My Slippers Ate the Dog! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Affenpinscher

When Joe (Registered name: Banana Joe V Tani Kazari) went Best of Show at the 2013 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show it was the first time an Affenpinscher had taken the top prize for that heralded event. As with many of the toy breeds, it has been said: "This is a big dog in a small package." Their breed standard suggests an adult dog should be between 9.5 and 11.5 inches tall.

Healthy adults have an average weight of 7 to 10 pounds. As of the early 21st century the Affenpinscher was not among the most popular breeds to be registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) but it is certainly not "small" of its wonderful attributes. Affenpinchers are known to be fearless yet lovingly affectionate, loyal yet confidently independent and naturally shaggy yet undeniably attractive. Probably the phrase most often used to describe them is: endlessly entertaining. Thus, the monkey dog moniker may refer to more than their face!

Answer: Bichon Frise

The AKC (American Kennel Club) includes the Bichon Frise among the dogs of the Non-Sporting Group; in the UK it is registered among the Toy Dog Group. The breed standard (from the AKC) recommends the Bichon Frise to stand between 9.5 and 11.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh 12 to 18 pounds.

In adults dogs any coat color other than white is considered a fault although "shadings of buff, cream or apricot" (quote from the AKC breed standard) may be present and allowed, if less than 10% of the total coat color. Young dogs may exhibit a greater percentage of those shadings but well-bred Bichons should mature to an all white coat coloration. Bichons do not shed their hair and have been labeled as "hypoallergenic", making the breed a good choice for people with allergies. All potential families who want a Bichon should also be aware there would be a considerable amount of grooming necessary to keep the dog's coat in prime (i.e., healthy!) condition.

Answer: Chihuahua

This little guy could easily fit in a slipper! The Chihuahua is named for the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. Although some sources can dispute the claim, modern day Chihuahuas are said to have descended from similar dogs found in an area of (what is now Mexico) as early as 300 B.C.

The accepted breed standard for the Chihuahua has not mentioned a height parameter for the breed; it has been generally accepted healthy, well-bred, adult dogs stand between 5 and 8 inches tall. As mentioned in the question, the dog's weight should not exceed 6 pounds to be within breed standard.

When considering the overall appearance of the Chihuahua the possibilities could (seemingly) endless. Any color of coat is acceptable; acceptable coat lengths feature both smooth coats and long coats.

The well-rounded (i.e., apple-dome shaped) head has been preferable for many who compete in confirmation shows. There was a time when many lines of Chihuahuas included dogs with the "deer head" which is flatter at the top and accentuates more widely set eyes.

While that head "type" may not be preferable to top breeders, it has, nonetheless, added to the vast choices of appearance for such a little pure-bred dog.

Answer: Chinese Crested

One of the most distinctive pure-bred dogs is the Chinese crested - especially the hairless variety. The coated variety is unofficially called the "powderpuff" variety. Other than the coat the accepted breed standard and generally expected qualities of the two varieties are the same. Any well bred Chinese crested should be graceful and slender - with an ideal height of 11 to 13 inches.

The breed standard (of the American Kennel Club) does not specify weight parameters but its website suggests a healthy weight of 8 to 12 pounds.

The skin of the hairless variety is very soft (said to be much like human skin) and the hair around their face, feet and tail is best described as "feathery". Chinese crested dogs are lively and playful by nature and this activity level should be encouraged because the breed can be prone to excessive weight gain if diet and exercise are not in proper balance. Obesity in such a fine-boned dog is especially concerning and should be avoided if at all possible.

Answer: English toy terrier

A breed that experienced a few name changes through the years is the breed The Kennel Club (UK) has called the English toy terrier (Black and Tan) during the early part of the 21st century. It has also been known as the toy Manchester terrier, the toy Black and Tan and the miniature Black and Tan.

A very similar breed of dog has been registered with the American Kennel Club as the Manchester terrier (toy) since (initially) since the mid-1930s. Other breed registries use the same and/or similar name(s) to designate this gorgeous, sleek coated little terrier.

The dog should be fine-boned yet muscular and agile. The AKC breed standard mentions dogs should weigh no more than 12 pounds. Although no height is mentioned in the breed standard, the (AKC) website suggests a normal height of 10 to 12 inches tall. One distinctive feature mentioned in the Kennel Club (UK) is the description of the dog's ear set; its (correct) ears are described as "candle flame".

The AKC agrees by using this breed standard advice: "The only correct ear for the toy variety is the naturally erect ear.

They should be wider at the base tapering to pointed tips, and carried well up on the skull."

Answer: French bulldog

Many owners/dog fanciers of French bulldogs find the breed to be adaptable, alert, attentive and adorable. One word often used is "clownish" due to their easy going personality combined with the pure intent the breed seems to have of entertaining and from their appreciation for the attention of their audience. Described by the website yourpurebredpuppy.com as "more lively than you might suspect from his chunky appearance", the French bulldog is a wonderful companion dog. Day-to-day care of a French bulldog can be rather effortless yet (as with many of the brachycephalus or "smashed nose" breeds) there are health concerns that should be carefully watched by a veterinary health care provider. Those concerns range from (but are not limited to) skin infections in the folds of skin around the face, dental and gum issues, eye problems, trouble sleeping and a higher risk of heat stroke.

Answer: Italian greyhound

The Italian greyhound is called the IG or Iggy and is the smallest breed of the purebred sighthounds. Perhaps with some disregard to its small size the Italian Greyhound has remained in the sighthound group in some breed registries but the American Kennel Club (AKC) and The Kennel Club (UK) have included it among the toy group of dogs.

The breed standard of the AKC wants an ideal height for the IG to be between 13 and 15 inches; no weight parameter has been mentioned in its breed standard but the AKC website has suggested a healthy adult should weigh between 7 and 14 pounds. IGs can excel in lure coursing, agility and many of the most athletic dog sports. Also, IGs are generally very affectionate and make great pets - with or without their participation in dog sports. IGs are small but should not be particularly coddled.

They are hound dogs and require the presence of a strong (and, fair!) leader for them to be all they can be - which is loving, intelligent and well-rounded.

Answer: Pomeranian

Queen Victoria (of the UK) has been given a lot of credit for the miniaturization of the Pomeranian and for its initial popularity. Into the 21st century the Pomeranian remained a very popular breed - often placing in the top twenty-five breeds among most breed registries - due in part to its tiny size.

The Pom (as it is called) has been described as loyal, intelligent and very eager to learn. Many Poms have a variety of tricks in their entertainment arsenal and are most willing to showcase any/all of those for the pleasure of their audience. Well bred Poms should be 6 to 10 inches at the withers and weigh between 3 and 7 pounds. Also, it is most desirable for their trademark "ruff" (the longer fur around the neck) to be distinct. Poms are rather active but can adapt to a variety of home environments if consideration is given to their exercise - playtime/exercise can be inside or outside, as long as the Pom is accompanied by their human companion.

As mentioned, the well bred Pomeranian has a thick, double coat and the time, cost and/or effort of grooming should be a consideration before choosing one as a companion. Frequent brushing and other grooming is a must do to maintain a healthy Pomeranian.

Answer: Poodle (toy)

Yes, breed registries do offer different scenarios for the origin of the breed that became (all sizes of) the poodle but the agreement is generally that the modern day poodle is descended from dogs used for game bird hunting much as those breeds that are now grouped among the retrievers. With its natural athletic ability and effortless intuition it would be very easy to imagine a poodle as an expert hunting companion as easily as to imagine one as a champion show dog.

A well bred toy poodle should be no more than 10 inches tall and weigh approximately 4 to 6 pounds. Poodles are available in many coat colors - ranging from as non-descriptive as black, silver, brown and red to colors as sophisticated sounding as apricot, café-au-lait, pardi and phantom.

When poodles are groomed for show they may be groomed to what is called the continental clip, lion cut or English saddle. It is not compulsory to maintain the elaborate style of grooming often seen among the show dogs but poodle hair does require more than average attention. Care should be taken to assure the hair that grows in the ears be properly removed. Those who have shared their lives with poodles would most likely say the reward is well worth the effort!

Answer: Yorkshire terrier

It is a Yorkshire terrier (aka Yorkie) shown in the photo. It breed was first recognized and continued as a small dog used to remove the vermin from the yarn mills of northern England. Later many of those same type of dogs were used for the same purpose within the coal mines.

In both situations their small size proved a plus and their fearlessness was undeniable. The Victorian age brought the Yorkshire Terrier (as the age did with many small breeds) to the "fashionable" side of life and its breed became a very popular companion. Yet, the breed has continued to be described as brave, loyal, clever, energetic, feisty and inquisitive. Well bred Yorkies should be 7 to 8 inches tall and weigh 5 to 7 pounds.

The demand to create an even smaller dog led some dog owners to breed dogs smaller than the standard dogs (often "runts") to other dogs with those same qualities (or, faults, if you will). Reputable breeders and dog fanciers would never intentionally breed their animals for any reason other than to maintain the integrity of the animal - regardless of demand.