I want a puppy! HELP!!!

[I Am Blessed 24]

We are seriously thinking of getting a puppy. We haven't been able to have one for four years, but now that we own our house, we may have one.

Our last dog was part Sheltie and part German Shepherd. She was not really large and was the best dog we have ever had.

What I want probably doesn't exist, but I thought y'all could give me some good input, based on your own experience.

We will not be getting a pedigreed. This puppy will be adopted from the Humane Society.

Is there a dog like this?

[*]Will grow up to be medium sized
[*]Will be an inside dog
[*]Will not do a lot of shedding
[*]Will have a gentle spirit
[*]Will be smart and easy to train
[*]Will be obedient

Is there such an animal? What are your recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[Gina B]

Get a beagle. Hehe, I love those dogs.
Ok, you don't seem like a beagle person though. So...cairn terriers are VERY cute. Here's a pic: Cairn Terrier
They're so ADORABLE!
Gina

 

[Abiyah]

Those Cairn Terriers sure are cute little guys, Gina! How big do they get?

Sue, I am looking into getting a different terrier -- a Yorkshire. i have been reading up on them on the Internet for quite a while now, and my intentions are presently to make some personal contacts with people about buying one. The thing that scares me to death is ever getting one from a puppy mill or supporting puppy mills in any way. never having had my own dog before, I still need some education on avoiding this.

I want the tiniest dog possible.

 

[Abiyah]

Gina --

Sorry! I should have looked at the site more. What I asked was right there. In fact, I was able to find out more about Yorkies through that site. Thank you!

 

[russell55]

How about a golden retreiver? They don't have to be really big, you know. The breed standard for weight starts at 40 pounds--ours is 3 years old and weighs 54.

They would be similar in intelligence to your sheltie/german shepherd cross, but might have a calmer temperment. They naturally love people, but are not high energy. Easiest dog I've ever had to train, learns what's expected really quickly and then seems to never forget.

They are also good around children--can good naturedly take lots of poking and pulling, etc.

Ours stays indoors, and can go without walks for days on end when it gets cold without getting antzy, but at the same time can run for miles with the boys when they take her out with them skiiing.

Perfect dogs, really. I suppose that's why they are so popular.

 

[Dan Todd]

sue said:

Is there a dog like this?

[*]Will grow up to be medium sized
[*]Will be an inside dog
[*]Will not do a lot of shedding
[*]Will have a gentle spirit
[*]Will be smart and easy to train
[*]Will be obedient

I say - GOOD LUCK!

 

[donnA]

Those are cute dogs Gina. Wonder how big they get. Bet they expensive.
I'm with Abiyah, I want the tinest dog you can get. Preferably lots of hair, brown, tan, buff or white.

 

[Gina B]

Ok, turned to a friend of mine who is a dog trainer and she said a Brittany can have ALL those characteristics.
They're also beautiful, look up a photo! Love those ears!
Gina

 

[Abiyah]

That site Gina gave has a test you can take in which you may select what you want in a dog, then they will recommend breeds that are compatible with your wishes. Try it! I liked its recommendations.

 

[UTEOTW]

I have had a couple of springers in my life. Very smart, 40 -50 lbs, very sweet, and they so want to please that they are very easy to train. But they are very hyper. If you are going the Humane Society route there are often a few abandoned for whatever reason. There are also usually some mixed breeds of springer. There is also a great springer rescue service. You would be unlikely to get a puppy and the cost is a bit more than the HS. But you can usually find several 1-2 year old dogs, often with papers, that are already housetrained and everything. Other breeds have similar rescue services.

My new dog is a beagle / brittney mix. I agree with the above, you do not sound like a beagle person. But my mixed breed makes a really good indoor pet. She housetrained very quickly and is very friendly. Not to easy on the obediance though. You either love or hate the beagle stubborness. I found her through petfinder.com. They list dogs from most shelters and a number of rescue services. You can search by geography, size, age, breed, and so forth. She only cost me $15 to the shelter. My soon to be mother-in-law got a pure bred Maltese on there.

 

[Dan Stiles]

A Standard Schnauzer fits your list; the minitures are the most common and will only get to 12-14 inches at the shoulder, and the giants get as big as a Great Dane.

Of course you could just go down to the shelter and rescue a new friend. My little mixed breed hound is both a great tracker and reasonable house dog. We did have to love her alot to break her of nervous wetting whenever she felt threatened - and she felt threatened alot when we first got her. Febreeze is a wonderful product.

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Febreeze is a wonderful product.

I agree and I don't even have a dog yet!

I will be rescuing my new friend from the Humane Society (that is the dog pound here). I am sure it will be a mixed breed, that doesn't bother me in the least.

I guess I just want another "Lady" like the one I had and I doubt I will ever find one.

I am equally sure, when I go to the pound, the first puppy that catches my eye will be the one I bring home - no matter what kind of dog it is!

§ue (who checks the size of the paws)

 

[Jimmy C]

Another great breed is the Boston Terrier, you can find one from a Boston Rescue group or from a good breeder. They are small, dont shed and are as smart as can be. They are not known to bark excessively either - which is very nice. They can be a bit hyper when they are young, but are easily trained

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by I Am Blessed 16:
Is there a dog like this?

[*]Will grow up to be medium sized
[*]Will be an inside dog
[*]Will not do a lot of shedding
[*]Will have a gentle spirit
[*]Will be smart and easy to train
[*]Will be obedient

Husbands don't come that way. Why do you think dogs would?

Seriously, though, what about a Lasa Apso mix? (I probably spelled that wrong). They have fur that is more like hair, and don't shed like many dogs do. They're not big, but big enough to not be mistaken for a hyperactive cat

. They're generally good natured and nonagressive, and take orders well, provided they're adequately trained.

I never encourage people to get purepreds. They generally have more health issues than mixed breeds. Besides, for every purebred out there, there are a hundred unwanted pups at the local shelter. I would first come up with a list of breeds that would suffice. Then, I'd hit the local pound up a few times a month, until you find what you're looking for. It may take a little longer, but rescuing an animal is a very rewarding feeling.

Good luck, and God bless

 

[donnA]

Abiyah I couldn't find a link to find out what dog it is I want. Would you post a link for it? Thanks

 

[Roy]

I would say that a Poodle is what you want. They don't shed, thus they have to be clipped. You can adopt a young adult poodle, and they adjust really well. Find someone who is needing to get rid of their dog for whatever reason (relocating is a common reason people get rid of pets) and you may get one that is already house trained and well adjusted (beyond that chewing up the furniture stage). Veterinarians' offices may have bulletin boards where people are looking for good homes for their unwanted pets.

Good luck Sue.

Roy

 

[DeafChristian]

Originally posted by Jimmy C:
Another great breed is the Boston Terrier, you can find one from a Boston Rescue group or from a good breeder. They are small, dont shed and are as smart as can be. They are not known to bark excessively either - which is very nice. They can be a bit hyper when they are young, but are easily trained

I have raised two Boston Terriers, and I agree with all of what Jimmy C said.

Boston Terriers are very good indoor dogs to have. Very affectionate pets.

Nancy

 

[rsr]

A dachshund mixed with another smooth-hair dog. Smart, entirely fearless (once had her take on a Great Dane), loyal, affectionate. She's gone on now, but I've never known another dog like her.

 

[Gib]

Is there a dog like this?

[*]Will grow up to be medium sized
[*]Will be an inside dog
[*]Will not do a lot of shedding
[*]Will have a gentle spirit
[*]Will be smart and easy to train
[*]Will be obedient

Is there such an animal? What are your recommendations?

We have a basenji and she meets most of the criteria above, but struggles with the last one. The best part about our basenji, is that she doesn't bark. She yodels. Sheds very little and would rather be inside any day.

 

[moira3]

Boy, I have a dog here that fits that to a "T". She is a foster dog and I am trying to adopt her out- free, too! She is so sweet, but my GSD is too dominant for her....