The Bull Terrier (Miniature) is a breed with origins in the English White Terrier, Dalmatiner and Bulldog. The first existence is documented 1872 in The Dogs of British Island.

Appearance

Miniature Bull Terriers have short, fine, and glossy coats that are very close to the skin, like the Bull Terriers. They are accepted in the ring to be white, white with another colour, or fully coloured. However, like the Standards, any blue or liver coloured coats are undesirable. These dogs require very minimal grooming.

In the early 1900s, the difference between the breeds was determined by the dog’s weight. However, this led to Miniature Bull Terriers becoming so small and fine that they looked more like a Chihuahua than a Bull Terrier. So, in the 1970s, the weight limit was replaced with a height limit of under fourteen inches. They are usually no smaller than ten inches. According to the AKC, miniature bull terriers weight must be proportionate to its height. However, they tend to range anywhere from 20–35 lbs.

The Miniature Bull Terriers have a very strong build. They have very muscular shoulders and a full body.

Miniature Bull Terriers, like the Bull Terrier, have a head described as “egg-shaped.” It is flat on top with a Roman muzzle. The eyes are triangular and closely set.

The ears are carried erect and are not cropped or otherwise altered.

The tail is carried horizontally rather than vertically.

Temperament

Like the Bull Terriers, Minis are loving and, like many terrier breeds, can be stubborn at times; but despite this they make great dogs for people with limited space.

Miniature Bull Terriers are known to be stubborn and courageous. They don’t seem to realise their size, however, because even if confronting an enormous dog they will not back down. However, with the right training, confrontations can be avoided. They are very energetic and playful. They love people, but often don’t get along with other pets. They are variable around other dogs, and young children must be warned to treat them carefully!

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The Manchester Terrier is a breed of dog of the smooth-haired terrier type.

Appearance

Manchester Terriers are considered by most to be the oldest of all identifiable terrier breeds, finding mention in works dating from as early as the 16th century. In 1570 Dr. Caius (Encyclopedia of Dogs) gives mention to the ‘Black and Tan Terrier,’ though he referred to a rougher coated, shorter legged dog than we are now accustomed to.

By the early 1800s a closer facsimile to the current Manchester Terrier had evolved. In The Dog in Health and Disease by J. A. Walsh a full chapter was devoted to the Black and Tan, for the first time recognising it as an established breed. The description Walsh set forth might, in fact, serve well today: Smooth haired, long tapering nose, narrow flat skull, eyes small and bright, chest rather deep than wide, only true colour black and tan.

Consistency in type and appearance this breed has maintained for nearly two centuries (at the very least).

Varieties

In its native England, the Kennel Club (UK) recognises the Manchester Terrier in the Terrier Group and the closely related English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan) in the Toy Group.

In North America the Manchester Terrier is divided into two varieties. The Toy Manchester Terrier was originally recognised as a separate breed in 1938, bred down in size from the Manchester Terrier. The Toy Manchester Terrier weighs less than 12 pounds and has naturally erect ears, never cropped. It is placed in the Toy Group by the Canadian Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club, although the Manchester Terrier is placed in the Terrier Group. The Manchester Terrier non-toy variety weighs 12 to 22 pounds and has 3 allowable ear types (naturally erect, button, or cropped). Other than size differences and ear type, the Manchester Terrier and the Toy Manchester Terrier have the same over all appearance, and since 1958 have been varieties of the same breed.

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The Maltese is a small breed of dog in the toy group, known for its silky white hair, though many owners of pet Maltese give them a short “puppy cut” for ease of grooming. The Maltese breed is descended from dogs originating in the Central Mediterranean Area. The breed name and origins are generally understood to derive from the Mediterranean island of Malta; however, the name is sometimes described with reference to the Adriatic island of Méléda, or a defunct Sicilian town called Melita.

Appearance

Characteristics include slightly rounded skulls, with a finger-wide dome and black nose that is two finger-widths long. The body is compact with the length equalling the height. The drop ears with long hair and very dark eyes, surrounded by darker skin pigmentation (called a “halo”Wink, gives Maltese their expressive look. Their noses can fade and become pink or light brown in colour without exposure to sunlight. This is often referred to as a “winter nose” and many times will become black again with increased exposure to the sun.

Coat and colour

The coat is long and silky and lacks an undercoat. The colour is pure white; although cream or light lemon ears are permissible, they are not regarded as desirable. Also, a pale ivory tinge is permitted. In some standards, traces of pale orange shades are tolerated, but considered an imperfection.

Size

Adult Maltese range from roughly 3 to 7 lb (1.4 to 3.2 kg), though breed standards, as a whole, call for weights between 4 and 7 lb (1.8 and 3.2 kg). There are variations depending on which standard is being used. Many, like the American Kennel Club, call for a weight that is ideally less than 7 lb with between 4 and 6 lb preferred.

Temperament

Maltese are bred to be cuddly companion dogs, and thrive on love and attention. They are extremely lively and playful, and even as a Maltese ages, his or her energy level and playful demeanour remain fairly constant. Some Maltese may occasionally be snappish with smaller children and should be supervised when playing, although socialising them at a young age will reduce this habit. The Maltese is very active within a house, and, preferring enclosed spaces, does very well with small yards. For this reason, the breed also fares well in apartments and townhouses, and is a prized pet of urban dwellers. Maltese have a bad reputation as yappers.

An Australia-wide (not including Tasmania) research project carried out in conjunction with RSPCA found owners likely to dump their Maltese terriers, citing the tendency of Maltese to bark constantly. This breed is Australia’s most dumped dog.

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The Löwchen (German: “little lion” is a breed of dog that once had the dubious distinction, like the Portuguese Water Dog and the Havanese, of being the rarest dog in the world. Even today, the breed generally has fewer than a few hundred new registrations each year worldwide.

Appearance

The Löwchen is, depending on the source, bichon type dog, with a long, silky coat that is presented in a lion cut for conformation show purposes. This means that the haunches, back legs, front legs (except bracelets around the ankles), and the 1/3 of the tail closest to the body are shaved, and the rest of the coat is left natural to give the appearance of a lion-like form. A small dog, they are considered by some registries as toy dog, and have been long-time companions of royal courts.

The head of the Löwchen is one of the most important features, with its short, wide muzzle, broad skull, lively round eyes, and pendulant ears. The head, when in proportion to the body, is neither too big nor too small, but helps to emphasise the friendly, regal, and leonine personality of the Löwchen.

The coat should not be thin and fluffy like a Bichon Frise, but wavy with a mix of thicker hairs amongst the fine ones. This allows for a flowing coat that is not frizzy or fly-away, and a Löwchen coat should neither be soft like a nor harsh like many terriers. They can come in all colours, including brown, that allow for dark eyes and nose.

Temperament

The Löwchen is a friendly, happy dog. Dogs of this breed are both active and playful, and very intelligent. The Löwchen makes a good pet for families with children and an excellent house pet.

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The Lhasa Apso (lha-sah ap-so) is a non-sporting dog breed originating in Tibet. It was bred as an interior sentinel in the Buddhist monasteries, who alerted the monks to any intruders who entered. Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet and Apso is a word in the Tibetan language meaning “bearded,” so Lhasa Apso simply means “long-haired Tibetan dog.” These can vary according to regions and types.

Male Lhasa Apsos should ideally be 10.75 inches at the withers and weigh about 14-18 pounds, 6–8 kg. The females are slightly smaller, and weigh between 12-14 pounds, 5–7 kg. The breed standard requires dark brown eyes and a black nose, although liver coloured lhasas have a brown nose. The texture of the coat is heavy, straight, hard, neither woolly nor silky, and very dense. Colours include white, golden, rust and parti-coloured with various shadings. Lhasas can be with or without dark tips at the end of ears and beard. The tail should be carried well over the dog’s back. The breed standard currently used by the American Kennel Club was approved on July 11, 1978. Lhasas can change colour as they get older, starting with a dark brown coat which gradually turns lighter.

A movement called the Tibetan Line Breeding Programme exists, to breed preserve the original Tibetan Lhasa Apso. This movement is based on the premise that after 60 years of Western breeding, the breed is losing key characteristics of their original Lhasa ancestors still living in Tibet and Bhutan.

Temperament

Having been bred as an indoor monastery sentinel dog by Tibetan Buddhist monks, Lhasa Apsos are alert with a keen sense of hearing with a rich, sonorous bark that belies their size. The ideal Lhasa temperament is to be wary of strangers while being loyal to those closest to them. They rank 68th in Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs, being of fair working/obedience intelligence. Lhasa Apsos are independent as well as companion dogs who want to please their owners. Unique personality characteristics of Lhasa Apsos have gained them a reputation as being a very emotive breed that in some cases prove themselves to be completely fearless. They enjoy climbing hills and furniture, as well as burrowing into caves. Lhasa Apsos often show happiness by rubbing their head on their owners, rolling around, or sitting on their owner’s feet.

A Lhasa Apso responds to exercise and discipline with a calm assertive energy. These dogs require socialisation with dogs and other people early as puppies and throughout their lives. They require patience but in return can be quite comical, entertaining and caring companions. They aim to please their owners and enjoy training. While their personality belies their size, they need a home that is mindful that there is a small quiet dog in the house to prevent injury. They enjoy vantage points in the house where they can view all that is going on.

The Lhasa Apso is a loyal dog, who while not be a traditional lapdog, is a steadfast sweet, happy, active, assertive, adventurous little companion dog whose only desire is to be with and protect their owners.

If properly trained early as soon as they are a puppy, the Lhasa Apso will come to appreciate bathing, hair combing and clipping, but they generally do not enjoy bathing or swimming as this is not part of their breed traits.

The Lhasa Apso is a long-lived breed, with some living in good health into their early 20s. There are few health problems specific to the breed. Their vision may deteriorate with age but they are not sight-oriented dogs and they endure blindness with few noticeable changes in behaviour. They should have some protective hair over their eyes. They have strong eyelashes that push this protective hair out of the way so they can see. Likewise, a Lhasa Apso should not be shaved as its hair insulates and protects its eyes and skin from the elements, such as the sun and acts to theromdynamically regulate their temperature. Also they can have some ear wax build up deep inside their ears.

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