Dog breed suggestion

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by twobone

Hi,

Can you give me some suggestions on a dog breed. Here are my criteria:

-Small/medium sized dog. My wife has a bad back so she needs something that will not yank her off her feet
Size is less important than proper training
-Short hair and not a major shedder
Dogs all tend to shed around the same. You perceive more or less due to the type of coat and length. A short haired dog will shed just as much as a long haired, it just looks like less. Dogs with curly coats vs smooth tend to mat up rather than depositing hair on the floor. But you need to groom them so you are trading one thing for the other.
-Something that has at least some traditional dog energy. I want my young boys to be able to play fetch and rough-house wrestle a bit with this dog...I don't want a foo-foo lap dog
My 200 lb Mastiff was more of a lapdog than my 20 lb Schnauzer. Pound for pound my mini schnauzer was the fiercest animal I've owned. I've known plenty of foo-foo dogs that were great fun to rough house with.
-Not a major barker like a hound
Vocalization can be breed specific but don't count on it.
-Good with kids and other dogs
Pretty much any dog if properly socialized.
-Something with lots of personality
May have to trade for your the next item on the wish list
-Easy to train with a mellow disposition
See above

For reference, I used to own a Boxer/lab cross. She was a wonderful dog on all accounts. My wife used to own a Bichon-Frise.

We are looking for something "in the middle"

As others have posted.

Go to the pound / ASPCA.

Find "the one".

You'll know it when it happens.

[wdfifteen]

I would say miniature Poodle or miniature Schnauzer or a Schnoodle.
I don't know if you will find a short haired dog that doesn't shed. Poodles and Schauzers don't shed, but their hair never stops growing so you have to have them clipped every 3 months or so. "Dogs all tend to shed around the same" is simply not true.
I like the pound puppy idea if you have lots of flexibility and time to deal with it if the dog has problems.
It's a more expensive route, but I buy a dog that suits my lifestyle and then give lots of money to rescue organizations around here. It soothes my guilt at not having time an patience to keep another rescue dog. I've had 4.

[rcooled]

We first went to the local shelters when looking for our next dog, but couldn't seem to connect with any we saw. Many shelter dogs have 'issues'...that's why they're there. I do recommend looking for a rescue though. If you're patient, you'll find the right one for your family in due time.

We eventually went with a Poodle/Lhasa Apso mix that we got from a breeder. Jack's about 16lbs, has boundless energy and loves to play with people and other dogs alike. He's also smart as hell, and loaded with personality.
He's naturally long-haired, but we keep him trimmed to a manageable length. And despite what others have said here...this dog does not shed at all. His coat is hair, not fur.
I probably wouldn't describe him as 'mellow', but he's nowhere as amped as say, a Chihuahua. He likes to hang out with his people, and he's content to curl up & nap nearby while you're sitting around the house or out in the yard. He's OK with being left alone at home if we're out running errands for the afternoon too.

Dogs are wonderful companions...good luck in your search!

[Embraer]

here are my two little rescue dogs. Best dogs I've had. I got them the day they were to be "terminated."

[Joe Bob]

Chi-Weenies?

[Embraer]

the one in the vista cruiser is a standard Chihuahua. Bugman, the first picture is some type of Chihuahua mix....aka: trollhuahua

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Embraer

here are my two little rescue dogs. Best dogs I've had. I got them the day they were to be "terminated."

Oh krap... that picture is priceless!

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I love the Mutt thing - my Mom was the president of the local SPCA for years.

But. Corgie if you can.

Yes, I voted pound pup...

However my wife has been pushing towards a Yorkie (she had one before and loved it)... I am trying to divert her to a Corgie... not a hard sell because they are so darn cute... we went to a pet fair and looked at a few and I think I have her sold (and there are Corgie rescue organizations). I want a Australian Shepard and a Corgie seems like a good compromise.

However... no more pets at my domicile until we retire and move to a larger fenced yard.

[Baz]

I agree on going to your local shelter. Take the wife and kids.

Like Rika said...you will both know.

Woof!

[Craig T]

Rescue for sure! We rescued Turbo from the local shelter. She is exactly the dog you are describing. $57.00 spade, healthy, and ready for a family.

[dennis in se pa]

As was mentioned several times above...get one from the pound. A purchase from a breeder or pet shop is a vote for yet more to be bred when there are already too many.

[dyount]

Here's my choice and I'd totally recommend. A Bull Terrier is honestly the best dog I've ever had. Great personality, not too big, sheds not too much and is just awesome!
Mine is a total sweetheart female that I come home at lunch just to spend a little time with. She will walk through typical neighborhoods without a leash, won't cross the street unless I allow it and is a total noodlehead. GREAT with kids too

[dyount]

[Reifle]

Mini schnauzer. We have had 3 of these little darlings!

[Royze]

Originally Posted by dyount

Here's my choice and I'd totally recommend. A Bull Terrier is honestly the best dog I've ever had. Great personality, not too big, sheds not too much and is just awesome!
Mine is a total sweetheart female that I come home at lunch just to spend a little time with. She will walk through typical neighborhoods without a leash, won't cross the street unless I allow it and is a total noodlehead. GREAT with kids too

I own a miniature bull terrier and I totally agree, I would say the same thing about mine too.

these dogs have the greatest/funnest personality i ever came across

[Scooter]

I have a rescue Jack Russell. She is what they call an Irish Jack, which is smaller than a normal Jack. A Jack would meet your criteria. The only concern I would have is the kids. How old are the kids? If they are old enough to know better than to jump on top of a dog, then no worries.

Here is a pic of my girl:

[winders]

I would recommend a Standard Schnauzer! Great dogs.......Miniature Schnauzer are great too but a little on the small side.

[95avblm3]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Try the Dachshund rescue network.....

I was going to recommend a dachshund as well until I read the part where they don't want a dog that barks like a hound.

We have two Doxie's, both rescues, both fantastic dogs in their own right. Our boy is usually pretty quiet but our girl is obnoxiously loud... she's very protective of us, which is nice but sometimes a little too protective. We don't know what happened to her in her previous life... we adopted her through our local doxie rescue.

Our boy came from a rescue in the midwest called Hearts United for Animals. If you can't find your dog at your local pound or Humane Society, consider checking out the HUA website (I think it's HUA.org). They have many dogs of different breeds looking for homes. We adopted Rudy via email and phone communication and a house visit by a local volunteer. We had the option to fly out and pick him up but the timing didn't work out, so they flew him to us. It was a good experience working with them as they seem to be a stand-up organization with good process controls in place... it also helped that we got a pretty good dog too. He's currently asleep next to me after a hard day of eating, playing and napping.

[regency]

We love all breeds but you can guess my vote

1973 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

Steve

[vash]

I got my Cairn terrier from a shelter. He meets your criteria perfectly. Maybe on the small side. Although he doesn't know it





Sent via Jedi mind trick.

[fejjj]

I have had and been around dogs my entire life. The smaller dogs seem to make the most noise including many of the breeds mentioned in this thread.

Our most recent rescue is an Australian Cattle dog. She is the BEST dog I have ever known. She weighs about 32 lbs, is incredibly smart, agile, expressive, loyal, cooperative and affectionate!!

When ever I meet another person who knows the breed and has had the pleasure of sharing their lives with them, they say the same thing....BEST dog I have ever known.