[WhisperRoo]

Hi i am thinking of getting a dog but am not sure what breed of dog is going to be rite for me and was wondering if anyone could help?
I am looking for a small dog that i can pick up, that is good with other people and children, and that gets on well with other animals.
Can anyone help? Many thanks.

 

[pawzaddict]

What kind of exercise and training do you have in mind for the dog? And how much of each?
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[kmes]

Ditto Pawz's questions! I would also take into consideration grooming requirements. Some of the small breeds (maltese, bichons, poodles, etc) can require quite a bit of grooming!

Unless you are looking for something in particular, I would personally create a wish list describing your perfect dog, and visit your local shelters and rescues to see who is available. Talk to the shelter and rescue staff to let them know what you are looking for. They will most likely be able to help match you with the right dog!

 

[Mischief]

Ditto Pawz's questions! I would also take into consideration grooming requirements. Some of the small breeds (maltese, bichons, poodles, etc) can require quite a bit of grooming!

Unless you are looking for something in particular, I would personally create a wish list describing your perfect dog, and visit your local shelters and rescues to see who is available. Talk to the shelter and rescue staff to let them know what you are looking for. They will most likely be able to help match you with the right dog!

Very well said. I'd also like to add, if you can spend time with a particular dog before making the "big decision" to add them to your family, that can help to sort things out as well.

For me, I found it helpful to make a list of the breeds that were NOT right for me and go from there.

I'd keep in mind that not all small breeds are created equal, just as not all dogs within a certain breed will be the same (good with kids, other animals ect)

Finding a dog that matches your current activity level is optimal, rather than getting a dog, that you think will motivate you to get more exercise.

One other thing to consider is if you want a dog that is more independant by nature (like a pekingese) or one that is more often a clingy-velcro type dog (like a brussels griffon). How often the dog will be left alone is something to think about too. Some dogs are more vocal that others, so if apt living is a must, you might want to search for a dog that is more accepting of alone time, without annoying your neighbors but then again, as with most issues, training can help to overcome most problems.

Good Luck with your search - Welcome to the Forum btw

 

[oOLabQueenOo]

Shih Tzu's are sweet little dogs Some poodles and other small breeds bite. But not all of them. All of the small dogs I've known, except for the shih tzu's, we're mean and they also tried to bite me..

 

[Blue pup]

Shih Tzu's are sweet little dogs Some poodles and other small breeds bite. But not all of them. All of the small dogs I've known, except for the shih tzu's, we're mean and they also tried to bite me..

A lot of people don't teach their little dogs that biting is wrong because they think "Well it wont do very much damage, I mean it's a chihuahua!"...ect... So it's not exactly the dogs fault, it just never learned biting was bad.

 

[Esme]

Good point Blue pup.
I have a Mini Dachshund and they are supposed to bad with little kids, but my girl is wonderful with my 2 and 5 yr. old. She is calm and very obedient with an excellent recall which they aren't supposed to have either.

 

[pawzaddict]

Good point Blue pup.
I have a Mini Dachshund and they are supposed to bad with little kids, but my girl is wonderful with my 2 and 5 yr. old. She is calm and very obedient with an excellent recall which they aren't supposed to have either.

The reason dachshunds dont always do well with kids is bc kids tend to put strain on their backs when they pick them up so it hurts

 

[Esme]

Actually because of that I don't let anyone pick her up but me and even then I only do it when absolutely necessary

This is usually the most common response that you see when you look up the breed online "The breed's stubborn, no nonsense behavior can result in conflicts with small children" but obviously that isn't always true.

 

[WhisperRoo]

Hi thank you everyone for replying.

Pawzaddict - I will be home quite a lot so can spent time with the dog to train it,
although i do need a dog that does do ok at
home by it's self when i am out. Exercise wise i need a dog
that can get the exercise it needs by playing and running
around indoors, but don't worry i know that it will still need to
be walked lol.

Kmes - I would like a dog that doesn't need much grooming just a brush
now and again. Although if it did need clipping every few months
then that would be something i would be willing to do. Thank you
for your idea about the shelter, the only problem is that i would
like a puppy and i know most shelters have only dogs that are a
little older, although i will look in to it, thank you.

Mischief - I will be home a lot with the dog but i do need it to also be ok
when it is left at home on it's own. But i do want a dog that
likes to be cuddled. Thank you for welcoming me to the forum.

oOLabQueenOo - Shih Tzu's are meant to have quite a good temperament,
just not sure it's the rite dog for me, but thank you.

Blue Pup - I did read on the internet that the biggest mistake that people
make when teaching there small dog is that they let the dog get
away with things that they wouldn't let a big dog get away
with. I definitely will be keeping that in mind.

Esme - thank you for your reply. Dachshunds are cute but i would worry
about there backs too much as i would like a dog that i
can pick up and cuddle sometimes.


Thank you all again for your reply. Sorry i know this is probably an odd way of replying to you all but i thought it would be a little easier

 

[danigurrl]

Shih Tzu's are sweet little dogs Some poodles and other small breeds bite. But not all of them. All of the small dogs I've known, except for the shih tzu's, we're mean and they also tried to bite me..

That's funny because my coworker has a shih tzu that's a huge biter. He's 9 years old and has always been an independent little sh*thead. lol. She just had a scratch in her hand from him biting her the other day...but he had most of his teeth removed after a Dental and now he just gums her. My aunt has 3 shihs and 2 of those are little trouble makers/not people friendly. My grandma has a 2 year old shih tzu who's dog aggressive and was people aggressive as a puppy. We trained her out of the people aggression and 90% out of the dog aggression...but she still has her b*tchy moments. lol She's a big lap dog now, very cuddly and sweet.



How about a pug? They shed, but require no additional grooming other than a monthly bath and a brushing a couple times a week to keep down the shedding during the changing of the seasons. They don't require a lot of exercise, and they aren't barkers usually. You just have to be careful of heat. So if you live in an area that gets above 75 degrees in your house, you have to have an air conditioner. These dog's get heat stroke REAL easy due to them being brachycephalic....or short skulls. In bad weather, I can exercise my pugs enough by playing fetch down a hallway or in the kitchen (we have a long kitchen area). Pugs are generally people, children, and animal lovers, however one of my pugs is dog aggressive to her brother, but only to him. So there are always exceptions to the rule. lol

 

[pawzaddict]

I would check out your local shelters. The one I work for actually had a litter of chihuahua/min pin mixes for a few weeks and I think they have all been adopted out, we also just got in another min pin mix litter There are always puppies who need rescuing, if not please do your research on breeders to make sure you do not buy from a backyard breeder (which means you will spend more money) and please stay away from stores that sell puppies

 

[Esme]

Just to add on to Pawz post a bit. If you are going to go the breeder route then I think this sticky will help you find a good, reputable breeder .

http://www.dogforum.com/dog-breeds/considerations-before-buying-puppy-10013/

 

[kmes]

Ditto pawz and Esme!

I would still check out your shelters and rescues! I know that the shelter and rescues in my area often have young puppies, however they are adopted VERY quickly! So quickly that they are sometimes not even listed on petfinder or other websites.

And if you do decide to go with a breeder, then the sticky thread Esme posted will be very helpful!

 

[WhisperRoo]

That's funny because my coworker has a shih tzu that's a huge biter. He's 9 years old and has always been an independent little sh*thead. lol. She just had a scratch in her hand from him biting her the other day...but he had most of his teeth removed after a Dental and now he just gums her. My aunt has 3 shihs and 2 of those are little trouble makers/not people friendly. My grandma has a 2 year old shih tzu who's dog aggressive and was people aggressive as a puppy. We trained her out of the people aggression and 90% out of the dog aggression...but she still has her b*tchy moments. lol She's a big lap dog now, very cuddly and sweet.



How about a pug? They shed, but require no additional grooming other than a monthly bath and a brushing a couple times a week to keep down the shedding during the changing of the seasons. They don't require a lot of exercise, and they aren't barkers usually. You just have to be careful of heat. So if you live in an area that gets above 75 degrees in your house, you have to have an air conditioner. These dog's get heat stroke REAL easy due to them being brachycephalic....or short skulls. In bad weather, I can exercise my pugs enough by playing fetch down a hallway or in the kitchen (we have a long kitchen area). Pugs are generally people, children, and animal lovers, however one of my pugs is dog aggressive to her brother, but only to him. So there are always exceptions to the rule. lol

LOL Thank you for your reply. I did look into Pugs the only problem was when i looked them up it said that they snort and fart a lot which is unpleasant but the main thing was that they overheat very quickly and easily which i would be very worried about. And although i would like a dog that can get the exercise it needs playing and running about indoors i would still like to play out side with it sometimes and take it for walks along the beach in the summer and with a Pug that would be a big worry. But thank you.

 

[WhisperRoo]

I would check out your local shelters. The one I work for actually had a litter of chihuahua/min pin mixes for a few weeks and I think they have all been adopted out, we also just got in another min pin mix litter There are always puppies who need rescuing, if not please do your research on breeders to make sure you do not buy from a backyard breeder (which means you will spend more money) and please stay away from stores that sell puppies

Hi thank you for your reply, i will definitely have a look at our nearest shelter and see what's available.
May i ask, do shelters visit your home before they allow you to adopt an animal? I wont have a garden would that be a problem? How long can or does it take to adopt an animal? Many thanks.

 

[WhisperRoo]

Just to add on to Pawz post a bit. If you are going to go the breeder route then I think this sticky will help you find a good, reputable breeder .

http://www.dogforum.com/dog-breeds/considerations-before-buying-puppy-10013/

Hi thank you very much for your link, i've just had a look and there's a lot of info on there. And if i do buy a dog from a breeder then i'll know what to look out for and check on. Thanks.

 

[pawzaddict]

Hi thank you for your reply, i will definitely have a look at our nearest shelter and see what's available.
May i ask, do shelters visit your home before they allow you to adopt an animal? I wont have a garden would that be a problem? How long can or does it take to adopt an animal? Many thanks.

some shelters do, some dont. I would call and ask requirements if you cant find it on their site As for how long, that depends on what paperwork you have to fill out but typically under an hour

 

[WhisperRoo]

some shelters do, some dont. I would call and ask requirements if you cant find it on their site As for how long, that depends on what paperwork you have to fill out but typically under an hour

Thank you for your reply. You can't take home an animal the same day as you see it though can you?

 

[WhisperRoo]

I was wondering about mixed breeds. I originally wanted a Jack Russell but when i looked into it i realised that it would have too much energy for me and that i wouldn't be able to give it the exercise it needs. But if i get a mixed breed with Jack Russell in it ( for example a Pug Cross Jack Russell )will it still have as much energy? and need the same exercise as a pure Jack Russell does? :eyeroll: