Dog lovers... What kind....

[princessariel]

Originally posted by BoulderCreek
Cocker Spaniel fits all those categories.

My thoughts exactly! I have known several Cocker Spaniels and they were all so affectionate, loyal, easily trained, good with kids and barkers when the need arises. If I was to get another dog (mine died 2 years ago) it would be another (female) Cocker Spaniel.

 

[Betsyt82]

You see I am very fond of Labs. Smart, affectionate, love to play, great watch dog, energetic, loyal, and have big hearts. And yes Annie is a semi lap dog/couch lover. She is great with the kids and is a wonderful early warning to people that come in the yard. We have an English Lab and she is 65 lbs. I think small dogs are great but if I go small it is for a cat....that is just my feelings on things.

I hope which ever dog you get will be a good dog for you.

 

[Nutsy]

We have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Cavalies are smooches, so if it's a cuddle you want, it's a cuddle you'll get, they are good with children & ours is watch dog of sorts, just lets us knows when something is out there that shouldn't be.

They are very loving & love human company.

 

[stevenpensacola]

Get a schnoodle....a schnauzer poodle mix. they don't shed. very intelligent. the best of both breeds.

 

[disme]

We have a Schipperke, great dog
very smart,loving loyal thinks he is one of us you know a people not a dog.

 

[LindaG4458]

Another vote for Cocker Spaniels. We currently have two, one male and one female. I was surprised how affectionate the male is! He is our first boy and is a real snuggle bug with me. We have had a total of 6 since we were married and wouldn't have any other breed.

 

[kellib36]

I have 2 Bichons....they're awesome!! Our puppy does get VERY cuddly on the weekends, and Monday mornings are pretty rough on Mom going back to work......

 

[SnoWhite]

We have a Westie/Schnauzer mix. She looks just like a Westie though. I know you said you don't like terriers, and we thought we didn't want one either, until I did more research on them and actually spent some time with one.
We LOVE our little Lilo. She is almost 4 months old, already house trained, and is very smart.
She also gets along great with our cat, and LOVES kids. (as well as any other person she happens upon)

No matter what you get, I know you will just fall in love with the dog. We weren't sure after the first week we had her, due to lack of sleep and a change in our lifestyle, but now we absoultely love her and can't imagine our lives without her!

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d828b3127ccebfa9bf96d1e90000001610"/>

 

[ebaynut31]

I have a lab mix I got from the shelter in 1989. He is the best dog ever and I saved him from being put to sleep just because his owner didn't want him anymore. He was only 1.

Save a dog. Check shelters before going to a breeder. You can and will find purebreeds there. My friend got a Rhodesian Ridgeback not to long ago. Another one got a Bull Mastiff from the shelter.

 

[MsDisney23]

We love our Beagle, she is so sweet! I say a Beagle!!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just want to say I love everyone's dog stories! We don't have a dog now but one of these days we will.

 

[Augustheather97]

They are kind of hard to find but if you can worth it....A Yorki-Poo
half poodle and half yorkie.....small , don;t shed or smell, and have that great mongrel temperment....calm and mellow but very smart

 

[stamper]

There is a dog show coming up this week in W. Springfield. Starts Weds or Thurs and goes thru Sun. It's a great place to see the breeds you are interested in and talk to the owners/breeders about pros and cons. One suggestion, ask if it's a good time to talk....they will let you know when is a good time for them....usually after they have been in the ring is better than just before.

Also, someone mentioned shelters. Once you decide on a breed, check into that breed's rescue program....they all have them.

Good for you for doing the research....sounds like you will be a good dog "parent" .

Can I talk you into a Samoyed? They are a bit bigger than you mentioned (my girls are around 45 pounds) and they do shed. But they are great people dogs, watch dogs, cuddlers and I swear they are nearly human!!

Oh, for small dogs....check on the Italian Greyhound...I know they are happiest when curled up with their human. Other than that I don't know much about them.

Good luck! If you want more info on that show, let me know....feel free to PM me. We won't be there....waiting for my girl's coat to come back in

 

[Piglet]

Definetely try a shelter - my DB & SIL just got a dog from the local animal shelter and she is the best dog - good with kids, already house broken - not even an accident. They got a dachshund & beagle mixed.

We have 2, Maltese & Cocker Spaniel. Both are very affectionate and love our DD. The Maltese is very small - 7 lbs & loves to sit on our laps (everytime we sit down). She also doesn't shed.


Melinda

 

[Celluloidgal]

Originally posted by DMickey28
The most important things to me are:
1. Trainability
2. Very affectionate, will cuddle with us
3. Will be good with Kids eventually, if socialized as a puppy
4. Won't eat my cats
5. Watchdog, but doesn't need to protect, just alert if something is amiss
6. Smallish.... would like a lap cuddler, but must be under 30-40lbs.
7. We are not big lovers of the terriers....

What would you recommend? What kind of dog do you have?

I'm glad to see you're doing your "homework" and not just getting a pet on impulse. (A big pet peeve of mine...pet peeve (ha ha - no pun intended) Knowing what your looking for before hand saves a lot of pets from ending up in shelters. Just wanted to say GOOD LUCK finding your match in a furry friend

For the record, our pet meets MOST of your requirements...
1. We adopted her at two years old. We did a basic obedience course with her...no problems
2. We would be her love servant 24 hours if she had her way
3. Have 4 kids
4. Don't have cats...have a rabbit (that she hasn't eaten) does that count?
5. When she is in our gated fence, grown men walk on the other side of the road when they see her. She is such a sweetheart, they have no idea that the only thing she would do to them is drool
6. OK, here is where I said our pet meets MOST of your requirements...we own a Great Dane. She is about 120lbs. That's on the smallish side for a dane, but she is a female. She still thinks she is a lap dog though If you are sitting down, your lap is hers.
7. When I worked for a veterinarian, we would joke about terriers. Ever other dog that came in was a terrier mix. We said that they were the (hmmm, this is a family site...) "friskiest" dog around wink, wink, know what I mean?...

 

[Dee & Greg]

I have a fabulous beagle/something mix. She is 29 lbs, and lives on our sofa or laps. She is way too easy going and lazy to be a true beagle. Loves kids... not always strange dogs though.
I have a thing for those sad faces!

 

[binny]

We have a Golden retreiver that fits those requirements

 

[luvwinnie]

Except for the weight, I'd recommend a bulldog, you will NOT find a more lovable furbaby!

Have you seen Tibetan spaniels?

 

[nana2tots]

Maltese!!!!!!!!all the way, they are a total Sweetheart! nana2tots

 

[Bichon Barb]

Originally posted by DMickey28
The most important things to me are:
1. Trainability
2. Very affectionate, will cuddle with us
3. Will be good with Kids eventually, if socialized as a puppy
4. Won't eat my cats
5. Watchdog, but doesn't need to protect, just alert if something is amiss
6. Smallish.... would like a lap cuddler, but must be under 30-40lbs.
7. We are not big lovers of the terriers....

What would you recommend? What kind of dog do you have?

RE: BICHONS (1 to 5 star rating)

1. ** Bichons can be selectively deaf. Of course every dog is trainable, but it is recommended that you never let a Bichon off lead. Our male thinks "come here" means "run away real fast". Our female comes right when you call her--but give her time, she's still a puppy.

2. ***** They are the king of the lap dog, IMHO. They are sloppy kissers too. As my husband says "The dogs don't sleep with us. WE sleep with the dogs."

3. ***** Their reputation for being good with kids is one of the main reasons we chose the Bichon when were married 14 years ago. And they are sturdier than they look.

4. **** While it's doubtful that a Bichon would eat a cat, he may like to chase it. But more probable -- he may just prefer to use the cat as his personal pillow.

5. ***** For barking when someone is at the door.
* For actually showing teeth to the perpetrator. More likely to jump on them and demand to be picked up.

6. ***** Definitely under 30 lbs. Our's keep getting smaller. The first who was born in 1990 weighed 26 lbs. The second was born in 2000, and he weighs 16 lbs. Beanie the Meanie was born in 2003 and weighs 11 lbs soaking wet.

Just want to add--they need lots of grooming, but they are happy to sit on your lap and watch TV with you while you brush them. They can be tough to housebreak. They sometimes can be a bit airheaded and forget why you let them outside. Also, not a good breed to get if you are gone all day.

Good luck!