Dear Petite: The trend toward smaller dogs (under 20 pounds) or “Toy” breeds has been increasing steadily during the last ten years. They are easy to take with you everywhere, their care can cost less than a larger dog and they are a great fit for people living in large cities. Recently, all the media attention focused on celebrities and their pets has helped to fuel the small dog craze. Famous people like Paris Hilton and her Chihuahua Tinkerbell have sparked a trend of teenagers wanted to be just like their idols and in addition to buying the celebrity’s clothing line or perfume, they also can buy their dog breed of choice.

Owning a dog is a big responsibility whether you are 16 or 60 in terms of committing time, money and emotional resources to the new pet. The problem with teenage girls wanted to get small dogs is that they think of them more as “fashion accessories,” “arm candy,” or “trinkets.” A living being can’t be turned into an inanimate object. What happens when the novelty of the new pet wears off? You can’t toss a toy dog into the drawer like that silver bangle bracelet you bought last month and have now grown bored with. 

What most people don’t realize about busy celebrities and their dogs is that they most likely have an assistant 24 hours a day that help with the doggie chores, like walking in bad weather, getting up early and feeding when the owner is otherwise occupied. Buying a dog can be a 15-year commitment. For many of the younger teens, that’s longer than they have been alive. If your teenager wants a dog, be prepared to act as its back-up caregiver in terms of paying vet bills, buying dog food and eventually full-time ownership when your child is off to college. Most schools don’t take dogs.

Size Matters

On top of the generic needs of all dogs, like providing adequate nutrition, exercise and veterinarian care, small toy dogs have some special needs and are at risk for many types of injuries that larger, more sturdy breeds aren’t prone too.

The main reason toy dogs need special care is their size. These tiny dogs are easily injured when accidentally dropped, since they are carried around a lot. Also, they may be smothered or crushed when people want to sleep with them. They just disappear into the bed covers and it’s hard to know where they are all the time, especially if you are sleeping.

As for health issues, some of the Brachycephalic (flat, pushed-in faces) breeds like Pugs, Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs, have trouble breathing, especially in hot, humid weather. Adversely, some of the smooth-coated or hairless breeds like Italian Greyhounds or Chinese Crested, respectively, are susceptible to the cold and need extra clothing before they head outdoors for a walk.

In addition, some toy breeds are prone to collapsing tracheas (windpipes) and need to be walked with a harness rather than a collar, which might aggravate the condition. Some dogs may suffer from luxating patellas (trick knees) and need to be handled carefully and walked judiciously. One of the best books on toys dogs is The Irrepressible Toy Dog, by Darlene Arden (Howell Book House, 2002). It’s a great read packed with information.

Lisa’s Pick of the Litter

To celebrate the art of story telling and the human-dog bond (and because we just love a good dog story), Doghero.com announces the Second Annual Dog Story Contest. The contest is open to non-fiction stories of dog heroes, favorite dogs, and interesting or funny dog stories.  The winner will receive $125, second place $75, and third place $50.  Fourth and fifth places will each receive a $25.  Winning stories (and up to ten honorable mention stories) will be posted on doghero.com.

All stories will be considered for publication in a future anthology of dog stories.

Entry deadline is August 1 and there is no entry fee. Visit www.doghero.com for contest rules and to read last years winning stories. Doghero.com features the book Canine Courage: The Heroism of Dogs, gifts including Canine Courage T-shirts and mouse pads, plus literature and articles about dogs.

For additional information contact Tiffin Shewmake at shewmake@doghero.com, or visit www.doghero.com. 

 

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Club Communications Manager at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com  or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.