Breed Suggestions?

Frostbight8 · April 2014

Hey, guys! Some of you may know this already, some may not, but my Shih-Tzu, Pookie was diagnosed with glaucoma last year. She has already lost sight in one eye, and although we can slow the progression of the disease in her other eye, she will eventually go completely blind. Recently, the vet told us that her eye was getting worse. My family and I agree that we should get her another dog now that could later act as a "seeing eye dog" for Pookie when she goes blind. Basically, a dog that she could follow around. My mother would like another, smaller Shih-Tzu, but she seemed relatively open to other breeds. Personally, I'd like a different breed, one that I could possibly train for agility or some other dog sport. Now, I'm thinking 20 pounds or less, nothing that tends to be yappy, and my mother has a thing against Terriers. So, with that, do you guys have any suggestions?

PaperWings · April 2014

Although your mum is against terriers but something like a Border Terrier would be good. The ones I've come across aren't the yappy type. And one of the vet nurses I used to work with had 2 and she'd do agility with them. Else you could go down the spaniel route. All the other small breeds I can think of are all terrier based ones, other than dachshund, pug, chi but I'm not too sure you'll get far in doing tracking or agility etc with them lol. Oh you could maybe do beagle? But hounds are difficult, they live by their nose lol.

MrClean · April 2014

Now, this may be my own personal bias coming out...but what about a Min Pin? They're small, normally 8-12lbs, even the larger ones are under 20lbs. And they don't really know they're small dogs lol so they don't generally have the small dog 'tendencies' like yapping or nipping. They also have good intelligence and energy, and what I call "popcorn dog syndrome" reminiscent of a JRT, even into old age. So a Pinner would probably do well in dog sports like agility.

Zagari Wolf · April 2014

Miniature Pinschers are technically terriers though, they might fit. The ones I've met have all been pretty yappy. Actually, I can't think of a small dog that I've met that hasn't been yappy. The Pekingese that I fostered was the perfect dog but with a short muzzle, maybe not good for agility. I don't know much about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, but I think they're adorable and might fit. OH a Papillon. I know someone who has a couple and she competes heavily in agility with them but she admits that the larger dogs of that breed do better. What about a sheltie? Whippet or Italian Greyhound, depending on how small you want. Toy poodle or miniature poodle.

MrClean · April 2014

Funny, I've never met a yappy Min Pin. I'm sure they can be though! I guess it depends just as much on training and upbringing as breed though, as large dogs can be just as vocal and bossy if you let them! lol How about a Sheltie? They're not terriers and the perfect size. Plus they're perfectly suited to being trained for various things. There smart, energetic, trainable, hardworking... And maybe the strong herding instinct would come in handy when your Shih-Tzu needs help navigating.

HeelsPearls · April 2014

Perhaps a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They're rather expensive, and I'm not sure how well in agility one would do, but they are absolutely the sweetest dogs on the planet. Most small breeds are prone to aggression, but I have never met a CKCS with that issue. I've never seen one that wasn't calm and happy. They're also extremely social, so I'm sure one would do well helping your other dog. However, be sure to go to a reputable breeder because they are prone to genetic defects as they are a relatively new breed.

PaperWings · April 2014

Heels and Pearls wrote:

Perhaps a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They're rather expensive, and I'm not sure how well in agility one would do, but they are absolutely the sweetest dogs on the planet. Most small breeds are prone to aggression, but I have never met a CKCS with that issue. I've never seen one that wasn't calm and happy. They're also extremely social, so I'm sure one would do well helping your other dog. However, be sure to go to a reputable breeder because they are prone to genetic defects as they are a relatively new breed.

They are not exactly a new breed unless you say anything from the 1600s is 'new'. They've been about here in England a long time. Although like all breeds they've changed a bit over time due to selective breeding.

Meeko1 · April 2014

In reality, any dog can be yappy if you allow it lol I have 2 Shetland Sheepdogs (known for being very yappy and very high energy) but neither of them are overly yappy. They will bark when someone comes to the door or when they're playing but that's about it. I compete in agility mainly, with a little rally/obedience when I have the time and money. Both of mine have "off switches" and are content to sit quietly while people do other things. Personally, it's not likely that I'll ever not have a sheltie as a pet, I've fallen in love with them and even now that my one guy is getting older and we're talking about what to do when he passes, there aren't any serious considerations for other breeds. As far as size goes, you'll have to be careful about who you purchase from as they do tend to come in quite the range of sizes (both bigger and smaller than the standard says). My male is 16.5' at the withers and weighs in at about 22lbs and my female (that competes) is 15.5' at the withers and weighs in at 16lbs but I have seen some purebred shelties from other lines get up to 50lbs and 26' at the withers so I'd make sure to meet both of the parents as well as get the heights of the grandparents. Our other consideration before the shelties was the Dachshund however we opted out of that breed based on how long they are and the increased risk of back problems not making them very good candidates for agility. If you're in a "pitbull" friendly area, staffies make really good agility dogs, granted they are terriers and require lots of exercise. Perhaps look into the schipperke as they're smaller and agile. Papillons also make good agility dogs with their smaller size.

Frostbight8 · April 2014

Thanks, guys! I really would have considered a Sheltie, but we actually ended up with a dog over the weekend. She is quite the mix, Shih-Tzu, Mini Poodle, some JRT, and possibly a couple other breeds. Her previous owners felt that they were not able to give her the attention she needed and honestly, I think they did make the right decision. The puppy is 6 months old, is not spayed, has not had any of her shots and desperately needs to be groomed. Her name was Rose, but we're working on changing that, possibly to Roslyn with Roz for short. I may make an "official" post about her in the Pets section later on, but as of right now I don't have any good pictures of her.

lovefrompaige · April 2014

Congrates on the new pup!

MrClean · April 2014

Congrats! I'm glad you gave her a good home...can't wait to see some pics

HeelsPearls · April 2014

PaperWings wrote:

Heels and Pearls wrote:

Perhaps a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They're rather expensive, and I'm not sure how well in agility one would do, but they are absolutely the sweetest dogs on the planet. Most small breeds are prone to aggression, but I have never met a CKCS with that issue. I've never seen one that wasn't calm and happy. They're also extremely social, so I'm sure one would do well helping your other dog. However, be sure to go to a reputable breeder because they are prone to genetic defects as they are a relatively new breed.

 They are not exactly a new breed unless you say anything from the 1600s is 'new'. They've been about here in England a long time. Although like all breeds they've changed a bit over time due to selective breeding.

I was referring to the fact that they went nearly extinct when the smoosh faced looking dogs (such as the King Charles Spaniel and the Japanese Chin) became popular in the English court and were not brought back to prominence until the 1920s. Breeding of them pretty much stopped during WWII, and after the war when it picked back up only 6 dogs formed the basis for the modern breed as it is today. So really, the breed as we know it, didn't come around until the mid 1940s. EDIT: Also, congratulations on the new dog, you probably saved the poor little thing's life! I'm sure she's grateful to you for it. Good luck getting her all trained up and nursed back to health.

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Breed Suggestions?

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