| Cute, cuddly and a celebrity accessory, toy dog | | | | research ahead of time, fearing health issues in |
| breeds are all the rage in Hollywood and in the | | | | small dogs is no more rational. |
| real world as well. Nobody can argue that these | | | | In addition, any reputable breeder who wants to |
| pint-sized pooches aren't a pocket (or purse) full | | | | remain in business will vigorously select for the |
| of precious, but they're also sensible candidates | | | | most healthy results they can get. They aren't |
| for vet pet insurance due to an increased | | | | looking to push diminutive canine health time |
| potential for a number of hereditary health issues. | | | | bombs on the world or they're going to have a |
| That isn't to say they are doomed to a life of | | | | hard time getting any repeat or referral business. |
| illness, just that there's certainly greater potential | | | | You may pay more for the services of a breeder |
| for it than with your run-of-the-mill mutt. | | | | who really invests the time in ensuring their stock |
| Toy breeds are the product of some dramatic | | | | has a healthy genetic history, but you'll be far |
| breeding efforts favoring preferred genetic traits | | | | better off in the long run for having done so. |
| and size. If you consider that domestic dogs owe | | | | Finally, small breeds, despite their increased |
| their heritage to wolves, you can make the | | | | genetic risks, actually tend to live longer than their |
| intellectual leap that some significant changes had | | | | large cousins. Consider that the average life span |
| to be bred into these animals to get them to | | | | of a Great Dane is 8-9 years. Doberman |
| what they are today. When you shuffle the deck | | | | Pinschers and Rottweilers approach an average of |
| so dramatically and so rapidly (on an evolutionary | | | | 10 years. In contrast, your average Yorkshire |
| scale) you're bound to wind up with a little bit of a | | | | Terrier may stick around 13 years or more. |
| potential mess. | | | | Miniature Dachshunds routinely hit 14-15 years. |
| Even if you narrow your focus and look just at | | | | Miniature poodles also trend around 15 years. The |
| the eyes on toy and small breed dogs you get an | | | | message there is that, despite an increased |
| idea of the elevated health risks inherent in these | | | | posibility of a variety of health concerns, small |
| animals. These lovable but Lilliputian lapdogs are at | | | | breeds tend to stick around longer. Choosing a |
| increased risk for progressive retinal atrophy, | | | | small breed may mean spending several more |
| keratitis, glaucoma, cataracts, entropion, trichiasis, | | | | years with your favorite pal. |
| distichiasis and epiphora. Again, that's just eye | | | | So the lesson here is not to get wrapped up in |
| diseases. The list goes on. | | | | the potential for health issues but to do what you |
| Moving back from there you can have any | | | | can to minimize risks. Start by carefully |
| number of ailments including respiratory, heart and | | | | interviewing breeders, asking for records and |
| organ issues, chronic skin and ear problems and | | | | references and following up to ensure you are |
| hip and joint issues. In fact, I'm almost inclined to | | | | dealing with a reputable breeder who is interested |
| recommend people not investigate the potential | | | | in selling healthy stock. Give some thought to vet |
| health issues associated with toy and small breeds | | | | pet insurance to help offset the expenses you |
| lest they scare themselves to death. But the | | | | may face with pure toy breeds. Assuming you do |
| news isn't really all that grim. | | | | your homework and don't just jump at the first |
| First, it's important to understand that an | | | | cute bundle of fur to come running your way, |
| increased potential is hardly a guarantee. We all | | | | you can greatly offset any potential risks. And in |
| have a significantly increased potential to die in an | | | | the end, all the love, affection and loyalty of a |
| accident every time we drive compared to every | | | | thousand Great Danes stuffed into a package the |
| time we fly. Despite that, precious few of us fear | | | | size of a toaster will be yours to enjoy for years |
| driving but a great many of us fear flying. | | | | to come. |
| Allowing that you do some due diligence and | | | | |