Questions about Dog

[Heavenlyangeleyes07]

I want to get a small dog but i dont know what to get does anyone have any suggestions?? i was thinking of a pug or,begal but not sure can anyone give me any suggestions or anything thanks.

 

[alwayz_remember_Calvery]

Just remember, what ever breed you choose, they all have their own quircks and such. Pugs have breathing problems and snore; beagles tend to be a pain to keep home because they follow their nose; dogs with floppy ears tend to have ear problems; etc. No breed is perfect. Do your home work and search for the perfect dog for your situation, or go to the pound/animal shelter and pick one from there

 

[Heavenlyangeleyes07]

Thanks for the advice honestly dont know much about dogs i only had one dog and that was when i was younger and we didnt have her for long. so thats y i was seeking the advice of ppl who have had dogs and everything. i really appericate the advice. =)

 

[bethdinsmore]

you might like to try www.about-dogs.com and click on choosing a breed

Hope you get just what you're looking for. I have asked the Lord to help me pick dogs in the past, and I have had some wonderful ones. Including the one I have now.

Aloha in Jesus

 

[chickonfire]

You are right to seek advice - owning a dog is a huge obligation of your time, energy, finances and emotions.

I can tell you a couple of breeds to stay away from unless you have a lot of experience with dogs: shelties and Australian shepherds. Generally, I would stay away from any "high maintenance" dogs.

Shelties can have a very piercing bark, hair and skin problems, and allergies. Aussies are very energetic and can become destructive if not "worked" or exercised properly. Both breeds demand a lot of attention.

Beagles have a tendency to "bay" when left alone.

I read a book once on doggy IQ's, the standard poodle is supposedly the most intelligent of dogs, though maybe a little larger than what you are looking for. I've always wanted one. Maybe the smaller poodles share that attribute? Don't know.

Also some breeds like the poodle don't shed -- and trust me, it matters especially if you have guests who tend to be allergic.

If you have a respected local vet, pay them a visit and ask for advice. Your vet can steer you away from breeds that don't do well in your particular climate. Here in the south we are plagued by fleas every year, and short haired dogs are much easier to do flea control on. Veterinary care can be very expensive and time consuming, BTW.

IMHO a local vet is your very best source for info on dogs and good breeders in your area.

 

[Heavenlyangeleyes07]

Thanks alot for that advice chick on fire. I needed that. and i need all the info i can get i dont know if i mention it but i have only had one dog that i owned and that was when i was younger. so honestly dont know or have had experiences with dogs. I was thinking of a getting a begale but im not sure now. Im kinda leaning towards a boston terrier Does anyone have any of those and can sure any info about that breed?

 

[Gardenia]

Well, personally my favorite small dog breed are mini dobermans. But whatever breed you do decide on, definietly do lots of research, talk to a vet in your area, and really think about the commitment it takes to own a dog. A dog can be a great friend, but it's also a lot of responsibility.

 

[Artos]

Westies are small dogs (compared to Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds) and they are easy to groom. They dont shed as much as corgis....

 

[judy]

My favorite dog was a little dachsund/beagle mix we got when I was in high school. She wasn't tiny but very compact. She ended up moving in with me when I graduated from college, and she lived until she was 15 or 16. She was very smart, very loyal, and she was fine left alone while I was at work.

I second everyone's recommendation that you look for a mixed breed puppy, and pound puppies can end up being the best dogs.

 

[OnFireforHim]

I second everyone's recommendation that you look for a mixed breed puppy, and pound puppies can end up being the best dogs.

I've heard the exact same thing. And you're helping a doggie that needs a permanent home. Always a good thing : )

 

[awashinlove]

Why don't you get in contact with a rescue or shelter with a counseling program? They'll go with you one-on-one and locate the perfect dog for your finances and lifestyle, plus they'll always be around to assist you should you need information or help.

Blessings,
awashinlove

 

[Diane_Windsor]

Heavenlyangeleyes,

The Family Dog - Welcome!-Brian Kilcommons (well-known dog trainer) website.

Mr. Kilcommons wrote Paws to Consider,which is a guide to choosing the right dog breed for you and your lifestyle. I highly reccommend it.

Diane

 

[soblessed53]

Doing research on the breeds you are interested in is the best way to narrow it down,but it is also a good idea to ask for responses from those who have had experience with those breeds you like,such as beagle.

My husband had several of these over the years for rabbit hunting. They were kept outside so they could take the weather,but when he got them as a pup sometimes had to raise them for awhile in the house. I think it is true that hounds and hunting breeds in general are harder to housebreak,but beagles have a very merry personality,they "will" follow their nose however,so MUST HAVE a fenced in yard and cannot be allowed off-lead,because they will take off! Make sure it has an ID tag on collar for that reason,if it ever gets away. They bay instead of bark,so that is what you will hear when a squirrel is in the yard!

Myself,if I ever get another dog,want a Silky Terrier,No SHEDDING! Not as tiny or yappy, as a Yorkshire Terrier.

 

[SpokenFor2005]

Im kinda leaning towards a boston terrier Does anyone have any of those and can sure any info about that breed?

My folks have a Boston Terror... erm, Terrier.

They have a LOT of energy! And theirs is a very sensitive, eager-to-please loving dog, although she's always been an "only doggie" and was never really socialized with other dogs much. She loves people.

She also knows how to keep herself occupied for hours... she'll have every toy she owns out of the basket and strewn all over the floor by the end of the day, and she'll have played with all of them in that time.

They've had a really good experience with her -- she's 12 now and still going strong...

 

[ceedaisy]

I have a Boston myself. I adopted him from the Humane Society. Very rare around here to find a Boston at a shelter. Jake is four years old and so loving. Yes, they are energetic, but when we are laid back so is he! What we do, he does. And that is a Boston thing. Same thing with Rat Terriers. Jake never has accidents, but does have seperation anxiety, but to get around that, we put him in the kennel when we leave the house. I just taught him to roll over in three sessions. They are one of the most intelligent dogs, which means they can be stubborn. BT's are loyal, loving, and are good watch dogs. So you will know if you have company. They don't have an ear piercing bark (my sil's maltese does, they are good little dogs, that shed just a little, but grooming is BIG must) but they do bark at things. How much they bark probably depends on each individual dog. Jake only barks when he plays. Such as chasing my son's trucks (he will bark constantly) or when we don't hand over his toy or treat (he will bark once real low). Being a flat faced dog, they do have the breathing problems. He does snore, but not all the time. And he will snort alot when he is smelling things. But I LOVE it. I think it adds to his character and find it so endearing. Everyone I know loves to hear him sound like a little piggie. I call him schnurly because of it in fact. A lot of online people I talk to, have two BT's because they love them so much. Jake does shed, but he used to not to. I haven't had him long enough to know if he will just shed twice a year, like some breeds, or all the time. But this isn't nothing my vaccuum can't take care of. My last dog was part Boston Terrier and part Rat Terrier and she was just as loving and playful too. All terriers love to chase, that is in their blood. So use it to your advantage and be mindful to use a leash when going outside if you do not have a fenced yard. I use a tie out if I'm going to be outside with him. OOh like the last poster, jake loves his toys and is always getting them out of his basket. I heard a lot of BT's love to desqueak the toys or just destuff them. BT's jaws are very powerful. Their mouth is shallow and have a wide tongue instead of a long one (by the way, I love how they have a row of front teeth like a person, and not just a couple), and I noticed that Jake can gag easier than a long muzzled dog because of this. And having such powerful jaws for a 25lb dog, toys do not last. He can put a whole tennis ball in his mouth and clamp down so hard he collapses it. But I can recommend a site that has BT rated toys and another site that has a special toy that BT's love and can't get enough of. Oh, hee hee (sorry, I have loved this breed since I researched what dog I wanted) the BT's cuddle factor is a 20 on a 1-10 scale! A lot of them I have learned, love to go under the covers and sleep. Jake does too. Most everyday I have to remake our bed because Jake will hop up and get under the covers to take a short nap. I say short because wherever I go, he is right behind me. So bottom line is: everything you read about Boston's is true, but even better (positive side anyway). Downfall with this breed is getting excited (which, is not a problem if you train properly and have play times), stubborness to potty train (some are easy, some take their time, but I think that is any dog), shedding, breathing (snorting, snoring, and in hot weather some hyperventilation), seperation anxiety (I say duh to that because they love us so much they don't want us to go, and I haven't met a Boston who doesn't love a good ride in the car) and chasing cats and other things.

On the other hand, I love all dogs. This is the dog that fit my requirements. Good with other people, animals, and especially kids. VERY smart (if the blood line is good), very very loyal, alertness, and energy. I wanted a dog with energy but also didn't have to be walked everyday like say a Doberman. So find out what kind of attributes you are looking for. And research, research, and more research. I read different informative websites and then even popped into a few breed specific online clubs to see what they had to say. I shadowed our Humane Societies around here on Petfinder.com to see who they had for adoption. You can make visits and spend time with the dogs. Whatever you decide, you will gave a wonderful family member to love and cherish.

 

[country woman]

you should read all about the breed of dog you are planning to get. make sure of all the pros and cons to the breed . Maybe you should check out with a breeder or shelter to help you find your dog.Good luck

 

[andiesmama]

I just have to add another vote for a Boston Terrier...we've got a 4 1/2 year old female, Zoe, and she is just so awesome! We did alot of research to find a dog that would be good with kids (we were going to start to get PG around the same time we got a dog), kinda small because we didn't have a huge yard, and loyal & protective. She's all of that & then some....Ceedaisy hit the nail on the head with her glowing praise of Bostons...I highly recommend you do some research on that breed to see if it might be right for you!

 

[sarasarabobara]

i have a pug and i love her to pieces! Just remember that this breed is particularly playful when in the puppy stage. I had heard that they can be somewhat difficult to housetrain, but as with any dog..a little training goes a long way...just need to be consistent. As for the breathing problems, we haven't had too much trouble with our pug. We just try to take her to the vet regularly to make sure everything's normal...She does snore, but i consider it more of a cute thing! In fact, she and my husband are snoring right next to me as I write this! Good luck!

 

[HeDied4Me]

Heavenlyangeleyes,

The Family Dog - Welcome!-Brian Kilcommons (well-known dog trainer) website.

Mr. Kilcommons wrote Paws to Consider,which is a guide to choosing the right dog breed for you and your lifestyle. I highly reccommend it.

Diane

I'll second that recommendation.

Getting a puppy from a shelter could be a good idea, or, if you want a purebred, look for a good breeder. (You can PM me if you would like some more information about how to find a good breeder.) At any rate, don't buy a pet-store puppy. They come from "puppy-mills", and they're likely to have health or behavior problems. Buying them supports an industry which is damaging dog breeds by producing poor-quality puppies.

 

[tonystal1234567890]

I like the bigger dogs cuz they tend not to talk as much