Need advise on choosing a dog breed

[laborrn2]

Here's my 2 cents....4 words:

SOFT COATED WHEATEN TERRIER!

Best dog on the planet (and I was raised with labs)!! She is 8 next week and the most lovable, great with my 3 kids, easy to train, barely barking (except when someone knocks...good doggie!), NON-SHEDDING, adorable doggie! Can't say enough about the breed in general.

Wheatens need a groomer several times a year for a haircut since they don't shed. They are not your typical "Terrier" as far as personality traits. She weighs about 24 lbs.

Ok, off my soapbox!!

Good luck with adding to your brood! From personal experience, choosing the wrong dog (our previous dog) = misery . Choosing the right dog for your fam = heaven!!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I have to put in my vote for a Yorkie. We have 2, my daughter has 3, and my other daughter has 1. My DH is completely NUTS about Yorkies (I think he likes the dogs better than his children). They don't shed and are such lovable, loyal lap dogs. One of our is about 3 pounds and the other about 6 pounds. In the past we have had a Pekinese, Dashound, Eskimo Spitz, Cocker Spaniel, and several mixed breeds. The Yorkies by far have been the easiest to train and the most "mellow". Good Luck with whatever your new addition is......

 

[NiftyJ88]

I definitely want to caution you to think about grooming costs. Many people overlook this when thinking about a new dog and then the dogs end up with matted hair because it's either too expensive or too time consuming.
I have a mini poodle that I rescued when he was 9. He's very loyal, awesome with my daughter who was 1 when we got him, he will bark when someone approaches the house - but not excessively. Cons - he has lots of health problems (could be poor breeding or whatever happened to him previously). He wears diapers every night because of incontinence issues. He needs dentals every year even with daily brushing. He has the worst breath I have ever smelled on a dog. Not to mention the large mass we had removed, the cherry eyes we had fixed, and kidney failure. He needs to be groomed every 6-8 weeks which would cost me about $40 if my best friend wasn't a groomer.
My other dog is a cockapoo. He was rescued when he was 8 months old. He is very loving and very energetic. He has been awesome with DD3. He learns tricks quickly, but is dumb in some ways (he will run into sliding glass doors, walls, drawers, etc.). He also gets groomed every 6-8 weeks at about $40 each time.
Many small breeds can be left in long coats, but they will still need to visit the groomer frequently to be bathed and trimmed and you NEED to keep up with daily brushings at home. Most small breed dogs can be clipped short (shih tzus, lhasas, yorkies, maltese etc). If you don't want the expense of a groomer, go with a short haired breed like pug, beagle, etc. Both of my dogs came from private rescues, simply because they had what I wanted when I was looking, but the humane society would be a less expensive option and if you watch petfinder.com you can even do breed searches.
Next on my list is a greyhound (although DH wants a German Shepherd).
Good luck finding a new furbaby!

 

[hugabearjo]

I have a schnoodle, cross between a schnauzer and a poodle. She is the most loyal dog. She does have an attitude though. She wants to please almost always but, is a funny little dog.

I think the breed is important but, more important is how they were raised before you and the personality of each dog. I am sure you would find some horrible schnoodles out there. But mine is great. My mom has her littermate and he is a great dog also. They are very smart so get bored and will find activities to entertain themselves. For example, we call mom's hodini because he can escape from anything.

Good luck in your quest. I am sure you will find the perfect family addition.