I want a puppy!!!!!!!

[Friendly Frog]

OK, I have been telling myself "no "for too long.

I really want a puppy. ( Yes, I know they become dogs. )

I would like a teacup size, but I know they are fragile, health impaired, little darlings...so I will just go small/toy sized. I am thinking Malipoo, poodle Maltese, yorkie....but right now the #1 candidate is a pretty little shihtzu-Maltese mix.

Of course the puppy will go right to a veterinarian, but any tips when shopping? ( other than find a reputable source.)

Any small dog lovers out there?

 

[kimluvswdw]

We just got a Yorkie at the end of December. She is very sweet and we named her Sassy. We were told Yorkies are very smart and it must be true, because my husband taught her to fetch after just 2 days. We have Schnauzers also and they are fairly smart as well (well at least one of them is, the other is dumber than a box of rocks). We love them anyway.

 

[disneyfanforever]

We have 2 Yorkies, and we absolutely love them. Chandler is 12 years old(DH and I got him right after we got married) and Sydney is almost 3. One of the great things about them is they don't shed. Our Yorkies are not the very tiny ones; they are around 7 pounds. They are not too fragile and they are good with our boys. Sydney is completely crazy and is with my DSs playing and jumping wherever they are. Both Chandler and Sydney sleep with DH and I at night, and I can't imagine life without them.

 

[DLBDS]

Be prepared for the grooming bills. Depending on what you get, they'll need a groom every 4-6 weeks.

 

[chisnpeke]

Small dog lover here.

 

[darlak]

Have you considered a dachshund? No grooming cost and the softest, silkiest coat you'll ever feel. A miniature should only be from 8-15 pounds when fully grown.

I've also had yorkies and poodles and loved them all.

 

[Dr Pepsi]

Of course the puppy will go right to a veterinarian, but any tips when shopping? ( other than find a reputable source.)

If you think you might want a mixed breed, check your local animal shelter or rescue before buying one. You can often get puppies just for the cost of the adoption fee.

If you buy, don't buy from a pet store.

Good luck. Puppies are the best!

 

[KLAIT]

I would not get a ishihtzu or a lasa as my parents have had several of these dogs and a number of them have nose problems as they are so short they have a hard time breathing and need surgery. They are also known to have a lot of eye problems..their hair is constantly in their eyes and their eyes are so big and sort of bulge and they dry out constantly.

I do love small dogs, but would pass on these 2 breeds.

 

[romymichelle21]

Just FYI - not to lecture because I know you already acknowledged their health issues - there actually is no such thing as a "teacup". It is in fact not a real term used in breeding - the smallest they go is "toy".

Anything described or advertised as "teacup" is because the breeder decided to get into the whole uber-tiny dog craze and breed their "toy" dogs extra small on purpose

(I have a purebred Yorkie, he is 16 now, and 13 or 14 lbs. He is on the bigger side, for sure, but Yorkies should technically be no smaller than 8 lbs, I think. Don't quote me on the exact size. But they've been bred so tiny, people think they're supposed to weigh 2 lbs).

Anyway - just some info to arm yourself with when you go looking

I also browse Breeders.net and Pets4you.com, they list breeders by type of dog & state. Pets4You is the one I recommend most. Happy puppy hunting!

 

[Friendly Frog]

Thanks for all the information. I can't believe what I did last night. I have been looking for a a while ( mostly online at rescue sites and breed specific rescue sites ) and last night late I saw an ad in the paper for a shihpoo. Now this was not really at the top of my list, but it was someone local so I decided to " windowshop". The dog breed mix was not my first choice, the color was not what I was looking for, the price was top dollar...do you see where this is going...Yes I purchased her. She was in a family with a young child and she was so small. Mom and Dad were awsome parents really watching our for the puppy...but still you could tell that there were times when mom and dad couldn't always watch...and....well she is mine now.

Wish me and the Ugly Duck luck...I love her already.

PS-She is 12 weeks, 3.5 lbs and I was told that the best guess is she will be 5-6lb range, but of course who really knows.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I would not get a ishihtzu or a lasa as my parents have had several of these dogs and a number of them have nose problems as they are so short they have a hard time breathing and need surgery. They are also known to have a lot of eye problems..their hair is constantly in their eyes and their eyes are so big and sort of bulge and they dry out constantly.

I do love small dogs, but would pass on these 2 breeds.

BTW, great advice and I am sure advice I should have taken. Thank you.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Have you considered a dachshund? No grooming cost and the softest, silkiest coat you'll ever feel. A miniature should only be from 8-15 pounds when fully grown.

I've also had yorkies and poodles and loved them all.

My Aunt had a dachshund that I love very much. He would smile when you asked him to "show you his toofies". lol Great dogs. Actually I like most all dogs, just like people they are all special in their own way, aren't they?

 

[disneyfanforever]

Friendly Frog, congrats on your new puppy! Can you post a picture?

 

[darlak]

I would also love to see a picture. I know about the whole "going just to look" thing. I got some of my best dogs that way too.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I just found this old thread and for laughs thought I would post an update. My shihpoo is not so little anymore as she has grown to 15 lbs. Needless to say she did not stay at 5-6 as I was told, but she is perfect anyway. I didn't want her to be an only child, so 6 months later I purchased a small min. poodle who is 8lbs. We are all a happy family and these two girls bring me great joy!

BTW, I don't have any photos in photo bucket to post, but I have over 1700 on my pc of the girls!

 

[SadieDog]

Great update.

 

[mjkacmom]

Keep in mind, it is very hard to find a reputable breeder, especially with toy breeds, and pretty much impossible with toy mutts (aka designer breeds). The smaller the dog, the harder to house break. And yes, they turn into dogs, and by day 3, you will be counting the minutes until that happens (I had a min-pin). We're planning on looking for a dog in the spring - a shelter/rescue housebroken mid-size dog.