The Health
and Wellbeing
of Canines
of the smallest kind

By Hope Saidel, GollyGear

True or False? 1. Dogs smell. 2. Dogs know what’s good to eat. 3. Big dogs live longer than small dogs. 4. Crossbred dogs are healthier than purebreds. 5. You can’t do much to keep your dog healthy.

If you guessed False for all five - you’re right! There’s a lot of misinformation about dogs that gets repeated, over and over, until it’s accepted as truth.

To maintain a dog’s health, regardless of its size, the basics are keep Fido clean, groomed, sheltered, watered and fed. It sounds easy, and it is. There are some special considerations for small and toy dogs, but the basics are the same:

Clean, healthy dogs don’t smell. There’s really no such thing as "doggy breath." The most your dog’s breath should tell you is if it’s had garlic for lunch - just like us. Just like ours, dogs’ teeth need to be brushed, with brushes and toothpaste designed just for dogs. According to veterinarians, most "teeth cleaning" treats aren’t in the dog’s mouth long enough to do much good. Dental problems are an issue with toy breeds, perhaps because the chew toys that help maintain bigger dogs’ oral health aren’t as readily available to the little guys.

Any odor coming from your dog, whether it’s mouth, ears, face or coat, probably shouldn’t be there. If a simple dog-shampoo and careful drying doesn’t take care of it, there may be a condition that requires some veterinary help.

Brush your dog: Brushes and combs are available to suit your dog’s coat type. Smooth-coated dogs (Pugs, Boston Terriers, smooth-coated Chihuahuas) may only need going over a couple of times a week to get rid of loose hair and cut down on the dust-bunny population in your house. Longer-coated dogs, (Poodles, Maltese, Yorkies) may need to be combed every day to prevent mats. Brushing your dog may be the only time you truly check Spot out, nose to tail, and it’s your chance to see that everything feels and looks fine.

Vets will also tell you that dogs have no discrimination whatsoever when it comes to eating stuff off the ground. They eat grass because they think it tastes good, not because they "need" it. Given a choice, they’ll eat all kinds of disgusting things, just because they can. They’re dogs. I’ve heard some people say their dog eats grass because the dog "needs to" vomit to clean its system. This is a classic old wives’ tale - vomiting isn’t cleansing, it burns the dog’s esophagus and, as human bulimics will attest, it rots teeth. Among the most useful commands I’ve taught my dogs: "Leave it" and "drop it." Not that a command from Mom can override a good, smelly dead worm, but I try.

Generally speaking, the smaller the dog - the longer the lifespan. It’s one of the many factors that led me to the smaller breeds. I love Irish Wolfhounds, but I couldn’t stand the thought of losing a beloved pet to old age after only six or seven years. Small and toy breeds can live well into their teen years, I’ve known several Chihuahuas who’ve lived into their 20s.

Dogs, like people, are products of their parents. The idea that a crossbred, or "hybrid" will be healthier than its purebred parents may seem logical, but doesn’t work. If we could pick and choose the qualities our children would inherit, we’d have done away with all inheritable diseases long ago. Dogs are the same. If you find tons of information on the internet about all the genetic diseases that a breed, say Yorkshire Terriers, are prone to inherit, it’s because responsible breeders of Yorkshire Terriers are working to identify and eliminate the problems of their breed. Do the research - find out what your breed’s potential weaknesses are. And find a breeder who’s addressed those problems and is working toward bettering her dogs.

Small dogs are as healthy as their larger cousins. Like everything else in life, it’s all a matter of perspective. A toy dog probably isn’t the best choice if you want a dog to run alongside your bicycle as you ride. He’d be much happier in a basket on the handlebars. But if you want a companion on the hiking trail, most little dogs would be more than happy to join you. Size does matter and should be considered, but it’s just one aspect of your dog’s life.

There are a whole slew of things that we can do to keep our dogs healthy. One of the most important is watching his waistline! There’s been a lot of news in the last few years about an obesity epidemic. It’s not only us - it’s our dogs, too. Small dog owners have to be especially careful. A cheeseburger may not make a big difference to a Saint Bernard, but even a French Fry can be a significant part of a five-pound dog’s daily intake. Just like with people, canine obesity can lead to diabetes, heart disease, and kidney and liver problems. Tiny dogs should have tiny meals and even tinier treats.

And small dogs should get their exercise, too! A tiny dog may not need to go with you on a five-mile jog, but it does need to use its legs. Since many toy breeds are prone to a condition called "collapsing trachea," most experts will advise using a "soft collar" or harness instead of a regular collar. Either will distribute any pressure to the dog’s chest and shoulders instead of its neck.

Another health consideration seen more often in little dogs is "luxating patellas," or dislocating kneecaps. Oddly enough, this is one I share with them. And when it happens - it hurts. Trust me. You don’t want your dog to know that pain. And while the condition sometimes requires surgery, you can help prevent damage by stopping your little dog from jumping on and off furniture, laps, etc. Several companies are now producing steps and ramps just for dogs. Our little dogs love their ramp up to bed. And I love it because I don’t have to wake up every time a dog wants to come back to bed after getting a drink of water.

Finding a healthy puppy and keeping it that way take time. Not much, but some. The payoff is huge - your dog’s health and long life.

Hope Saidel is the co-owner of GollyGear, a bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun, affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a decade and is on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Dog Training Club. She welcomes comments, questions and suggestions to Hope@GollyGear.com.

Dog Poetry info