The range of games can be from fun with dog toys to more intense games with agility style exercise. It really depends on time,space and breed of dog.

Games in your garden or back yard will be different than if you are out at the beach or walking across the fields.

Playing in the house can be a bit limited depending on the size of your abode and how precious you are about your belongings!

Don’t forget dog games with treats, my dog loves these, it makes your dog use his brain to work out what he wants.

Dog games with toys

Frizbees,boomerangs,a range of balls and even bubbles. All great toys for dog games. The throwing toys are all great for big outdoor spaces but I wouldn’t recommend them elsewhere as your dog could sustain injuries as he crashes into things trying to catch. Use bubbles when playing with your dog in your garden, they give loads of fun and a great workout between walks!

Of course you can use their much loved squeaky toys and Raggas too. If your dog is obedient, a game of hide and seek is a must. He waits while you hide his favorite toy, his reward is finding it but you can give a treat too if you like. You may need two of you for this if you have a dog like Barney who won’t always wait! He is improving though.

Games with treats

A trail of chocolate drops to sniff out, a Kong toy or balancing a biscuit on your nose. All brilliant games if you are a dog and love your food treats.

The Kong toy is fantastic and you can buy similar products from other manufacturers. If you have not heard of it, it’s a type of ball with small holes for inserting treats. Your dog has to roll it,nudge it and knock it to retrieve them. Very good for keeping them occupied when you are busy! They come in different sizes to suit your dog size too.

Dog walking services are becoming as essential as good child care. People lead busy lives but still want the fun and enjoyment of having a dog.

You wouldn’t let just anybody look after your children and I believe it is just as important who you choose to care for your dog.

So what should you be looking for in a dog walker?

Firstly they should be insured to do the work. Should something happen while your dog is in the care and control of someone else, it pays to be covered. Sometimes dogs run off, get lost, have accidents or cause injury. The insurance also covers loss of keys. Make sure you see the papers!

Make sure your walker is police checked. In the UK that’s called a CRB and a certificate is issued as proof. Dog walkers need access to your property, so they have to be as trustworthy as possible.

A person experienced with dogs, preferably a dog owner themselves. Walkers need to be confident around dogs they don’t yet know. While your dog may be the softest thing on the planet with you , it can be different with a visitor who starts to take control!
Make sure you have a meeting prior to signing up. A good dog walker will be friendly, approachable and a good communicator.

Many owners like feedback on how the walks have gone and reassurance that Fido has been okay.

It is very important that you feel happy, comfortable and can ask questions. Before long you will start to relax and know that your dog is being well cared for.

Common sense should prevail when it comes down to taking care of your pet but unfortunately, sometimes just like with children, we are too soft for our own good!

The pet industry is now huge also with manufacturers and advertisers all after a share of our money. Not surprising it can all get a bit confusing.

Food

Let’s start with the most widely debated and that’s the best food to feed your dog.

There is too much choice! and too many “experts” telling us what’s right and wrong. I am not going to tell you what to feed your dog. What I am going to tell you is what is available and how we chose the right food for Barney. Remember! A lot of what is on offer isn’t necessary – it’s just a way to make money!

In my years of experience of owning dogs, I have come to the conclusion that canned,processed dog foods are no better for dogs than processed foods are for us. A lot of dogs like them just as we often prefer food that isn’t that good for us! They are designed to look appetizing to humans (as in what a human thinks a dog would enjoy!)They have a lot of additives that can cause allergies and hyper-activity. Problems I encountered were also bad breath,dental health and sloppy,smelly stools! giving a dog cooked fresh meat is okay as a treat but is often too rich and causes stomach upsets in many dogs.

A popular diet idea started to gain attention a few years ago, based on raw,meaty bones. This goes on the theory that dogs are wild animals and this is what they would eat in the wild. In my opinion, this is true but dogs have evolved and become slightly different creatures, both physically and psychologically. While some dogs would enjoy this diet and take to it okay, others don’t know what to do with it and it can cause anxiety. It freaked Barney out completely and I think he would have starved himself rather than eaten the raw food!

What are the best toys for outdoor play?

What kind of place should we go for walks?

How often should I walk my dog?

The secret to fun walks is that you and your dog are relaxed. So it may be that if your dog is a new member of the family, you will need to do some basic training before the fun can begin!

Let’s assume you have established a good relationship with your doggy but feel that you could both get more out of your walks.

Don’t see it as a daily chore! Think of the health benefits for both of you!

When I am out and about doing my dog walking, I often see many just plodding along and not communicating at all with their dog. That’s really not much fun for anyone!

Most dogs need a minimum of two walks a day, depending on size,breed and age. Street walks are good for keeping claws trim and it also does your dog good to walk in that more disciplined way on a lead. After all if all he ever does is run round like a mad thing off the leash, that’s not going to instill the best behavior when he needs to be calm!

Equally though if your dog only ever gets short lead walks, he is not enjoying life to the full as he should. Some dogs can’t be let off the lead – Barney can’t. They may not respond well to recall or just run and run and run! Yes Barney! There have been times when I have been terrified of never finding him. Maybe you can’t always trust your dog around other dogs or people so keep him on a lead. Not everybody wants a waggy greeting or worst still a nasty one!

I would recommend one open space walk and one pavement walk a day. The best way to let your dog have a run if he can’t be let off is to have an expendable lead or a long,floppy training lead. Barney likes to run around in big circles while I stand in the middle – the effect is a little like a Maypole!

These dogs often go in and out of center because people cannot cope and take the dog back. It’s not the easiest route to owning a dog but it IS the most rewarding if you are prepared to stick it out!

The single, BEST piece of advice I can give you is please don’t take on a rescue dog if you have never owned or had experience with dogs before! Okay there is the odd exception but usually they are a lot of hard work and require some degree of skill and a lot patience.

Owning any dog should not be taken lightly. It is a big responsibility and at times with my Barney, has felt like having a toddler child all over again!

If you have a dog from a puppy, it can be trained and socialized well from the start. A rescue dog has often not had this input and allowed to go his or her own way. Many will have experienced cruelty and neglect too which results in fear,anxiety and sometimes aggression. The older the dog, the harder these behaviors can be to undo. Your dog has to learn to trust you and no matter how much love you give, it isn’t enough on it’s own!

Why Choose a Rescue Dog?

So why choose a rescue dog over say, a puppy or a dog being sold elsewhere?

I would say it’s a decision of conscience. While you should never have a dog because you feel guilty, these dogs are in rescue center and animal shelters due to man kinds lack of responsibility and cruelty.

Thousands of dogs needing to be cared for and loved. The money we pay to these centres barely covers the running costs.

While I have nothing against most dog breeders, a lot of money is made from the sale of puppies. I have recently discovered the shocking truth about how badly treated many breeding bitches are. Often kept in inhumane conditions and pregnant over and over until they are of no further use. Then they are just discarded. Please try every way you can to make sure you use a reputable breeder. Make sure you see the pups with their Mum and look carefully at the living conditions.If you ever see ANYTHING that bothers you – even slightly – contact your local RSPCA. If you are looking for a particular breed,consider going to a breed rescue center. Many puppies are also abandoned or bitches that are pregnant.

If you are someone who has a lot of love and patience to give. Will understand that if the dog does have problems – it can’t help it! It’s not the dogs fault! You have to decide you will love unconditionally.

Are you willing to spend time and money on training? How will you feel if the dog wrecks your house? What if, like my Barney, going for walks is challenging because he fears other dogs?

All these possibilities have to be considered. But if after honestly thinking about these questions you believe you could be a brilliant “Mum” or “Dad”, please, please do go and adopt a doggy. It could be the best decision you ever made!

One word of warning, when you go to the RSPCA or Battersea Dogs Home or wherever – stay strong! You cannot take them ALL home with you!

Incoming search terms:

• dog breed selector

These attractive and unusual looking little dogs have a mass of hair on the head and face that give them a slight facial resemblance to monkeys.

This would explain why the breed was originally known as the Monkey Dog or Monkey Pinscher.

The prefix Affe in German can be translated as ape or monkey; the word pinscher means terrier.

Hence, we have the literal translation of Affenpinscher as Monkey Terrier.

Origins of Affenpinschers

The origins of Affenpinschers are rather obscure. Little is known other than they originated in Central Europe (probably Germany) and are believed to be ancestors to two other well-known breeds, the Griffon Bruxellois and the Miniature Schnauzer. In both breeds, there are visible similarities to Affenpinschers, particularly around the head and in their expression.

Affenpinschers originally came in two sizes, with the smaller size being the one that has survived to be recognized worldwide.

Around the turn of the 20th Century, there existed a dog known as the Wire-Haired Pinscher or Deuthscher Rauhhaariger Pinscher that could have been the larger type. It was described as being from 12 to 18 inches (30.5–46 cm) and sporting a short beard and whiskers. This type of dog was commonly known as the Rattler and occurred mostly as a black dog, although other colors did exist.

At this time, there was no mention of the Schnauzer breed of dogs. Given the degree of mixing of dog breeds at the end of the 19th Century this could easily have led to confusion between the Rattler and the early Schnauzer. Alternately, it is possible that careful breeding of the Rattler could have resulted in the Schnauzer.

Affenpinschers were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936, but due to the Second World War, progress in adoption of the breed was slowed. However, after the War numbers began to grow steadily as fanciers of toy dogs started to take an interest in the breed. For many years, the breed was confined largely to the USA and his home country of Germany. In other dog-loving nations such as Britain, the breed was barely known. Eventually, the rest of the world started to take note and Affenpinschers are now found around the world.

General Appearance of Affenpinschers

Affenpinschers

Affenpinschers are small, sturdily built dogs. Their coats are rough and are of an uneven length over the body; long and shaggy in some places and shorter in others. They are usually black but are occasionally other colours. They have a game, alert and intelligent expression. Facially they resemble monkeys and have a mischievous glint in their twinkling eyes.

The head of this breed sits on a short, straight neck. It is round with a well-domed forehead. The eyes are brilliant black, round and of a good size. The ears are rather small, set high, pointed and erect. The muzzle is short and somewhat pointed with a black nose. The upper jaw is slightly shorter than the lower jaw. When the jaw is closed the teeth close together and are not visible.

Affenpinschers have a strong straight-backed terrier-like body. The length of the back is approximately equal to the height at the shoulder. They stand 9.5–11 inches (24–28 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 6.5–9 lb (3–4 kg). The chest of this breed is reasonably deep. Towards the loin there is only a slight tuck-up.

The legs of this dog breed are straight and set well under the body. The only slight bend is in the rear legs at the hocks. The feet are small round and compact, and are turned neither in nor out. The pads and nails are typically black.

The tail is short and often left undocked. It is set and carried high, and gently curls over the back when the dog is in motion.

One of the more distinctive features of this breed is its short, dense coat. The hair is mostly loose and shaggy, although it is longer and harder and wirier in places such as on the legs and around the eyes, nose and chin. This abundance of facial hair gives Affenpinschers their typical monkey-like appearance. It is from this that their name comes.

The coat is normally black all over, however, some members of the breed are black with tan markings, red, grey and occasionally other mixes. For showing purposes, very light colors and white markings are not permitted. Grey colouration does sometimes appear particularly with age. This greying of the hair often adds to the already remarkable facial appearance of the breed.

Characteristics and Temperament of Affenpinschers

Despite being classed as toy dogs, Affenpinschers are far from delicate. These sturdy little dogs have a lively, self-confident temperament and can certainly take care of themselves. Given their unusual looks, dogs of this breed can often make people laugh as they carry themselves with an air of comical seriousness. When two or more Affenpinschers are together there is often a great sense of mischief in the air.

Although normally quiet, this breed can often get extremely excited when they sense that they or their owner is under threat. They are fearless towards an aggressor and will put up quite a defence for their size. Hence, Affenpinschers make extremely good guards.

Affenpinschers as Pets

Affenpinschers make extremely good pets and house dogs. They are extremely devoted and affectionate little dogs. They are keen to take part in fun and games, but aren’t too demanding when it comes to exercise. They will happily take part in activities with gusto. Although their short muzzles may indicate a potential problem with restricted breathing this isn’t the case; they are happy to exert themselves.

This breed is not demanding when it comes to feeding. Grooming isn’t something that owners of this breed take too seriously. Affenpinschers have a naturally untidy looking coat, so there isn’t much point trying to make them look glamorous. All that is required is a general brushing and tidy up of the coat.

As previously stated, this breed will fearlessly stand their ground if under attacked. This makes them great guards.

Overall as a house companion the Affenpinscher is one of the best.

Incoming search terms:

• small toy dogs
• toy dog breeds
• small breed dogs
• white affenpinscher
• monkey breeds
• small toy dog breeds
• small toy dog breeds pictures
• top small dogs
• toy affenpinscher
• pics of small breed dogs

These dogs were unknown outside Australia prior to the Second World War.

However, after the war, they did find a degree of popularity in the United States of America.

Despite this breed becoming better known outside its native country, Australian Silky Terriers are rarely found in Great Britain.

Origins of Australian Silky Terriers

Australian Silky Terriers

There are two breeds that are the principal ancestors of Australian Silky Terriers. They are the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier. The Yorkshire Terrier was developed by crossing the Skye Terrier, the old English Black and Tan Terrier and the Maltese. The Australian Terrier was developed by crossing the Skye Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont and the indigenous Broken-Coated Terrier of Australia.

These little dogs are well set-up and compact. They do resemble Yorkshire Terriers, but are larger and have a silky coat. In the early days of the breed, these two types of dog were closely involved. Around 1900, they shared a breed club.

The first record of any small dogs like Australian Silky Terriers came in 1872. This was when several Broken-Coated Terriers were shown at the second Royal Melbourne Show in Victoria. Later, in 1884, a number of similar dogs were shown under the description of Broken-Coated Toy Terriers.

In 1900, the Victorian Silky and Yorkshire Terrier Club established standards for the two breeds. This was done to avoid the twin dangers of confusion between and possible fusion of the two dog breeds. Not long after, breeders in Sydney formed the Sydney Silky Club – this is how the breed came by the moniker of the ‘Sydney Silky’.

Challenge certificates were first awarded to the breed in 1924. As the breed increased in popularity in Australia, their numbers at dog shows have gone from strength. However, it wasn’t until 1959 that the Australian National Kennel Council adopted a standard for the breed and changed its name to the Australian Silky Terrier.

The breed is now well established in Australia. Large numbers of this breed are regularly exhibited at shows. These dogs tend to look best at those shows that are held outdoors, as the brilliant Australian sunshine shows off the silky coat to its fullest.

The breed has found popularity in New Zealand, and they have also now a familiar sight at shows in the USA where they are known simply as Silky Terriers.

Distinguishing Silky From Yorkie

Australian Silky Terriers make for very attractive pet dogs. Although they are handsome, possibly decorative animals, there remains an element of the Terrier within them. They are low-set, compact dogs that give the impression of having a talent for hunting. This is indeed the case. When given the opportunity they make very good vermin hunters like most Terriers.

Breeders in Australia are keen to make certain that there are distinct differences between the Australia Silky Terriers and the Yorkshire Terriers. This is to prevent the two breeds being mis-identified as each another. Although the two breeds look similar, Australian Silky Terriers are 23cm (9 inches) high and weigh 4 kg (9 lb), whereas Yorkshire Terriers are 20.5cm (8 inches) high and weigh 3.1 kg (7 lb).

The coat of Australian Silky Terriers should only be 12.5 to 15.5 cm (5 to 6 inches) in length. It should not trail on the ground like that of the Yorkshire Terrier. It should also not have any long hairs on its legs so the legs are visible. The coat of the Yorkshire Terrier is bright golden tan with steel-blue hair that extends from the back of the head to the root of the tail. Australian Silky Terriers have a coat that is rich silver-blue and tan. The coat should be bluer than that of the Yorkshire Terrier which is more steely in colour.

Grooming Australian Silky Terriers is easier than grooming Yorkshire Terriers as the hair is shorter and there is not as much of the longer hairs.

Characteristics of Australian Silky Terriers

This breed is assigned to the Toy Group, although these dogs do tend to be more Terrier than Toy. They have more fire and energy than most of the other Toy dogs, being both alert and extremely active. They seem just as at home sniffing around rat holes as they are lounging around on the furniture.

These little dogs make far more noise when provoked than their size would indicate. They are very possessive about their family and its property. Because of these factors, dogs of this breed usually make good guard dogs.

As pets Australian Silky Terriers are friendly, alert little dogs. When it comes to feeding they are undemanding. They require a moderate amount of exercise but far less than a larger dog would. It is not uncommon for these dogs to be kept in an urban environment.

Incoming search terms:

• australian terrier
• australian yorkshire terrier
• silky terrier and yorkshire terrier differences between

Despite the Gallic connections, the Papillon dog breed actually has its origins in Spain and is categorised as one of the dwarf Spaniels.

In French, the name Papillon means ‘butterfly’.

This name alludes to a fairly recent variety of the breed that has large, obliquely set ears fringed with long hairs that give the Papillon’s head the outline of a butterfly when viewed from the front.

Papillon dogs are sometimes called Butterfly Dogs.

Origins of the Papillon Dog Breed

Papillon Dogs

Papillon dogs have been recognizable as a breed in their own right for several centuries. Records of this breed of dog date back to 1545, with the oldest known record details the sale of one of the animals. This breed wasn’t originally known by the name Papillon. For many years, they were known as Squirrel Spaniels because of the heavily plumed tail that they carry over their backs in the same way that a squirrel’s tail is carried.

There are differing opinions on whether the root stock of papillon dogs came from Oriental or Spanish origins. However, the breed first found favor in Spain, particularly in the royal court. This connection with royalty made them highly fashionable and helped spread the appeal of the breed across Europe, first to Italy where they became very popular, and later onto France. It was there that the Papillon gained its name.

In France, papillon dogs again were associated with the upper realms of society; both Marie Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour were owners and admirers of the breed. In the late 16th Century, the city of Lyon was noted as being a centre for breeding miniature dogs. It was there that the breed was discovered by King Henry III, a passionate dog-lover.

For approximately 200 years, until the French Revolution and the fall of the French royal regime, papillon dogs were the court dogs above all others. The position of this dog breed within French high society can be seen in the artistic works of many renowned painters of the time. The Papillon dog breed is depicted in portraits with queens and nobility by the likes of Rubens, Fragonard, Watteau, Boucher and others.

By the turn of the 20th Century papillon dogs were appearing in dog shows in France. Shortly after, members of the breed could be found in show rings across the Channel in Britain and in the United States of America.

When papillon dogs first arrived in Britain, the breed was larger than the currently accepted form. Careful selective breeding resulted in the development of the small, sound dog that we know today. Occasionally larger animals are produced, which, although not suitable for the show ring, still make attractive pets.

General Appearance of Papillon Dogs

The Papillon is a dainty, well-balanced little dog. The breed has an attractive head with an alert bearing and intelligent, lively expression. Papillon dogs are graceful and refined. They are in no way stocky, having straight, slender bones. This dog breed appears slightly longer than high particularly when the fringes of hair on their hind legs are allowed to grow. Ideally papillon dogs should be as small as possible, but for show purposes they should be between 20 to 28 cm (8 to 11 inches) high, and weigh 2 to 2.5 kg (4.5 to 5.5 lb).

The head of the Papillon should seem small in proportion to the rest of the body. The eyes are large and dark. The ears should be quite big with rounded tips, be heavily fringed and set towards the rear of the head. The ears of papillon dogs must either be erect, carried obliquely, or dropped flat against the head. The skull is slightly rounded between the ears.

The markings on the head should be symmetrical, and there should be a clearly-defined, narrow, white blaze down the center of the face. When combined with the large, erect, fringed ears, the overall appearance of the head resembles a butterfly with wings outspread. Hence, the breed became known as the Papillon, meaning butterfly in French. The version of this dog breed with the dropped ears is called the Phalene, meaning moth in French. In some countries, the Phalene is accepted as a separate breed.

The muzzle of the Papillon should be finely pointed and thinner than the skull. This accents the stop which should be well-defined. The nose should be black, and the length of the muzzle from the tip of the nose to the stop should be approximately one third of the size of the head.

The mouth has a scissor bite with the upper teeth fitting close over the lower teeth, The lips are thin and tight.

Papillon dogs have a medium length neck which runs into well-developed shoulders and a sloping back. The body is surprisingly strong, with a good shape and plenty of length. The chest is deep, and the ribs are well-sprung. The tail is long and well-fringed to form a plume. It is set on high and is arched ‘squirrel fashion’ over the back. The body has a level top line and is supported by neat, trim legs.

The forelegs of papillon dogs are straight; slender and fine boned. The well-developed hindquarters make this dog breed one of the more active of the Toy dogs. The feet are fairly long and fine, with tufts of hair that between the toes and extending far beyond them.

The coat of papillon dogs is long, silky, soft and abundant with fringes on the ears and hind legs. It does not have an undercoat and is easily brushed.

In the early days of the breed, the Papillon had a coat that was often all one color. The colors ranged from red-mahogany to chestnut red, and from ruby to dark yellow. This supports the theory that they were related to the other small Spaniels. It became fashionable to breed white dogs with patches of these colors. This coloring has persisted, and the breed standard now states that the papillon dogs should be part-colored – white with patches of any color except liver. A tricolor dog should be black and white with tan spots over the eyes, tan inside the ears, under the root of the tail, and on the cheeks.

Papillons as Show Dogs

Papillon dogs are very suited to showing. They are smart, active in the ring and respond well to discipline. They move lightly with great freedom. Also, they can be trained to a high level of obedience. The papillon is a steady show dog. When trained for the show ring these dogs will carry their heads with pride, and their tails curled over their backs. They give the impression of an alert little dog doing their best to please.

The combination of the snowy white parts and coloured patches on a papillon’s coat makes an attractive sight, particularly when there are a number of these dogs in a ring together.

Preparing papillon dogs for showing is fairly straightforward. Keeping the coat in good condition is largely down to the dog’s physical fitness and good health, as well as washing and brushing. This should get the best out of the long, fine, silky coat. A desirable trait on the papillon is to have fringes on the ears and hind legs. Exhibitors try to keep these as long as possible.

Papillon Dogs as Pets

This dog breed is both lively and intelligent. Papillons are hardy little dogs that delight in exercise. As an owner you should be prepared to provide them with a moderate amount. Papillon dogs still have traces of the hunter about them and will gladly pursue vermin. They are quite capable of killing a rat if given the opportunity.

The Papillon is not as delicate as his appearance might suggest. He certainly doesn’t require the cosseting that some people give him. Although his coat is long and fine, it does give him a degree of weather resistance. Neither cold Winters or the Summer heat troubles him unduly. However, his coat does need to be groomed occasionally.

Papillon dogs are not difficult to feed and are undemanding in this regard.

Generally, papillons make delightful pets. They are cheerful; sociable dogs that enjoy the company of those which they have become attached.

Incoming search terms:

• black papillon dog
• black papillon puppy
• dog of france
• france national dog papillon
• papillon dog

Pekingeses (or Pekineses as they are also known) are possibly the most popular of all Toy dogs

Their small size and lovable appearance, coupled with a long coat, large eyes and a huge character have endeared this breed to many people.

The ancient oriental background behind this breed makes them one of the most fascinating of dogs.

The Pekingese originated in China, which has a long tradition of keeping extensive written and illustrated records of all manner of things including its wildlife. Hence, the origins of this breed are well-documented.

Records date from the Tang Dynasty of the early Middle Ages, when the breeding of miniature dogs was first mentioned. These dogs were supposed to ward off evil spirits. One of these breeds of small dogs was bred in the Imperial Palace of China. This breed was the Pekingese.

Pekingeses were the Royal Dogs of China and considered sacred. Only the Emperor and his closest circle were allowed to possess such symbolic palace dogs. There are many illustrations of small dogs being carried by ladies of the Chinese Court. This explains why they were often called ‘sleeve dogs’.

The palace dogs were held in such high regard that the theft of a Royal Dog was punishable by death.

We are fortunate that the Chinese Emperors were so diligent in having records maintained of their dogs. Portraits of the palace dogs were painted in books for centuries, and these illustrations form a pictorial standard of the breed. It is because of these records that we know more about how Pekingeses looked centuries ago than we do for any other of the dog breeds.

It was of paramount importance that the Pekingese bloodline was kept pure. This meant that they were only bred with the other Royal Dogs within the Imperial Palace. A staff of eunuchs was kept whose sole purpose was to look after the imperial dogs.

The eunuchs who looked after the dogs were highly competitive and were keen to produce the best specimens to present to the Emperor. They went to considerable lengths to encourage desirable features such as stunted growth, a short nose and an exaggerated width when viewed from the front.

Emperor’s favorite dogs were given a rank and were treated as people instead of animals. Any visitor to the Palace was expected to pay homage to them.

Despite their cute appearance, Pekingeses are tenacious fighters. The eunuchs of the Palace frequently staged fights between the dogs for entertainment.

Mythology of the Breed

Pekingeses

In many cultures, dogs have been used to keep evil spirits away. The dogs bred for this purpose in ancient China were known as ‘Fo Dogs’. They were made to appear as terrifying to the evil spirits as possible. It is arguable whether Pekingeses have a terrifying appearance, as many people find them hugely appealing.

According to legend, this breed was produced by the crossing of a marmoset with a lion. The body is supposed to represent that of the lion, The Emperor of Beasts. The heart is also believed to come from the lion and this gives these little dogs their brave, fighting spirit. The head represents The Necromancer, a bringer of good fortune. The bowed legs and long tail that arches over the back symbolize The Dragon, or The Eternal Realm.

Arrival in the Western World

In 1860, British troops captured Peking. Many palace dogs were killed to prevent the sacred animals falling into the hands of the enemy.

However, during the looting of one of the palaces, five unharmed Pekingeses were discovered.

The eunuch that looked after them had apparently killed himself and left his dogs alive.

Admiral Lord John, who had been present at the sacking of the palace brought the five dogs back to Britain on his return. One of them was presented to Queen Victoria, who she named ‘Looty’.

A painting of Looty still hangs in Windsor Castle.

The other two pairs were kept by the officers that found them. One pair eventually made their home with the Duchess of Richmond at Goodwood. These became the ancestors of modern Pekingeses.

In 1893, the first Pekingese to be exhibited in Britain at Chester and was described as a ‘foreign spaniel’. The breed’s remarkable appearance and history caught the public’s imagination and soon became a favourite. In 1896, four more of the breed were imported into Britain and this helped to establish a strong foundation for the breed.

The Japanese Spaniel Club of Britain drafted a breed standard for Pekingeses in 1898. The Japanese Spaniel Club was later known as the Japanese and Asiatic Spaniel Association. The establishment of the Pekingese Club (England) occurred in 1904 and four years later came the foundation of the Peking Palace Dog Association, which imposed further weight restrictions on dogs for show.

That same year of 1908 saw the death of the Chinese Dowager Emperor. That was followed in 1912 by the Boy Emperor’s abdication and subsequent ending of the Manchu Dynasty. Not only did this signify the end of the Manchu Dynasty, but also the end of Pekingeses being bred in the Imperial Palace.

By 1909, several palace-bred dogs had been given as gifts to influential Americans. This was the year that The Pekingese Club of America came into being. From that point onwards, the worldwide appeal of the Pekingese has continued to spread.

Characteristics of the Breed

Pekingeses are extremely friendly little dogs with huge personalities. Occasionally their imperial past shines through as they can appear pompous, regal and reserved. This is tempered with an almost humorous side, for which you can’t help falling.

Despite being loyal dogs, they do have a willful, strong-hardheadedness and can be very persistent. They are usually calm and even-tempered. Rarely do they get aggressive. However, if attacked they will never turn tail and run, preferring to stand their ground in spite of overwhelming odds.

General Appearance

It would be easy to get the wrong idea about Pekingeses because of their the cute appearance. The enormous coat, soft coloring and distinctive shape could make you think this dog is a pampered weakling. That is a long way from the case, however. These short-legged dogs are actually strong for their size and surprisingly heavy. Their body is heavier at the front due to their broad chest, becoming lighter to the rear.

One of the major features of the Pekingese is his head and face which is full of character. His large, dark eyes give him a lovable appearance. The head is large in comparison with the rest of the body. The skull is broad and flat between the ears, which are heart-shaped and set moderately high. The ears are carried drooping.

The muzzle is short, and the nose cartilage is between the eyes. This can lead to certain breathing difficulties.

If buying a Pekingese, you should watch out for any apparent breathing problems.

The front legs are bowed, and the toes are turned out.

The tail is long, set high and is carried well over the back. The coat is long and all colours except liver and albino are permitted for showing.

This breed is small being only 18cm (7 inches) high. The bitches at around 5.5kg (8 to 12lb) are typically heavier than the dogs who weigh around 5kg (7 to 11lb).

Pekingeses as Pets

This breed makes remarkable pet dogs. For centuries they were the Chinese Emperor’s pampered pets, yet they are in no way been softened by the experience. These dogs can be fierce when provoked and are not averse to fighting. This can be a problem as their eyes are quite vulnerable.

These little dogs are undemanding when it comes to exercise. They move at a dignified, leisurely pace, so long country walks are out of the question.

Although Pekingeses are not all that big, feeding them can be a trial. Evidently, all that royal heritage has affected their taste buds and hence they can be fussy eaters.

Grooming a Pekingese requires much dedication to achieve good results. This does have its rewards as they make wonderful show dogs. When showing or breeding them, careful selection is of utmost importance. Years of inbreeding have clearly had an effect. Pekingeses can have health problems so you must take your time to ensure your choice of dog is right.

Incoming search terms:

• chinese pekingese
• pekingeses breed standard
• pics of toy pekingese dogs

The Small Dogs With Big Personalities

Toy dogs are usually recognized by their small size. Many have been bred through a process of miniaturisation of existing dog breeds.

For most of the dogs in this group, their ancestry can be traced back to much larger breeds. None of the wild dog breeds from which they were originally bred are as small as the resulting toy dogs. Although most of the dogs in this group tend to be very small, some of the recent additions to it are not.

As a result of the miniaturization of many different dog breeds to create new toy dog breeds, the Toy Group can be split into several subgroups that directly relate to the larger dog breeds from which they are descended.
These subgroups include Terriers, Foreign Terriers, Spitzs, Running Dogs and Spaniels.

The Terrier subgroup is represented by the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Terrier. Foreign Terriers consists of the Griffon Bruxellios and the Miniature Pinscher. The Pomeranian belongs to the Spitz subgroup. The Running Dogs’ subgroup contains the Italian Greyhound, and the Spaniels are represented by the King Charles Spaniel, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Japanese.

In the USA, the Shih Tzu and the Toy Poodle are considered toy dogs, however in other countries they are in different groups.

Ancient Companions

There are some toy dogs that have been bred as specific breeds for a many hundreds, possibly thousands, of years. Although both working dogs and hunting dogs have been a part of civilization since its early days, they were not clearly developed into specific breeds. Instead, they were bred for performance and speed instead of appearance.

Toy dogs have been carefully bred for appearance for centuries as lap dogs and small companion dogs. It can be seen for as long as records exist that these types of dog have been favorites of the nobility and the upper classes. Due to this popularity among the richest people, some of the best visual records of dog breeds relate to dogs in this group. When a lady or gentleman of the royal courts had their portrait painted, they often included their favorite dog. Invariably this was a companion dog or lap dog.

It is due to the works of art dating back centuries, that we know what various breeds looked like in those days. For example, we know what Toy Spaniels looked like in the reign of King Charles II. We also know that the Italian Greyhound has changed little since Anne of Denmark, and that Hogarth’s pet Pug, painted in 1745, is a good representation of that breed even today.

A Taste of the Orient

Early Far Eastern civilisations preserved some excellent records of numerous toy breeds, where many different miniature dogs originated. An example is the Pekingese which has a very important role in the history of Imperial China. In Tibet, small dogs were much revered and used them in religious ceremonies. Hence, several different types of toy dog were bred along pure lines within the monasteries of the country.

Tibetan toy dogs are not the only example of small dogs being associated with religion. In South America, the Chihuahua played a part in Aztec religious worship. Carvings depicting the Chihuahua can be seen in the pyramids of Cholula, Mexico. This is not the only member of the Toy Group that is surrounded my myth or legend.

In the last two to three centuries, Europe has emerged as a center for breeding toy dogs. As trade flourished between Europe and the Far East, oriental toy dog breeds found their way to Europe. The Pug – or Dutch Pug as it has been known earlier – is an ancient Chinese breed that was further developed in Europe. The Papillon, considered a French toy breed with a French name, has its origins in the Orient.

Much Maligned But Ever Popular

Despite the enduring popularity of toy dogs, they have also had their detractors. This was certainly the case with some early dog writers, many of which favored coursing and shooting dogs.

Dr Johannes Caius, founder of Caius College, Cambridge, physician to Queen Elizabeth and author of the Canibus Britannicus, an early attempt to classify British dog breeds, was surely not impressed. He described toy dogs as: “These dogs are little, pretty, and proper, and fyne, and sought for to satisfy the delicateness of dainties dames and wanton women’s wiles, instruments of folly for them to play and dally withall, to tryfle away the treasure of time, to withdraw their mindes from their commendable exercises.”

In contradiction of Dr Caius views, toy dogs are indeed quite sporting. Indeed, one gentleman was recorded in the early Twentieth Century as regularly going shooting with his team of Toy Spaniels.

Throughout the long history of toy dogs, they have found favor in society. Whether this is down to their small, cute appearance, huge personalities or a combination of the two, today, the popularity of toy dogs remains as buoyant as ever. With some of the later additions to the Toy Group, such as the Bichon Frise, the Lowchen and the Chihuahua it’s easy to see that toy dogs will always remain a firm favorite of dog lovers.

The following is the list of Toy Dogs recognized by the Kennel Club of Great Britain. Clicking on each of the links will provide more information on the specific dog breed.

# Affenpinschers
# Australian Silky Terrier
# Bichon Frise
# Bolognese
# Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
# Chihuahua (Long Coat)
# Chihuahua (Smooth Coat)
# Chinese Crested
# Coton De Tulear
# English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan)
# Griffon Bruxellios
# Havanese
# Italian Greyhound
# Japanese Chin
# King Charles Spaniel
# Lowchen (Little Lion Dog)
# Maltese
# Miniature Pinscher
# Papillon Dogs
# Pekingese
# Pomeranian
# Pug
# Yorkshire Terrier