Small dog recommendations

[IslandBreeze]

I'm dying for a small dog. We already have 2 cats and a Blue Heeler, but I want a dog that will sit on my lap and go everywhere I go. I've already done Yahoo's breed recommender, but I want to hear stories about good dogs and bad breeds, experiences with different types of little dogs to help me make up my mind.

 

[Star_Splitter87]

Any dog will go anywhere with you. However if your looking for a very social but mature dog, your choice is simple. You don't want a dog that you might step on if you breath and you don't want a dog that constantly is knocking over stuff because he is too big.

Your choice: A Cocker Spaniel.

Why: They are small, they have a bit of hair, but easily taken care of if you have them cut properly every couple of months. They are EXTREMELY loyal and if treated right will never bite. They very cuddly but also will run with you or play fetch. A cocker's favorette toy is in most cases a tenis ball. They are very smart.

The Watch Out fors: Make sure when your buying to not just go to a hometime breeder. Go to a proffesonal. Make sure they have a kennel lincess (most states require the like) and ask to see at least one of the parents. If your wanting for show then make sure there are no discolorings (if their golden, make sure they don't have a black spot anywhere.) however, any dog if you love him/her is fine.

Make sure you get a girl if you don't want...*cough* problems with your cats. Male dogs SOMETIMES will want to mark their territory if there are other male cats. There could be a peeing contest...also other kinds of contests if your cats are females...*cough*...

I have a picture of how a cocker SHOULD be cut, click on the link below. Good luck and God speed. The picture is of Toby and BJ, my mother's two champtions. She used to breed and show dogs and knows what she's talking about. They lived to be about fifteen years old. Right now I have one of Toby's grandsons. We named him Toby after his granddad.

...good luck.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/Star_Splitter87/TobyandBJ.jpg

 

[Ataradrac]

My sister has a Schipperke. I'd never heard of the breed until she got one, but they are the cutest little things! Breeders tend to clip their ears to make them stand up, and dock their tails, but they're way cuter with a tail and floppy ears, I think.

They're independent, but will cuddle with you on the couch when you need it. They will bark at anyone at the door, but they are also smart enough to be trainable.

 

[Manna]

That's exactly the type of dog that I wanted and I ended up with a shi-tzu/cocker spaniel mix. And she's perfect! She's the exact dog that I was looking for. She fun and energetic, but loves being a cuddly lap dog. She's also gorgeous! I know someone else recommended a cocker, and I would definitely second that! The cocker spaniels are usually more energetic than shi-tzus, but I would suggest either breed! Good luck!

Anna

 

[pgp_protector]

We have a cocker spaniel, though there fav. toy is not a ball but the hose.

Every time we try to water the back yard, it will chase & attack the water.

Dosnt bark an much of anything but the train at night.


*EDIT:

Added a few photos I had of our dog (Puddles) as a puppy when we first got em.

 

[Polycarp1]

[tongue in cheek]
Do not buy one from Erwin's Petz Store -- they're very expensive to keep fed and happy, in terms of blessings!
[/tongue in cheek]

 

[IslandBreeze]

[tongue in cheek]
Do not buy one from Erwin's Petz Store -- they're very expensive to keep fed and happy, in terms of blessings!
[/tongue in cheek]

Maybe I should have said 'tiny' dog. I think a cocker spaniel is a bit larger than what I'm looking for (chihuahuah, shihtzu, pomeranian, those sizes)...

 

[JillLars]

I just bought a pomeranian a couple weeks ago. He is the sweetest little puppy. He will be 9 weeks old on Wednesday. He doesn't bark a lot, just when he is really hungry or when he's mad that we won't play with him, and usually a loud clap and a "no" quiet him down. He is a small breed pom so he will only be about 4 or 5 lbs when he is full grown. They are really smart dogs too.

 

[Amy]

How about pugs? I never liked them until I met one while visiting friends, and I absolutely loved that guy. They require special care though, and they are not "tiny," just small.

Oh yeah, and they SNORE!


Amy

 

[Dagna]

I think my favorite dog I've had has been a Toy Fox Terrier. They generally weigh between 3 and 7 lbs, tails are docked, they have huge ears that stand erect on their head and they are just the most precious dogs. I occasionally foster for a Toy Fox Terrier rescue so I've had a few of them and they are all wonderful. They love to cuddle in bed with you at night. It wasn't unusual for the dog to start at the foot of the bed and when I would wake up in the morning, I would find the dog with her head on my pillow, underneath the blankets sound asleep. They are very loving, affectionate, playful, cuddly...but they can be a little stubborn every now and then but they are smart.My last foster was able to learn every command we could throw at her in a couple of days. If you're interested, go to www.atftc.org to learn more about them. That's the website for the breed club that I'm a member of. As I said, I usually foster rescues for them. You can also get breeder recommendations from them. Please be responsible when choosing your breeder and don't go to a pet store. Most of the TFT's I've fostered have been well over the 3-7 lb guideline due to bad breeding. A good breeder will be able to help you determine if a TFT is right for you and also tell you about it's lines and you'll be able to find the size dog you want, rather than ending up with a 15 lb TFT

 

[JesusRox]

I have two Jack Russells. They bonded real well with 2 different people in my house and always wanted to be petted, held and all that kind of stuff. Another dog I would recommend would be a Chihuahua. They're a one person dog who will bond to one person.

Check out this list of lap dogs and read about them
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/lapdogs.htm



Goodluck in your search!

 

[SallyNow]

As a dachshund lover, I would recommend a miniature wirehaired, smooth, or long-haired dachshund, depending on what you prefer. They go up to about 11 pounds, but you can often find breeders that only have then at 7-9 pounds.
http://www.wienerdogs.org/ has some good dachsie links.

If you are getting any sort of purebred dog, always make sure they are not too in-bred or over-bred.

Or consider looking at your local SPCA.

 

[oldrooster]

As a dachshund lover, I would recommend a miniature wirehaired, smooth, or long-haired dachshund, depending on what you prefer. They go up to about 11 pounds, but you can often find breeders that only have then at 7-9 pounds.
http://www.wienerdogs.org/ has some good dachsie links.

If you are getting any sort of purebred dog, always make sure they are not too in-bred or over-bred.

Or consider looking at your local SPCA.

Woo Hoo..dachsie lover, the finest dog in the world......

 

[SallyNow]

Woo Hoo..dachsie lover, the finest dog in the world......

See, people are respectful, people can usually find common ground, esspecially when it comes to cute cuddly doggies

 

[JesusRox]

Doxies are another breed I can agree with.

 

[shaitiger]

I'm a lover of Jack Russell and Rat terriers. You can't go wrong with either one. I favor the Rat terriers more though .

 

[Jetgirl]

I'm dying for a small dog. We already have 2 cats and a Blue Heeler, but I want a dog that will sit on my lap and go everywhere I go. I've already done Yahoo's breed recommender, but I want to hear stories about good dogs and bad breeds, experiences with different types of little dogs to help me make up my mind.

Hi IslandBreeze,

Your thread caught my attention, since I work at a veterinary hospital and am asked questions like this a number of times a day.

When thinking about adopting a very small dog, like yorkies or chihuahuas, you need to be aware of the problems that they have with hypogycemia. Since they're so small, and have such quick metabolisms, special care has to be taken to ensure that they are eating enough. Any stomach upset, or any malady that makes them not want to eat is potentially very dangerous, whereas with a big dog (lab, boxer, etc...) they can go without food for several days without any severe impairment to health.

That said the small breeds can live longer and healthier lives than the large ones. They're not so subject to hip displasia or joint problems, and tend to live 13-16 years.

My personal favorite is the Italian Greyhound. They look very fragile and scared, but they're very loving lap dogs, and they have a lot of heart.

I also like pugs, but would be turned off by their almost chronic breathing and nasal difficulties.

Feel free to ask me anything you can think of... if I can't answer your question myself, I can always ask at work for you!

 

[Pushdown33]

I'm dying for a small dog. We already have 2 cats and a Blue Heeler, but I want a dog that will sit on my lap and go everywhere I go. I've already done Yahoo's breed recommender, but I want to hear stories about good dogs and bad breeds, experiences with different types of little dogs to help me make up my mind.

I have always had big dogs until Easter when I got a yorkie/Maltese mix. Both good breeds but real small. When she is dirty (we live in the country) she reminds me of Oscar The Grouch..LOLOL...By the way name is Lily. Easter Lily

 

[PACSUN]

Hey there! I have two friends who have Chihuahua's. If you do end up getting a Chihuahua, PLEASE socialize it! Both of my friends who have them, the Chihuahua's are VERY yippee and snappy at strangers.

Another friend of mine had a Maltese ~ VERY loving dog. Barked quite a bit, but I've heard smaller dogs like to bark.

Miniature Pinchers are SO cute - I've talked with owners of these dogs, and they said they are hyper. BUT they LOOOOVE being held!!

Check out dogbreedinfo dot com (for the word dot put a period) I'm not allowed to post hyperlinks yet. They have EVERY SINGLE BREED you can think of!!!

Keep us updated on which dog you end up getting!!!

 

[NBBC]

West Highland White Terrier (Westie) most loving and happy dog i have ever seen in my life