Recommendations for small breed dog?

[RachelEllen]

2. Italian greyhounds: I personally love the sweet faces they have and how elegant they look. My concern is how fragile are they? DS10 is fairly well-behaved, but can also get rambunctious/loud at times...he's not a toddler and knows when to cool it, but I wonder how sensitive Italian greyhounds are.

I think that's a really valid concern. Italian greyhounds can be sensitive dogs. I'd consider just how your son interacts with both cats and dogs and what sort of relationship with a pet works well for him.

Most IG's really won't 'get into' loud and rough play. Thinking of them as somewhat catlike may be helpful. I wouldn't worry about the dog being too emotionally senstive. Once they used to him, many IG's won't be scared or timid, but they would almost certainly tolerate rather than participate. Many 10 year old boys won't find that as much fun as a really 'doggie' type dog.

If he's at all physicially rough with dogs, an IG would also not be appropriate as they are prone to broken legs. (Usually when jumping from something high or if they are dropped)

I wouldn't trade my IG for the world. He's a great companion and a sweet, sweet boy. If you think you and your boy would enjoy this sort of companion, I don't want to discourge you. But they're not for everyone!

ETA: Just read your question 3. Many people have success litter training IG's. I did not. My boy was originally outside trained, and we had more success training him to go outside in the bad weather. Also, with boys....well, he kind of aims high for a box to do much good. Even after being nuetered, he prefers a nice tree.

 

[nomie74]

I have to second and third everyone's opinions of shih zu's and their mixes. Teagan is 3/4 Yorkie and 1/4 Shih zu and is perfect! I was told she wouldn't shed, but I have noticed when I'm wearing a white t-shirt and hold her that there are little black hairs. She's also pretty tiny, only about 3 pounds, I get nervous when she's around kids, but mostly because they are not used to her and I'm worried they'll step on her when they start running around. My nieces just visited and unless they were supervised I just kept them seperated. If your son is used to small dogs it shouldn't be a problem. She knows a few commands and will play fetch with her toys and likes to go for walks.

 

[Karel]

Allergies differ from person to person, it is crucial you both spend a lot of time with the specific dog you are interested in getting before bringing it home. There is no such thing as a hypo-allergenic dog or a dog that doesn't shed, they all shed some and someone will be allergic to it. It depends on what you're allergic to (saliva, pee, dander, hair, etc)....)

This is so true. I have no allergy reaction with our Westie but my friend had to give her Westie ( my dog's sister, adopted at the same time) away because she suffered for three months with her allergies.

It was really sad.

We went from a large Golden to our little Westie. I though I would never own a small dog, much less a white one but he's a big dog in a little body.

 

[cristbaby]

First of all let me tell you how sorry I am to hear about your poor doggy. It is very hard when they have to leave.....like losing a family member.

Well, I have to chime in about the Bichon. We had to put our Sheltie down after 15 years so it was really hard to make a decision about getting another dog to "take her place". Having allergies myself I suffered for 15 years with our Sheltie (not bad enough to replace her though)so I wanted a dog that did not shed and wouldn't get to big. After much searching, I found a breeder and of course he raised show dogs. Maxwell did not live up to their expectations so low and behold we got him at a real cheap price. He's been with up a little over a year and he is the most awesome dog I have ever had. He is crate trained so he stays in there when we are not home and at night mainly to keep him out of trouble. He was a little stubborn at potty training but we just stuck with it and I don't think he has had an accident in 7 or 8 months. He's great with kids......I have 3 grandchildren that are here everyday and he loves them as much as they love him.

I hope this helps a little and good luck in your doggy search.

 

[lillygator]

I've always had dogs - mainly large dogs but 5 years ago added to our family with a mini daschund ---- he is awesome....and most recently a teacup chichauaua...

I do think the smaller ones are harder to train but alot stems from you getting them asap and setting the expectation up.

Good luck!

 

[mrsmom]

my kids have asthma ,three of them, And one had a very small airway do to a birth defect she is on a cpap at night for her breathing and she's 12 , we got a dog two yrs ago for the first time and my oldest is 20 yrs old . The pulmonary dr told us to get a shih tzu ,This was a breed my dd could be around.
I am so glad we did , he was very easy to potty train. So loveable and great with the kids.
I am so sorry about your furbaby.
Kim

 

[wdwfam]

Another Shih Tzu owner here chiming in. Our Boo (Picabo) is 10 and is the sweetest thing. What a wonderful natured dog. She was really very easy to potty train, unlike DD's sheltie, who, at 6 months still has accidents. This our second Shih Tzu, and I can't say enough good about the breed. What a perfect pet for our kids! They are very low maintenance - professional grooming every 6 weeks or so, and I brush her every couple of days.

 

[BeckyEsq]

Another Bichon owner! We love our Bichon, Wesley. We got him from a breeder at 12 weeks old and he is 2 now and weighs just under 12 pounds. He does not shed at all and he is very gentle and quiet and very rarely barks. He is very affectionate, loves to curl up on our laps but is also great for taking walks with us and will keep up with us for two miles no problem. I will say that potty training him was an exercise in patience but now that he is trained there are no problems. He never had much of a chewing problem -- he loves his toys so as long as he has a toy to chew he has never destroyed anything. We do still crate him when we leave the house, mainly for his own safety.

 

[LindaR]

I have a toy poodle. She's white and weighs almost 8 pounds. She is not a yapper and was very easy to housetrain. No matter what breed you end up with, CHOOSE YOUR BREEDER CAREFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone can put a male and female together to have pups. A good breeder chooses the parents so that the good points are passed along to the pups and any bad things may get diluted (example health issues).

If you want a healthy dog of great quality, be prepared to invest money upfront..........it will keep you from spending constantly down the line with visits for ailments.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

We have a "taco terrier" which is toy fox terrier and chihuahua. Lucy is awesome and we are litter box training her. The smaller breeds are tougher to train and we call it a work in progress. They squat and pee so fast!! Lucy is 5 month old now and is a little charmer that attracts attention anywhere we go. She weighs a whopping 4 lbs. and very slender. This pic was taken a week ago.

 

[PrincessDeb]

Another Bichon owner!
My husband and stepdaughter are both allergic to dogs so we tried a couple of breeds when shopping around to see how they'd do. My husband has issues with our Bichon when it's been awhile since she's had a bath but other than that, no itching or hay fever. I always owned big dogs (mutts) and never thought I'd get into a little breed but I love our Bichon. She was very stubborn about being housebroken but we chalked it up to her being 5mos old when we got her. Now I know better! I'd love to have a second one but at this point, I think Tiffany is a little too old for another dog in the house (she's 11). We babysit my DH's ex-wife's Jack Russell and Tiffany couldn't get along with him at all. Like another poster said, we have grandparents begging to babysit the dog when we go away!

Deb

 

[MerryPoppins]

I'm another bichon lover. We have two and we love our bichons. Both are crate trained. They are very intelligent. Mine ring a bell on the back door when they need to go out. But they are stubborn.

I've had two poodles and I like them a lot, but bichons are more easy going and sweet. When ours were young, my DD would drag them around in doll clothes and they didn't care. It's like they love the attention. They also like to run and romp as well as curl up in your lap.

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

I have a Pomeranian named Pandie and she is such a precious baby! I adore her. If you go to the website in the picture, you can see lots of pics of her. She is a therapy dog and visits the children's oncology unit at out local hospital. Honestly, she is such a wonderful dog and just loves everybody.
OP-I am sorry about your dog, I lost one of my best furry friends (a male Pomeranian named Dracula) a few years ago and I still get teary eyed when I think about him. A new dog can never replace your baby, but sometimes, when I look at Pandie I swear I see Drac looking back at me. I miss him so.... Good luck and I hope you enjoy the pictures!

 

[Mouse-n-Mini]

I recommend a Bichon. We have 2- a male and a female. They're adorable, they don't shed, you couldn't find a sweeter dog than my little Mini (besides when her brother mouse tries to take her busy bone ) They're little white dogs that resemble poodles/maltese and they have curly hair.

 

[Mjasp]

We got our Bichon Frise from someone who bought him for their teenage girls and then couldn't keep up with the work of a puppy so we got him at 9 months old with his papers and chip information.

He is the sweetest dog there ever was and he doesn't have a mean bone in his body. He was bought at a breeder at www.majestickennel.com

We LOVE him and Bichons can hold there own, my dog is 10 pounds and a year and a half old and he is not delicate.

GO BICHON!!!

They also have Shih Tzus at that kennel

Go look at the pictures

 

[ilovepcot]

I have a toy poodle. She's white and weighs almost 8 pounds. She is not a yapper and was very easy to housetrain. No matter what breed you end up with, CHOOSE YOUR BREEDER CAREFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone can put a male and female together to have pups. A good breeder chooses the parents so that the good points are passed along to the pups and any bad things may get diluted (example health issues).

If you want a healthy dog of great quality, be prepared to invest money upfront..........it will keep you from spending constantly down the line with visits for ailments.

Totally agree with this. Another Toy Poodle owner here. In fact, have owned and loved Toy Poodles since 1971 and hope to never live a day without one!

SPIDER (Phantom Poodle)...all 4 1/2 pounds of him!

 

[wasabi girl]

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How about a papillon? Pippin is about 7.5 lbs. He's the sweetest little dog ever. If you always want a dog in your lap (or next to you) and promise to give him a spot on your bed, this is the dog for you. Fairly easy to train, intelligent, friendly, playful, he gets enough exercise from a good game of fetch. He doesn't however think he is a dog. he thinks he is the King of the world, at least.

 

[ShellyBelly]

I am so glad that I stubbled upon this thread!! We moved into a town fromthe country and our 4 year old chocolate lab did not take the move well. He was used to having the run of the farm and a small fenced back yard just hasn't cut it. So, 2 weeks ago we gave him to a friend who does live on a farm. He is much happier now, but I miss having a dog!!

I have had cocker spaniels in the past, but now that I have kids, I don't think that is such a good idea! DS has mild allergies, and we are leaning towards a "hypo-allergenic" breed. I am wondering if anyone has a schnauzer? I have heard they have an odor. But, DH really likes them. Any feedback on them?

To the OP, so sorry about Wallace. It's hard saying good-bye to a friend.

 

[ilovepcot]

I am wondering if anyone has a schnauzer? I have heard they have an odor. But, DH really likes them. Any feedback on them?

Never have owned one but often dogsat for my neighbor's Schnauzer. Never noticed any kind of odor at all. It was a very sweet, even tempered little dog that was good with kids and easy to train. At least that's what I observed with this particular dog.

 

[Mjasp]

Just want to add that my DH has severe allergies to dogs (he lived with headaches for 10 years when we had our lab) then he got tested and found out it was the dog. We kept her until she died of natural causes.
With the Bichon, he has NO problems and another thing about Bichons is they don't have any odors. Pick up your Bichon and put your nose right against their skin and you will see.

JUST THOUGHT i WOULD ADD THAT
Joanna