Small Dogs and Puppies for Adoption
If you live in an apartment, a small house or any other place without a lot of room for a dog to run around, you many want to consider small dogs and puppies for adoption. Even the most energetic puppy will have room to run around if it is small enough. Small dogs have other advantages, such as being easy to clean up after and living longer than larger dogs. Still, some people aren't a fan of the anxiety some small dogs seem to exhibit. When you go to get a small dog, you should familiarize yourself with breeds as well as your options for adoption.
Small Dog Breeds
Different small dog breeds have different personalities. They also differ in their suitability as companions for small children, as well as in their watchdog skills and trainability. These are the things that you should familiarize yourself with before looking at small dogs and puppies for adoption. Here are just a few breeds to use consider.
- Chihuahua: This little character has a reputation for being barky. Many people who have them find that they tend to bond to one or two people, and prefer to avoid the company of others. Chihuahuas are notoriously difficult to house train, but they also aren't very messy even when they do have an accident in the house. Chihuahuas make excellent watch dogs; they can't actually protect your stuff, but they can alert you to any trouble.
- Yorkshire Terrier: Affectionately known as the "Yorkie," this dog is another little barker that will alert you to the presence of intruders in your home. Unlike the Chihuahua that comes in both short and long-haired varieties, the Yorkshire Terrier is only available as a long-haired dog. This means that you will have to pay more attention to grooming and perhaps keep the hair trimmed short to make it more manageable..
- Poodle: Poodles come in a variety of sizes, but Toy Poodles are perfect for the person without a lot of space. Poodles have long, slightly curly hair that requires a lot of upkeep and grooming. However, these dogs aren't very big shedders. They are good with children, have a great deal of energy and will be the first to alert you to any troubles.
- Boston Terrier: Boston Terriers are small dogs that come with big personalities. Descended from the Boston Bulldog, Boston Terriers were bred by Irish immigrants to take a Bulldog's personality and make it in an apartment-friendly, urban lapdog. These dogs are moderately trainable with a medium amount of shedding of their short hair. They are also good with kids and, like most small dogs, make good watch dogs if not good guard dogs.
- Miniature Pinscher: The Miniature Pinscher or "Min Pin" is another dog for people who want a big dog personality in a little dog body. Resembling a scaled-down version of the Doberman Pinscher, the Min Pin in curious, playful and fearless. This short-haired dog requires little in the way of grooming and doesn't do too much shedding. The most vocal of all the small dogs mentioned so far, this is a high-energy dog that is generally good with children.
Finding Small Dogs and Puppies for Adoption
If you decide to get a small dog or puppy, you have a couple of different options on where to search for one . If you are willing to adopt a dog that someone else has had before and comes with a little history, you can contact your local animal shelter. These are dogs with a lot of love to give that are just in need of a home. Often times, there is nothing "wrong" with the dog other than that the owner moved, died or became unable to care for the dog. There are also rescue organizations that cater specifically to one type of dog or another. If you already have a breed in mind, this may be the right place for you to go. No matter where you decide to go, you'll be coming home with a new friend you'll have for as long as it lives.
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