Looking for a small dog
gabers
Posts: 2,787
My kids are 4 and 2 and are all hyped up about getting a dog. My wife and I have resisted since we travel a lot, but my wife has convinced me that a small dog would work. It would be "portable" and easy to travel with. Problem is, I generally don't like small dogs. I like big dogs. The bigger the better. Are there any breeds of small dogs that have the personality of a big dog, i.e. doesn't yap all of the time or act generally wimpy? I like the way Boston Terriers look, anyone know anything about them? Just curious. We have friends with smaller dogs and although some are very sweet, they're too "girly" for my taste.
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Many shelters will not let families adopt a 'small dog' (i.e. chihuahua, yorkie, pomeranian etc) if they have any children under the age of 10. It is more for the safety of the dog, as the small dogs are not as 'sturdy'. I worked at a vet clinic for 5 years, and when a family with small children had a small dog, the dog would usually be in for some sort of fracture due to dropping the dog, being sat on and other things.
I'm not saying that your children would be careless with the dog, the dogs themselves know the difference between children/teenagers/adults....I have a chihuahua, and while camping, some of the younger kids would try to pick her up, and she'd squirm and try to run away.
Small dogs have a big voice because they are not big themselves...Mr. RK did not like the fact that I wanted a chihuahua, but she has grown on him, and he still doesn't like small dogs...he only likes *his* small dog.
I also own a Lab...and sometimes I wish he wasn't such a hassle to take on vacation...we have only left him with a friend for ONE night in the 7 years that we've had him. PJ20 will be the second time. I like that when we get hotel rooms, and tell them I have a chihuahua and a lab...they only charge me for the lab since 'the chihuahua doesn't really count'
You do have a good direction on wanting a boston terrier...terriers are more sturdy and used to 'rough' handling. Terriers also tend to be nippy (Jack Russels come to mind) I would recommend the boston (they are less nippy), a french bulldog, mini aussie, sheltie, pug, corgi, beagle (can be very vocal), shih-tzu.
Just please please please research as much as you can about several different breeds, http://www.akc.org so you can get an idea of what their temperament will be like. I believe in 'good owners make good dogs'. My chihuahua is a 'good little dog' because I was very strict about rules and training. She still barks at strangers that come up to me or the car when she's inside, but once she sees that I am ok with the person, she is ok.
I have a shelter dog and a purebred dog, both are excellent dogs.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me...I love my pets!
- Christopher McCandless
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if you keep the fur relatively short and not let it grow out so that it looks like a kleenex box - it doesn't look so fancy ...
We have a wheaten terrier, and she is the perfect size (35 lbs). Big enough to wrestle around with and play with, but travels well and doesn't bark/shed and has a TON of personality. Just search google images of wheaten terrier puppy and show your wife. They look like fluffy teddy bears when little
We have since gotten a 55 lb boxer, and while he is GREAT with the kids, he makes us realize how perfect our wheaten is
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
mixed breeds come in all sizes and faces
our Charlie was at animal control... due to be put down when I rescued him
sounds silly but after a dog has been to hell they really appreciate life and love ...
they just seem to know.
Good luck and what a wonderful thing to do for your children!
Scruffy little dog, who thinks she's a bigger dog, loves everyone, is happy with a short walk or can carry on for miles. Here she is;
1. you get to pick the size AND look of your dog ON SIGHT, without having to "look up" or search out info on any one particular breed or set type of dog.
2. Most shelters have a " romp" room where you can take out and play with selected dogs to see how they get along with you and your family.. Alot of times too, if there's room, the shelters will allow you to walk the dog in an enclosed area of their property to see how well the dog responds to you.
3.You can MANY MANY times, when a dog is a turn in, or return, find info on any behavioral issues with the dog, so you can decide if that's something you can or wish to deal with.
4. you get a choice of a full grown dog or a puppy, and often the adult, already trained dogs are cheaper, to ensure they get forever homes.
5. and this should be the sales point of the century RIGHT HERE..... you get to save a dog's life...when you buy from breeders it eliminates one more forever home from the dogs in shelters, who deserve this chance at a good loving home!!!!!!!!!!!
Shelties also require regular grooming, which can get pretty old. I would recommend a corgi. They are also a herding breed and lots of fun without the furry maintenance.
I would echo what others have said about adopting an adult dog, which allows you to skip puppy housebreaking, chewing stages, etc. A high percentage of dogs at shelters are purebreed. Also, if you choose a breed, there may be a rescue organization who can help you. I adopted my newest dog from the local Sheltie Rescue. Local shelters turn dogs over to those groups and then they are cared for in foster homes by volunteers. That way, the rescue organization can tell you about each dog's traits and whether they might be a good fit for you.
fade away...
I am at peace with my lust.....for Eddie.
one word:
pugs.
i too am a big dog lover, always have been.
for numerous reasons i wont get into, we had to get a smaller dog to appease our older, bigger dog's ego. haha. pugs think they are big dogs, think they are bad ass, are not yappy and don't act like little bitch ass little dogs at all. :P they are adorable, crazy-amazing personalities, and are simply fantastic big dogs trapped in little dog bodies.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
ahhhhh frenchies, my next small dog/big dog choice!
if i can ever manage another puppy, and afford em - frenchies are crazy expensive! - a french bulldog would absolutely be my next choice. good call.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
please save a life!
and i have only one piece of advice.
Buy a labrador.
They are not small dogs as you well know, mine is huge (9 stone and almost 6 ft on his back legs)....BUT - they fit in the back of a car easily....travel wonderfully, have just the best temperament I have ever known in a dog, and are highly intelligent. But the crucial part is they are amazing around children. Ive had all sorts of dogs throughout my life, yet my current hound - a fox red Labrador is amazing. We have a 2 and a half year old, and a 4 weeks old, and he loves those kids.....he lets them play with him all day long without even a grumble....Id trust him 100%.
Ive had other dogs whom were the perfect pet, but i would have always had that worry......
I like the idea of a rescue dog of course too, its a beautiful notion, but i think when small children are involved there is nothing quite like introducing them to a puppy, and letting them grow up with it from the start. The bond they create is so special.
Jack Russell Terriers.
I love Jack Russells. My dog makes me laugh legitimately hard about 10 times a day. He never, ever barks.
The long-legged ones are the way to go. They seem to have better personalities.
how could you NOT fall in love?
***I already have enough dogs...I already have enough dogs...I already have enough dogs***
- Christopher McCandless
LOVE IT!!!! omg adorable!
She is an evil little thing. Hilarious, but evil. She certainly doesn't "yap" but her bark is not very ferocious.
She likes to be in laps, but doesn't like to be bothered too much.
When she was a puppy, she was very hard. We have a boxer too, and he was much easier with house breaking. But I think that is normal with most little dogs.
Every Boston Terrier I know of has an attitude. I like the sweetness of the boxer better, but she is funny.
This is when she was mid-sized.