Popular Dog Breeds

There is no creature on the planet that has a closer relationship with us then man's best friend (dogs's). Ther are more differnt breeds of canines than of any other animal species. Here are 11 Popular Dog Breeds. They are in no certain order, but I did save the best for last.

Popular Dog Breeds

Pug

• Personality: These clever dogs have a perky nature. They are playful and loving. Napoleon’s wife is said to have sent messages to her husband while she was in prison on the collar of her pug.
• Size: Height between 14 and 18 inches. Weight 14-18 pounds.
• Space Needs: Good for apartments and small houses.
• Health Concerns: Delicate eyes prone to weeping. Watch for respiratory diseases.
• Exercise Needs: Minimal
• Diet: Don’t overfeed.
• Grooming: Little grooming needed.
• Life Span: Up to 15 years.
• Children: Excellent with children.
• Other Pets: Good with other pets.

Golden Retriever

• Personality: The gentle golden retriever is both sturdy and stable. Bred originally as gun dogs, they have an excellent nose and are loyal and friendly.
• Size: Stand as much as 24 inches tall and weigh between 60 and 75 pounds.
• Space needs: Happiest with access to a yard. Okay in a apartments if they can get out a lot.
• Health concerns: Watch for hip dysplasia and congenital eye problems. Check parents for Von Willebrand disease and heart problems.
• Exercise Needs: Need a lot of exercise. Love to play fetch with a ball or stick.
• Diet: Don’t overfeed; tendency to become overweight.
• Grooming: Regular grooming needed. Average shedders.
• Life Span: Up to 12 years.
• Children: Excellent, patient.
• Other pets: Friendly with other dogs; generally good with other animals.

Dachshund

• Personality: Tenacious, bold, and very clever. Dachshunds were originally bred to dig into holes and ferret out small animals (Dachs is German for badger). They are naturally curious and sometimes play the clown.
• Size: Between 5 and 9 inches tall; weigh between 16 and 32 pounds (minis under 11).
• Space needs: Perfect for apartments and indoor living.
• Health concerns: Dachshunds are prone to spinal disc problems and heart disease, urinary tract problems, and diabetes.
• Exercise Needs: Need little exercise-but they like to dig.
• Diet: Overfed, they will put on weight quickly.
• Grooming: Little grooming needed for shorthaired varieties. More for wire-haired and longhaired.
• Life Span: Up to 15 years.
• Children: Best with older children.
• Other Pets: Generally good. Friendly with other dogs.

Maltese

• Personality: Lively and playful, the Maltese is an ancient breed that dates back to classical Greece. Although they are glamorous, they love to play in puddles.
• Size: Up to 8 inches tall; weight averages 7 pounds.
• Space needs: Good for apartments.
• Health concerns: Susceptible to skin, respiratory, eye, and tooth problems.
• Exercise Needs: Minimal.
• Grooming: Need daily grooming and frequent bathing and combing.
• Life Span: 15+ years.
• Children: Best with older children.
• Other Pets: Generally good with other animals.

Labrador Retriever

• Personality: Labrador retrievers are the most popular breed in Americas and no wonder. These muscular dogs have a gentle nature, are highly trainable, and make one of the best family pets. They originally came from Canada, where they were trained by fisherman to jump into icy waters and haul in nets. When they were brought to England they were developed as gun dogs to retrieve game.
• Size: Full-grown male Labradors stand up to 24 inches tall and weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. Females slightly less.
• Space needs: Labradors can live in apartments if they are given plenty of exercise but are better suited to homes with a yard.
• Health concerns: Labradors are robust, but watch for hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and other eye disorders. Due to their popularity they tend to be overbred, so be sure to buy one only from a reputable dealer.
• Exercise Needs: Need a lot of daily exercise. Excellent jogging companions.
• Diet: Moderate rations to avoid weight problems.
• Grooming: Very little grooming needed.
• Life Span: Up to 12 years.
• Children: Excellent with children.
• Other Pets: Generally good.

Rottweiler

• Personality: A muscular and powerful dog. They are very protective and defend their families fiercely. Rottweilers are serious, confident and happiest with an experienced and dominant owner.
• Size: Up to 27 inches; weight between 100 and 115 pounds.
• Space needs: Best with at lest a small yard. Can live in apartments with regular exercise.
• Health concerns: Watch for hip dysplasia.
• Exercise Needs: Vigorous daily exercise.
• Diet: Need a highly nutritious diet for energy.
• Grooming: Little grooming needed
• Life Span: Up to 12 years.
• Children: Good with children only if raised with them from puppy hood.
• Other Pets: Need socialization with other dogs.

Shih Tzu

• Personality: This dog is assertive but friendly. Originally bred in China, they are playful and like creature comforts.
• Size: Up to 11 inches tall. Weigh up to 18 pounds.
• Space needs: Good for apartments; active indoors.
• Health concerns: Sensitive to heat and susceptible to slipped stifles. Some shih tzus are prone to eye, ear, and respiratory diseases.
• Exercise Needs: Minimal.
• Diet: Do not overfeed. Tendency to become overweight.
• Grooming: Extensive grooming.
• Life Span: 15+ years.
• Children: Best with older children. Can be snappish if startled.
• Other Pets: Friendly with other dogs. Good with other animals.

Yorkshire Terrier

• Personality: The bright-eyed Yorkie has become a glamorous show dog, but it started life being bred by English coalminers to catch rats. These confident animals make lively companions.
• Size: Stand an average of 7 inches tall and weigh up to 7 pounds.
• Space needs: Can live happily in an apartment or other indoor space.
• Health concerns: Vulnerable to slipped stifles and eye infections. The soft teeth are prone to decay. Over protected, they can become neurotic.
• Exercise Needs: Minimal exercise needed.
• Diet: Dry food is best too keep teeth strong.
• Grooming: Regular grooming needed. Some trimming or stripping.
• Life Span: Up to 15 years.
• Children: Best with older children.
• Other Pets: Good with other dogs -but not other animals.

Boston Terrier

• Personality: Bred as fight dogs, these animals are now gentle, and well mannered. They are an American breed combining English and French bulldogs and terriers.
• Size: Average 15 inches tall. Weight up to 25 pounds.
• Space needs: Good for apartments and small homes without yards.
• Health concerns: Badly bred animals may have a bone defect that stunts brain growth.
• Exercise Needs: Moderate exercise.
• Grooming: Little needed.
• Life Span: 15+ years.
• Children: Excellent with children.
• Other Pets: Generally good with other pets.

Cocker Spaniels

• Personality:The Cocker Spaniel personality is very gentle and loving; once you've owned one, you won't want to own any other breed of dog.
• Size: Height 14 to 15 inches. Weight is 18 to 25 pounds
• Space needs: Adjust well to city, suburban, or rural life.
• Health concerns: Glaucoma (Eye Disease), Cataracts, Familial Nephropathy (Fatal Kidney Disease), and Hip Dysplasia
• Exercise Needs: Moderate exercise. Ideal pet for elderly person, as long as it is provided with daily walks.
• Grooming: Regular grooming needed. Some trimming or stripping.
• Life Span: 13-14 years.
• Children: Excellent with children.
• Other Pets: Generally good with other pets.

Great Dane

• Personality: This magnificent (and my favorite) giant is dignified and kind. Despite its name, the Great Dane is originally from Germany, where it was bred from mastiffs and Irish wolfhounds.
• Size: More than 30 inches tall. Weigh up to 150 pounds.
• Space needs: Best with access to a large yard. But can live in an apartment if taken out for walks everyday.
• Health concerns: Short life span. Watch for hip dysplasia, bloat, tumors, and heart disease.
• Exercise Needs: Vigorous daily exercise from one year on.
• Diet: High Nutritional or natural food
• Grooming: Very little grooming needed.
• Life Span: 7 to 10 years if feed a healthy diet.
• Children: Excellent with children. But due to their size they need to be taught not to lean on children.
• Other Pets: Generally good with other animals. Can be dog aggressive

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