Dog Breed Suggestions

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

Okay, as some of you know I was hoping to get a miniature horse in a few years but because of a town law and me not having enough land, I won't be. So. My parents said I could go back to my orginal idea of getting a dog. (We already have two, but they are the family dogs, this one would be completly mine.) At first I was going to get a miniature dachshund, but then I started thinking about some other breeds as well. So, I need some suggestions. Here are the requirments: <ul class="bb-list-unordered">*Must be good with kids (youngest in house is 8 year old, but knows how to gently/safely handle dogs) *Must be small, preferably under 25-30 pounds *I'd like a dog I could do agility with, however it's not a requirment *Must be good with other pets/dogs *Please not some rare breed that costs 1000s because their are only a few breeders </ul> Provided I have enough money, I'll get it next summer. I do have 2 labs. They are okay with other dogs, and usually aren't too rough at all. However if anyone has any suggestions for making sure they're not too rough around a tiny dog, please tell me. Also, I know that a lot of small dogs are fragile and need to be handle carefully, so I won't be letting any toddlers hold it and I'll be careful.

Breeds I'm not getting Pug- they're great, but from what I've read about them they have a lot of health problems Chihuahua- Not the best with kids Most terriers, especially not Jack Russell Possible breeds/Suggestions Papillion Miniature Dachshund Maltese Boston Terrier French Bulldog Shih-tzu Cavalier King Charles Spaniel You can also suggest things already on the list and I'll add a little vote tally to them.

Kazuko · August 2010

I can't really think of any breeds that would fit those requirements well, at least besides mutts. My first thought reading your list was 'shiba inu', but the one breeder I managed to get hold of wanted $900 a puppy, and they didn't even seem that reputable. Sometimes you get lucky and find a good mix breed dog- I know I've seen a few shiba mixes at the pound before. Dachshunds are also terriers, so keep that in mind. Almost any breed can do agility, as well. xD I've seen mastiffs do it before, so it's not limited to just speedy little devils.

Minx · August 2010

The breed that comes to mind for me is Maltese. My dog is half and has the temperment of one and she does agility and is my sould child xD

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

Okay, thanks, I'll add that to the list. Great, now it's gonna be hard to decide because I love all those breeds!

Minx · August 2010

Another that ive just now thought of could be a miniature aussie. My friend has one and he's just a little bit bigger than my mix. He's definitally not as fragile as the smaller breeds either and would probably have all the atributes as a regular aussie

CORY · August 2010

VampireVenom wrote:

Another that ive just now thought of could be a miniature aussie. My friend has one and he's just a little bit bigger than my mix. He's definitally not as fragile as the smaller breeds either and would probably have all the atributes as a regular aussie

A old friend of mine had one of those too. He is an amazing dog .

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

I'm not a huge fan of aussies and border collies....haven't had the best experiences with them in the past.

Hibachi · August 2010

The first breeds that popped in my mind where Boston Terrier (even though you said no Terriers) and French Bulldog, both are pretty energetic dogs. I would do more research on them, because I don't know much about them. But, the few I have met where energetic and friendly. I would love for my next dog to be a French Bulldog.

EpikLove · August 2010

i would recommend maybe a shih-tzu. i have one, and she's really sweet and gets along with my other dog. [a siberian husky] she's energetic, too, but sometimes she gets really lazy. (x plus, shih-tzus are pretty common, so it would be easy to find a reputable breeder for a good price. also, like avla suggested, the french bulldog is a good choice too. [=

danae11 · August 2010

How about a mini poodle. Amazing at agility, good with people and dogs including children and very smart. I know a few people who have them with children no problem. A corgi might also be good if you can train it out of nipping heels not sure if that's too big for you though but they are quite sturdy

Hibachi · August 2010

I have a poodle, not all are good with kids. My great uncle had a mean little booger and even my miniature poodle who was raised and socialized around kids (infants, toddlers, etc.) snapped at a few children. But, they are great dogs, smart and energetic.

AirForceBlonde · August 2010

I do love Mini Aussies for agility. They're great with kids and are mini-sized and freaking adorable! I see them in rescues all the time and breeders aren't hard to come by.

Shibagirl · August 2010

*Must be good with kids (youngest in house is 8 year old, but knows how to gently/safely handle dogs) *Must be small, preferably under 25-30 pounds *I'd like a dog I could do agility with, however it's not a requirment *Must be good with other pets/dogs *Please not some rare breed that costs 1000s because their are only a few breeders Alright, so dogs that I know of that meet these requirements: Your idea of a Boston doesn't seem bad, I have one right now and she's fine with my three other dogs, and my tree year old sister. They are great for agility. And they sure as heck aren't rare XD Other breed ideas I have would be... French Bulldog Tibetan Spaniel (I actually know a great breeder, but she's in my area. XD) Shar-Pei (A littler over the weight limit, but they're sweethearts. Lots of dogs in the Non-Sporting group would be great. I can find you some good breeder's emails. Be EXTREMELY careful with getting dogs from breeders. I cannot stress this enough. You could also try a breed rescue. Whatever you do do NOT get a dog from a breeder who breeds just for money or because the dogs have 'papers'. If the breeder says 'great dogs, parents have papers.' Or something like that turn around and get away from that breeder. No good breeder would just say the parents have papers. Good breeders wouldn't even call them papers. They're actually considered dogs who have been registered. I've come across a few of these breeders. PM me and I can help you find a breeder once you choose a breed. I show dogs currently and know my way around the dog world. Oh and one thing to remember: Never choose a cheaper dog that you haven't seen over an expensive one that you have. Usually good breeders are expensive, but it is worth it. It really is.

Shibagirl · August 2010

germanshepherds09 wrote:

I do love Mini Aussies for agility. They're great with kids and are mini-sized and freaking adorable! I see them in rescues all the time and breeders aren't hard to come by.

You have to be careful with those, people overbreed them. Ask if the parents were health checked before breeding. If breeding is done correctly, the breeder will almost spend as much money (If not more) On vet checks and things, as they bring in with selling the puppies.

Shibagirl · August 2010

Avla wrote:

The first breeds that popped in my mind where Boston Terrier (even though you said no Terriers) and French Bulldog, both are pretty energetic dogs. I would do more research on them, because I don't know much about them. But, the few I have met where energetic and friendly. I would love for my next dog to be a French Bulldog.

Boston Terriers are not real terriers, they're just like Yorkshire Terriers and Tibetan Terriers. They weren't bred for doing terrier things, they were just given the name though it didn't suit them. They were actually bred as fighting dogs, but have been bred down in size, and bred for sweeter temperament to make great companion dogs.

Shibagirl · August 2010

Kazuko wrote:

I can't really think of any breeds that would fit those requirements well, at least besides mutts. My first thought reading your list was 'shiba inu', but the one breeder I managed to get hold of wanted $900 a puppy, and they didn't even seem that reputable. Sometimes you get lucky and find a good mix breed dog- I know I've seen a few shiba mixes at the pound before. Dachshunds are also terriers, so keep that in mind. Almost any breed can do agility, as well. xD I've seen mastiffs do it before, so it's not limited to just speedy little devils.

Good Shiba breeders usually want $1,000- $2,000 per pup, but so do a lot of breeders of almost any dog breed. I wouldn't suggest this breed to everyone, they have things you should need to know about them. I have two, one I use for agility (VERY hard to get a Shiba to not escape from you.) and the other is a finished champion. I wouldn't recommend this breed, since they sometimes don't get along with other dogs/certain people. They aren't the easiest to train. Also there has been a recent increase with these being in puppy mills. Sorry for taking over your thread XD

AirForceBlonde · August 2010

NewfGirl, trust me I know my dog breeds. Dogs are overbred period. And it's never going to stop. Yorkshire Terriers were bred for the purpose of ratting mineshafts and clothing mills, like many small terriers. Every breed was bred for a purpose.

Shibagirl · August 2010

And now they are being bred as companions, most of their terrier-ness isn't really there anymore. They aren't in the Terrier group for a reason.

danae11 · August 2010

I wouldn't choose shar peis. It's not easy to find a breeder who breeds for health not the masses of wrinkles and dogs that need their eyelids tacked. They can also be bad with other dogs if I remember right they were fighting dogs at some point. Tibetan spaniels would be a good choice one of my favourite breeds if a bit stubborn. Mini schnauzers might be good too but have a highish prey drive I had three when I was younger that lived with cats though no problem.

Shibagirl · August 2010

danae11 wrote:

I wouldn't choose shar peis. It's not easy to find a breeder who breeds for health not the masses of wrinkles and dogs that need their eyelids tacked. They can also be bad with other dogs if I remember right they were fighting dogs at some point. Tibetan spaniels would be a good choice one of my favourite breeds if a bit stubborn. Mini schnauzers might be good too but have a highish prey drive I had three when I was younger that lived with cats though no problem.

Bostons were fighting dogs at one point too, but almost any dog with proper socialization would go fine. Also I know many fine breeders, all you have to do is go to the breed club's webpage and search breeders on there.

danae11 · August 2010

I know there are amazing breeders of shar peis out there but I've met quite a few even with good owners and a lot of socialisation from good breeders who were very tempermental especially with other dogs. Not saying every shar pei is like that of course but a lot are and they're a very fashionable breed so it's not easy to find good breeders. The breed clubs are a good place to start I've found they focus a lot more on health than the KC does

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

Thanks everyone, sorry I haven't commented but my computer was broken. Newfgirl, thanks for the info, and don't worry, I know all about choosing a good breeder and making sure to see the other puppies, the kennel area, and the parents. Right now I'm sorta leaning towards my first two choices, a papillon or miniature dachshund. However I also think a maltese may be good.

Kazuko · August 2010

I would still advise against dachshunds. They're very tenacious and stubborn- they were bred to hunt BADGERS after all. xD I've met a half-way friendly (but overexcited and very stubborn) cocker spaniel dachshund mix, a very aggressive dachshund, and a fearfully aggressive dachshund. I wouldn't exactly say they would do well with children though, from my own personal experiences. Speaking of spaniels, have you considered a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? They're cute, little, active-like dogs. =o

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

Thanks, for the suggestion, but I am fairly experienced with dachshunds. My aunt owns 2. The miniature is very destructive but my Aunt doesn't train them or disipline them at all. I plan on training and socializing it from a young age. My friend's aunt also has a dachshund-he is the sweetest thing. He puts up with their 5 year old very well and is gentle and quiet. I never really consider a cavalier king charles spaniel, but I should. Friend of ours have one and she's the sweetest thing.

Kazuko · August 2010

I've also heard that Cavaliers are very sensitive to their handlers, which would be -awesome- for agility, since the handler and dog need to be really synchronized. ^^

danae11 · August 2010

Papillons would be good high energy, smart people consider them almost like mini border collies. They make great mini agility dogs and are generally good with children and other animals

Hibachi · August 2010

If you get a doxie, get a long hair or wire haired. For some reason they are a lot calmer than short haired. What about a Cocker Spaniel or some other form of small Spaniel?

HollyWood · August 2010

dachshund are the sweetest dogs, I used to have a puppy named Maddie.. she used to play with my niece and cats and gets along with anyone. She was very calm and would recommend getting them as a puppy like you said :]

Shibagirl · August 2010

iluvdogs111 wrote:

Thanks, for the suggestion, but I am fairly experienced with dachshunds. My aunt owns 2. The miniature is very destructive but my Aunt doesn't train them or disipline them at all. I plan on training and socializing it from a young age. My friend's aunt also has a dachshund-he is the sweetest thing. He puts up with their 5 year old very well and is gentle and quiet. I never really consider a cavalier king charles spaniel, but I should. Friend of ours have one and she's the sweetest thing.

Cavaliers are great. That would be a dog totally in-tune with you and would excel in agility. I almost got one at one point XD

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

Yeah, this is somthing to look into. I think I'll consider one of those.....but they are moe expensive to buy then mini doxies. However money shouldn't matter, it should just be the dog's temperment.

Mileysmybaby · August 2010

Cocker Spaniels are beautiful,nice,I like golden ones

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