Recommendations for small breed dog?

[jaycns]

It has now been almost 3 full years since losing our beloved pug/fox terrier mix. We do have a big baby (a lab) and although he is a great family dog he is not "in your lap" cuddly.

We had Cooper our pug mix for 10 years. He was just a person in a dog's body! We loved his attitude and his spunk. We miss having a little dog that can curl up in our lap and that can climb up on the bed without taking up half of it.

So...as we approach the holiday season, we are thinking of making another "small dog" a family member. It has taken us years to get to the point where smaller sized dog stuff doesn't send us running for tissues and thinking about Cooper...but I think (as a family) we are finally ready to look for another lap baby.

We do have a lab...but he is great with other dogs. As long as the small dog could get along with him...he will relish in having another dog around again. He was lost for months without Cooper to keep him in line.

What I am looking for are recommendations for small breed dogs. We are hoping to find a dog that will be about 5-15 lbs when fully grown. We are also looking for a breed that doesn't shed much (if at all...we don't mind paying a groomer to keep them nice and neat). Also, being good with kids and good with other dogs is a must.

We are looking for a dog that loves to be with people and loves to be perched in your lap.

Mixed breeds or pure breds are great by us. **PLEASE do not turn this into a debate about why you should only get pure blood dogs...I posted this request on another message board I am a member of last week and it became a heated exchange...I only want feedback about your own dear dogs**

I would love to see some pictures if you don't mind sharing!! Thank you all in advance!!

 

[Cindyluwho]

I was going to say Chihuahua but since you said no shedding that most likely won't work. They also can be fragile around small children. My second choice would be a Japanese Chin. Great around kids, not much shedding, calm and wonderful dogs. Not yappy, yippy leg riders, just nice loving dogs. Good luck to you!!

 

[Cindy B]

My mini poodle doesn't shed. In fact, my mini poodle had a Lab sister before she passed away.

My mini poodle is pretty small--about the size of a largish cat. He's probably 18 pounds and it great with my kids. You do have to groom him.

 

[FreshTressa]

Bichon's don't shed much....and are fairly friendly.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are adorable, but they do shed some.

 

[Crankyshank]

If I were to get a small dog breed, I would definitely get a Bichon. They don't shed, but do need to be groomed regularly. They're friendly, personable, great with kids, and just over all great dogs.

 

[FreshTressa]

Oh, oh, oh...A bichi-poo!

You get a shed free dog that is good with kids and not as snippy and one person oriented as some small poodles can be.

 

[powellrj]

http://www.netpets.com/dogs/reference/breedinfo/submit/yorkie.html


We have a yorkie that came from the pound and he is a wonderful pet. Most of what the article said about them is true.

 

[PrincessJasmine1972]

How bout a mini dacshund? I have one named Buddy. He gets along VERY well with my other dog, Chip and he doesn't shed much. He's also VERY affectionate and loves to be petted and lay in your lap.

 

[Cindy B]

I don't have any pics of my mini poodle online so here's a link of a poodle rescue

http://www.coastalpoodlerescue.org/poodles/adoptme.cfm

 

[janette]

We have 2 Bichons. They are a wonderful breed and think they belong in some one's lap. Our youngest will come up to me when I'm on the computer and ask to be picked up He's a little spoiled. They don't shed but do require grooming, the size varies from 10lbs - 20lbs. The size of the parents would give you an idea of how big they will be. They are a little sturdier than some of the toy breeds and not yippy.

 

[kat3668]

I have to recommend Shi TZus.. they are sweet and SMART!
Angel Baby is the best dog we have ever owned. We cant imagine not having her!

 

[rie'smom]

We have a Japanese Chin,Bruiser, who is the sweetest,calmest,most adorable dog but she does blow her coat 1x a year and these dogs do need brushing. We also have the quietest,cutest, most loving Yorkie,Roxie, that you'd ever want to see. I'm not sure but I think Roxie is so quiet because she's patterned her behavior on Bruiser. Truly,I have never seen such a quiet Yorkie,ever.

 

[wasabi girl]

We've got a papillon. He's a great little guy...loves to sit in your lap, sleep in your bed...and be with you pretty much constantly. He does shed a little but regular brushing keeps it to a minimum.
Here is a link to the papillon club website...they've got pictures...
http://www.papillonclub.org/

I realized when I tried to post a pic of Pip (our papillon) that all my pics on this computer are of Disney (go figure)!

 

[mandy200587]

I have a teacup poodle. She weighs five pounds and is 12 years old. She's friendly as can be.

 

[Tinks]

http://www.netpets.com/dogs/reference/breedinfo/submit/yorkie.html


We have a yorkie that came from the pound and he is a wonderful pet. Most of what the article said about them is true.

I second the Yorkie. They are wonderful family dogs. Very loving and they do not shed at all! Bonus!

 

[keenercam]

cairn terrier. They are so sweet and loving, very social but also able to be left alone. Very sturdy, too (not fragile like some tiny breeds). Also, they are wonderful family dogs -- they are known for being loyal to many rather than being a one-person dog, so this breed was ideal when we were looking for one that would be a family dog with our then DD12 and DS7. She is very bright, too -- she is what each of us needs: rough and tumble with DH, playful with DS (pulling on his shoelaces to get his attention and bringing toys to him to play), DD's "best friend" (she followed her everywhere and would sit on the chair in DD's room to hear her practice her flute and would lie down next to her when DD was studying to keep her company). With me, she is my "baby" -- greets me at the door like I am the only important person in the world, stays with me when I am sitting still. Brings her "babies" to me and then lies down next to me with her baby, just lying up against my side. Soooo sweet!

Our furbaby is now 6 years old and I can't imagine life without her. She is also a breed that is good for people with allergies and she doesn't shed. She has hair instead of fur. While ours is a bit overweight, they are usually 13-15 pounds, I believe.

You absolutely MUST make it a point to meet a cairn terrier before you make up your mind. I think you will fall absolutely head over heels in love.

 

[swebri94]

We have a little maltese. He is very well tempered,and great with kids. I love him to death.

 

[drgnfly30]

If you want a dog with tons of personality - Miniature Pinscher... Clean short coat, minimal shedding. Mine is only 10lbs. They are lap dogs for sure! Did I mention tons of personality? Good with the kids (but mine are 11 & 16 now) they love love love to play!

Downside is that mine can be a bit bossy with the other dogs, I have a feeling bossiness is a trait amongst Minpins. My other dogs tolerate it, most of the time, even though they are older & bigger! So your Lab would have to be really easy going....

Feel free to ask me about Bo! and no matter what you choose, be sure to check out Petfinder.com!

 

[juligrl]

cairn terrier. They are so sweet and loving, very social but also able to be left alone. Very sturdy, too (not fragile like some tiny breeds). Also, they are wonderful family dogs -- they are known for being loyal to many rather than being a one-person dog, so this breed was ideal when we were looking for one that would be a family dog with our then DD12 and DS7. She is very bright, too -- she is what each of us needs: rough and tumble with DH, playful with DS (pulling on his shoelaces to get his attention and bringing toys to him to play), DD's "best friend" (she followed her everywhere and would sit on the chair in DD's room to hear her practice her flute and would lie down next to her when DD was studying to keep her company). With me, she is my "baby" -- greets me at the door like I am the only important person in the world, stays with me when I am sitting still. Brings her "babies" to me and then lies down next to me with her baby, just lying up against my side. Soooo sweet!

Our furbaby is now 6 years old and I can't imagine life without her. She is also a breed that is good for people with allergies and she doesn't shed. She has hair instead of fur. While ours is a bit overweight, they are usually 13-15 pounds, I believe.

You absolutely MUST make it a point to meet a cairn terrier before you make up your mind. I think you will fall absolutely head over heels in love.

I have to second the cairn terrier suggestion. I don't own a cairn right now but I can vouch for their awesome dispositions. They may be little but they're all muscle.

 

[drgnfly30]

cairn terrier.

Hey fellow Delawarean!! I used to have a Cairn growing up... even though she had descended from some champions I swear she was not your normal Cairn Terrier... awful hair, skin problems, big like 22lbs big & sturdy not fat... God love her she was crazy..