on their sites.  

Dog pictures may be used in a number of varying purposes. They were first produced to popularize man with dog breed images through prints. Lately, dog pictures are seen utilized for helping people locate their lost pets, posted on public places and police stations. Also, pet shops make use of dog pictures to provide images of the dogs for sale.

In actuality, there are limitless uses for dog pictures.

You may have your actual dog now, but he may not live with you forever, in the end what you will have are only his memories preserved in his pictures. It is best that you take him pictures now or have a photographer do it for you and your dog.

In taking dog pictures, it is good to take not that the composition and the idea for the image are well defined, as with any other pictures. Although technology today is more advanced than what people have some years back, it is still up to the photographer to create a good dog picture.

If you prefer to hire a photographer to do the job, the following guidelines may aid you:

· He must be able to have some background in animal behavior to better set up a good image.
· He must be able to provide you with a portfolio of samples so that you may have a wder idea as to how the pictures will come out.
· In your part, allow him to work on his own but give your suggestions as well.

Ultimately, dog pictures are captured with the primary cause of preserving dogs' memories.

Your pet may show quite a number of maladaptive behaviors due to their natural behavior and lack of training to modify such behaviors.  However, once your pet is trained, he may be able to eliminate undesirable behaviors and reinforce productive conducts. In dog obedience schools, dogs are trained to respond to controlled natural and social variables thus improving their adaptability to specific environments.

Before you enroll your dog to a dog obedience school, it is best to initially train him yourself first. This will help you recognize the capabilities and limitations of your pet. Also, your training will provide him prior knowledge on what will be further given to him in the dog obedience school.

Generally speaking, dog obedience school employs three categories of dog training methods. One is the leash and collar training, reward training and the more advanced training methods.

Leash collar training is one of the easiest ways of training your pet, in fact you may do this your self. However, there are certain dog breeds that don't conform with this method of training. Normally, leash training is combined with reward training. In principle, reward training aims to reward the pet using treats for desirable responses to specific commands. This will able him to quickly learn repeating the desired responses. Although you may do this yourself, the expert handling of professional dog trainers in dog obedience schools often make more productive and immediate results.

Moreover, dog obedience school reinforce the applicability of the dog's unused energy resources thus eliminating dog behavior problems such as house breaking, ground digging, excessive barking and elimination problems.

Essentially, dog obedience schools aim to train dogs for the basic and most essential commands like come, heel, sit, stay, and the likes. Depending on the dog obedience school dog training may come further as to teaching the dogs with the popular sport- dog agility training. Additionally, dog owners are also taught of the fundamentals of training their own pets in a dog obedience school.

Moreover, pet grooming is also taught in quite a number of dog obedience schools along with other dog training essentials like the proper timing in giving your dogs rewards. Or your response if he does not listen to you, or " what to do's" with subtle influences affecting your dog's behaviors plus your right disposition (including your stature and expressions) in training your dog.

Standards of efficient dog obedience school

· Must employ mild techniques and methods of training.
· Must have experienced and professional dog training staffs.
· Must have sufficient dog training facilities and equipment.
· Must be able to recognize their responsibility of imparting to you the knowledge or the fundamentals of dog training.
· Must have an in-depth background for dog psychology and study of dog (animal) behavior.
· The curriculum must cover all concerns of a specific area of study, must also cover other topics related with dog training like dog grooming, dog behavior problems and dog nutrition..
· Must have reasonable class fees and does not require hidden expenses.
· Dog classes are nor crowded, the ideal number of dogs in a class is four to ten.
· Must provide you with supplementary training materials in preparation for self-training your dog.

The following guidelines are gathered to help you decide what dog name you will give for your pet. (Note: The dog name will be repeated for several times a day, either when the dog is being called, or scolded or praised.

· Pick a dog name that can be easily recognized. Usually, dogs respond to short names, normally comprised of one or two syllables.
· Choose a dog name for which you are contented to call out and one for which you will not be embarrassed to use.
· Avoid dog names that may sound similar with those of the standard commands like sit, stay, no, fetch, heel, down and come. Dogs would likely find it difficult to differentiate the similar sounding words.
· If you prefer long names, take note of its shortened version. However, by doing this you may lose the original effect the long name gives.
· You may find inspiration from the original names of the dog breeds. Foreign names and human names may also help you. Take for example the following:
German- Dachshunds, Shepherds and Schnauzers
Orientals- Siamese and Burmese
French- Poodle
Irish- Wolfhounds and Setters
Scottish- Terriers
· It may also help if you observe your puppy's behavior for a few weeks, his distinct characteristics may e ale to provide you with dog name ideas.
· Pick the name, which will grow with the pet. For example, "puppy" may be less appropriate for matured dogs.
Aside from these tips, you can be far more adventurous but always bear in mind that the dog name will adopt with everyday and long-term conditions.

To broaden your idea of names, please consider the following suggestions:

For male dogs
· Bandit- a name suitable for a pet often caught in mischief
· Benji- a Walt Disney character
· Buddy- meaning a messenger or a herald
· Buffy- may also apply for a female pet name which gives the distinct characteristic of a yellow coat
· Cassey- has a Irish Galeic root which means "brave"
· Charlie- short for Charles which bears the meaning "strong" or "manly"
· Lucky- a name which means "good fortune"
· Max- from the Latin word Maximillian which has the meaning of the "greatest"
· Mickey- from the Hebrew word meaning " who is like the Lord"
· Nicky- a good name from the word Nicholas or "victory of the people"
· Pepper- a name which means " full of zip"
· Prince- a preferred name which bears the meaning of " chief"
· Rusty- a perfect dog name for an Irish Setter

For female dogs
· Amy- a French word which means "loved one"
· Angel- a typical name given to dogs who have the likable attitude
· Candy- a pet name for sweet dogs
· Ginger- preferred as pet names after a tropical spice bearing the same name
· Goldie- a good name for dogs having blonde or golden coat
· Heidi- after a German name Adelheid
· Jenny- A Welsh name patterned after Jennifer which means "white" or "fair"
· Lady- good name for female dogs with ladyish attitude
· Mandy- short for the Latin name Amanda
· Missy- a pet name patterned after the name Melissa
· Misty- an Old English name which means "covered with mist"
· Moly- an Irish form for Mary
· Princess- name commonly given to pets