Understanding & Caring For Your Miniature-Breed Dog

See the world through his eyes

Try to get down on your dog’s level – literally – and take a good look around. Does the sofa loom high overhead and the slippery kitchen floor seem to extend for miles? This is your dog’s environment, so it’s important to see things from his perspective. Ask yourself a few key questions:

• Do things look a little scarier from down here? When people and household objects loom high overhead things can get a bit intimidating – think of a hoover that’s bigger than you are to get an idea of how your dog may feel.
• How far away from primary rest or play areas are essentials such as his water dish? A short sprint or marathon distance?
• If your dog is allowed on the furniture, how far does he have to jump? Would your dog benefit from a step that leads up to furniture that’s taller than he is?

All shapes and sizes

Small, miniature and toy breeds are a celebration of the wide variety of the mini canine form:
Some are compact and sturdy, like Jack Russell Terriers, French Bulldogs or West Highland White Terriers.

Others, such as Italian Greyhounds, Prague Ratters and Chihuahuas, can be quite sensitive and delicate, naturally requiring gentle handling and careful treatment.

There are several breeds that have very distinct features, such as the iconic long-backed Dachshund, round-headed Japanese Chin, or the hairless Chinese Crested.

Whatever your dog’s size and shape, be sure to take his needs into account when considering things like the size and shape of his bed, food and water dishes, leash and collar or harness type, temperature requirements, and more.

Little Napoleons

Being a small dog in a big world can be a challenge. However, small dogs very often get away with naughty or dangerous behaviours that would never be tolerated in their larger breed counterparts. These little Napoleons often first use these behaviours as a kind of defence mechanism, but it can quickly turn to habit if not corrected early on. Owners should keep in mind that pulling on the leash, running away when called, snarling or biting are all equally bad behaviours whether coming from a 2kg Chihuahua or a 50kg Rottweiler. In both cases the right socialization and training can work wonders.

Learning and practicing appropriate behaviour in a wide variety of situations from an early age will help a dog of any size feel reassured and relaxed, helping prevent behaviours that are undesirable or downright dangerous. Seek help from a reputable trainer who knows your breed, or search for a local group obedience class.

Less means more

Small breeds have different calorie requirements than large dogs. Since they have more surface area per kg than large dogs, they typically expend energy at a faster rate for normal body functions like keeping warm, etc. They also spend more energy on simply getting around. Walking down to the end of the block may cost your neighbour’s Labrador 100 steps, while your Lhasa Apso may need 400 to cover the same distance.

Small dogs may need more calories per kg daily than large dogs do, but they should still be safeguarded against gaining too much excess weight. Obesity is just as dangerous for small dogs as it is for big dogs.

Pocket-sized puppies

These tiny tots need more calories per ounce of bodyweight, and can’t stockpile energy reserves in the way larger breed pups can, so they require more frequent calorie-dense meals.

Mini breed puppies should be fed small meals frequently throughout the day to compensate for their small stomach capacity and rapacious need for energy. Read food labels for optimal feeding amounts and ask your vet for advice tailored for your individual little darling’,s needs.

As with any breed, small pups should be protected but not babied. Although it may take a stout heart to look a fluffy little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy in it’s big brown eyes and say “No!”, it must be done. Early training for small breed dogs sets the stage for a more relaxed, dependable and better-behaved canine companion later on.

Living long and well

Small dogs often live significantly longer than their large and giant breed counterparts. Maltese, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Dachshunds are all well known to live to be over 12 years old. The median lifespan for Miniature Poodles and Border Terriers is nearly 14 years of age, with the maximums reported to be nearly 20 years of age – venerable, to be sure!

With all of this long life very often combined with city dwelling, small dogs need extra protection to maintain good health well into their golden years. In between regular trips to the vet, small dogs can really benefit from extra antioxidants to help their bodies combat the effects of ageing and urban life.

Feeding the right food

The smaller kibble size in our dog foods for small dogs has been designed specially for little pups, making it easy for tiny canines of all shapes to pick up and chew the kibbles.

Giving a complete dog food with a superior antioxidant bundle, Omega-3&6 fatty acids, a small kibble size and nutrition tailored to suit your dog’s lifestage, combined with a tempting taste, will ensure that your dog gets exactly what he needs for a long and happy life. A wide range of Science Diet and Prescription Diet foods are available to support better health in small dogs.