Kathy Salzberg - The Everything Small Dogs Book: Choose the Perfect Dog to Fit Your Living Space

THE

SMALL DOGS
BOOK

Choose the perfect dog
to fit your living space

Kathy Salzberg

THE

Small Dogs Book

Dear Reader:

Small dogs have been part of my life as a professional dog groomer for more than thirty-five years. They are the perfect pets, just the right size to hold and cuddle, full of personality, and adorable in all their endless variety. Ive said it in jest to the loving dog owners in my clientele, but these pint-size pets really do make perfect surrogate children. Doting on them is half the fun!

Small dogs are marvelously entertaining, and they make devoted companions to adults of any age and to children who have been taught to treat them with kindness and care. They fit in just about anywhere, suitable for any type of dwelling, from apartments, condos, and mobile homes to rambling estates. Although they are big on the cuteness factor, small dogs need training to keep them from running the show. Some breeds are more dominant than others.

I hope you will find the information on the following pages helpful in finding the perfect small dog for you. From the elegant toy poodle to the spirited terrier breeds and happy hounds, youll have a plethora to pick from. Though diminutive in size, all are capable of delivering huge amounts of joy to your life.

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To Rollie, my beloved French bulldog,
who taught me that good things come in small packages and left me with an undying legacy of laughter and love.

I would like to thank my daughter, best friend, and business partner, Missi Salzberg, without whose support I would have been unable to undertake this project. She took over many of my shifts at our business, The Village Groomer & Pet Supply, so I could be home at my keyboard doing what I love bestwriting. I would also like to thank our amazing grooming staff, Anne Francis, Joey Charland, Kathy Duffus, Karen Boyden, Jimmy Beaucage, and Melanie Charron, for their dedication and the beautiful grooming that keeps our business going and growing, and our wonderful clients, both two-legged and four-legged, who have taught me so much over three decades of working with dogs. Thanks are also due to veterinary colleagues Denise Trapani, DVM, Michelle Salada, DVM, and Margo Roman, DVM, for medical information; and trainers Caryl A. Crouse, Nancy Bradley, and Fran and Mike Masters for sharing their time and expertise. Special thanks to my agent, June Clark, and my acquisitions editor at Adams Media, Kate Burgo. Thanks also to my son David, his wife Aline, my son Peter, his wife Julie, and my five grandkids for understanding why Nana Kathy was so busy with this project. Last but by no means least, eternal thanks to my late husband, David Salzberg, who taught me to love dogs with a passion and who supported me in all things.

1. Yorkshire terrier

2. Dachshund

3. Poodle (includes the toy, miniature, and standard varieties)

4. Shih tzu

5. Chihuahua

6. Miniature schnauzer

7. Pug

8. Pomeranian

9. Boston terrier

10. Maltese

Some say the world is divided into dog people and non-dog people. While that may be true, it is further divided into big dog people and small dog people. Big dog folks are the ones who say things like I prefer real dogs when you introduce them to your little shih tzu, or who smile condescendingly when you parade through the park with your Italian greyhound in his snowsuit.

It all boils down to stereotyping, but those of us who cherish pint-sized pets can be as guilty of it as the next person. Of course we know that a dog is a dog regardless of its size. But lets admit itwe secretly delight in babying our diminutive dandies. Its all about love and nurturing, part of the reason we wanted a little dog in the first place, but we know in our heart of hearts that small dogs are every bit as courageous, loyal, and protective of their loved ones as the big boys are. All dogs need our companionship, proper nutrition, a warm place to sleep, a safe home, and lots of love and attention.

Small dogs have the same needs as large dogs. The tiny miniature pinscher must be trained and socialized, just like its big Doberman cousin. The perky Pomeranian needs its bouffant coat brushed as much as the chow chow. Although your Boston terrier may not need as much room to let off steam as the lanky Dalmatian, it still benefits greatly from a daily walk around the block.

As a professional dog groomer for three decades and a lifelong dog owner, I have come to love and appreciate the small dogs who have graced my home and my grooming table, bringing a smile to my face and teaching me what wonderful companions they can be. Each one has its own beauty, whether it be the perfectly sculpted bichon frise or the comical pug, who would rather stand on its head than get its nails trimmed.

I hope this book will help you find out if you really are a small dog person. It will debunk the myths about small dogs, detail their special needs, and help you decide if you have room for one in your home as well as in your heart.

If you do decide to join this select fraternity, I hope this book will help you select the right small dog for you and your family, steering you through introductory research on breeds and their history and instructing you on how and where to find your own small dog. It will also help you find the support systems that you will need: veterinary care, grooming, trainers, and caretakers.

If this book lights a spark in your heart, and you are successful in your quest, I wish you all the joy and love I have derived from the small dogs in my life. Like Dorothy and Toto, may you and your little dog skip down the Yellow Brick Road, sharing a long and happy life together.