Why not go small, then? Miniature dogs are cute, cuddly and fun to play with. And like their larger canine cousins, they can prove to be just as useful.

There have been several stories of small dogs rescuing their owners from danger. Although small, these cuddly creatures can be trained to protect its owner.

Since they are small, mini dogs are very fast and energetic. Play with them — you need it, too. Also, try to get him some playmates.

Feeding isn’t much of a problem. Your dinner leftovers are like a gourmet meal to them. Try serving food with "toyo" and some rice, but don’t put too much salt since it’s bad for their kidneys.

Cook garlic cloves and vinegar a la adobo for some variation. Do not feed them chicken and pork bones which can choke or injure the animal.

Instead, feed them softer meat cut into small parts. As much as possible, don’t feed them hotdogs, sausages and longganisa which are rich in preservatives.

An occasional treat, like chicken meat, is fine. But try to feed them real dog food. Add some boiled veggies and roughage together with their meats.

For their personal hygiene, give your pets a bath twice a month during the colder months. In the summer, wash them at least once a week.

Since these dogs are smaller, you can control their movements while bathing and you can use a smaller container, like a laundry tub, to wash them.

However, don’t let them play in the rain. Mini dogs are very susceptible to colds, fever and flu.

Check your dog’s coat for ticks, fleas and other parasites. Consult your vet for de-worming and immunization at least once a year. Give them vitamins that you normally give to babies or toddlers at a lower dosage.

If your dog shows signs of sickness like watery eyes, sluggishness, runny or dry, hot nose, don’t hesitate to bring it to the vet.

Once in a while, let your pet play inside your house. Don’t make this a frequent habit, though. Also, be sure to give your dog proper dog training, if you don’t want poop all over your place.

Keep them away from your plants and garden utensils. Buy him a teething toy to play with.

Cross-breeding mini dogs can be a great business. Even a "semi-mongrel" puppy is cute enough to attract customers who aren’t picky. Note: don’t breed until your female dog is mature enough.

The puppies make great gifts, and if you’re buying one for the first time, it won’t cost you much. Don’t try to go for a pure breed if you’re broke.