Are you looking for a small, snuggly, and furry canine to be your best buddy who also has a sweet temper and is smart too? Well, you won’t really need to look further, a teddy bear dog can be just what you are looking for. The teddy bear dog is bred to be loving and adorable and they are hypoallergenic too. These dogs commonly started out as dogs for therapy but they now are appealing to anybody who comes across them. Here are some interesting facts about the teddy bear dogs.
Their Parentage Is Hybrid
These dogs are actually ‘designer dogs’ and they are a hybrid of two or more breeds. Their parentage is mostly a breed of Bichon Frise and Shih Tzus or poodle-bichon mixes. Breeders are still continuing their experiments by adding more dogs to the breed such as schnauzers. Irrespective of whether you live in a large house or a smaller apartment, teddy bear dogs are ideal pets, this is largely due to their sweet and friendly nature and their convenient, small size.
Therapeutic History
It has not been long since teddy bears have joined the canine world. In fact, they appeared around the year 2000. They were primarily meant to serve as therapy dogs for children who are handicapped. Most small dogs have a similar temperament that is very stereotypical, such as yippy, anxious, and hyper. But the teddy bear dogs have personalities that are very loving and mellow. This is what makes them perfect companion dogs for you. It’s very likely for you to fall in love with a teddy bear dog if you encounter one. You will get a very loving and wholesome feeling when you live with one of these dogs.
Perfect Choice If You Have Allergies
One of the best things about teddy bear dogs is that although they are very cuddly and soft, they don’t shed much at all. Dander, which is a very common allergen, is not produced by these dogs as they are bred not to produce it. The dander and hair may vary a bit in specific dogs, depending on their ancestry, hence, producing dogs that are hypo-allergenic is the main focus for most teddy bear dog breeders. If you have allergic reactions and sneeze every time you are near dogs, then you can speak to a breeder about getting a teddy bear dog to adopt.
They Are Small And Smart
Throughout their lives, The teddy bear dogs remain in their stuffed-animal size adding to their resemblance to teddy bears. An adult teddy bear dog can weigh anywhere between 8 to 16 pounds. They have many resemblances to their namesakes, the teddy bears. They have fluffy coats, short noses, and big eyes. The teddy bear dogs are cute no doubt, they also tend to be easily trainable, very affectionate, and smart. They also are very compatible and get along with kids and other animals. An adult dog’s height can be between 8 to 23 inches. A teddy bear dog is usually expected to live up to 14 to 16 years.
The Dog’s Coat
The teddy bear dogs have a double coat. The undercoat is soft and fine, while the outer coat is very soft to the touch as it is fluffy. The outer coat of the teddy bear dog usually is in two main types, silky and straight, or soft and curly. Their coat can come in all black, all white, or a mixed variation such as white and brown or white and back. The best part is that the coat is hypoallergenic.
The coat will require to be trimmed and groomed regularly as the coat keeps growing throughout the dog’s life at a steady pace. But as the dogs are pretty small, the grooming does not take a lot of time. Just 20 minutes or so every week should be sufficient to keep your dog in top condition. The teddy bear dogs don’t produce dander much so you don’t need to be concerned about this.
Conclusion
You should do your research well before you bring a teddy bear dog into your home. Once you bring a dog home you are committed to providing it a safe and happy home. So read the points above to decide if bringing a teddy bear dog home will be good for you. Have a happy life with your new furry friend.