Ruby

France has been officially recognized as the Poodle’s country of origin, but the Poodle’s earlier ancestors came from central Asia. The German variety has probably influenced the modern breed most (‘Poodle’ is German for ‘splash’ or ‘puddle’). They typically weigh 10-15 pounds.

Miniature Poodles are generally excellent with children of all ages. The Miniature Poodle gets along well with other animals, other dogs, and children. Poodles are highly adaptable and make good watchdogs. They're fairly vocal dogs that bark regularly.

The Miniature Poodle requires less exercise then the Standard Poodle, but should be walked or allowed to play outdoors. It should do fine with apartment life. Overall, their exercise needs are high.

The Miniature Poodle has a distinctive fine, frizzy, wooly coat similar in texture to sheep’s wool. Solid white is most common, but the coat may also be solid grey, brown, apricot, or black. There are three distinct grooming styles for show Poodles: puppy clip, continental clip, and English saddle clip. Grooming-wise, this breed is fairly high-maintenance. Miniature Poodles are considered hypoallergenic, which can be a plus for allergy sufferers.

Miniature Poodles are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.

The Dachshund (pronounced dak-sund; also known as a ‘Teckel’) originated in Germany in the sixteenth century. They were bred and trained to chase down prey, such as a badger (Dachshund means ‘Badger Dog’) or fox, enter its burrow, kill it, and retrieve it. Full-grown, they typically weigh 9-11 pounds and stand 5-6 inches tall.

Miniature Dachshunds are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. The Miniature Dachshund is somewhat reserved around strangers and may bark at them, but forms a strong bond with family. It can be too courageous around larger dogs. They're very vocal and bark quite a lot.

The Miniature Dachshund needs a small amount of exercise; medium length walks or a fair amount of play in the yard should be sufficient. Miniature Dachshunds may tire easily so exercise should be spaced out throughout the day. Miniature Dachshunds can live comfortably in an apartment, but it is best if they get an occasional view of the wild. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

The smooth- and long-haired Miniature Dachshund should be brushed occasionally to remove dead hairs. Long-haired Miniature Dachshunds are prone to tangles, so they should be groomed more often. The coat of the wire-haired Miniature Dachshund should be plucked twice a year. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Miniature Dachshunds are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. They are fairly easy to train.