miniature miniature breed small dog type originated germany mid late 19th century miniature developed crosses standard smaller breeds farmers bred small dog efficient dog described dogs good guarding tendencies guard dogs bite miniature recognized colors internationally solid black black silver color known salt pepper controversial fourth color variant miniature pure white recognized universally breed remains popular worldwide primarily temperament relatively small size 17th popular breed history earliest records surrounding development standard germany come late 19th century originally bred medium sized farm dogs germany equally suited guarding property time passed farmers bred standard smaller compact size combining miniature recorded miniature appeared exhibition held accepted registration new breed years miniature introduced united_states originally known international classifications vary united_kingdom australia fall canada miniature classed recognized classed start modern miniature generally considered begin miniature win best dog born april lived nearly fourteen living miniature america trace lineage miniature 11th popular breed falling 17th popular description appearance miniature square shaped build measuring inches tall weighing pounds females pounds males double coat exterior fur soft trim coat kept short body fur ears legs belly face retained recognized coat colors black salt pepper black silver pure white miniature described non dogs entirely true minimal generally characterized rectangular head beard teeth meet bite oval dark colored eyes shaped natural forward folding ears ears point straight upward come sharp point tails naturally thin short docked permitted straight rigid legs feet short round called cat feet thick black pads docking tails ears controversial practice especially non working dogs illegal restricted number countries worldwide north american white controversy white color varieties miniature currently recognized accepted showing canadian club controversy rests disputed origins white variation contained genes originally recognized breed result subsequent modifications types available white variation original german standard included white acceptable color chooses recognize white temperament breed standard describes temperament alert spirited command friendly intelligent willing usually easy train tend excellent good territorial instinct inclined biting strangers owners home welcome guest typically friendly highly playful dogs given outlet required energy bored fun miniature compete dog agility trials obedience tracking high prey drive means attack small pets birds snakes attack cats training dog raised cats health survey puts median lifespan miniature little years lived years generally healthy breed miniature suffer health problems associated high fat levels problems include increase possibility form independently issues affect breed diabetes stones eye problems feeding dog non foods help avoid problems miniature prone syndrome condition produces filled usually backs treated variety methods miniature ears dried swimming risk infection especially ears ear examinations regular annual check miniature prone von disease dogs inherited bleeding disorder occurs von factor protein required specific groom cut standard breed require regular stripping seen dogs short cut usually reserved family pets stripping removes loose dead coat hand called finger stripping stripping knife way process miniature family pets regular appointments hair mechanical produces soft silky skin close trim stripped coat close body falls fringe like foundation called left grow regularly standards giants sport beard created allowing hair grow left body hair grow inches
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