Description : The teddy bear dog. The Toy Poodle. A widely loved companion in Japan, Taiwan and now Singapore. As poodles do not shed and is easy to maintain, many celebrities actually keep one as their travel companions. Some celebrities have even used their Toy Poodles to endorse advertisements. Labelled as the second most intelligent dog in the world, the Toy poodles are indeed easy to train and responsive to commands.

Temperament : A remarkably intelligent breed and an excellent watchdog for its size.. Highly responsive, they are said to be one of the most trainable breeds. Toy Poodles are good with children, other pets and dogs. They simply love people. Extremely affectionate indeed. Early socialisation with other dogs and people since puppyhood is especially recommended.

Height, Weight: Height:  up to 25.4 cm. Weight: 3-4 kg.

Health Problems: Minority are prone to ear infections, runny eyes, digestive tract and heart disorders, skin conditions.

Living Conditions: Toy Poodles are good for apartment or HDB flat; and they can also be well-adjusted to a house with a garden.

Exercise: Toy poodles are flexible when it comes to exercise. Whether to stay indoors whole day or a brisk walk down the park, they are just easily contented.

Life Expectancy : 12-15 or more years.

Grooming: The coat may be groomed into three basic styles: the "teddy bear clip" (or puppy clip), with relatively short hair all over the body, the "English saddle" clip, or the "Continental" clip with the rear half of the body shaved, bracelets left around the ankles, and pom-poms left on the tails and hips. All solid colors are permissible. Poodles must be bathed regularly and clipped at least once every two months. Clean and check the ears frequently for wax or infection and pull out hairs growing inside the ear canal. The traditional clips were developed to lighten the weight of the coat for swimming and to protect the joints and major organs from cold, but many pet owners opt for a plain lamb clip (the same length all over). Poodles do not shed and are good for allergy sufferers.

Origin: France: recognized officially as its country of origin,The Poodle is descended from a now nearly extinct French water dog, the Barbet and possibly the Hungarian Water Hound. The name 'Poodle' probably derives from the German word "Pudel," which means: one who plays in water. The Poodle is used as a gun dog. They were originally used in Germany and France as a retriever of waterfowl. Hunters clipped the dog's thick coat to help them swim, leaving hair on the leg joints to protect them from extreme cold and sharp reeds. The French capitalized on the breed's high intelligence, trainability & innate showmanship and made the Poodle into a circus performer. His great popularity in that country led to the breed's common name "French Poodle." In France, however, the Poodle is called the "Caniche," or duck dog. The Poodle has been used to sniff out truffles lying underground in the woods. Poodles are depicted in 15th century paintings and in bas-reliefs from the 1st century. Toy Poodles became royal favorites, particularly in the 18th century. The Toy and Miniature Poodle varieties were bred down from larger dogs, today known as Standard Poodles . The three sizes are considered as one breed, and are judged by the same standard. Today, the Poodle is primarily a companion and show dog, though he can learn almost anything.

Description :Golden Retriever. The beautiful calm companion. Famous for its good natured termperament as a reliable aid for the handicapped and aged. Colours of Golden Retriever ranges from cream to gold. The outer coat is water-repellent while the undercoat is dense. Ears hung in a pendant shape. Head is broad, with a wide powerful muzzle. Simply beautiful.

Temperament : Patient, kind, gentle and charming. Eager to please, loyal and confident. The easiest breed to be trained. Golden Retriever makes a wonderful companion, always awaiting its master's instructions. Although Golden Retrievers can be a watchdog with its loud deep bark, but its guarding instincts are low as they simply love to make friends with anyone. They are one of the best swimmers and love a fetch game down the beach. Other abilities of Golden Retrievers include hunting, tracking, retrieving, narcotics detection, agility and performing tricks.

Height, Weight: Height: Dogs 56-61cm. Bitches 51-56cm. Weight: Dogs 27-36kg.
Bitches 25-32kg

Health Problems: Prone to hip dysplasia and congenital eye defects.

Living Conditions: This breed will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised.

Exercise: The Golden Retriever needs daily exercise, but likes to retrieve balls and other toys, so exercising is fairly easy. Be sure to exercise this dog well and do not overfeed, as he tends to put on weight.

Life Expectancy : About 10-12 years

Grooming: An average shedder. The Golden Retrievers need a brush with an undercoat rake daily to reduce shedding. Full grooming to a grooming salon is recommended at least once every three months. Pawpads trimming is recommended at least once a month to prevent slipping.

Origin: Orignated in the British Isles, from a yellow Flat- Coated Retriever, Light coated Water Spaniels, settlers and Newfoundland. Today, the Golden Retrievers is one of the world's best family companion. Golden Retrievers are also popularly used as guides for the blind, therapy dogs and service dogs for the disabled.

Description: The bearded one. The Miniature Schnauzer. A popular breed in Singapore. Loved by HDB heartlanders and residents who resides in apartments. Miniature Schnauzers are groomed typically with a bushy beard and long eyebrowns. Tails are seen docked. Coat colours include salt & pepper, black and silver or white.

Temperament :Every ready to shower its affection, the Miniature Schnauzer is very loving to its family and children. Making itself a wonderful companion and family pets.

Height, Weight: Height: 30-36cm. Weight: 5-7kg

Health Problems: Prone to kidney stones, liver disease, eye problems and skin disease.

Living Conditions: The Miniature Schnauzer is an ideal pet for HDB and apartment life. It is fairly active indoors and enjoys itself even without daily walks

Exercise: Whether it's a game of fetch or a brisk walk, the Miniature Schnauzer loves it all.

Life Expectancy : About 15 years. It shows no signs of age until quite late in life.

Grooming: The bearded look. A Schnauzer appearance is loved by every Schnauzer owner. Daily brushing is recommended to prevents knots. An excellent breed for owners allergic to fur. A Miniature Schnauzer sheds little or no hair.

Origin: Originally a German breed, named after the German word for muzzle, "Schnauze." The Miniature Schnauzer excels at killing rats, but today it is mostly a popular and esteemed companion. Some of the Schnauzer's talents include: hunting, tracking, watchdogging, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.

Description: Sniffing, sniffing and still sniffing. Beagle: the curious scent hound. Known for its high inquisitive nature, a beagle just can't help to know the origin of scent behind every corner. Nicknamed as the Snoopy dog, the Beagle is already a household character in the hearts of every child and family.Tri-coloured or lemon white, the beagle looks simply adorable with its pleading eyes and droopy, long pendant shaped ears and broad muzzle.

Temperament :
Like a bumble bee, a beagle is usually buzzing around with its wagging tail, trying to please everyone with its best behaviour. Popularised in Australia as a working dog in the Australia airports, the beagle is used to sniff out the luggages for food instead of other breeds due to its inquisitive nature and exceptionally friendly behaviour. If food is kept in your cupboards and refrigerator, a beagle would remember better than anyone its exact position. And when it comes to food, a beagle would do any tricks for you just to get a treat. Indeed, a beagle is like a merry clown-liked character that would do anything it can to make you laugh.

Height, Weight: Height: Dogs 36-41cm. Bitches 33-38cm
There are two height classes, 13-15 inches (33-38cm) and under 13 inches (33cm).
Weight: Dogs :10-11kg Bitches :7-10kg

Health Problems: Prone to heart disease during its seniorhood if too overweight. Other potential problems include epilepsy, eye and back problems.

Living Conditions: Great to be indoors or outdoors. A Beagle loves to be with its family. It is contented as long as it gets a sniff outside once a while.

Exercise: A Beagle is always excited when it goes for a walk. It would never get enough of sniffing and sniffing out every nooks and crannies on the road. A Beagle should never be off-leashed unless the area is enclosed. Once off leashed, a beagle would follow its heart to sniff out its curiousity and turn deaf ears to your commands.

Life Expectancy : About 12-15 years

Grooming: Weather-proof, dense short-haired. A beagle's coat is easily maintained with a rubber brush to brush out its undercoat. Ears are to be maintained with a regular cleaning at least once a day. Nails can be clipped at least once a fortnight.

Origin: Originated as a cross between the Harrier and other hounds in England, Beagles are initially bred to work as a pack of hounds for hunting hares, pheasant and quail. Renowned for its easy going nature, beagles are also victims for unfortunate laboratory experiments instead of other breeds.

Description: Long body like a train. Short-legged like a dwarf. The Miniature Daschund. These colourful hounds with rainbow of colours range from red and tanned, black and tanned, shaded red, cream, silver dappled to harlequin varieties. Hailed as the top three most popular breeds in Japan, the Miniature Daschund is also gaining its popularity in Singapore with its striking good looks and gentle nature. Coat varieties range from short-haired, long-haired to the wire-haired.

Temperament : Hard to resist the expressive eyes of a Miniature Daschund? If you do, you probably have already fallen for one. Eager to please and with eyes that talk, it's hard to ignore a Miniature Daschund when its pleading for attention. Lively, affectionate and extremely devoted to its family, a Miniature Daschund indeed makes a lovely companion for anyone.

Height, Weight: Miniature (dwarf):  Height up to 35cm.;  Weight : 5kg-7kg

Health Problems: Prone to spinal disc problems and heart disease. As Daschunds love to eat, owners should watch its diet to prevent added strain on its long body.

Living Conditions: A HDB approved breed. Although a Miniature Daschund would love a walk down the park, however it is flexible whether with or without walks. Also ideal for apartments or landed.

Exercise: Despite its height and built, a Miniature Daschund has excellent stamina for a good run down the park. As it loves to be cuddled, it would also settle gladly on your lap anytime.

Life Expectancy : About 12-15 years.

Grooming: The short-haired is the easiest to manage as all it needs is a good rub down its back with a rubber brush. The long-haired and wire-haired need regular brushing at least twice a week. Professional grooming is required for the long-haired and wire-haired at least once every two months. Nail-clipping is necessary at least once a fortnight.

Origin: Dachs: a word to describe badger. Originated in Germany hundred of years ago, the dachshund were originally bred to hunt, dig out the prey and move down the burrows with its short legs.