The Dog Blog

In part two of this article, we find the small dogs in the toy, terrier, non-sporting, and herding groups.

Terrier Dogs

Terriers were bred for the hunt – rabbits, rats, foxes, and even otters river rats, and badgers. Today, most terriers are bred as pets. And with their loyal and affectionate temperament, they do make great pets. However, they are dogs with strong personalities, and they need equally strong and determined owners. This is just as true for the small, toy terriers – their personalities are just the same as their larger terrier cousins. Terriers also have a lot of energy, so will need their exercise. They have wiry coats, and to keep the characteristic wiriness of their coats you’ll need to do a special grooming technique called stripping.

If you’re after a small dog, you’re spoilt for choice in the terrier group. The small dog breeds are: the Border Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Australian Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Irish Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Norwich Terrier and Norfolk Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Bedlington Terrier dog breed, Scottish Terrier and Sealyham Terrier.

Toy Dogs

Toy dogs are a very recognizable small dog type, due to their popularity with both people and celebrities. Because some toy dogs are large breeds bred down to size, you’ll find toy breeds in many of the other groups as well.

Toy dogs are generally very friendly, though they can be angry and fierce as well. They do make great lap dogs, however, and are often cherished members of the family, akin to a child. Toy dogs include: Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, Miniature Poodle, the Papillon, Yorkshire Terrier, and the Pomeranian dog breed.

Non-Sporting Dogs

The term ‘non sporting dogs’ is something of a general classification for those breeds that are recognized by the American Kennel Club but don’t fit into any other category. They have different sizes, coats, colors, temperaments, and ancestry. Small breeds in this category include: the bichon frise, Tibetan Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Tibetan Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Schipperke, and the French Bulldog.

Herding Dogs

Herding dogs are a relatively new classification in the AKC. The breeds in this category used to be part of the working group. In fact, a lot of breed registries globally, they still are a sub-catgory of the working group. The dogs registered by the American Kennel Club are generally bought as pets, although herding (and working) dogs are still used throughout the world on cattle stations and farms because of their unique abilities to herd livestock. They can be trained to respond to specific commands and whistles, and perform a variety of herding related tasks particularly well. When herding dogs are pets, the herding instinct still remains. It tends to be channeled by gently herding their humans, especially if there are any kids in the family.

In the herding group, the small dog breeds are the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Border Collie, and the Shetland Sheepdog. 

Miscellaneous Dogs

The miscellaneous category covers breeds not fully recognized by he AKC. There are no small dogs here.

Related Websites

• Baby Bodysuit Orange ” BEWARE OF THE Dandie Dinmont Terrier ” Dogs …
• The Many Types of Dogs
• How to Find the Right Dog For Your Family « Paige Cordoba
• Kerry Blue Terrier
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