small dog interest

Im looking into owning a small dog.
In the past Ive only owned large dogs mostly sheperds.
my living space is small ( a two bedroom apratment) and i Have one harry cat so im looking for a low shedding dog. My boyfriend isnt an animal person so Im working on him as well.

got any suggestions on what small dogs would be good?

Well, I am a dog groomer so I have experience with many, many breeds.

Breeds that don't shed much like shih tzus require a lot of brushing and regular professional grooming, otherwise they get matted, and stinky.

Then there's breeds like miniature pinschers that have a single coat that is fine and doesn't require much grooming and doesn't shed much.

What are you looking for in a dog?

http://www.superherodesigns.com/jour...acup_pooch.jpg

How cute i that? Yo quero!!

Not very cute when it bites, poops and pees on you at the same time...

Exactly. Chihuahuas are often very snippy, nervous, and ill tempered.

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Exactly. Chihuahuas are often very snippy, nervous, and ill tempered.

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As are many small dogs...

Not all though. Toy and miniature poodles are often little gems, as are many shih tzus, and some lhasa apsos. longhaired dachshunds are often nice too.. not so much the short hair and wires though. lol

Take a look at the toy group page on AKC.org and see what tickles your fancy:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/toy_group.cfm

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

Not very cute when it bites, poops and pees on you at the same time...

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I would think that wouldn't be cute no matter what animal was involved! haha

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Not all though. Toy and miniature poodles are often little gems, as are many shih tzus, and some lhasa apsos. longhaired dachshunds are often nice too.. not so much the short hair and wires though. lol

Take a look at the toy group page on AKC.org and see what tickles your fancy:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/toy_group.cfm

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We had poodles growing up. Always hated them...Yorkies as well. I like short haired dogs. I would love a Boxer if I had the time. We dog sit my fiance's boss's Boxer a couple times a month and he is awesome!

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Originally Posted by jglass38

As are many small dogs...

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Amen!

Border collies all the way...............

I love my chihuahuas.....I have two of them. This one here deffinetly fits the nippy ankle biter label, also a constent yapper when someone is at the house....and up to a half hour after they leave...The other is much bigger and the exact opposite of this lil girl. But I would never give up my chihuahuas.

How bout a Boston Terrier?...another one of my favorite's.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...dsnakey027.jpg

im not to sure. I mean i like mini dobermans, and also shizus. im not a fan of yorkies or poodles.


i dont like yapping barking small dogs can make but I also hate the smell of a cat and i got one of those so its a give and take i guess.

I never thought about a boston terrier. They care cute dogs.

the low sheds dogs are a trouble to keep neat and im not sure spending a mini fortune to get them groomed is what I wanna do. Im sure I can do it myself.
I just hope it isnt much trouble.

i really apperciate all your input. both good suggestions and ones to stay away from.
:D

My mom and sister is wanting to get or adopt a pug :sigh2:. I dont really like the small dogs, I like the big dogs. But I got to say I love our little girl.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...les/Goldie.jpg

She LOVES the mountains, especally the water up there.:P

the boston terrier looks really good!

and also a tibetan spaniel. never saw one before but I like the look.

he wouldnt mind a lasa alpso mix but im not sure thats the kind of dog i want.

this is pretty hard!:weirdface

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Originally Posted by worldcupkeeper

My mom and sister is wanting to get or adopt a pug :sigh2:. I dont really like the small dogs, I like the big dogs. But I got to say I love our little girl.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...les/Goldie.jpg

She LOVES the mountains, especally the water up there.:P

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what kind of dog is this?

What about checking out your local animal shelter for a small dog? Here there always seem to be a bunch of smaller breeds there.

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Originally Posted by 4Khan

what kind of dog is this?

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Pekingese, we had one that was in the family a LONG time and a few years ago she got into our pool during the winter and drowned (we have no pool now).

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Originally Posted by worldcupkeeper

Pekingese, we had one that was in the family a LONG time and a few years ago she got into our pool during the winter and drowned (we have no pool now).

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im sorry to hear that.

I did check the local shelters online. i did see some that might be ok for me but ive adpoted from a shelter before and had a pretty bad expericance. I dont have the engergy to go through it again. puppies in itself are a handful and im not sure a puppy is the route to go either. Im almost sure I would rather just do it by ad and get a dog from the owner. that way i can come to there house with my throwing stars if there is any problems. make them the mayor of pain!!!!!

I would have to say that working in a pet store around many customers with small dogs my by far favorite were the french bulldogs. However I'm a sucker for the scrunched up faces (used to have a shar pei) with my second favorite being pugs (however you'll pay out the nose for a good quality bloodline pug). Minpins are sweet little dogs as well, a bit more active than pugs....but you'll have to take into consideration what you want from the dog...loyal lap dog, or something that you can take running.


Research, and find something that interests you, research some more, and then find a reputable breeder to meet the parent dogs...asks lots of questions...and then hopefully enjoy your pet for the next 10+ years.

Good luck!

Or you could find a nice mixed breed in a shelter, one that would live a much longer and healthier life than any "purebred" dog, not to mention you would be saving it from euthanasia. At least coming out of a shelter, the animal would have already been vaccinated, been dewormed, been microchipped and neutered. Makes everything easier on you.

Dogs are such expensive animals to own. You have to worry about providing a good diet(Purina O.N.E., Pro Plan, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Wellness, etc., no store brand crapola), heartworm and flea preventative, yearly shots and boosters.

Hope that gave you a few other suggestions on where to find a suitable dog.

Don't get me started on yorkies.. so many of them are just TERRIBLY ill mannered.. as are pugs. Ever try to clip a pug's nails? eek.

Boston terriers are nice animals.. french bulldogs too, but I am not a big fan of the look of either. Min pins are sweet little dogs for the most part.

Grooming a shih tzu or lhasa apso yourself is not impossible.. heck I can give you all the advice you want, but you do have to invest in quality clippers and blades which are not cheap.

Tibetan spaniels are uncommon dogs, I really don't know much about them other than they are not spaniels. :)

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Well, I am a dog groomer so I have experience with many, many breeds.

Breeds that don't shed much like shih tzus require a lot of brushing and regular professional grooming, otherwise they get matted, and stinky.

Then there's breeds like miniature pinschers that have a single coat that is fine and doesn't require much grooming and doesn't shed much.

What are you looking for in a dog?

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For the win! My Aunt's boyfriend has one, coolest "little" dog there is. I prefer bigger ones, though. :D

For small dogs, I love min-pins. I really wanted this one that my friend had at her rescue, but we really aren't into owning a dog just yet. I actually want a real Doberman someday, once we own our place (then again, we already have horses, but honestly dogs are more work in my opinion; the horses can just poop wherever they stand, indoors or out!)
I would go to the SPCA and see what's there; you'll most likely be saving a life too. My sister got a purebred Beagle there recently. Or better yet, contact a rescue; a lot of them really need funding.