Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a charming puffball with loose curly hair. It is usually white but may have a little cream,
apricot or gray hair. This breed is hypo-allergenic and non-shedding. They should be clipped every 4 weeks.

The Bichon Frise loves human company, but has independent spirit. They are very intelligent and
affectionate.  They are not yappers. They  are very happy dogs and need people. They are naturally social
able, and happy when they get to go places with the family. Which also makes them good company for other
dogs. Bichon Frise need rules and limits. They are the #1 rated small dog for children.

Height:   Dogs 9-12 inches  Bitches 9-11 inches
Weight:   Is between 7-15 pounds


Some are prone to watery eyes, cataracts, skin, ear ailments and dislocated knees.
Sensitive to fleas.


15 years or more


The Bichon Frise first appeared in the 14th century, a cross between the Barbet Water Spaniel and the
Poodle. The Bichon was traded by Spanish sailors and became a favorite after the 16th Century French
Royal courts.

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 Shih-Tzu

Small sturdy dog, like the Llasa Apso, is covered with an abundant double coat of long hair. The hair above
the nose grows upward, creating a “chrysanthem” face. They have large eyes. The ears are full of hair so to
blend into the body coat. The teeth should form a level top and the bottom is slightly longer     ( undershot
bite ).  The tail should curve over the back.


The Shih-Tzu is an alert and spunky little dog. Happy and hardy, endowed with lots of character. The gentle
loyal Shih-Tzu makes friends easily and responds well. They make a very alert watch dog. Courageous and
clever, playful, lively and very affectionate.


Height:  up to 11 inches
Weight:  7-16 pounds


They tend to wheeze and snore. Some bloodlines are prone to ear, eye and respiratory problems.  Their
teeth need regular cleaning. These dogs gain weight easily and should not be over fed.


15 years or more


In the 17th Century, dogs were brought from Tibet and bred in the forbidden city of Peking. By crossing the
Tibetan Llaso Apso and the native Pekingese, the Shih-Tzu became a favorite of the Imperial Chinese Court.
For many years the Chinese refused to sell, trade or give away any of the little dogs. It was not until 1930 the
first pair was imported to England, 1946 to Britain and by AKC in the United States in 1969.

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 Shichon Teddy Bear (Zuchon)

The Zuchon, also commonly called a Shichon, or Teddy Bear by many
breeder’s.  It is not a purebred dog.  It is a cross between the Bichon Frise and Shih-Tzu.
The Shichon has been genetically tested.  They were originally bred to be a special needs dog.

Like the Bichon Frise, the Shichon are very intelligent and affectionate.  The Shichons are very clever,
playful and lively little dogs. They are easy to  train. They are not yappers.

Height:   Dogs 9-12 inches (standards may vary)
Weight:  7-15 pounds (standards may vary)

15 years or more


None known, very healthy.    
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                                                                                          Maltese

A petite dog with a long body covered by a very long white coat.  The head is wide, and the skull quite long
and flat on top with a defined stop. The nose is black and voluminous with open nostrils.  The eyes are large
and wide open, darkly colored with black rims.  The ears are triangular and set high, hanging close to the
head.  The jaws are well-developed and light in appearance, and the teeth are white and strong.  The back is
long and the chest is broad and let down low.  The forelegs are close to the body, standing straight and
parallel and the hind quarters are well muscled and of sturdy bone.  The tail is set on level with the croup,
thick at the root and fine at the tip.  The long coat covers the whole body and is dense, shiny and glossy.


Easy to train, needs constant interaction with people.  Very low dominance.  Generally good with other pets
and friendly with other dogs.  Likes to bark.


Height:  Males 21-25cm/ 8.5-10 inches (standards may vary)
    Females 20-23cm/8-9 inches (standards may vary)
Weight:  3-4 kg/ 6.5-9 pounds (standards may vary)


Long, 15 + years


Patellar Luxation ( The patella, or kneecap, is part of the stifle joint (knee). In patellar Luxation, the kneecaps
luxates, or pops out place.)  Entropin ( the inversion, or turing inward, of the border of the eyelid against the
eyeball.)  The Maltese is generally a healthy breed with few inherent problems.  The most significant issue for
Maltese is their dental health.  Its not uncommon from them to begin losing teeth around 8-9 years of age.  
There is also an inclination toward heart ailments, which usually surface around the tenth year.  These might
include a prolapse valve syndrome, or an enlarged ventricle.  These conditions can be life threatening, but
are manageable through medications.  Maltese are also prone to get sunburn along where their hair parts
and in general, have rather delicate skin.


The Maltese were bred as purebred dogs on the Island of Malta since the 1500’s.  The Maltese were imported
to England during the reign of Henry VIII and became favorite when Queen Elizabeth I ruled the country.  By
the 19th century, the Maltese were well-established as a pet dog in Britain.  When the dog shows began, the
Maltese were featured among the first exhibits, 20 Maltese were shown in London in 1862.  In 1873, the
English Kennel Club was established, and the first studbook had 24 Maltese registered between 1859 and
1873.  The Maltese were exported to America in the 1800’s, and the earliest record of a Maltese born in the
United States is in 1873.  This dog was entered at Westminster in 1879 and was also the first colored Maltese
to be shown.  There was great interest in the Maltese in the United States, and by the early 1900’s there were
many breeder’s and owners of the little dog.  Since 1950’s, the Maltese has had another surge in popularity
and remains a highly sought-after breed today.

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 Yorkshire Terrier


The Yorkshire Terrier has a small flat skull in proportion to its size, with a black nose on a short muzzle; the
medium-sized sparkling eyes and intelligent expression complete a good looking face. The small, v-shaped
ears are continuously erect, and sit not to far apart on the top of the skull.  The Yorkshire Terrier has a
compact body with, level back.  The straight legs are covered by straight hair which is found on the rest of the
body.  The hair is glossy with a silky texture, with a deep colour around the ear roots and on the muzzle where
it hangs very long.



A fiesty dog whose personality is much larger than its size would suggest, loving social situations where they
interact with other dogs well.  Despite the fearless nature of the Yorkshire Terrier, the breed displays an even
temperament with high spirits.  Best with older children considerate of the dog.

Height:  Average of 19cm/ 7 inches (standards may vary)
Weight:  Up to 3kg/ 7 pounds (standards may vary)


12-15 years


Health issues for Yorkshire Terrier include bronchitis, lymphangietasia,
Hepatic lipidosis, cataracts and keratitis sicca.  Additional, injection reactions (inflammation or hair loss at the
site of injection) are common.  Yorkies are often have delicate digestive system.  Yorkies also have sensitive
skin.  The most common type of skin conditions are brought on by allergic reactions to seasonal pollen,
pollution food and sometimes the air itself.  The Yorkshire Terrier is prone to certain genetic disorders, most
common congential defects that affect Yorkies are:  Distichiae, Hypoplasia of dens, Legg-Perthes Disease
which is lameness of the hip joint,  luxating patellas,  Portosystemic shunt, and Tracheal Collapse.


The cute Terrier we know and love today was like the majority of dogs bred for a purpose.  It was the Terriers
job to control vermin in the newly industrialized cities during the 19th century.  Their small size made them
perfect for chasing after rats where other dogs could not follow. Even though the Yorkshire Terrier has much
Scottish ancestry, the breed names comes from the towns it originated from in and around the North of
England.  At one point it was so common that it was known as “Huddersfield Ben”, now commonly thought of
as the father of the modern Yorkshire Terrier.

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 Silky Terriers

The Silky Terrier has a flat skull and average-length muzzle. The eyes of the breed are oval, small and as
dark as possible, with an intelligent expression.  The small ears of the Silky terriers are carried in a prick style
and carried high on the head.  The neck of the breed is of an average length and covered in long hair.  The
neck moves down into the body, which should be quite long, with a level ball.  The tail should be carried
upright and with a slight-curve, although not to reach the back.  The forelegs of the Silky Terrier are well-
boned and straight, with the hind legs being home to developed thighs.


A loving breed, the Silky Terrier is brave and intelligent.  It is very active and loves to be on the move.  
Naturally curious, they may be a stubborn dog, but training is easy as they are willing to learn, so a lot of the
breed’s willfulness can, in fact be trained out of them.  Quite friendly with strangers.  Better with older, more
considerate children.  Quite independent.


Height:  23-26cm/ 9-10 inches  Females are usually smaller than the males
Weight:  Average 5kg/ 10 pounds


12-15 years

Silkies can develop diabetes, epilepsy, Tracheal collapse, allergies, Legg-Perthes Disease which causes
lameness of the hip joint.  Cushing’s Disease which is caused by an excess in cortisone type hormone in the
body.


Australia. The Silky Terrier was created in Australia in a attempt to improve to native Australian Terriers coat.  
The blue and tan coat of the Australian Terrier was not seen as a desirable, so breeder’s tried to change it.  
The Yorkshire Terrier was imported into Australia toward the end of the 1800’s and it was this breed that
Australia Terrier was bred with.  By crossing these two breed’s they hoped to alter the coat colour, but not
lose any of the hardy attributes otherwise displayed by the Australia Terrier.  The litters that resulted from
these crosses contained some Australian Terriers, some Yorkshire Terriers, which we now know as the Silky
Terrier.  The Silky Terrier turned out to be a perfect balance between the two parents breed’s and from here,
the Silky was bred only with the Silky until an established breed of its own emerged.

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