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According to its body size and weight, a dog is:
- A small breed if it weighs less than 22lbs (10 kg), its average life expectancy is about 15 years.
- A medium breed if it weighs between 24lbs (11 kg) and 55lbs (25 kg), its average life expectancy is 13 years.
- A large breed if it weighs between 57lbs (26 kg) and 97lbs (44 kg), its average life expectancy is 10/ 11 years.
- A giant breed if it weighs more than 99lbs (45 kg), its average life expectancy is 10/ 11 years.
Depending on the dog’s body size, it has been observed that, between the puppy’s growth period until adulthood, a small breed dog will increase its birth weight by 20 fold, a medium breed puppy will increase its birth weight by 50 fold, and a large breed will increase its birth weight by about 80 fold.
The Most Common Small Dog Breeds
Most small dogs are classified as companion dogs.
The most popular are:
- Dachshund
- Affenpinchers
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Havanese Bichon
- Bichon Frise
- Bichon Bolognese
- Pug
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahua
- Chinese Crested Dog
- Coton de Tulear
- Brussels Griffon
- Japanese Chin
- Löwchen (Little Lion Dog)
- Maltese
- Papillon
- Pekingese
- Mini Italian Greyhound
- Mini Pinscher
- Shih Tzu
- Pomeranian
- Yorkshire Terrier
The Most Famous Medium-sized Dog Breeds
Many of the most popular breeds are medium-sized, including several hunting dogs and hounds.
The following dog breeds are medium-sized:
- Beagle
- Border Collie
- French Bulldog
- Bull Terrier
- English Bulldog
- English Cocker Spaniel
- Schnauzer
- Welsh Corgi
- Spanish Water Dog
- Barbet
- Samoyed
- English Setter
- English Pointer
- Siberian Husky
- Poodle
- Jack Russel Terrier
The Most Popular Large Dog Breeds
Among the most common large dogs are the following:
- Alaskan Malamute
- Akita Inu
- Boxer
- Chow Chow
- Rough Collie
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Shar Pei
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog or Maremma Sheepdog
- Basset Hound
- Bobtail
- Dalmatian
- Doberman Pinscher
- Dogo Argentino
- Belgian Sheepdog
- German Shepherd
- Spinone
The Most Famous Giant-sized Dog Breeds
- Great Dane
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Bullmastiff
- Caucasian Shepherd
- Cane Corso or Italian Mastiff
- Great Pyrenees
- Newfoundland
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Alabai Dog
- Spanish Mastiff
- English Mastiff
- Leonberger
- Irish Wolfhound
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Rottweiler
- Saint Bernard
Dog: Health
When it comes to your four-legged friend’s health, it is important to know that you cannot replace a veterinarian. Just as every family has its own doctor to turn to for treatment and disease prevention, you need to entrust the care of your four-legged friend to a vet.
It must be a veterinarian who can provide excellent health control and follow-up of your pet during vaccination periods and regular check-ups, a veterinarian who can intervene in case of an urgent need.
Trust and constant collaboration between the dog owner and the veterinarian are essential to make correct diagnoses in time and to intervene with the right treatment.
Dog: Behavior
Watching your dog grow day by day is one of the most gratifying satisfaction as a dog owner. They are social animals by nature; they have inherited from their ancestors, wolves, many behavioral traits present in today’s domestic dog.
Their sociability, in fact, is manifested through the hierarchical organization of the pack. Such behavioral habits are evident in different situations. For example, when a four-legged dog interacts with other similar dogs, when it follows a trail during a walk in the countryside, or in its relationship with its human companion.
How to Choose Your Dog?
Choosing or adopting a dog is an important step for anyone, but an even bigger dilemma arises: Which dog should I choose once the decision is made? Many people, who are even quite rational in their daily decisions, would think about it for months or years before taking the big step.
Here is a guide dedicated to all those who would like to adopt a four-legged friend. This will help you understand what owning a pet entails and know if you are really ready.
What Owning A Dog Entails?
- The following premises are essential: Domestic animals are living beings, not toys, hobbies, or whims; They need love and attention;
- You will have to devote part of your time to its care;
- Owning a pet costs money;
- Space is necessary;
- You will be its guide;
- If you choose a puppy, your involvement should be extremely important; Within the first year of age, dogs shape their character;
- If you choose one at the kennel, go to specialized facilities where trainers will help you on your adoption journey;
- If you choose a dog with a pedigree, this will provide you with important information about its origin and bloodline; In a few words, a pedigree will inform you about its character, genetic problems, and learning;
- Find out more about its health condition; By the age of 60 days, a puppy should be completely weaned, dewormed and it should also have been vaccinated with its first shots;
- Order and cleanliness will acquire a new meaning;
- Let them discover the house at their own pace;
- Allow them to have healthy relationships with other dogs;
- You will have to be calm, patient and persevering;
- Life with them is wonderful, but it is not always easy;
- Vacations will never be the same;
- They always leave us too soon; You will carry the loss of your most faithful friend inside you forever.
And remember, it is a dog! Not a toy, not a baby.
If you have already decided on it, don’t think twice before adopting a dog that you will fall in love with at first sight. Now all that remains is to find a name. You can read our related articles on dog Names.
Now that we have clarified all the most important aspects, you can go in search of your new 4-legged friend, who is surely waiting for you.