Looking for a website to help choose a dog?

[golfgal]

I am about ready to cave into the kids and get them a dog, maybe. Does anyone know of a website where you can plug in criteria and it will show you different breads to look for? I want a smaller dog that doesn't shed or bark too much. I DON'T want a puppy. I was thinking about a Llasa or some kind of poodle mix. DS13 is allergic to cats and I would hate to have a dog and discover he is allergic to that, too. He has spent enough time around dogs and I think we are ok but just in case.

Then I also think that a medium sized dog would be ok and it could go running with DS or DH but I don't want anything hyper. I am open to suggestions, too. The shedding issue is huge. I don't want dog hair everywhere!

 

[SetzKitten]

Check out www.malteseonly.com. It's got a ton of info about Maltese's, which, in my totally unbiased opinion, are the best pets ever.

 

[mckryan]

How about this site? http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

Here's another - http://sy.adiho.com/ASA/Controller?...B80C7BA722CCB70C7613A4A1DA&sysid=4&appid=9901

And one more really helpful page with links - http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/562.asp

 

[Otto's Doll]

Don't forget to check out www.Petfinders.org Great website for adopting a pup or an older dog. I got my German Shepherd from there 4 years ago...he is wonderful!

 

[golfgal]

How about this site? http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

Here's another - http://sy.adiho.com/ASA/Controller?...B80C7BA722CCB70C7613A4A1DA&sysid=4&appid=9901

And one more really helpful page with links - http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/562.asp

These are great websites! I found a couple possibilities. I want a crossbread or a plain old mutt. The Schnoodle looks cute and a good possibility. Now to figure out if we really want one and to find one we want!


I will look on petfinders again. I checked that website out yesterday a little and there wasn't anything close to our area listed.

 

[Crankyshank]

Before you get a dog, you might want to take your DS to his allergist and test for dog allergies. Just in case because it would be devastating to bring a dog home and find out he's allergic.

Here's a list of low dander breeds recommended for allergy sufferers:
Basenji
Bedlington Terrier
Bichon Frisé
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Maltese
Poodles
Portuguese Water Dog
Schnauzers
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Chinese Crested

 

[golfgal]

Before you get a dog, you might want to take your DS to his allergist and test for dog allergies. Just in case because it would be devastating to bring a dog home and find out he's allergic.

Here's a list of low dander breeds recommended for allergy sufferers:
Basenji
Bedlington Terrier
Bichon Frisé
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Maltese
Poodles
Portuguese Water Dog
Schnauzers
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Chinese Crested

He was tested a couple years ago and didn't show any allergies to dogs, just cats, so I think we will be ok but I still want one that is a "low allergy risk".

Another question, I went through petfinders and they didn't have anything that interested me. Any other suggestions on how to find the dog I want? Would breeders have older dogs? I REALLY don't want a puppy-a 1-2 year old dog would be fine, maybe even a little older, but nothing younger.

 

[hiwaygal]

Yes, sometimes breeders have older dogs, but my guess is that option would be significantly more limited in choices.

Once you have decided on a breed (or mix) try searching for that breed's rescue group (i.e "poodle rescue" or "schnauzer rescue") and contact someone at one of the groups you find. Often they know of mixes that are available for adoption and know more about the individual dogs temperament (not always, but usually).

I work with Basenji rescue and I know we have lots of mixes waiting to find good homes!

Also, just a word of caution. Many rescue groups are hesitant to adopt out a dog to a family with small children (many "draw the line at 5 or 8 years old). You mention your DS is 13, are your other children much younger? Just something to talk to the rescue group about (if you go that route).

There are lots of folks here who work with various breed rescues, so feel free to ask any questions and I'm sure you'll get lots of help. You can PM me if you want to as well!

Good luck to you and your family on your new addition!

 

[janette]

The dogs listed on petfinder change very often, you can save your searches and even have them email when they get a new listing that you might be interested in. They also have classified ads that might have something.

 

[golfgal]

Yes, sometimes breeders have older dogs, but my guess is that option would be significantly more limited in choices.

Once you have decided on a breed (or mix) try searching for that breed's rescue group (i.e "poodle rescue" or "schnauzer rescue") and contact someone at one of the groups you find. Often they know of mixes that are available for adoption and know more about the individual dogs temperament (not always, but usually).

I work with Basenji rescue and I know we have lots of mixes waiting to find good homes!

Also, just a word of caution. Many rescue groups are hesitant to adopt out a dog to a family with small children (many "draw the line at 5 or 8 years old). You mention your DS is 13, are your other children much younger? Just something to talk to the rescue group about (if you go that route).

There are lots of folks here who work with various breed rescues, so feel free to ask any questions and I'm sure you'll get lots of help. You can PM me if you want to as well!

Good luck to you and your family on your new addition!

Our kids are 13 and 10 1/2 year old twins. The main care giver for the dog would be our 10 1/2 year old DD. She is wonderful with pets so I am not worried there. Our oldest would take a dog running with him if it were big enough. Our other son is a little afraid of dogs. He is fine as long as they don't jump on him. Once he gets to know them, he is very comfortable with them. My BIL/SIL had a bull mastiff that he loved once he got to know him (great dog but WAY too big for my tastes).

I think anything mixed with a poodle would work. The lab/poodle mixes are cute too. Growing up we had a standard poodle/English sheepdog mix and it was the most wonderful dog! I would take one of those too. Our problem is that the closest larger animal shelter would be a few hours away so selecting something might be hard.

 

[hiwaygal]

Sounds like you have a wonderful family there!!

I'm sure you're going to end up with a great companion for the kids! Even if it takes awhile to find him!! (the best things in life are worth waiting for, aren't they?? )

 

[goofy!]

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[bekkiz]

Well, I may be biased, but it sounds like a schnauzer (standard or mini) would be a good fit. They are very hardy, and are great for excercise etc. One of our considerations when we were chosing a pup was if he could go on hikes etc. Our mini keeps up just fine. And they don't shed--a huge plus! I'm not sure about the barking. Ours does not bark that much, but I have heard from other owners that their schnauzers bark quite a bit. I think that trait is more common in the mini's, rather than the standards.

I also think rescue org. are a great idea. That way you could find older dogs. This board has loads of postings for all three sizes: http://disc.server.com/Indices/10309.html

Here's some localish rescues:
http://members.aol.com/tcmsc/minschnauzer.html
http://www.geocities.com/heartlandssc/

 

[golfgal]

Whatever you do, I would recommend that you don't pay huge $$$$ for a designer mix breed, such as any of the "oodles" - labradoodle, goldendoodle, schnoodle, or any of the other designer "mix breeds." They are simply mutts and if you want a mixed breed, petfinders, as has been mentioned, is fantastic. No sense in paying thousands of dollars for a mutt

You can also research breeds you like and then contact that breed's rescue organization. You can find the rescue organizations for every breed listed on the AKC website - www.akc.org . Go to breeds and then select which breed you want to research. It will list not only the official rescue organizations, but also the breed clubs and get you started on finding breeders.

A tip - occasionally, show breeders have retired show dogs that they love to place in good homes. The dog gets a wonderful family and the family gets a wonderfully trained and well bred dog. Just another avenue to think about looking into.

BTW - the Puli is also a low dander/no-low shed dog. But usually not recommended for beginning owners - unless you are willing to put time and effort into proper training.

No kidding about the money. I found one breeder online that breads standard poodles with labs/retrievers and they want over $1500 . There is no way I will pay that much money for a dog, sorry.

Some friends got the nicest little Llassa from a man that shows dogs. She didn't have the right bite or something and he kept her for a pet for a while but he was gone too much so they got her for a pet.

 

[goofy!]

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[chyam]

You may also want to look into greyhounds, the females are medium I had one that was 53lbs. The ex racers are very well behaved, leashed trained, crate trained and they shed very very little. They are also very quiet dogs. The thing with greyhounds though you do have to have a fenced yard and they cannot tolerate being outside in extreme heat or cold for long periods since they have very little body fat. A lot of people think they are hyper but quite honestly they are not! They are used to being crated up to 18 hours a day total and only run when on the track 2 times a week. I found them to be very loving couch potatoes and when I was fostering them I had read that 90% of people with allergies could tolerate them in their homes. IMO they make wonderful pets and can be as young as 2 years old. Check out Greyhound Pets of America. A lot of people think they are ugly but they have the most wonderful dispositions and such soulful eyes, it's hard not to love one. They would also make a wonderful running partner with for your son, although it is best that they are kept on a leash.
And you would be saving a life besides having a great dog