MALTESE
The Maltese Terrier is a good-tempered dog that makes the ideal family pet. It is reliable with children, adaptable about exercise, and usually healthy, and it generally remains playful throughout its long life.
Good Points
- Adaptable about exercise
- Extremely good with children
- Healthy
- Long-lived
- Sensitive
- Sweet-natured
Take heed
- Needs fastidious daily grooming
Size
Not over 25cm (10 in) from ground to top of shoulder.
Exercise
Can manage a long walk or be content with a stroll in the park.
Grooming
Most important. Use a bristle brush every day from puppyhood and use baby powder on legs and underside to keep the animal clean between baths. Obtain advice from the breeder about show preparation; this breed may not be the ideal choice for new show aspirants.
Feeding
Recommended would be 1/3 can (376g, 13.3oz size) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume; or 1-1½ cups of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to ½ cup of hot or cold water. Such a diet is, of course, offered purely as a guide. The owner may occasionally substitute lightly cooked minced beef, mixed with biscuit. Water must be available to all breeds at all times.
YORKIE
The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular dogs of the day. It rivals the Chihuahua for the world's smallest dog. It is unlikely to be over-awed by larger animals, however, and is not the ideal choice for the stand-offish, because it wants to make friends with everybody. It has been described as a big dog in a small dog's body; in fact it thinks it is enormous!
Good points
- Affectionate
- Healthy and fearless
- Good watchdog
- Suits apartment living
Take heed
- Lengthy show preparation
- Needs weekly bath
- Difficult to determine pup's eventual size and colouring
Size
Weight up to 3.2 kg (7 lb).
Exercise
The Yorkie is well suited to town and apartment living, but will prove tireless on a country walk.
Grooming
Many Yorkie owners are content for their pet to have a somewhat scruffy 'shaggy dog' look as long a they know that it is clean and healthy. The show aspirant, however, has a busy time ahead, for the Yorkshire Terrier is exhibited on a show box, which displays its immaculate coat to advantage, a condition that can be achieved only through endless grooming, shampooing and oiling. The show Yorkie spends much of its life, away from the ring, in curlers!
Feeding
Similar to that of other toy breeds, with four meals given in puppyhood, reducing to one meal at a year old, comprising of ½ can of branded dog food, or the bought meat equivalent (approximately 199-227g, 7-8 oz), lightly cooked and supplemented by biscuits. Lean meat scraps can be given, and bones are appreciated but never chicken bones.
Health care
The Yorkie has strong, terrier-type teeth, but it is as well to have them scaled by a veterinarian at regular intervals. Toy breeds tend to lose their teeth at an early age (sometimes as early as three), but the avoidance of tidbits will preserve them for as long as possible.
SHIH TZU
The Shih Tzu is a happy and attractive little house-pet which adores human company and hates to be neglected. It is extremely intelligent, arrogant, and looks forward to the long, daily grooming sessions for which time must be allocated if you decide to buy this delightful breed.
Good points
- Affectionate
- Hardy
- Intelligent
- Loves children and animals
- Suitable for town or country
Take heed
- Best to tie back the topknot with a bow, or your pet could develop eye trouble
Size
Weight 4.5-8.2kg (10.18 lb); ideally 4.5-7.3kg (10-16lb). Height at the withers not more than 26.5cm (10½ in).
Exercise
Short, regular walks, and off-the-lead runs.
Grooming
Daily brushing with a pure bristle brush. Do not neglect this task or combing out tangles will be painful. Keep the topknot from getting into the eyes and take care that the ears are free of matted hair.
Feeding
Half to 1 can (376g, 13.3 oz size) of a branded, meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume; or 1½ cupfuls of a dry, complete food mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to ½ cup of hot or cold water.
