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Miniature Dogs
Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the
American Kennel Club.
David McKelvey/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/3748491903/
Miniature Dogs
Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Daschund, only 11 pounds or under, is not a separate classification of the Daschund -- it's just a smaller version of the Standard. The miniature dog, with its long bodies and strong sense of smell, are both hunters and lapdogs, according to the American Kennel Club.
Miniature Dogs
Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the American Kennel Club.
Miniature Dogs
Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was originally bred to be a small farm dog. The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer is a attentive, lively and a favorite among celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby. The strongly built miniature dog is between 12 to 14 inches, according to the American Kennel Club.
Miniature Dogs
Miniature Bull Terrier
Just like the playful Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, who originated in England, has a similar personality. Don't let its size fool you – the Miniature Bull Terrier is strong, energetic and audacious. Miniature Bull Terriers are between 10 to 15 inches and can be solid white or colored, according to the American Kennel Club.
Miniature Dogs
Miniature American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of three separate categories of the American Eskimo Dog. Between 12 to 15 inches, the bright white dog is loving, protecting and sociable. Now a great companion dog, the miniature dog was once a circus dog, according to the American Kennel Club.
Miniature Dogs
Miniature Pinscher
Also known as the "Min Pin," the Miniature Pinscher is a German Breed whose ancestry includes the Daschund, Italian Greyhound and the shorthaired German Pinscher. The quick, curious dog is the perfect apartment dog. Despite its small size, the compact pooch makes a wonderful watchdog. The spirited miniature dog, about 10 inches to 12 1/2 inches, can be red, black, or chocolate with tan, according to the American Kennel Club.
Miniature Dogs
"Hachi: A Dog's Tale" DVD Giveaway
Seriously people, take a look at the shelters full of unwanted pets.
Can you please stop thinking about yourself and adopt a dog or cat that needs love. Oh yeah~ that's right~ I forgot~ then you wouldn't be "in" "cool" "the one people ooh and ahh" about....you would just be a plain everyday person. How boring is that? ( SARCASM)....
This stuff really gets to me.
I would love to have one of these cuties! BTW, I have already adopted 3 cats from a shelter so maybe you can get over your "self righteous" self and give me permission?...geeeze
i agree with you. it,s nice to know people still do care about our flooding shelters. if getting oos and ahhs, to be with it then i would rather be a shelter nerd. thank you for your post, and bless you, and all the animals of our world.
sincerly, fiarella
Just wanted to thank you for this commend, Maddie, and say I agree with you 100%. The only reason I clicked on this article was to post something very similar to what you've just said on the boards. SPAY/NEUTER and ADOPT SHELTER CATS!!!
I love cats..they taste a lot like chicken...seriously though..I adopted 3 toy chihuahua's and I still get the ooo's and ahhh's. wouldn't have a cat..my choice.
great words, i volunteered for 14+ years at 2 animal shelters and worked mainly w/ abused dogs & cats. w/ all the abuse that some had all they wanted was to be loved and held. some took 2 months to open up and some took longer, but it was all worth it. i went from an spca place to a no kill place. i never lost an animal, all got adopted, and it takes a part of you w/ them when they get adopted.you are right though maddie, with all of the foreclosures, lost jobs and people having to give up their pets and some just deserting them, many great pets have lost their homes and the people that they loved. i love dogs and i have ck'd out some animals at a couple of places and they are all jammed w/ animals that need new homes, save a life, adopt a pet--and take care of it. a pet will give you 100 times more affection & love than you couls ever imagine,
I get what you're saying. The problem is that no one has a good head on their shoulders, like you obviously do. Let me rephrase that, not everyone has a good head on their shoulders. I think it's worth more to take in an older dog or a one eyed cat, simply because it gives them hope which they do feel. Don't get me wrong, these little piggies are cute, but you would spend alot less on an animal from the shelter, which is what you must be pointing out, as well as giving hope.
not everyone gets a pet to be "cool". get one that fits your life, whether it be a shelter pet or not. it's not selfish to get a pet from somewhere other than a shelter. instead of thinking you are "cool" you are thinking you are somehow superior to everyone because you went to a shelter. well, if that animal doesn't fit the person's life, then the animal and the owner will be miserable . get over yourself.
I find it hilarious when people get worked up about stuff like this, especially when there are other important things to worry about in in the world, such as the suffering of people, for example the ongoing social destruction occuring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or the oppression of the Iranian people by their own government, but seriously how dare you people be fascinated by exotic pets rather than adopting homeless cats..
That stuff really gets to me.
Maddie, you seem to think that any one who might be interested in owning one of these pigs as a pet is automatically self-centered and shallow. Did it every occur to you that some of us might also have cats and dogs as pets too. How about that those of us who can afford these type of pets are also the type of pet owners who look after the health of our pets and spend the money to have them spayed and neutered? I suppose in your dark close minded world, anyone who would spend the kind of money it takes to own a micro-pig, couldn't possibly see beyond their selfish, insignificant, and petty daily lives, to support animal charities, adopt pets, be active social and medical charities.
I would suggest you take a moment to see the big picture. While the suffering of unwanted pets is one of many disturbing aspects of our society, the situation is not caused by a group of people just seeking the latest fade pet while ignoring abandoned cats and dogs, nor does the problem continue simple because people who can afford expense pets, fail to adopt abandon pets. The folks that can afford these type of pets represent a very small percentage of the total citizens in this country. However, those who do have the means to afford expensive pets, contribute a very large fraction of the sources of private financial support and taxes that are given to the groups and charities that help deal with the many problems our society confronts.
Hey Mad(die),
Here's something for your self-righteousness to think about. While I agree that adopting from a shelter is noble and worthy, it's also risky. You have no idea where that animal has come from, what it has been bred with, what it has been through..........I refuse to bring an animal into my home and around my children without some knowledge of it's background and breeding. I had my two dogs breed specifically for me by a reputable breeder. They are breed to be safe and nuturing with children. If pet owners in general were more responisble with thier animals, we wouldn't need shelters to dump the unwanted into. You have to ask yourself before taking a shelter animal, why and how it ended up there. Is it going to work for your particular family and living situation, otherwise, that poor animal is going to end up right back at the shelter. I've heard great success stories and great horror stories from people who've adopted from the shelter, but I'm not willing to risk my childrens safety with a shelter animal that I have no background info on. That's not selfish, that's being a responsible parent to both my children AND any pet that I decide to bring into our family.
I live in Frederick Maryland and the animal shelter here is ridiculous. I've tried to adopt animals there but they act like a normal mom with kids is an ax murderer. I did get one cat there, but it wasn't the one we had a hold on. Instead we got one that is schizo and tries to eat us while we sleep even though he has food out all the time. We were told not to declaw him and he tore up all our upholstery and wood furniture. I've spent thousands on him and I hate him but I tried to take him back and they said they would put him to sleep so I kept him. I'd love to adopt a dog, but they won't let us have any. They show us these 100 lb pit bulls instead. I had to buy my terrier just to get a dog, but I tried and tried to adopt. I have an acre of land, a fence, and we love animals. I hate Frederick County animal shelter.
It is a commotment when chosing a pet. Where or what I decide to invest my, love, time and money in ...is my choice!. If shelters made it a little easier to adopt maybe they wouldn't be killing so many of them!. Yes I belive in spay and nuturing. But I don't belive the shelters always have the animals best wellfare in mind. In fact some shelters are cold and ran like an abortion clinic!
All but 1 of my pets have come from rescue organizations (the other one came from a very responsible breeder and there's absolutely nothing wrong with getting a dog from a responsible breeder), so I'm all about supporting rescue... BUT... please keep in mind that one reason these little pigs have become so popular as pets is because they appeal to individuals who are - through no fault of their own - ALLERGIC TO DOGS' AND CATS' FUR AND/OR SALIVA. The pigs don't present this problem, which enables people with allergies to have a pet they can cuddle with and fawn over and share love with, whereas before they could not. Sharing that kind of bond with an animal - be it a dog or a cat or a pig - is priceless and no one should be denied that experience. Not everyone is shallow - some people have good reason for seeking alternative pets.
Maddie - I agree with you! It breaks my heart to see this kind of article - First, we are playing G-d by "creating" new life, Second, this type of article encourages - forgive my frankness- dumb people to want to "copy" what they think is now cool or in - even when they have no idea what responsibilities it entails or the costs they not be able to afford and Third, those sad, overpopulated shelters will soon see hundreds of these sweet babies as people get bored, realize they don't like or want to take care of them, etc., etc., etc.
Animals are very special and people must realize taking on a pet is a LIFETIME responsibility...the pet's lifetime. In good times or bad, rich or poor. If you can't make that committment, Don't Get a Pet! And please, please, please...if you want unconditional love, years of joy and loyal companionship - please adopt the animal of your choice from a local shelter. You will (sadly) be able to find exactly what you want - young, old, purebred, mutt, color, size, etc. PLEASE!!!
I agree with you, if you want to take on a pet, you must be able to provide, love, care, medical help, food, and attention, if you are not able to do that most of the pet's life, let someone who can do it. Having a pet should be mutually beneficial to both the pet and its' owner
So true :)
What? If something like this truly bothers you. You must be bothered 24/7 by everything. Life must suck for you.
Yes, but how big are they are maturity? These will probably end up like Potbelly pigs--hundreds of pounds and not practical for the average person. Sad.
They are 65 pounds at the biggest. I already read about these.
I plan on having a veritable menagerie, but I always wanted pigs above all others. Ideally, I would adopt shelter pigs (very few of them, I know), but I want many animals - only if I can provide for them. I don't want these pigs just because they're "cute" or "in" - I want them because I genuinely love pigs, and I won't be made to feel guilty for wanting one.