What is a Miki Dog?

The sociable and sweet-natured little Mi-Ki dog breed is an up-and-coming companion toy dog. It’s a small-sized dog which weighs some 4 and 10 pounds. The Mi-Ki is cat-like in agility but all dogs when it comes to loyalty and friendliness.

Renowned for his gentle nature, the Mi-Ki is calm, adaptable, and delightfully Gremlin-like (remember Hollywood’s 1984 movie Gremlins?) in appearance.

Appearance

Its apple domed head features large dark eyes, and a short, wide muzzle, with a black nose. These dogs have large dark eyes and a characteristic stop. The mini Miki dog has erect feather ears that are quite movable.

The body of the dog is somewhat elongated with a straight, leveled backline, that stands upon four hare-like feet. With their little size and gentle nature, Mikis usually make great condo or apartment dogs.

History

Miki though a recent breed but it a rare one, and the history of this breed is in ambiguity and is still debated. There are different theories to the origin of Miki dogs.

According to the Mi-Ki Club of America, Inc., the Mi-Ki is thought to be Asian. It is debated that it shares common ancestors with the Papillon, the Maltese, and the Japanese Chin.

Unfortunately, the bleak details of the Mi-Ki make it impossible to tell the percentage of each parent breed in its makeup.

In 1992, testing revealed a specific DNA profile, naming the Mi-Ki, a purebred dog. The Mi-Ki was recognized by the States Kennel Club in 1995.

Some theories also suggest that other breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Pekingese, and Shih Tzu may have been used. But, no one knows if this is true.

Miki Dog Pictures

Quick Information – Miki Dogs

Temperament and Behavior

The most amazing trait of the Miki dog is their adaptability, to people and situations. These dogs are obeying,  extremely affectionate, as also alert at the same time.  Thus, they are well-suited pet for the elderly and disabled people since they make good therapy dogs and companion dogs.

Though they are alert, they are also calm and quiet at times, and rarely bark for no reason, but mostly, if only feel threatened. They have a high degree of intelligence that would easily excel in the obedience ring.

This dog is a quick learner who would grow up to a good service dog. Like cats, they are social by nature with an even temperament, as they also love children, spending playful moments with them, prancing upon toys and play objects.

The Mikis are even comfortable with other pets, including cats. They are non-aggressive, but rather friendly with strangers, and would get along well with them.

Care – Exercise

Given their size and enthusiastic personality a Miki dog needs a daily walk. Take it out regularly, especially to help release its energy. They are active by nature and would play all day in a small house or apartment (or even get used to their kennels). But, allowing them to play openly in an enclosed area, if available, is also good for their mental happiness.

Grooming

The low shedding Miki dog needs brushing at least once a week. This is to get rid of any possible dust particles they might catch in between their hairs while playing restlessly all day, as also to retain the usual smoothness.

The short muzzle of the Miki dog is prone to get them respiratory issues. So, do keep an eye. Also, weekly cleaning of their teeth is advisable for keeping them healthy. You can also shave their face and feet to help them stay clean, hygenic,  and germ-free since they are prone to grow long hairs in between their toes.

Training

Training the intelligent Mi-Ki dog is rather easy, as they’re positive spirits and eager to please their masters. You should begin training your Miki puppy from 3-4 months of age. Teach the little one to come when it is asked to, or stay when it is told to. Give them lots of obedience and success rewards, and supply them with lots of encouragement.

Health Problems/Issues

Mi-Ki is a very healthy breed with no known breed-specific health issues. However, as mentioned, respiratory disorders might pester it at times. Also, do not ignore keeping an eye on other common dog diseases and problems.

Diet/Feeding

Dry food, over raw food, is better for the playful Miki dog since it needs almost a constant supply of glucose, especially the puppies.

Ready kibbles are a good supply of glucose since they might consume this at any point in time if supplied. Glucose deficiency often leads the puppy to ‘crash’.

Raw meat or canned food is certainly a good idea, though, since it is the ultimate source of energy for most canines and dog breeds in the longer run. However, do not consider the quantity of your Miki’s food with respect to the weight of your dog, but rather, on its daily level of exercise and activity. Also, remember that underweight or an obese Miki might easily bring in many health problems later.

Mi-Ki Puppies Images

Video: Miki Dog Playtime

Fun Facts about The Miki Dog

• The International Mi-Ki Registry considers Mikis with all four feet shaved
• Record says that a Mi-Ki dog has raised an entire litter of abandoned kittens.
• Although the Mi ki dogs often have a domed head, the International Mi-Ki Registry’s Mi-Ki heads are rounded, but not domed.
• Their eyes and the nose are large and mostly dark, although blue, brown, or ruby are also acceptable by the International Mi-Ki Registry, provided, the coats are of the same colors.

The post Miki Dog appeared first on DogBreeds10.

Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) x Dachshund = Shethund

Appearance (Sheltie Dachshund Mix)

Your Shethund can inherit the appearance traits of one or both its parent breeds, the Shetland Sheepdog and the Dachshund. This is a medium-sized dog that usually weighs between 10-18 pounds and can grow up to 8-16 inches in height.

Also, depending on which breed parent has the most influence in the bio mix, her coat colors can be brown, tan, red, sable, blue merle and white. They have medium, straight coat type which is double-coated with a long, straight topcoat and a short, fluffy undercoat or it can be smooth or wiry. Owing to its parent’s breed, the Shethund may have the Sheltie nose, coat, and body with short legs of a Dachshund.

Her ears are set high which are either long and soft and hanging down or smaller erect with tips breaking forward.

Shethund (Sheltie Dachshund Mix) Pictures

Quick Information

Temperament and Personality

The breed is known to be social, loyal, loving, independent, social, lively, playful and responsive. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up the breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed.

The most common traits she can inherit from its parents; the Shetland Sheepdog and the Dachshund are friendliness affection, aggressiveness, courage, gentleness, and intelligence. They make great family pets and are good for first-time owners too.

Owing to its parent’s lineage of hunting and herding instincts a Shethund may have traits to “herd” small animals and even the kids. Therefore you must be very careful when you have your pooch around kids. It’s advised to give them early socialization from a young age to make them more adaptable and friendly.

These dogs are highly sensitive and energetic by nature, which needs to be managed well on a daily basis to keep them well-rounded. She is best suited to a temperate climate, provided she is given adequate and appropriate protection and precautions for those hotter or colder temperature extremes.

Exercise

This active canine breed needs 1 to 2 hours of daily exercise periods to channelize her high energies. This exercise can be accomplished by several activities like, daily walks or jogs, playtime in the dog park or fenced yard, interactive games of fetch, Frisbee, flyball, agility training and obedience training.

She has traits of wandering, hunting, and herding, so its best to keep her on a leash when outside the house or fenced yard or other safe enclosure.

Grooming

Your Shethund is a low-moderate maintenance canine. Their smooth topcoats need brushing twice a week. However, thicker coats need to be brushed daily, and more during the seasonal shedding season.

It’s best recommended to check her toenails and ears checked weekly, cleaning them as needed with a cotton ball and trim their nails as required.

Brushing her teeth two or three times a week will help to avoid the development of periodontal disease and tooth decay and tooth loss which can accompany it.

Health Problems

Training

She is an active canine who will need daily exercise of 1 to 2 hours to keep her fit, healthy and happy. They are easy to train.

Positive Reinforcement: Taking a positive and fun, rewards-based approach is the best way to encourage your pet.

Obedience Training: Obedience training always comes prior to socialization training, especially to herding dogs. Since herding dogs have a natural instinct to hunt other animals, it is important to train them basic obedience commands like ‘freeze’, ‘back’, ‘halt’. ‘stop’, and etc. to keep them even-tempered and well-rounded dogs.

Socialization: Taking your young puppies to parks to play and meet other people and animals will make them comfortable with strangers and help them come out of their shyness.

Feeding

The Shethund is a medium-sized active dog that needs healthy dog food (1 cup) which is divided into 1-2 meals. Be careful not to overfeed your dog with treats and meals as this may lead to obesity.

Video: Shethund Dogs and Puppies

The post Shethund appeared first on DogBreeds10.

Alaskan Malamute x German Shepherd = Alaskan Shepherd

History

The Alaskan Shepherd is a rare designer breed which may have been bred since the early 1900s in the United States. There is very little information is available regarding its origin. This dog was originally bred with an idea to develop a strong sled dog which may pull and carry heavy freight similar to the Alaskan Malamute. This scarce hybrid is not recognized by the AKC. However, in the year 2009, they gained recognition from the International Designer Canine Association (IDCA).

Appearance

These large-sized dogs inherit physical characteristics similar to their parents. They have an athletic built and are well-muscled and strong. They have a wolf-like appearance similar to its parent Alaskan Malamute. The average height of these dogs varies from 21 to 28 inches with an average weight of 60 to 125 pounds.

Alaskan Shepherds have attractive almond-shaped eyes, which may vary from blue, hazel or brown color and large erect and pointed ears. They have a very dense upper coat and it is thick, straight, and medium in length. The color of their coat may vary from gray, black, white, fawn, brown or a combination of any two.

Alaskan Shepherd Pictures

Quick Information

Temperament and Personality

This German Shepherd-Alaskan Malamute mix is friendly, loyal and smart dogs. This alert breed is highly protective towards its family, owing to their attachment with their family, forming ideal watchdogs, a quality that they may have inherited from the German Shepherd.

They love the attention of the family, and may feel anxious or become destructive when bored or left alone for long hours. These dogs are good company for children and other pets. However, owing to their huge size, an adult should always supervise when your pet is around small children.

These dogs are highly protective for the family members and get alert when strangers are around. Thus making a great watchdog who keeps a close vigilance on any suspicious activity. Owing to their half german shepherd half malamute lineage they prefer cooler climates.

Care – Exercise

Both the parent breeds of the Alaskan Shepherd are working breeds and are highly energetic and active. Thus the resultant offsprings are also energetic and high endurance pets who need regular exercise to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.

These dogs love being outdoors in the yard or park and participate in activities like hiking, running, fetching in open spaces. A 60-90 minutes of walk, jog, or run will be ideal to keep them busy, as they may tend to get destructive when bored.

Grooming

They have medium length hair and extremely rough and dense double coats that shed heavily, especially during seasonal changes. Brushing them weekly with a bristled brush as well as using a de-shedder can help reduce seasonal shedding and keep the coat neat and polished.

Cleaning their ears and eyes regularly will help to keep allergies and infections at bay. Brushing their teeth weekly is recommended for good dental health along with clipping their nails. These dogs need only occasional baths when their coats are dirty with debris.

Health Problems

Alaskan Shepherd is usually a healthy breed with a lifespan of 11-13 years. They can have some of the health issues like chondrodysplasia, i.e., other body parts not functioning correctly. Also, they may get infected by cartilaginous exostosis that is a disorder of the bone because of the excessive formation of calcium.

Training

Start training your Alaskan Shepherd the moment you bring it into your home because puppies are the easiest to train.

Positive Reinforcement: Taking a positive and fun, rewards-based approach is the best way to encourage your pet.

Obedience Training: Obedience training always comes prior to socialization training, especially to herding dogs. Since herding dogs have a natural instinct to hunt other animals, it is important to train them the basic obedience commands like ‘freeze’, ‘back’, ‘halt’. ‘stop’, and etc. to keep them even-tempered and well-rounded dogs.

Socialization: Taking your young puppies to parks to play and meet other people and animals will make them comfortable with strangers and help them come out of their shyness.

Feeding

The Alaskan Shepherd is a large-sized active dog which needs healthy dog food which is divided into 2-3 meals. Be careful not to overfeed your dog with treats and meals as this may lead to obesity.

Alaskan Shepherd Puppies Images

Video: Alaskan Malamute German Shepherd Mix

The post Alaskan Shepherd appeared first on DogBreeds10.

Border Collie x Pembroke Welsh Corgi = Borgi

Appearance

The Border Collie Corgi Mix may inherit physical traits from both its parents.  They are medium-sized dogs. The average height for the Borgi may range around 10-22 inches and may weigh between 28-40 pounds. They have short and stout legs, erect and pointed ears, a black average-sized muzzle and dark brown eyes and a triangle-shaped face like a fox.

They usually have a double-coat with a thick undercoat and a longer topcoat with medium or short hair. Since both, the parents come in various colors, the offspring Borgi’s coat may be black, white, brown, sable, fawn or a combination of any two colors.

Borgi Pictures

Quick Information of Borgi Dog Breed

Temperament

The Borgi is a fun, active and playful breed. They are intelligent, hardworking, and alert. These dogs are quite lovable and love to receive attention and may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long hours. Though they are energetic, they love their in-between sleeping and nap sessions. They would love not to be disturbed when resting.

Owing to their parent’s lineage they have herding characteristics. They may have a tendency to herd pets, small children. So it’s always advisable not to let very young children be left with them without adult supervision.

Apart from this, they are good family dogs that are well-behaved with children and playful with other pets. Just make sure if there will be children or other pets, they should be properly socialized from early puppy days to make them even-tempered. This dog is great for people who live in apartments who also want a companion dog.

Care – Exercise

Both the Border Collie and the Welsh Corgi are high-energy dogs, so you can expect the Borgi to be a fairly energetic dog as well. Borgi needs lots of physical and mental exercise.

Walking, fetching games and swimming are activities can keep them physically and mentally stimulated. Make sure to channelize their energies as they may tend to be destructive when they get bored. A daily walk and enough playtime are recommended for this active pooch.

Grooming

The Borgi maybe an above-average maintenance dog breed owing to its long and double coat inherited from its parents. Brushing their hair a few times a week is usually enough for this breed to keep their coat free from dirt and debris. However, during the shedding season, daily brushing is required to remove the dead hair.

Shedding: The amount and times Borgi sheds greatly depends on its coat type. They may shed heavily twice a year and an average amount throughout the year or shed their entire coat once a year.

Bathe your dog only when necessary, to keep his natural oils intact which will keep his coat shiny. You should brush your Borgi’s teeth at least three times a week for good dental health. Clipping his nails regularly is recommended.

Health Problems

Being crossbred, Borgis are generally believed to be healthier than their parent breeds. This breed is prone to some serious health conditions and is susceptible to progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia.

You should regularly clean and check their erect ears, for infections and allergies. Then there is the minor risk of skin complaints and allergies.

It is advisable to buy your dog from a trustworthy breeder who can provide passed health evaluations for the parent dogs as this can help reduce the risk they may occur in the puppy.

Training

These dogs are smart, agile and are easily trainable as they are good in picking up commands. Exposing the dog to new animals, people, and situations from a young age will help them socialize well, and adapt to situations.

Positive Reinforcement: Training and handling your pooch with love, encouragement and a positive attitude is the best way to handle them and remove their stubbornness. This will make you his friend and he will obey you happily.

Obedience Training:  Giving basic obedience training to your dog from a young age is the responsibility of the pet parent. Teaching your dog to reliably respond to basic commands such as “sit,” “down,” “come,” and “stay,” will make your furry friend an even-tempered one.

Socialization: The first step is to socialize your dog with your family and friends. This is best done with patience and helps your pooch come out of his shyness. Taking your dog to dog parks and watching other pets will make him well-behaved with kids and other animals.

Feeding/Diet

The Borgi a high-energy dog who needs high nutrition and good quality of dog food. You can feed him 2.5-3 cups of dry dog food split into 2-3 meals. Make sure your dog doesn’t overeat, as obesity can be a real problem with them. Consult a veteran for supplement and vitamins which are necessary to keep your dog healthy.

Corgi Collie Mix Puppies

Video: Borgi Playing Around

The post Borgi appeared first on DogBreeds10.

Brussels Griffon X Pug =Brug

Appearance

The Brug is a small and attractive canine with a sturdy body, flat round face and a black wedged muzzle. Their size can vary between 10-15 inches and can weigh up to 10-12 lbs. Ther face can have wrinkles owing to their Pug lineage. They have silky and floppy ears with small rounded paws. Their short and dense coats are often rough and are seen in black, white, brown, red colorations. The Brug is a fairly rare and new breed so their physical traits can vary depending on how much of their parent’s characteristics they inherit.

Brug Dog Pictures

Quick Information

Temperament

The Brussels Griffon Pug mix has a lovable personality and is quite friendly, affectionate and loyal, making great family pets to its owners. They are outgoing, social, energetic and love to cuddle on the owner’s lap. This breed gives itself a lot of importance and dislikes to be left alone or unattended. Owing to their small size they may suffer from small dog syndrome or separation anxiety if left alone for longer periods. These little pooches are quite sensitive to their owner’s mood and can also be very possessive and jealous at times. Thus it is best to give them early socialization training to make them well-rounded dogs. They are popular and best choices for lapdogs and are good with children and other pets in the house. They can get bossy with babies who may unintentionally tease or get rough with this small dog. So its best keep them under supervision when around toddlers.

Care ~ Exercise

This Brussels Pug Mix is quite energetic and needs 30-40 minutes of exercise through walks or playtime daily. Since the Brug is an indoor dog his playtime and activities will provide him enough physical activity and mental stimulation to burn his energy. Taking your dog out for walks, or to parks is a great way to ensure they are active and socialize with other animals and humans too. However, be sure to keep him in a fenced yard when off-leash so that your dog does not get into any trouble because of his antics. Avoid taking your dog out when the weather is too hot as they are more suitable for cooler climates.

Grooming

The Brug requires 2-3 times brushing a week to eliminate shedding of hair. They don’t need frequent bathing sessions as too much water will strip the natural oils of the coat and make it brittle and dry. Make sure you clean the fold or wrinkles regularly and keep them dry to avoid yeast infections. Other grooming requirements are the same as other dogs including brushing their teeth to avoid any plaque built-up, clipping their nails and cleaning their ears once in a while.

Health Problems

The Griffon Pug is a healthy hybrid with an average life span of 12-15  years. Both its parent’s breeds are healthy breeds. However, like all crossbreds, these dogs are prone to certain health issues which its parent suffer from.

This breed can suffer from

• Patellar Luxation
• Hip Dysplasia
• Entropion
• Skin Allergies
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

When you get your Brug, be sure to take it from a responsible breeder and take all the registry papers of its parents. Pug mixes have a tendency to inherit facial folds which are susceptible to smelly yeast infections if they are not cleaned on a regular basis to prevent a build-up of bacteria. Occasional tests and visit to a vet are also recommended to keep your dog healthy.

Training

Your Brug is an off-spring of super smart dogs which makes him intelligent and quick to pick up on your instructions and know exactly what you want from him, alas, a stubborn streak may result in him deciding to not follow through.

This hybrid responds well to praise and rewards during training, but they do have a stubborn streak that may surface.

Positive Reinforcement: Training and handling your pooch with love, encouragement and a positive attitude is the best way to handle this stubborn breed. This will make you his friend and he will obey you happily.

Obedience Training: Giving basic obedience training to your dog from a young age is the responsibility of the pet parent. Teaching your dog to reliably respond to basic commands such as “sit,” “down,” “come,” and “stay,” will make your furry friend an even-tempered one.

Socialization: The first step is to socialize your dog with your family and friends. This is best-done with patience and helps your pooch come out of his shyness. Taking your dog to dog parks and watching other pets will make him well-behaved with kids and other animals.

Feeding/Diet

Being a small dog, you Burg will not much of a diet and one cup of nutritious dog food a day will suffice its need. You can split this food in 2-3 meals through out the day. Keep a watch on his diet as overeating may lead to weight issues. Oerweight can lead to unwanted health issues for your dog so keep it healthy and within limits.

Video: Brug (Griffon X pug) Eats a Christmas Ham Bone

The post Brug appeared first on DogBreeds10.

They are considered a Designer Dog and likely originated in the U.S. in the 1980s when breeders first began crossing pure-bred dogs in order to create smaller, hypo-allergenic or gentler variations of some of the more popular breeds.

Pomeranian X Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) = Poshie

Appearance

The Poshie is a small to medium sized dog who brings together the outgoing personality of the Pomeranian and the playful character of the Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog). A full-grown Poshie may grow up to 7-16inches and weight 5-25 lbs.

They have an adorable face with a well-shaped body covered with a thick double fluffy coat just like the Pom. The Poshie has small black eyes and a long muzzle ending in a dark nose and a curled tail all of which compliments to its beautiful personality.

The double coat is long, dense, and sheds seasonally twice a year. The color of their coat may vary from brown, black, sable, tan, sable, red, fawn, cream, brindle or a combination of any two.

Poshie Pictures

Quick Information

Temperament

These dogs have an adorable personality and are cute, loving and affectionate towards the family, making a great companion and lap dogs. Pochies are energetic, enthusiastic and get the herding gene from their parents, making them suitable for a rural and urban lifestyle. This breed is intelligent, sharp and gifted with an alert mind, thus make expert guard dogs who raise an alarm or bark if he spots a stranger around the house.

Their playful nature and loving eyes will always catch your attention. They are good with kids and other pets in the family and are excellent companions to them. They love to cuddle and play and are very loyal to their families. Owing to their Pomeranian side they may be a little temperamental at times, but proper training and socialization from a young age will sort this out.

Care ~ Exercise

The Porchie is a high-energy canine breed and needs a lot of exercise and activities to burn his energy and keep him mentally and physically stimulated. If we dog does not exercise well, then they tend to be bored, which at times leads to destructive behavior including barking tendencies, chewing household items or breaking things.

A 30-40 minute walk or jog in the park or fenced yard will keep him physically fit. These pooches love to play and activities like, Frisbee, hide and seek, dead dog or fetch play will keep them happy.  Since these dogs have a tendency to herd, its best to keep them leashed when out to have control on them.

Grooming

The Sheltie Pomeranian Mix has a long-haired coat which shed twice a year. Brush them 3-4 times a week to keep their hair shiny and natural oils well distributed. They have a silky coat which needs to be combed regularly to keep them tangle free, neat, and avoid matting of the fur.

Bathing them once in two months is fine to keep their fur dirt free and clean. Apart from this, regular grooming requirements including, trimming of the nails, brushing their teeth regularly and cleaning their ears to avoid wax build-up and free from infection is recommended.

Health Problems

This crossbreed is a fairly healthy dog with an average life-span of 12-16 years. Like all other cross breeds, they may suffer from diseases which their parents, the Pomeranian and the Sheltie were prone to. Some of the common diseases they are prone to are;

• Patellar luxation
• Cataracts
• Entropion
• Hip dysplasia

Be sure to get its proper vaccination before you get it from a trusted breeder. Regular visits to the Vet for its tests and a healthy diet is recommended.

Training

The Poshie is intelligent dog breeds and is quick learners who are easy to train. They have strong herding instincts due to their parent’s lineage and will require early training and socialization to break their preying and hunting habits.

Positive Reinforcement: Taking a positive and fun, rewards-based approach is the best way to encourage your dog. Lots of verbal encouragement and treats of your choice to get the best results from them.

Obedience Training: Obedience training always comes prior to socialization training, especially to herding dogs. Since herding dogs have a natural instinct to hunt other animals, it is important to train them the basic obedience commands like ‘freeze’, ‘back’, ‘halt’. ‘stop’, and etc. to keep them even-tempered and well-rounded dogs.

Socialization: Taking your young puppies to parks to play and meet other people and animals will make them comfortable with strangers and help them come out of their shyness.

Feeding/Diet

As they are a high energy breed, Poshies need a quality dry kibble diet according to the dog ‘s age and weight. A protein and the high carb-rich food is best for this breed.

Choose a nutrient-rich balanced diet without a lot of fillers (carbs) that will cause him to over-eat to feel full. Always keep his weight in check so that they don’t overeat and gain weight. Gaining excess weight may result in joint pain later in life.

Poshie Puppy Images

Video: Poshie Puppies Playing

The post Poshies appeared first on DogBreeds10.

West Highland White Terrier X Yorkshire Terrier = Fourche Terrier

Appearance

The West Yorkie mix is a tiny dog breed owing to its parent’s lineage. An adult Fourche Terrier is usually 8-9 inches tall and they weigh about 13 pounds.  They have dark brown almond-shaped eyes, a black nose and rounded head with large pointed ears hanging down. Their thick coat is of medium to long length. They coat color may vary from grey, fawn, tan, black, brindle, white or a combination of these colors.

Fourche Terrier Pictures

Quick Information

Temperament and Characteristics

They are happy, cheerful and friendly dogs who are quite energetic and alert. They are great family dogs and get well along with people. They make a playful companion to children, but adult supervision is recommended when around young babies or toddlers.

Fourche Terrier dogs are intelligent and inquisitive by nature. They may get suspicious and wary of strangers thus making excellent watchdogs. This trait is inherited from its parent’s both of which are good at watching and guarding.

They tend to be controlling, temperamental or stubborn, so its best to train them from a young age to make them even-tempered and obeying.

Care ~ Exercise

The furry Fourche Terriers are energetic and lively and need a good amount of exercise or playtime to be both mentally and physically stimulated. A daily walk or running session of 60-90 minutes will keep them occupied and away from boredom. They are interested in playing with toys, swimming, chasing balls, playing frisbee, etc to keep them entertained.

Grooming

The Yorkie West may be a high maintenance dog.  Their thick coat requires regular brushing while the hair around the ears, eyes, and feet need occasional trimming. To keep tidy their coat shiny, and free from dirt, bathe them when necessary.

These dogs are prone to skin conditions so you should only use a mild shampoo or soap as suggested by your vet. Check and clean their ears once a week to keep them infection free and avoid wax build-up. Other grooming tips are the general ones, including trimming their nails and brushing their teeth regularly to avoid dental infections.

Health Problems

This is a fairly healthy crossbreed, which may be prone to any of the diseases that occurs in its parent breeds. Theaverage life expectancy for this dog is 12 to 15 years, which is the typical lifespan of most dogs this size. The owners, therefore, should take them from responsible breeders.

Some common health issues may include;

• Cataracts
• Patellar Luxation
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Hypoglycemia
• Lung Diseases

Training

The Fourche Terrier can at times act stubborn and commanding, so its best to train your dog from its puppyhood. It is important to teach them to be even-tempered and well-behaved with small kids. Positive reinforcement and socialization from early days make them well-rounded dogs who readily obey commands.

Obedience Training:  This breed is quick to pick commands and hence training them to obey commands like “come”, “sit”, “stay” is not a difficult task.

Feeding/Diet

Owing to its high energy and activities,  this dog’s diet is more than other dogs in their size category. A full-grown Fourche Terrier needs 1-2 cups of quality dry food every day, divided into two small meals. You should keep a check on your dog’s weight to ensure they don’t overeat and gain weight. Gaining weight can be detrimental to the dog’s health. A well-balanced diet and clean drinking water will be apt for this cute pooch to keep healthy.

Fourche Terrier Puppy Images

Video: Yorkie/Westie Cross Puppies

This tiny little, cute, energetic and sassy dog can be your best companion and steal the show with his antics.

The post Fourche Terrier appeared first on DogBreeds10.

Brussels Griffon X Yorkshire Terrier = Griffonshire

The Appearance

This Brussels Griffon Yorkie mix is a cute bundle of joy, which is a small sized dog which may weigh up to 8-10 pounds and grow up to 8-10 inches tall when fully grown.

The appearance and its personality largely depend on the parent’s breed. This breed can have a rough and wiry coat like the Brussels Griffon or long and silky straight hair like the Yorkie. They can come in many different colors but the most common include golden, black, brown, cream, and blue.

The Griffonshire has a small black nose, short muzzle, and a small but stocky body that is not delicate. Due to its small features, it looks like a puppy even in its adulthood days.

Griffonshire Pictures

Quick Information

Temperament/Behaviour

The Griffonshire Terrier is an intelligent high energy dog breed which often spends its time being happy and excited. This is a  smart dog breed and your dog will be sassy, lovable and very loyal too. Griffonshires have bursts of energy and playfulness and are cute and active pooches.

They may be difficult to train at times, thus they should be given obedience training from their puppy days. However, with proper time and patience, you can use positive reinforcement techniques to make him obey your commands.

They may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. So its best to keep them company and busy to avoid temperamental issues. These dogs are perfect for apartment-style living.

Care ~ Exercise

These dogs are tiny energy bundles and need at least exercise for 45 to 60 minutes per day. This will help them to channelize their energies and keep them even-tempered.

Take your dog out for a brisk walk or jog in the morning and then you could take her out to the dog park or for a hike in the local park in the evening.

They love playing dog games like fetch, Frisbee,  and flyball as well as agility training, which she could be quite good at, despite their small size.

Grooming/Maintenance

Both the Brussels Griffon and Yorkshire Terrier required a lot of grooming time. Hence, its offspring the Griffonshire is also a medium maintenance dog, depending on the type of its coat it inherits.

The dogs with silky, longer coats will need daily brushing with a pin brush or metal brush to keep away tangles and remove debris. The shorter hair ones can have to brush two or three times a week.

His teeth should be brushed at least two to three times a week to keep away tar development. Regular clipping of his nails when they become too long is recommended. Check his ears once a week for infection and then give them just a wipe clean with an ear cleanser.

Health Issues

A Griffonshire dog is usually a healthy breed with some of its health concerns passed on from the parent’s lineage. They have an average life-span of 12-14 years.

Common health problems include;

• Patellar Luxation
• Eye problems
• Skin allergies
• Hip Dysplasia
• Hypoglycemia
• Collapsed Trachea
• Reverse Sneezing

Training

He is smart and tends to listen and obey well but he can sometimes have a stubborn side so training will likely be moderately easy. Be consistent and positive, offer him encouragement and reward him for his successes. Treats are often a great motivator.

Early Socialization alongside training and play time will get him used to different people, children, animals and places. He will be a more confident and happy dog.

Positive Reinforcement techniques will help them know you are the master and also help them to remove any small dog syndrome if they suffer from any.

Diet/Feeding

Feed him good quality dog food as per his age and size. On average, he should be fed ½ to 1 cup of quality dry dog food each day, split into at least two meals. Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.

Griffonshire Puppy Images

Video: Griffonshire Puppies Playing

The post Griffonshire (Brussels Griffon Yorkie Mix) appeared first on DogBreeds10.

Boston Terrier X Miniature Pinscher = Bospin

These dogs are also known as the Miniature Boston Pinscher,  and are affectionate and lovable dogs who make great family pets.

The Appearance

The Bospin, is the off-spring of the smooth haired Boston Terrier and the Miniature Pinscher, and can inherit physical traits and characteristics of either of these two parent breeds.

These dogs are small to medium sized dogs which can grow upto 12-15 inches in height and 15-25 pounds when fully grown.  They have a muscular built with a a mesocephalic head, strong and lean legs, and a long tail. They have a narrow nose with a black muzzle and upright ears.

They have a short and smooth coat, but his looks will essentially depend on which is the more dominant breed. The short coat can may vary in color such as black, brown,or brindle, with black and white being a more common colour or a combination of any two colors.

Bospin Dog Pictures

Quick Information and Facts

Temperament & Personality

These dogs are small bundle of joys and their personality is a  blend of their parents, the Boston Terrier and the Miniature Pinscher. These fun little bouncy dogs are quite loving, even-tempered, and crave for the family attention. They may be lazy at times and enthusiastic in others. They have an athletic built and are good at many canine sports.

They make excellent family pets and like to play with children and other animals. They rarely bark, and can get friendly with strangers, hence do not make good watch dogs.

Care ~ Exercise

The Miniature Boston Pinscher do not require lots of activity, but should still be kept active. They will adapt to the exercise schedule that is available to them. They may adopt a lazy tendency if you allow it but will be active if available.

An average 30 and 60 minutes of physical activity every day like walking, jogging, running or playtime in the park is advised, to keep your pet mentally and physically stimulated.

Grooming

The short-haired Bospin is a low maintenance dog. The are low shedding and are not hypoallergenic dogs.

They should be brushed regularly to keep the natural oil in their skin evenly distributed. Bathe your pet occasionally only when he gets dirty, to keep him tidy and hygienic.

Apart from this the general grooming requirements like other dogs need to be followed. Clip their nails whenever they grow. Brush their teeth with a mild dog toothpaste and check and clean  his ears too to make sure they are free of dirt and infection.

Health Problems

The Bospin is a fairly healthy dog breed with an average lifespan of 10-1 5 years. Though a crossbred dog suffers less health issues as compared to its parent’s lineage, still there are some issues which this breed faces;

• Collapsed Trachea
• Dental Problems
• Legg Calve Perthes Disease

Training

The Bospin is an easy trainable dog. They are people pleasers and love to follow and obey commands.

Early socialization from puppy hood days is required to help them be well-rounded dogs. They will be even-tempered and will not shy away from children or strangers.

Obedience Training: Training them to obey commands like”come”, “sit”, “stay” is a mandate to bring their small dog syndrome under control.

Feeding/Diet

Bospins  are small dogs and need to be fed 2-3 small meals at regular intervals during the day. Try to feed your dog with high quality dog foods where meat may be the top ingredient.

Do not try to give him larger portion of meals at once, as your pet may have a tendency of over eating and may lead to obesity and weight issues.

Home made foods are always a wonderful choice for your pet and this can include meat, rice and vegetables. A

Always have fresh, cool water available and make sure you wash out the water bowl regularly. Get his diet advice from your vet once in a while, which will be appropriate for his size, age and weight.

Video: Bospin Puppy Playing

The post Bospin appeared first on DogBreeds10.

Saint Bernard X Bernese Mountain Dog = Saint Bernese

Contrary to their size, these massive dogs are mild-natured and are great companion dogs.

You May Also Like: “Bernese Mountain Dog“

The Appearance

The Saint Bernese is a rare breed, a mix between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Saint Bernard dog – both large dogs. The resultant offspring is a large dog that can grow up to 32-35 inches in height and weigh up to 120 pounds.

The canines have a well-proportioned muscular body and a broad chest. They have a taller stature, where the body is taller than its tail.

They have thick and dense coat, which is medium sized and usually straight. The coat color may vary from white, black, brown, cream or a combination of any of the two.

They have brown round eyes which are very expressive, and floppy ears, a pointed muzzle and are active dogs always ready to play around.

Saint Bernese Pictures

Quick Information/Facts

Temperament

These incredibly loyal dogs will take no time to be your favourite. They have a lovable personality and are known for their, mild, calm, trustworthy nature.  They are very affectionate to the family members, kids and other pets and thus make ideal family and companion dogs.

The Saint Berner is not an aggressive dog although their massive size may be enough to deter any prowlers. Quiet, thoughtful, yet kind of goofy at times – this gentle dog relishes time with the family and will be a loyal and devoted companion.

However, these dogs may be stubborn at times and have temperamental issues. Try to deal with the stubbornness with patience and positive enforcement techniques. These dogs have a habit of drooling.

The Saint Bernese is not an apt choice for apartment style living owing to their huge size. A house with a backyard will suit their temperament. These dogs are adaptable to most climates except the extreme heat because of their dense double coat.

Care ~ Exercise

The Saint Bernese is a highly active breed which needs at least an hour of physical activity and exercise per day to keep him mentally and physically stimulated.

Daily walks, jogging and running around the park will be great for your pet and will help him socialize with people and other dogs as well. This will keep his energies channelized and help them to be even-tempered and not develop restlessness or temperamental issues.

These dogs are a a perfect choice active families and love to enjoy games and playtime with children although their size can intimidate the little kids unintentionally at times so supervise playtime carefully.

These intelligent dogs is happy to move around and  loves to please, so keep them busy, and they will happily snooze at your feet in the evenings.

Grooming and Maintenance

Your pet Saint Bernese will be a medium maintenance dog which will need regular grooming. These dogs are heavy shedders, so regular cleaning of the fur from the floor can be a routine job. A Saint Bernese is not a hypoallergenic dog breed.

They have thick and dense coat which requires a  good strong bristle brushing daily will remove most stray hairs and prevent your dogs hair from matting.

They may be prone to eyes and ears allergies, so clean them regularly and visit the veterinarian once a while for check-ups. Your dog will not much of bathing. Bathe them when they are dirty with a mild dog shampoo which is gentle on their skin.

Apart from this regular grooming, like trimming their nails, brushing their teeth is advised to keep your dog clean, tidy and healthy.

Health Problems

Crossbreeds are usually more healthy than their parent breeds and have less health issues. But the St. Bernese tends to inherit many of its parent breeds’ health problems as well as may develop the typical problems that all giant dogs deal with.

The average life expectancy of the St. Berner is approximately 7-10 years, which is quite shorter than other giant breeds.

When adopting one of these dogs, try to get all the vet papers and health certifications from its breeder. You should also get the dog tested when they come of age for other tests. (Some health tests require the dog to be at least two years old.)

Some major health concerns may be:

• Bloat
• Cancer
• Obesity
• Allergies
• Eye problems
• Hip dysplasia
• Thyroid issues
• Joint complications
• Von Willebrand’s Disease

To keep your dog healthy and up to date on its shots, an annual visit to the vet is required.

Training

The St. Bernese is an intelligent dog breed and are not difficult to train. They love to please their families and will respond well to training if you are patient and encouraging with them.

These gentle dogs are smart but can be a little stubborn at times. Keep the training sessions fun and short, so your dog doesn’t lose their focus and become bored.

Positive Reinforcement: Like all other dogs these pooches respond well to praise, encouragement and treat session.

Obedience Training: Try to teach them to obey commands from their young puppy days. This will help you to raise your dog as a well-rounded one.

Socialization: Early socialization for the puppy is necessary to make them comfortable with strangers, children and other pets.

Diet/Feeding

As a very large active dog which needs its fuel to function, the Saint Bernese requires about three and one-half cups of dry food per day, which calculates to a monthly cost of about $80-90.

Video: St. Bernese Puppies Playing

The post Saint Bernese appeared first on DogBreeds10.