Oct. 30/2024

 

Halloween 😈 Animals List: Scary Animals Pictures & Facts Part 2

by Active Wild Admin

10/ 23/ 2023 

Pacific Viperfish

Scientific name: Chauliodus macouni

Type of animal: Fish

Conservation status: Unassessed

The Pacific viperfish is a deep sea fish found up to 5km below the surface. Despite only having a maximum body length of around 30 cm (1 ft.), the Pacific viperfish’s immense fangs are enough to put anyone off going into the water!

Scorpions

Like spiders, scorpions are arachnids. There are around 1,750 species of scorpion. Together they make up the order Scorpiones.

Whereas some spiders have a venomous bite, it’s a scorpion’s tail you need to be careful of. All scorpions have a venomous stinger located at the end of the tail. This is used both to capture prey & as a defense against predators.

Very few scorpions possess venom strong enough to be deadly to humans. Unless you suffer from specific allergies & no medical help is available, you’ll generally survive a scorpion sting.

The deathstalker scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus inhabits deserts & other dry habitats in North Africa & the Middle East. Its powerful venom & speedy strike make it one of the world’s most dangerous scorpions.

Sharks

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat!” These are the words famously spoken by Roy Scheider’s character Chief Brody after seeing the huge killer shark in the movie Jaws.

Even before the release of classic 70s movie, sharks were regarded as truly terrifying animals; the film just took fear of sharks mainstream.

One of the largest sharks (& the star of Jaws) is the great white shark Carcharodon carcharias. This fearsome ocean predator can reach lengths of 20 ft (6 m).

All sharks are equipped with special sense organs known as ampullae of Lorenzini. These enable a shark to detect electrical fields produced by the muscles of other animals.

Sharks have several rows of teeth. These are continuously replaced during a shark’s lifetime, with new teeth moving from the back to the front. There’s little chance of a shark missing a meal due to toothache!

If you’re in the water & you see a great white shark approaching, it’s a good idea to get in a boat. A big boat.

Slugs

It’s probably because we’re mammals ourselves that we can relate to other mammals such as cats & dogs better than we can to animals such as slugs.

… Or maybe it’s a slug’s slimy skin, tentacles, & sticky trails that puts us off!

Slugs belong to the mollusk class Gastropoda, which also includes snails. Although slugs don’t have visible shells, most species have a much-reduced shell located under their skin.

A slug’s slimy skin prevents its body–which is made mainly of water–from drying out.

Most slugs have 2 pairs of tentacles, both of which are retractable. A slug’s eyes are located at the ends of the top pair of tentacles. The lower tentacles provide a sense of smell.

Snakes

Snakes are limbless reptiles in the suborder Serpentes. Their closest relatives are lizards. Both snakes & lizards are members of the reptilian order Squamata.

The first snakes appeared during the Late Cretaceous period; perhaps 30 or 40 million years before the first primates.

The fear of snakes is known as Ophidiophobia. Scientific research has found that an instinctive fear of snakes may actually be something we’re born with. In other words, snakes are scientifically proven to be scary animals!

There are around 3,600 species of snake divided between 18 families.

The snake family with the largest number of species is Colubridae. Snakes in this family are generally quite small & non-venomous.

The largest snakes are found in the families Boidae (the boa family) & Pythonidae (the python family). Snakes in these families are nonvenomous & use constriction to overcome their prey.

Well known families of venomous snakes include Viperidae (the vipers) & Elapidae, which includes Cobras, mambas, & taipans.

Spiders

Spiders are arachnids belonging to the order Araneae. With over 48,000 known species, Araneae is the largest order of arachnids.

Not only are there an awful lot of different spiders, they’re also found in virtually all land habitats, & on every continent except Antarctica. That’s bad news if you happen to suffer from arachnophobia! (Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders.)

If you are an arachnophobe, you should probably stay away from these guys:

Redknee tarantula Brachypelma hamorii (a large, hairy spider found in Mexico)

Sydney funnel-web spider Atrax robustus, (a highly-venomous spider found around Sydney, Australia)

Brazilian wandering spider (a large South American species that competes with the Sydney funnel-web spider for title of ‘most venomous spider’)

Redback spider Latrodectus hasselti (another highly-venomous Australian species, recognizable by the red hourglass marking on its otherwise all black abdomen).

Tasmanian Devil

Scientific name: Sarcophilus harrisii

Type of animal: Mammal

Conservation status: Endangered

The Tasmanian devil is the largest living carnivorous marsupial. The size of a small dog, this Australian mammal has a powerful, squat build & large head. It has one of the strongest bites in relation to body size of any animal.

The species is only found on the Australian island state of Tasmania. The ‘devil’ part of its name refers both to the bloodcurdling screams emitted by this nocturnal animal as it feeds, & its aggressive temperament.

Sadly, in recent years this distinctive animal has been badly affected by a disease that has caused its population to plummet. This scary animal now finds itself on the endangered list.

Thorny Devil

Scientific name: Moloch horridus

Type of animal: Reptile

Conservation status: Least Concern

The ‘Moloch’ part of the thorny devil’s scientific name refers to an ancient god whose followers took part in human sacrifice. The ‘horridus’ part means, well, horrible.

The thorny devil’s scary name is due to the lizard’s fearsome appearance. With horn-like scales on its head & spines running along its back, tail & legs, this desert reptile resembles a mini dinosaur.

A ‘false head’ behind the lizard’s real head–which provides protection from predators–only adds to the animal’s bizarre appearance.

In fact, the thorny devil is well-adapted to the hot, dry climate of the Australian outback. Tiny channels between the scales carry water that has condensed on the animal’s skin to its mouth.

Toads

Type of Animal: Amphibian

Order: Anura

Toads are amphibians &, along with frogs, belong to the order Anura.

Biologically, there isn’t a great deal of difference between frogs & toads; species with dry, warty skin tend to be named “toads”; whereas species with smooth, moist skin are known as “frogs”.

Toads are included on this list of scary animals due to their association with witches & witchcraft. No self-respecting witch makes a potion without at least one toad in the recipe.

This association may have begun due to the fact that toads in the “true toad” family Bufonidae secrete poison from parotoid glands behind their eyes.

Being amphibians, toads hatch from eggs laid in water, & spend the first stage of their lives as tadpoles. Their bodies then undergo a process known as metamorphosis. During this time toads develop lungs & limbs. In their adult form, toads breathe air & are able to leave the water.

Perhaps the scariest toad of all is the cane toad, a species native to South America. This insect-eating amphibian was introduced to Australia to protect crops.

The plan backfired. The cane toad failed to control crop-eating insects, & its introduction was extremely harmful to several much-loved Australian species, including quolls & goannas.

Vampire Bat

Scientific name: Desmodus rotundus

Type of animal: Mammal

Conservation status: Least Concern

The common vampire bat is one of 3 species of vampire bat (the other 2 are the hairy-legged vampire bat, & the white-winged vampire bat). The diet of all 3 species consists entirely of blood.

The common vampire bat targets mammals–usually livestock–while they are sleeping. It either swoops down directly onto the animal, or lands nearby & crawls over before jumping onto its victim.

Using special heat sensors in its nose, the vampire bat is able to locate where its victim’s blood is flowing closest to the skin. It bites through the skin with razor-sharp teeth, while chemicals in its saliva prevent a scab from forming as it feeds.

Although the vampire bat’s bite is non-fatal, the species is known to carry rabies.

Vampire Squid

Scientific name: Vampyroteuthis infernalis

Type of animal: Mollusk (spelt Mollusc in British English)

Conservation status: Unassessed

The vampire squid, despite its name, is not a true squid. Instead, it is the only living member of the order Vampyromorphida, & is more closely-related to octopuses.

This deep sea species lives in depths of 3km or more. If threatened, it will open its webbed legs & expose fearsome-looking (but harmless) spines.

This scary animal has got an equally scary scientific name, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, which means ‘vampire squid from hell’.

This scary animal’s scientific name, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, means ‘vampire squid from hell’, which to us sounds like a good name for a heavy metal band.

Wolf

Scientific name: Canis lupus

Type of animal: Mammal

Conservation status: Least Concern

Few, if any, animals have inspired as many myths & legends as the gray wolf. It is an animal of the wilderness which, unlike its cousin the coyote, doesn’t live happily near humans.

The gray wolf is the largest member of the dog family, Canidae. It is found throughout much of the northern hemisphere, & has many subspecies, including the Eurasian wolf, Arctic wolf, northwestern wolf, & the domestic dog.

The long, eerie howls produced by a pack of wolves are among the most spine-chilling of all animal sounds.

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Oct. 23/2024

 

Halloween Animals List: Scary Animals Pictures & Facts Part 1

by Active Wild Admin

10/ 23/ 2023 

To celebrate Halloween we’ve made a list of some of the world’s scariest animals. Continue reading… if you dare!

Aye-Aye

Scientific name: Daubentonia madagascariensis

Type of animal: Mammal

Conservation status: Endangered

The aye-aye is a lemur found on the African island of Madagascar. Local people believe that the aye-aye brings bad luck, especially if it points at you with its skeletal finger (the species uses its elongated middle fingers to prize grubs out of nooks & crannies).

There are around 100 species of lemur. Lemurs are only found on Madagascar, where they evolved independently of other primates such as monkeys & apes. The aye-aye lives in the rainforests on the eastern side of the island.

The aye-aye is the world’s largest nocturnal primate. This endangered animal hunts using echolocation. By tapping on trees, it is able to tell from the sound if food is present under the bark.

Bald Uakari

Scientific name: Cacajao calvus

Type of animal: Mammal

Conservation status: Vulnerable

The hairless red head of the bald uakari gives this small monkey an almost human-like appearance. This bizarre-looking primate is found in the western reaches of the Amazon Rainforest in South America.

Sadly, hunting & habitat loss mean that the bald uakari now has a conservation status of ‘Vulnerable’.

Bears

Type of animal: Mammal

Animal Family: Ursidae

There are only 8 living species of bear: polar bear, brown bear, American black bear, spectacled bear, sloth bear, sun bear, Asian black bear, & giant panda.

Together these 8 species make up the family Ursidae.

Most bears are omnivores, although some, such as the giant panda & spectacled bear, mainly eat plants. The sloth bear is a specialist insect eater.

The polar bear is the most carnivorous of all bears, & on average the largest, although the Kodiak bear (which is a subspecies of brown bear) can be even larger.

They may be cute as cubs, but as adults bears are big, powerful, & well-armed. They’re likely to attack if they think you’re a threat–or, in the case of brown bears & polar bears–if they’re hungry!

The insect-eating sloth bear is surprisingly aggressive given its diet & even the giant panda has been known to attack humans!

Bears make many appearances in myths & legends. 2 constellations–Ursa Major (the great bear) & Ursa minor (lesser bear)–are named after bears.

Camel Spider

Order: Solifugae

Type of animal: Arachnid

Camel spiders are a group of arachnids that are mostly found in deserts & other arid habitats.

Being arachnids, camel spiders have 8 legs, along with 2 additional pairs of appendages on their heads.

In camel spiders, these additional appendages take the form of long, leg-like feelers, & freakishly large, fearsome-looking mouthparts.

Cockroaches

Type of Animal: Insect

Insects aren’t particularly well-liked animals at the best of times, but cockroaches have a particularly bad reputation.

More “gross animals” than “scary animals”, cockroaches are associated with dirty, unhygienic surroundings. They’re known to transmit disease, & can cause an unpleasant odor in buildings in which they are present.

The German cockroach Blattella germanica is the most commonly-encountered cockroach in the United States. It is one of around 4,600 cockroach species, all of which are members of the order Blattodea.

Cockroaches are closely related to termites, which are also members of Blattodea.

The German cockroach is a survival expert. This hardy insect is found on all continents except Antarctica, & can reproduce faster than any other “pest” cockroach. Some people think that, in the event of a nuclear war, cockroaches would be the only species to survive!

Dracula Parrot

Scientific name: Psittrichas fulgidus

Type of animal: Bird

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Pesquet's parrot has been given the alternative name of "Dracula Parrot" due to its black & red plumage (which resembles the cloak worn by the fictional vampire), large size, featherless face, & long bill.

The distinctive parrot's bill & bald face give it a vulture-like appearance, & because of this the species is also known as the vulturine parrot.

The Dracula parrot is found in the mountain forests of New Guinea. Despite its fearsome looks, the species is a frugivore (fruit-eater). Instead of drinking blood, it uses its large, powerful beak to open hard nuts & fruits; its favorite food being figs.

Due to habitat destruction & hunting (for its feathers, which are used in ceremonial dress by indigenous peoples), Pesquet's parrot is rated "Vulnerable" by the IUCN.

Gila Monster

Scientific name: Heloderma suspectum

Type of animal: Reptile

Conservation status: Near Threatened

The Gila monster is one of only 2 venomous lizards found in North America (the other being the closely-related Mexican beaded lizard). Although the species feeds mainly on eggs, its venom helps it to subdue live prey such as small birds, mammals, & reptiles.

The Gila monster's venomous bite, together with its warning coloration, help protect it from predators.

This large, black / orange lizard grows to a maximum length of around 56 cm (22 in). It is found in deserts & scrubland in the southwestern United States & Mexico.

Although the Gila monster had a fearsome reputation among early settlers, its bite, although extremely painful, is rarely fatal.

Hellbender

Scientific name: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

Type of animal: Amphibian

Conservation status: Vulnerable

A true ‘river monster’, the hellbender is one of the largest amphibians in the world, & the largest found in the Americas. The species reaches a maximum length of around 74 cm (29 in).

The hellbender lives in fast-flowing rivers & streams. Unlike most other amphibians, it lives in the water even after having reached maturity. The species is entirely carnivorous, preying on crayfish, mollusks, & fish.

Although the hellbender has lungs, it also obtains oxygen from the water via its slimy, wrinkled skin.

Horned Lizards

Type of animal: Reptile

Horned lizards are reptiles in the genus Phrynosoma. With armored plates, rows of spines running along their sides & backs, & horn-like spines on their heads, horned lizards resemble miniature dinosaurs.

Due to their squat, rounded appearance horned lizards are also known as horny toads.

Horned lizards don't tend to move very fast & rely on their excellent camouflage to keep out of the way of predators.

Why are horned lizards included in this list of Halloween animals? It's not their dinosaur-like appearance, but something even more terrifying; when threatened, these little reptiles squirt a stream of blood from their eyes & mouth!

The blood also contains foul-tasting chemicals, so if the sight of the blood itself wasn’t enough, its taste may make a potential predator think twice about eating the lizard.

Found in the southern United States & Mexico, the Texas horned lizard is the most widespread horned lizard. It grows to around 10 cm / 4 in. in length.

Iberian Ribbed Newt

Scientific name: Pleurodeles waltl

Type of animal: Amphibian

Conservation status: Near Threatened

The Iberian ribbed newt is the largest newt found in Europe, but that’s not why it’s on this list of scary animals. We’ve included this terrifying amphibian because of the unique way in which it defends itself from predators.

When threatened, the Iberian ribbed newt is able to puncture its own skin with its sharp ribs. While doing so it also secretes poison from its skin, meaning that an animal picking up the newt in its mouth would get a mouthful of sharp, poisonous spines.

You may think that piercing its own skin with its bones would cause the Iberian ribbed newt serious harm, but in fact the skin quickly grows back, leaving the amphibian seemingly unaffected.

Komodo Dragon

Scientific name: Varanus komodoensis

Type of animal: Reptile

Conservation status: Endangered

Growing to 3 meters (10 ft.) in length, the Komodo dragon is the world’s largest lizard. This Asian species is found on the Indonesian island of Komodo, from which it gets its name, & 2 other neighboring islands.

With its lumbering gait, the fearsome Southeast Asian lizard would at first glance seem unable to catch nimble-footed prey. Don’t be fooled; the Komodo dragon is capable of a surprising burst of speed. The species is also thought to produce venom that makes its bite even more potent.

Owls

Type of Animal: Bird

Owls are birds in the order Strigiformes (an “order” is a group of related animals).

Nearly all owls are nocturnal; their large eyes are an adaptation for seeing at night.

Owls also have excellent hearing; the stiff feathers that surround their round faces help to direct sound towards their ears. In addition, special feathers help owls to fly silently.

Because owls are active at night they are often associated with the supernatural. You’ve probably seen a film or TV show that uses an owl’s cry to set the atmosphere for a spooky nighttime scene.

Instead of a pleasant ‘twit-twoo!’, a barn owl emits a bloodcurdling range of screeches & hisses. In some areas it is known as a ‘screech owl’ on behalf of its terrifying call.

In addition, the silent, ghostly form of a barn owl flying through the night has led to superstitious people giving it names such as ‘demon owl’, ’death owl’ & ’ghost owl’.

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Oct. 16/2024

 

What Do Geckos Eat?

By Lauren Jones, VMD

Published 11/14/ 2023

A healthy diet is crucial when caring for any pet, & geckos are no different. By providing a nutritious, varied diet, pet parents can help their geckos live longer, happier lives.

What Do Geckos Eat in the Wild?

Gecko species are found on every continent except Antarctica—from India to Africa to the Amazon & New Caledonia. They thrive in various habitats & climates, including deserts, rainforests, woodlands, & near riverbanks.

Because of this diversity, wild geckos have varied diets that provide them with vitamins, minerals, nutrients. Many geckos are primarily insectivores (meaning they eat any tiny insect or arachnid that moves), including:

Spiders

Worms

Grasshoppers

Scorpions

Caterpillars

Crickets

As they age, geckos can even be carnivorous, feasting on smaller geckos, snakes, small mice, & young birds. Some geckos, like crested geckos, are more omnivorous & eat nectar & fruits.

What To Feed a Gecko

While all geckos should have access to fresh water in a shallow dish, a gecko’s age & species determine how often—& what—they should eat.

Juvenile geckos generally eat more frequently—sometimes 2 to 3 times a day, while adult geckos only need to eat every day or every other day. Pet parents should mimic the specific species’ natural diet as much as possible when feeding a pet gecko & always consult with a veterinarian for the best outcome.

Insects for Geckos

Geckos can consume a healthy variety of the following insects:

Dubia roaches

Crickets

Red worms

Silkworms

Mealworms

Superworms

Waxworms

Fruit flies

Earthworms

Commercial feeder insects are typically devoid of nutritional value. Therefore, these insects should be gut-loaded, which means the insects are fed specialized supplements 24–48 hours before being fed to the gecko. Supplements, such as Repashy Bug Burger, provide vitamins & minerals that help make a gecko’s diet complete & balanced.

Geckos also require additional calcium supplementation, such as Repashy Calcium Plus, to prevent common diseases like metabolic bone disease. Dust insects with a supplement immediately before feeding. Supplement powder alone should never be left in the cage, as too much calcium can also cause problems.

Continuously monitor insects during feedings; never leave them in the cage alone with the gecko. Insects can bite geckos, especially while the gecko sleeps, & cause health issues. It is best only to feed what a gecko can eat within 15 minutes, which is usually 4 to 6 food items. Insects should be approximately half the size of the gecko’s head. Any larger may cause issues during feeding.

Can Geckos Eat Fruit?

Pet parents may occasionally offer fruit to species that naturally eat fruit, such as crested, day, & tokay geckos. Some favorite foods include:

Papaya

Pears

Blueberries

Mango

Guava

Cherries

Pineapple

Plums

Grapes

Apples

Watermelon

Bananas

Moderation is key, as these are sugary favorites with relatively little nutritional value compared to protein-packed insects.

Can Geckos Eat Mice?

Some geckos may also eat “pinkie” mice, which are commercially available mouse pups, but this is rarely required for nutritional value. Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the best diet & feeding schedule for your gecko’s specific needs.

Gel Foods for Geckos

There are commercially available gel foods that people sometimes use in some juvenile species, sick pets, & some species (such as crested geckos). These should be fed with the approval of a veterinarian.

Best Food for Geckos

Commercially available pelleted, gel, canned, or frozen diets seem like an easy solution for feeding a gecko, but they don’t provide the variety or the health benefits of a live insect diet.

Geckos are natural hunters who like to stalk their prey. Providing live insects also provides mental stimulation & enrichment—essential factors when keeping pet reptiles.

Dried insects are also tempting to feed, as there is no live insect upkeep. However, dried foods lack critical nutrients for geckos. These items may be fed occasionally as treats, but pet parents should not rely on them for the entirety of the gecko’s diet.

Live insects are always the best staple item in a diet for geckos.

What Can Geckos Not Eat?

Offering the wrong type of food can have serious health risks to your gecko. It is best to research the species & consult a veterinarian to determine the best products to feed.

Generally, veterinarians recommend only feeding commercially available insects to geckos. Wild insects are tempting to catch & offer to a gecko; however, the risk of insecticide exposure is considerable & potentially dangerous & may cause severe neurological or gastrointestinal issues & even death. Therefore, most veterinarians recommend against feeding wild-caught insects. Fireflies, or lightning bugs, are highly toxic & should never be fed to a pet gecko.

Truly insectivorous geckos, such as leopard geckos, should not eat fruits or vegetables, ever. They cannot digest plant material, & this can cause serious health problems.

How To Feed a Gecko

Always follow a gecko’s normal feeding patterns they would have in the wild. Some geckos are diurnal (awake during the day), while others are nocturnal (awake at night). Nocturnal geckos do best when fed at night; diurnal animals should be provided food during the day.

Keep live insects in a separate container, such as a cricket pen, with gut-loading supplements as food & a water source. Most pet parents find a water supplement in a gel format the easiest way to supply water to feeder insects.

At feeding time, transfer the appropriate size & number of insects into a separate container to dust with the calcium supplement. Most people find the use of insect tongs useful. Place the insects & the dusting powder in a plastic bag, tin can, or “cricket shaker,” & shake gently to coat the insects’ bodies.

Place the dusted insects in a shallow container or place them in the terrarium with the gecko. If not put in a dish, pet parents should ensure the gecko cannot ingest the substrate in addition to the insect. Most veterinarians recommend solid substrates over sand or soil substrates to prevent this accidental ingestion.

Feeding Geckos FAQs

What do leopard geckos eat?

Leopard geckos only eat insects like crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms, & superworms.

What do crested geckos eat?

Crested geckos eat a variety of food—approximately 50% insects & 50% fruit, such as pears, blueberries, & bananas.

What do baby geckos eat?

Baby geckos eat the same types of food that adults eat—only more often & with smaller-sized prey. Young geckos may eat 2 to 3 times a day & should only be fed items that are no larger than half their head.

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Oct. 9/2024

25 Small Dog Breeds To Fit Any Lifestyle Part 2

By Emily Sanders. Reviewed by Barri J. Morrison, DVM

8/ 6/ 2023

14. Japanese Chin

Weight: 7–11 pounds

Height: 8–11 inches

An ancient dog breed with a noble past, Japanese Chin were once popular among Japanese aristocracy. With a long, silky coat & expressive eyes that give them a look of wonder, Chin are regal & elegant while still being tiny, cute dogs.

15. Bolognese

Weight: 6–10 pounds

Height: 10–12 inches

Hailing from Bologna, Italy, Bolognese are small, fluffy dogs with wild white hair. Another ancient breed, these pups were often given as gifts among European nobility. Today, they’re a good-natured, easygoing lap dog.

16. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Weight: 13–18 pounds

Height: 12–13 inches

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a toy dog bred to keep laps warm. These sweet puppies were especially beloved by King Charles I & his son, Charles II, & were eventually named after them. Clever, friendly, & eager to please, CKC spaniels are the perfect choice for first-time pet parents.

17. Italian Greyhound

Weight: 7–14 pounds

Height: 13–15 inches

Don’t be fooled by their name—unlike Greyhounds that can reach 70 pounds, Italian Greyhounds are a little dog breed. Standing just over 1 foot tall at the shoulders, Italian Greyhounds are sociable & sensitive. They are best suited for families with older children who know how to safely play with these small, slender dogs.

18. Chinese Crested

Weight: 8–12 pounds

Height: 11–13 inches

The Chinese Crested is an ancient breed that comes in 2 varieties: powderpuff (with silky hair all over their little body) & hairless (with hair only on their head, tail, & ankles). With either type you choose, your Crested will need a lot of care to stay in tip-top shape, with powderpuffs requiring attentive grooming & hairless dogs needing special skincare.

19. Havanese

Weight: 7–13 pounds

Height: 8–12 inches

The only dog native to Cuba, Havanese are small, fluffy dogs who bounce through life. They are highly affectionate & get along well with children & other dogs, making them excellent family pets. These happy dogs are very sociable & love the company of people, so pet parents should be ready to give them lots of attention.

20. Lhasa Apso

Weight: 12–18 pounds

Height: 11 inches or less

Lhasa Apso roughly means “bearded lion dog,” & it’s not hard to see why. With their graceful mane-like coat, these elegant toy dogs resemble small lions. Lhasa Apsos originated in Tibet, where they were bred to be watchdogs & are considered sacred & symbols of good fortune. These dogs are affectionate & loyal to their family but may be wary of strangers due to their breeding history.

21. Miniature Schnauzer

Weight: 11–20 pounds

Height: 12–14 inches

Of the 3 types of Schnauzers, the Miniature Schnauzer is the smallest. These intelligent & charming dogs need lots of exercise due to their history as farm dogs. Give them a job, & these bearded puppies will have the time of their life. Mini Schnauzers also don’t shed much, making them good pets for families with allergies.

22. Border Terrier

Weight: 11–16 pounds

Height: 12–15 inches

The scruffy & scrappy Border Terrier is the smallest of the long-legged terriers. These little dogs are bursting with energy & will thrive with at least an hour of exercise every day. Border Terriers have a distinctive “otter head” that pet parents may find irresistibly cute.

23. Miniature Pinscher

Weight: 8–10 pounds

Height: 10–13 inches

Hailed as the “king of toy breeds,” the Miniature Pinscher doesn’t let their small size slow them down. The Min Pin packs a bold personality despite their stature & needs plenty of action to stay happy. This German toy breed sports a short coat that needs minimal maintenance.

24. Toy Fox Terrier

Weight: 4–9 pounds

Height: 8–12 inches

Standing less than 1 foot tall, the Toy Fox Terrier is feisty & playful. Their mischievous antics are typically a great source of entertainment for pet parents. These terriers overflow with energy & will benefit from regular outdoor exercise before coming home & running around your living room.

25. Silky Terrier

Weight: 10 pounds

Height: 9–10 inches

Though they look a lot like Yorkies, the Silky Terrier is a separate breed that is native to Australia. This little dog is surprisingly energetic for their size & loves having a job to do. Pet parents need to provide Silkies with plenty of exercise to keep them happy, & Silkies also have a long, luscious coat that needs to be brushed every day.

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