Dog lovers... What kind....

[DMickey28]

I am on the search for the perfect dog for my Fiance and I. I thought I had settled on the Corgi but now am doubting myself. I just started looking at Shelties too. Also posted early about Dachshunds because Fiance saw one he loved yesterday. We are not looking to add a puppy to the family until probally late October unless the right baby came along before mid September.

I have been researching for about a year now... waiting for the right time and the right dog.

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?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

For your criteria, I say go with a Sheltie or a Bichon Frise.

 

[BoulderCreek]

Cocker Spaniel fits all those categories.

 

[goofy4tink]

I had forgotten the Bichon. Nice choice. I know people with them and they fit all your requirements. Also have a friend with a Corgi and she's wonderful. But I have to say that I might be tempted to go with the Bichon.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Gotta love our Miniature Poodles. We have 4 (and a Pek-a-Poo) and the poodles are all extremely intelligent, playful, affectionate and extremely clean. They also don't shed which is a big plus.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Sheltie definitely fits the criteria. We have had 4. But, they tend to bark so if you were in an apartment that might be a problem. They shed too, but we love them. They have grown up with our 2 kids too.

 

[aesalsa]

We have a chihuahua. I use to hate them because every time I encountered one, it was yippy and mean. About 7 years ago, I met my DH's parents' chihuahua Tina, and she reformed me! She was very sweet and smart. She loved to be loved and to get the love.

Ours (Lil Pooh or her Official name PUDGE when she's about to do something she isn't supposed to) will be 6 this Sept. 13. We were allowed to visit with her often when she and her sister were too young to take home, so she was used to people petting and handling her. She is The Love Baby (I don't like calling her "dog" ). She is very affectionate and cuddly with DH and me, and she will just lay on our laps
and just be a love sponge. She is just under 6 lbs but a bit pudgey and rolly for her size, so she sha can't jump up on the bed or sofa. We do let her sleep with us--she has her own pillow and is no trouble. She and the cat are best friends. He is quite a bit larger than her, and he gives her a bath! She will even nudge him so that he will just do it.

She is a great watch dog. She always barks when someone knocks on the door (which is great since we don't have a doorbell), but she immediately stops when we let the person in--I guess by letting them in she assumes that he/she is OK.

Lil Pooh was great with my little brother and sister, but were 11 and 13 when they lived with us--no experience with smaller children.

We couldn't ask for a sweeter, more adorable addition to our family than Lil Pooh (except a human baby )!

Hope this helps!

 

[two4ruff]

I have a lab, a pug, and a sheltie. All are great lap dogs (the lab tries to be...) and all of them are cuddly and friendly. The would also fight to the death to protect my kids - no one gets in our yard without me knowing about it!

Minuses: The pug sheds year round, doesn't tolerate heat well, and well, snorts alot. Loveable, but a little dense.

The biggest minus on our lab is his size. He has broken his own tail twice from wagging into the furniture. He has lived all of his 6 years with a toy hanging from his mouth, hoping someone will play fetch.

The sheltie is my "smart" dog. A bit yappy, but he is older and going deaf so not much to bark at lately! They require regular grooming, or we go the shaving route - hence my tag!

I love ALL dogs so I've been happy with all the different breeds we have owned. BUT, I must say, the dog that will always stand out in my heart was my Motley, who was a mutt of unknown pedigree!

 

[ugadog99]

We have dachshunds-5 to be exact-and wouldn't have anything else! They are very loyal and cuddly. Dachshunds don't shed and don't smell, either. They are good watchdogs. I like to say that with my doxies I don't need an alarm system.

 

[janette]

We have 2 Bichons and a Catahoula. All of them think they are lap dogs.

The Bichon's don't shed and meet all of your criteria, ours are both 20lb or less. That was a big one for me since my youngest DD is allergic. They are very much people dogs. I'm not sure they are great watch dogs. Our youngest one does bark if someone comes into the house but I've brought my parents in while he's asleep in my DD's room and not heard a peep. He did bark at them in the morning though

Our Catahoula is the smartest of them all, she's a little over 30 lbs and sheds. She does bark if something is going on but she also barks at the sprinklers, she's still the best watch dog also.

As long as you get a dog as a puppy the cats will train it to abide by their rules. Shouldn't be a problem.

 

[doxdogy]

I have to agree. A nice miniature longhair dachshund. They make good lap dogs and will most definitely bark to alert you. Our little six pound mini, has the biggest mouth of the bunch.

Originally posted by ugadog99
We have dachshunds-5 to be exact-and wouldn't have anything else! They are very loyal and cuddly. Dachshunds don't shed and don't smell, either. They are good watchdogs. I like to say that with my doxies I don't need an alarm system.

 

[cynsaun]

I would highly recommend the Papillon. We got our puppy 3 months ago and LOVE him! He was completely house trained in 1 1/2 months and no longer needed even his crate! Papillons are one of the top ten breeds when it comes to intelligence. Paps are GREAT with children, and are super affectionate!

George loves to play with the cats, but doesn't want to hurt them. They love playing with him, and quite honestly, it didn't take but a week for all to get used to eachother!

The Papillon only weighs between 8-11 lbs., so it quite easily is a lap dog! They are moderate shedders, but with a good brushing twice a week, they don't shed that much!

You can see George in my avatar.

Good luck!

 

[Belle0101]

A whippet.

"Whippets are bright, playful, exuberant, noble, graceful, loyal, affectionate, independent, and they enjoy playing practical jokes. They are, at heart, basically elves."

Click here for a link to a whippet site

I've had all sorts of dogs with the most recent being a black lab (Shadow), a whippet (Miranda), greyhound (Italy) and a small mixed (Sunshine). My heart is clearly with a greyhound but that would be too big for what you are looking for. A lab would most likely be too big also. With the exception of the lab, who is still very much a puppy, they've all been cuddlers and very good dogs.

You wouldn't imagine a whippet to be a cuddler but mine was and especially with me.

Good luck deciding - there are so many lovable breeds.

 

[ladycollector]

I have a cocker spaniel and I just have to say that she is VERY territorial, growls if she feels she or us are threatened, doesn't like other dogs around us, and didnt learn to bark until another dog taught her. She is the sweetest lil baby the rest of the time. LOL She really likes people too!

Our other cocker spaniel that we had before her, would have fit all your criteria. We trained them the same. All dogs are different I guess!

 

[Lachesis00]

We had a poodle, terrier, schnauzer mix and she was THE best dog.

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by BoulderCreek
Cocker Spaniel fits all those categories.

Yes - I've had two. VERY lovable, love to be lap dogs.

 

[cheyita]

We have a Bichon-a-Poo (Bichon Frise/Poodle mix). She fits all the criteria you mention, plus basically non-shedding for allergy issues.

They are supposedly very intelligent, and we have ours trained to use a litter box. That way we can go out for the day - even overnight - without worrying about big messes. She has the laundry room as "her" room with her litter box, food, bed, toys, etc.

She's been awesome with the kids.

She is only nine pounds and basically at full size (1 1/2 years old).

 

[Pooh's Pal]

We have a Shiz Zu, named Beethoven....we adopted him when he was 6. DD plays rough with him and he loves it. He's been great company to me...loves to ride in my car, sleep at the foot of my bed and follows me with a watchful eye-I can't be out of sight for more than 10 minutes in the house & he starts looking for me! He sleeps and eats most these days now.. as he's almost 14! He is somewhat possessive and not that great with other dogs...but that's just him....I have friends with the same kind of dog and they are friendly to all, other dogs and humans too!
All dogs are different, even thou' the same breed.
I too have been looking for a small pup of some type, as I know my guy doesn't have that many years left in him!

 

[damo]

What about a cockapoo? Very intelligent, very loving and non-allergenic.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I would suggest a Keeshond! They fit all of your criteria and they are absolutely beautiful!!!!