Looking for a Dog

[DisGirlAllie]

Now, before I start any big controversy on the title of my thread, let me clarify that I am not asking you all to find me a dog. I am not asking you to give me your dog, I am not asking you to go find me a dog, I am simply asking you a question of what dog breed I should be looking for.

See, I really want a dog. We want a small dog, because we have no fence and with the money we have the choice would be a dog or a fence. So, a small dog and no fence sounds like a better solution. We want one that does need some exercise, but not a lot. We want one that will stay small for a very long time (or forever). But, it cannot be a yappy dog. It also has to have somewhat the same temperment as a yellow lab (am I asking for the impossible?) The maximum size it can be is about up to the size of a full grown beagle (we would just get a beagle, but the yappy dog thing would be a problem). So, with the info given, any dog breeds come to mind? Any at all? I know it's a lot to ask, but any suggestions are helpful. Thanks a ton in advance!

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

As someone who normally only likes big dogs, I'd like to suggest a Boston Terrier. It's the only small dog that I've ever really liked and they're not really yappy.

 

[Chicago526]

I had a cocker spaniel growing up. Sweet as pie and only barked at the door bell. Don't usually get much beyond 25 pounds (unless you over feed them...). A walk around the block or a nice game of fetch in the yard and they're good to go as far as exercise is concerned. Down side is grooming, you need to brush them several times a week, and if you like that "cocker cut", you need to take them groomers bill at least 4x a year. You also have to clean their ears, they are so floppy and long that they can get ear infections if you don't.

 

[wdwfam]

We love our Cockapoo. What a sweet puppy! Of all the dogs we've had, this is absolutely the best in personality. Very easy going.

 

[cathyce2]

I'd suggest a shelter dog. There are so many mixed breeds needing a good home and you can see what you're in for size and temperment wise with a dog that's a year or two old.
When we got our Winnie, she was about a year old. She's put on a few pounds and filled out, but not really grown bigger. When we went to pick her out most of the dogs were going crazy in the runs. She just stood at the gate wagging her tail and barked a few times when we stopped near her. That was a good indicator of her temperment. She only barks when strangers come to the door or the time a racoon was washing food in the swimming pool. She's much calmer than our previous dog (black lab) was at this age.
HTH

 

[cherylp3]

I have a Bichon Frise, not a yapper and good temperment

 

[daughtersrus]

We had a wonderful English Springer Spaniel but it's probably just a little bigger than you're looking for. If we ever get another dog, it will be a Springer!

 

[mousetravel]

I recently got a chihuahua. My mom and sis also has one. I really enjoy them. Any time we visit with them, their dogs are so sweet, they just welcome you and want to play with you. I live in an apartment, so the chihuahua is the perfect size and breed for me.

 

[taylor3297]

Our Shih Tzu is a good dog and only barks when someone is at the door. The down side is the grooming. When she was young, we kept her fur like you see on the dog shows, but that became too much. Now we get her a puppy cut that is very easy to manage. Also, Shis Tzu don't get very big. Ours weighs about 10 pounds.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have 2 rescues that are 40lbs and 70lbs. They need alot of exercise. So do not get any "working breeds".

I know alot of people with Shih Tzu's and it really does sound like the perfect dog for you.

 

[KandD]

Ok we have three dogs so I will tell you the pros and cons that we have found.

Dachshund: Absolutely my little baby. She loves to lay in my lap, sleep with me, and just be with me. She can be a little witch to the other dogs though. When our husky jumps on the bed she makes him get off. House training has been an ongoing battle, I assume because she just can't hold it in like the other two. She is pretty low maintenance though. Before she was fixed she never barked and now all of a sudden she is like our little security dog, she barks at people coming and going.

Husky: I think too big for what you are looking for. When he sheds it is a mess. He can get wild. But he really only has to go out two times a day (we bring him out more but he doesn't need as many potty breaks as the other two). He was the easiest to train. He was housetrained in less than a month. He sits, stays, heels, lays down, knows what off is. He pretty much never barks but he does whine.

Mix Rescue: When we got her they said she was a dachshund mix, we are pretty sure she is mixed with black lab. She is about the size of a beagle. She is a people pleaser. She kisses WAY too much and although she is getting bigger she still likes to be held like a baby. She barks when she is outside sometimes but for the most part she never barks inside (unless one of the other dogs rile her up).

I had a beagle growing up and he did bark A LOT.

Good luck and I hope this helped a bit!!

 

[ckay87]

Here is a suggestion. Go walk down the hall of your local shelter. Find the little dog who is NOT barking. If he's not a yapper at the shelter when a new person walks in, he will never be a yapper.

That's how we chose our beagle. She was the one sitting quietly when we walked in while everyone else was (understandably) going bananas. She is 13 now and only barks at the door. Not even then, really.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Here is a suggestion. Go walk down the hall of your local shelter. Find the little dog who is NOT barking. If he's not a yapper at the shelter when a new person walks in, he will never be a yapper.

That's how we chose our beagle. She was the one sitting quietly when we walked in while everyone else was (understandably) going bananas. She is 13 now and only barks at the door. Not even then, really.

I agree with this idea!

We love our little min pin mixed mutt. She doesn't yap and is small (but fat!). Everyone told us she would be a yapper, but she isn't at all! In fact, she rarely barks at all in the house. She does need a lot of exercise though.

 

[kirbydog48]

I recently adopted an 8 yr old Lhasa Apso, and he is a sweetheart. Doesn't need much exercise, is very mellow and not yappy. He is a very good dog, very snuggly. There is some grooming involved; I just had him shaved, and he looks adorable and seems more comfortable in the hot weather. Good luck! It's really nice getting an older dog.

 

[dec5girl]

I have a Jack Russell Terrier. He is 11 and has been a wonderful dog. He was hyper until age 2 but then calmed down a lot and now he is really slowing down. He is smart, but can be a bit neurotic about certain things. He has been great in that he has never chewed on anything and has not been a digger in the yard either. He barks at strangers, but he has a regular bark, not "yappy".

I also have a chihuahua who is 8 mos old. I am in love! But she is still not completely potty trained. She will go outside under the most perfect circumstances, but otherwise she hides and goes somewhere in the house. I have talked to many chihuahua owners who say theirs is never potty trained completely either. She never barks at anything unless someone comes over who she doesn't know. She knows our friends and family and doesn't bark at them. With the exception of the potty thing I think she is perfect!!!

My friend has a min pin who makes a terrible noise when she barks and barks all day long (they are our neighbors also!). My friend said she will never again get a min pin.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I had two Shelties when I was younger. They were lovely dogs, and not yappy although they would bark if someone came to the door (which I don't mind).

Teresa

 

[keenercam]

I recently posted this on another thread. I hope it helps. (BTW, our Cairn is about 20 pounds, which is a bit heavier than normal, though not much, and she has been extremely healthy):

We actually went to a breeder to buy a westie and were surprised to hear him say that he'd suggest a cairn terrier instead. The Westies require a lot of grooming because their fur can stain around their eyes, from their food around the mouth, and around their back end. He told us a Cairn is very similar in temperament and less hyper.

We have had our Cairn, Cali, since October 2000 and she is absolutely the love of the entire household. The things the breeder told us that we think he was DEAD-ON about are these:
She is sturdy, the kind of dog my kids could play with and do the rough and tumble thing and she wouldn't be real barky and is not fragile.

She is not just a one-person dog; she is loyal to our family, and not to one person alone. He said she wouldn't favor one child over the other if they both treated her well. He was so right about this. I feared she'd become DS's dog or DDs dog and not treat them equally. Turns out she had and has enough love for both of them.

She is generous with her love; infinite it seems

She is sweet and very affectionate (we have all held her and handled her a lot from the time she came home with us and we think that is one of the reasons she is so affectionate)

She is GREAT at reading people. She suits her interaction to the person. With our DD she is the "sweet baby girl" on whom our daughter can dote. Cali will folllow Jenn from room to room when she is home, or just lie on a pillow in her room to keep her company when she is doing homework or on the phone, etc.
With DH, she does the rough and tumble thing, loves to wrestle & play tug.
When DS was younger, Cali would romp around his feet, tug on the bottom of his jeans or on his sneaker laces to get him to play with her.
With me, she greets me at the door and treats me like she's been missing me forever.
Like I said, she is really smart.

She is a great "alert" dog but was very easily trained to be quiet when told. She also will not bark when she is in her crate; it's her safe place.

I hope all of that helps.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

My friend has a min pin who makes a terrible noise when she barks and barks all day long (they are our neighbors also!). My friend said she will never again get a min pin.

That's what I always heard about min pins. Mine's a mix (we're not sure with what...she came from the shelter) so I've decided she is part min pin and part big fat lazy lap dog.

 

[dec5girl]

That's what I always heard about min pins. Mine's a mix (we're not sure with what...she came from the shelter) so I've decided she is part min pin and part big fat lazy lap dog.

Those are the best kind of dogs, I think!!!

 

[Pakey]

Does this dog look like she needs exercise? Paris Hairless Hilton is a total couch potato. I have two cresteds and my male is a little more active but not much. Paris Hairless actually hides under a blanket if you pull a leash out.

These dogs are low maintenance. Grooming is minimal, they get a bath each week and nails trimmed as needed. A little trim of facial hair every month or so. Oh, and sunscreen on them if we take them out for long rides in the convertible.

They do bark at the doorbell and if they see a stranger in our back yard (pest control guy, landscaper) but that's it.