Italian Greyhound - Small Dog Breed

The Italian Greyhound - a miniature greyhound belonging to the Toy Dog Group, is an ancient breed originating more than 2000 years ago.

During the 16th century, this breed, as well as other miniature dogs, were very popular in Italy - hence the connection in the dog's name.

Among his fine attributes are: his very affectionate nature, his easy grooming, his lack of doggy odor and his adaptability to almost any environment.

Although he looks delicate, the Italian Greyhound is quite hardy and remains playful quite far into his adult years.

Silky Terrier - Small Dog Breed

The Silky Terrier, from the toy dog group, is a charming and alert little terrier about 9-10 inches tall, with a lovely coat that lives up to his name.

He was originally developed in Australia during the 19th century, but eventually made his way to England.

Although his coat is long, a nice feature is it's a single coat and doesn't shed.

If you're considering a small dog breed, the Silky Terrier should be on your list of possibilities, IMHO.

GPS Dog Collars - Find Your Roaming Dog Fast!

If you're away from home for extended periods, a GPS dog collar will give you peace of mind in the event your dog should accidentally get out, or finds an opportunity to go roaming. Another really nice use for them is the ability to track your dog if you hike out in wilderness areas with your dog off leash.

Although these high tech devices are somewhat expensive, they can save you from an enormous amount of stress if you have a lost dog.

Some GPS dog collars track within a given radius, while others can track no matter where your pet may roam. It's a combination of GPS and cellphone technology!

IMHO, they are a very worthwhile investment.

Toy Fox Terrier - Small Dog Breed

The Toy Fox Terrier is a good choice for someone looking for a low maintenance small dog breed. He has a nice smooth coat and always looks neat and clean. Grooming is a trivial matter.

This cute little dog has distinguished himself as an excellent service dog to the disabled, being of particular value to the deaf.

The Toy Fox Terrier, belonging to the Toy Dog Group, is a cheerful dog who stays youthful and affectionate throughout his life.

Chihuahua - Small Dog Breed

The Chihuahua, often referred to as the smallest dog in the world, is also an ancient breed with very early roots in Asia.

The Chihuahua comes in two coat varieties, one short and smooth, the other being longer and more feathery. He is a bold little dog with a strong personality and prefers the company of his own breed over others.

Hollywood and the advertising media have done a lot to draw attention to this dog. One of his most recognized roles is that of the Taco Bell Chihuahua.

The image above is the Chihuahua Puppy Calendar for 2008.

Poodle - Small Dog Breed

There are three sizes of Poodle: toy, miniature and standard. The kennel club breed standards are the same for all heights. The one we are discussing today is the Toy Poodle whose ideal height is 10 inches or less.

Although it is frequently assumed that this breed originated in France, they actually started in Germany. The standard size is claimed to be the oldest line in the breed, though the smaller varieties were developed soon after.

Poodles were originally used for retrieving in water and are excellent swimmers. However, some of the smaller ones, were used in England for truffle hunting and became known as Truffle Dogs.

There is much more to learn about the fascinating Poodle dog at their favorite website.

Pekingese - Small Dog Breed

Did you know that the Pekingese dog is one of the world's oldest dog breeds. He has strong roots in ancient Imperial China and was so significantly important to the royalty, that commoners were not allowed to own them.

This little dog is tough, confident and much sturdier that he looks. In fact a Pekingese dog was one of two "canine" survivors of the Titanic disaster.

A word of caution - although this dog has many good qualities, he does like to be the boss, so train him early that you're in charge if you don't want to end up with a cute little tyrant!