So you are looking for a dog, but not just any dog. You want one of those types of small dogs that can fit in your pocket or can be carried around on your lap. To be sure, there are far too many types of small dogs to make the selection process any easier.

But with a little help and some tips on what you should know about certain small breed types, then you should have little trouble choosing from the types of small dogs that fit your taste and lifestyle.

The first thing you should learn about the different types of small dogs is that they are often referred to as toy breeds. It is important to take note of this to avoid any confusion when the pet shop owner suddenly launches on an impassioned discussion of the positive traits of toy breeds, only to find out later that he is actually talking about the same thing.

Some marketing hypes may even refer to types of small dogs as “pocket-size” or “saucer types.” Keep in mind that they’re all the same; they all refer to the general category of small breed dogs.

That said, here are some common types of small dogs that you might be interested in:

Toy Breeds

These types of small dogs are known for their intelligence and entertaining natures. They like to play but also prove as great companions and lap warmers.

The American Kennel Club lists 21 types of small dogs in the toy family, including Affenpinscher, Brussels Griffon, English Toy Spaniel, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Pug, and Yorkshire Terrier. Other popular breeds are Maltese, Papillon, Poodle, Manchester Terrier, Pomeranian, and Miniature Pinscher.

Toy breeds are great pets for senior citizens or people who have reduced mobility. Toy breed dogs do not feel restless around limited space.

Small Pure Breed Dogs

There are eight breed groups under this particular category of small breed dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club. These are:

* Sporting

* Hound

* Working

* Terrier

* Toy

* Non-sporting

* Herding

* And Miscellaneous

These types of small dogs weigh less than 25 pounds. There might some confusion identifying this breed since these dogs are often sprinkled throughout the other groups. The list of small pure breed dogs listed below are not in the Toy Group:

* Australian Terrier

* Basenji

* Beagle

* Bichon Frise

* Bedlington Terrier

* Border Terrier

* Boston Terrier

* Cairn Terrier

* Dandie Dinmont Terrier

* Lakeland Terrier

* Lhasa Apso

* Lowchen

* Miniature Schnauzer

* Norfolk Terrier

* Norwich Terrier

* Parson (Jack) Russel Terrier

* Puli

* Schipperke

* Scottish Terrier

* Sealyham Terrier

* Shiba Inu

* Skye Terrier

* Smooth Fox Terrier

* Tibetan Spaniel

* Tibetan Terrier

* Welsh Terrier

* West Highland White Terrier

* Wire Fox Terrier

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All dogs bark at one time or another. I’ve had a dozen or so dogs during my lifetime and I have heard all of them bark at various times. But for the last fifteen years I’ve owned small, toy breeds such as Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds and the barking is unbelievable! I decided to investigate why this occurs.

Dogs bark when they have something to tell us or when something is different in their surroundings and they need to evaluate the situation. Just like infants and toddlers, making noise gets attention from the creatures around you who are able to help. I currently have a male Maltese and a female Yorkshire Terrier at my house. I have taken a survey over the past two weeks and found that they are most likely to bark when:

• they run out of drinking water and need for me to refill it
• they are missing a favorite toy and want me to locate it
• they hear an unusual sound and want me to know about it
• they hear a vehicle that they are not familiar with, or that makes a loud annoying sound, such as the garbage truck or a furniture delivery truck
• they hear an unfamiliar voice
• someone they do not know comes too close to them
• someone they do know tries to leave them

All of these examples are instances where they are uncomfortable with what is happening in their territory. They do not bark when the phone rings, the television or radio is playing, people they know come and go from the house, or when the dishwasher is on. They have become accustomed to these sounds and have no reason to be alarmed. My recommendation to teach you small, toy breed dogs to keep from barking so much is twofold. First, get them used to as many sounds as possible that are likely to be heard in your home on a regular basis, and second, do not subject your dog to sounds or events that you already know will be upsetting or unsettling to them.

Dogs truly are man’s best friend. If we treat them with respect and dignity they will give us years of faithful companionship.

Connie Ragen Green has been a dog lover for half a century and currently shares her home with three dogs, a cat, and a King snake. You can find out more about training your small dog by visiting http://www.YorkshireTerriersAreTheBest.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Ragen_Green