For people who desire to own a dog but do not want or cannot have a large dog due to their living quarters, they should consider the Lhasa Apso dog breed. The Lhasa Apso is a wonderful little dog that does not have many of the other small dog breed characteristics such as excessive barking.

History-

The Lhasa Apso comes from Tibet. They were originally used as personal guard dogs to the holy men in the temples, as well as to the noblemen, because of their very keen hearing.

The Lhasa Apso is highly intelligent and could often tell whether friend or foe was approaching and alert their master accordingly. In the early days, one could not purchase the Lhasa Apso, it had to be given as a gift by the Tibetan ruler.

Physical Characteristics-

The Lhasa Apso has long, straight fur that cascades to the floor. Their facial fur gives off an appearance of having a mustache and beard and should be darker in color. The color of their fur often changes from puppyhood to adulthood, ranging from gold, cream, honey, smoke, dark-grizzle, slate, and multicolor which includes white, brown and black.

The muzzle of the Lhasa Apso is of medium length, however not squared. Their eyes are deep set and the fur from their head falls over them. Their tail is plumed and curls to fall over their back.

A Lhasa Apso male grows to a height of approximately ten to eleven inches, and they weigh around thirteen to fifteen pounds. The female Lhasa Apso is usually slightly smaller in size.

Temperament-

The Lhasa Apso is very intelligent, active, affectionate, devoted and assertive. They are leery of people that they are not familiar with, but to their family, they are very loyal. A family with children should think carefully about getting a Lhasa Apso because this particular breed does not like to be mishandled, but this can be handled by teaching children to love and respect the Lhasa Apso.

Lhasa Apsos need to be socialized very early so that they will adapt well to children and other pets.

The Lhasa Apso can be stubborn when it comes to training, however they do love treats, so motivational training works best. Do not give up on training your Lhasa Apso, you do not want them to control your household.

Health-

The Lhasa Apso is fairly free of most ailments and genetic defects that plague many dog breeds. Skin conditions can develop if their coat is not brushed regularly to avoid parasite infestations. Other maladies that may affect Lhasa Apsos include hip dysplasia, kidney trouble, problems with eyesight, and very rarely, bleeding ulcers. This breed tends to live a long life, anywhere from twelve to eighteen years of age.

Grooming-

As mentioned above, their long coats need to be brushed regularly to avoid parasites, but also so that their fur does not mat up, or collect debris that can end up causing them pain. Some owners prefer to have their Lhasa Apsos trimmed, keeping the fur short and easier to manage. Particular care should be given around the eyes as they leak tears. You can dry shampoo your Lhasa Apso as needed.

All in all, if you want a loving and loyal furry companion to warm your heart and your lap, you cannot go wrong with bringing a Lhasa Apso into your home. This furry little mop will entertain you and love you for many, many years.

More facts (5 is high)

Energy level - 3

Playfulness - 3

Ease of training - 1

Heat tolerance - 2 (can't handle hot weather)

Affection level - 3

Watchdog ability - 5

More than one traveler stranded in the snowy Swiss Alps owes the ponderous Saint Bernard his life. Monks in the Alps actually developed this massive dog to be used as a rescue dog. The Saint Bernard breed is quite an old one, going back as far as the 1700s.

The American Kennel Club places the Saint Bernard in the Working Group. These big dogs weigh from one hundred twenty to two hundred pounds and stand twenty six to twenty eight inches tall. This breed can be short haired or it can have a long haired coat.

Originally, all Saint Bernards had a short haired coat, since snow did not stick to the short hair easily. However, when these dogs became popular as pets in Victorian England, Saint Bernard fanciers bred them to have longer hair. They also worked to make them bigger and bigger.

Unfortunately, some breeders today still are more concerned with appearance than they are with personality. Before buying a puppy, make sure that your prospective Saint Bernard's parents are outgoing and sweet tempered dogs.

Otherwise, you may end up with a fearful or aggressive dog. Please don't underestimate the importance of choosing a puppy with a good temperament.

The Saint Bernard is usually a gentle giant and plays well with children and other dogs. However, a young Saint Bernard and small children is usually a bad combination, since these dogs make awkward, clumsy puppies.

More than one toddler has been accidentally knocked down and injured when trying to play with a Saint Bernard puppy. Older dogs are usually more graceful and are careful not to knock children down.

The Saint Bernard does not do well in apartments or town homes. These dogs need a lot of room and are not happy without a home that has a fenced yard. If they do not have enough exercise, Saint Bernards tend to get into a lot of trouble. A bored puppy of this size can sure make a lot of damage.

Saint Bernards are loyal, loving dogs with a strong desire to please. However, their enormous size means that they can be hard to control.

You may want to consider enrolling your puppy in obedience classes while you still outweigh him. These classes will help you train him, but they also play another important role, socializing your puppy. He will meet plenty of strangers and their dogs in the classes.

Saint Bernards eat a sizable amount of food, so it is no surprise that feeding a Saint Bernard increases the grocery bill. Since this breed suffers from hip dysplasia, you may want to use a food that is formulated to help large breed puppies grow healthy and strong. Saint Bernards are also prone to heart disease and tumors.

Short haired Saint Bernards need very little grooming. Even long haired dogs don't require too much work, since they are not heavy matters. Just be sure you brush through your dog's hair once a week.

The Saint Bernard is a wonderful companion dog and a good family dog. As long as you don't mind having a dog who is bigger than most people, a Saint Bernard may be the right choice for you.

Some more facts:

Energy level - 2 (out of 5)

Affection level - 4

Friendliness towards other pets - 4

Ease of training - 3

Protection ability - 1

Cold tolerance - 5

Heat tolerance - 1

The Saint Bernard cannot tolerate heat, so if you live in a warm climate it would be better to get another kind of dog. They also cannot handle living in an apartment or townhome. They need lots of space, and a houes with a yard.

The French Bulldog was originally from England where some lacemakers of Nottingham began selectively breeding a smaller Bulldog as a lap pet near the end of the 19th century.

When the Industrial Revolution displaced the lacemakers from their jobs they moved to France, taking their small bulldogs with them. In Paris some well-to-do Americans saw the little dogs and brought some to the United States, where in 1897 the French Bull Dog Club of America was formed.

These little dogs are remarkably intelligent and make good watch dogs.

French Bulldogs get along with considerate children and so can be a great family dog, but they are exceptional pets for older people as they are quiet, clean and generally do well living in small quarters. They make fantastic companions and are fun, entertaining and loving. These little dogs want to be with you at all times, and to sleep in your bed.

At the French Bull Dog Club of America web site they have a quiz you can take to see if one of these little dogs is right for you. I highly recommend it, since it does a great job of describing what it would be like to have a French Bulldog.
It is best to crate train them since it makes it easier to housebreak them. They enjoy the crate as a safe haven and home. It also makes traveling easier since they will be happy to travel in their crate.

Few of these dogs can swim so if you have an inground pool it must be fenced and inaccessible for your French Bulldog.

With the short face they have more trouble breathing and therefore are less tolerant of heat, exercise and stress, all which increase their need to breath. So if you have a French Bulldog and live in warm climates it is a necessity to have air conditioning.

This little dog breed should be less than 28 pounds and so is a small dog breed.

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Most people see a big dog and think that they need a large living space. Well, for the most part they would be correct, but some dogs, like the Great Dane, are just as happy with a small space as with a large one.

Ironically, most large dogs have a lower activity level, while smaller dogs require a much greater level of activity. Giant breed dogs usually require two good long walks a day. Small breed dogs generally require more intensive free play as well as a few walks daily.

This gentle giant loves to lie around and only requires at a minimum a good long walk once a day. Once house trained, this breed will let you know when its time for her walk. The Great Dane does not bark much and only becomes aggressive when the circumstances require it.

Larger urban areas are no problem for the Great Dane as it loves everyone and needs to be around people. Dignified, kind, and affectionate, it is playful and patient with children. However, because of her giant size and head strong nature, she should be socialized and obedience trained at an early age and always kept on leash.

The Dane can even adapt to being left on her own during the day as long as she gets a walk and lots of companionship in the morning and evening.

Like the cartoon dog Marmaduke, this breed is a lovable family pet; loyal to the bone, affectionate, responsible and dependable.

As an apartment dog, she will need a few things to make her and you happy:

1. A space of her own. Whether a corner in your bedroom or a space in the hallway, you will need to provide at least a little spot for him to call his own.

2. A very soft bed or large cushion to lie on or she’ll be up on the furniture like no tomorrow.

3. A raised dish.

4. And for those colder climates a coat or cape to keep warm on those long daily walks.

As long as you provide a little space in your home, get some obedience training and provide the exercise this breed needs, then the Great Dane makes an excellent apartment dog.

Loyal and brave, she will guard your property. Relatively bark free, gentle and affectionate, she will win over the neighbors. Have an apartment but want a big dog, then get yourself the gentle giant, get a Great Dane!