Meet the Maltese! 
This elegant toy dog breed is famed for the silky white hair covering its body. Straight and thick, the coat falls all the way to the floor. They stay small and compact and should weigh no more than seven pounds at maturity.  Many years ago, Maltese came in many colors, but these days they are always white. Because they do not have an undercoat, Maltese shed very little, and many people consider the breed to be hypoallergenic. Maltese are sweet, intelligent dogs who are devoted to their people. As one of the smallest of the toy breeds, they are well suited to apartment or condo living.  Despite their delicate appearance, they can have a lot of energy, but are also very responsive to training when rewarded. 

What’s not to love about a French Bulldog?
​They have large bat like ears, big googly eyes, and thoroughly enjoy a good snuggle. That’s what makes this breed one of the most popular companion dogs in the world today.  The French Bulldog is small (less than 30lbs) but substantial in build with a powerful muscular body.  They have a short, easy to care for coat that accompanies and easy going personality, which makes them ideal for first time pet parents. These compact dogs do not need a lot of space, so they are also good candidates for apartment living.

The miniature poodle is one of the most regal breeds. Standing at 10-15 inches and weighing roughly between 10-15 pounds they emit grace and elegance and are true aristocrats of the doggie world. The mini poodle has a graceful, small to medium sized frame with a rounded head and long muzzle, with oval eyes and close hanging ears. They have docked tails (optional) and compact, webbed feet. The coat is sometimes curly, sometimes corded or ribbed, and can be any solid color. There are many breed clips, but they are shown in a continental clip, but for pets the clip is based on owner preference.  They are smart, small and compact so they’re also ideal for any environment and their friendly, loyal disposition, plus low-allergen coat make them especially suitable for seniors and children.

​This tenacious four legged friend originally hails from Germany, although it is ranked #12 in popularity among dog breeds in the US.  They belong to the hound group, although their appearance is slightly different than their fellow hounds. It’s this unique short legged, long body style that has made the breed iconic among dogs. Although they are short in stature, they make up for the height difference with big personalities. There are two different sizes of dachshund, 3 coat types, and an assortment of color variations making them very versatile in appearance. The standard dachshund is 8-9 inches in height, and 5-6 for miniature dachshunds. They weigh between 16-32 pounds in standard size or less than 11 for miniatures with a life expectancy of 12-16 years.

Recognized for their beauty, alertness and intelligence, the Bichon Frise is well known for their white, hypoallergenic coat, their adaptability and playful demeanor. Although they are good watch dogs, they are lovers who believe everyone is their friend. They get along well with children and other animals. ​Bichon Frises are 9.5 to 11.5 inches to the withers. Weight is between 12 to 18 lbs with a life expectancy of 14 to 15 years.

​Miniature Schnauzers are fun and loving dogs. Marley, my Mini, was seven years-old when he came into my life. He had a lot of energy, so much that his previous owners used to call him the "Forever Puppy." He would keep going on and going on. Marley loved to play, socialize and "doggie" talk.

I was always impressed by Marley’s personality. He was a true Mini through and through: loyal, obedient and motivated. And very easy to train too.

I picked Yorkshire Terriers to be the first breed honored because is one of the most popular breed in the shop. Though they are small in size (weighing 7 lbs and 7-8 inches in height); they are spunky, intelligent and very playful. Yorkies have a life expectancy of 11 to 15 years.

All dogs are great! They come in so many sizes, shapes and physical traits. Underneath this, behavioral characteristics, place of origin and history make each breed special.