Member

Posts: 12
From:Madison, WI, USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-31-2004 04:12 PM         

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Everyone on this site is so awesome with thier advice to all my questions so far, that I thought I might be able to get some input as to a good breed a dog to buy.
I am wanting a 5-10 lb dog that is sweet, low coat maintenance, fairly easy to train, able to be left during the day, smart and adaptable to meeting people.

Please give advice or point me in a direction to where I can get more info.

Thanks!!

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-31-2004 04:47 PM         

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This is a great site for looking at breeds, the descriptions tell you about size, grooming, temperment, health issues etc and you get to see a picture.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/abc.htm

Some breeds for you to look at:

Boston terrier ( one of my favorite little dogs)
Pug
Chihuahua
Toy Fox Terrier
Jack Russel terrier
Patterdale terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Rat terrier (they come in three sizes, you probably want toy to mid)
Schipperke (my flyball captain has one of these and she is too cool!)
Norfolk terrier
Norwich terrier

Really look at the temperment descriptions...you are asking for a small dog with short easy care coat which throws you into the terriers category, not always described as "sweet"....often are lovingly referred to as "terrors". They are meant to be fiesty alot of the times, bred for hunting down varmits.

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Member

Posts: 275
From:My IQ is higher than yours, I guarantee it.
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-31-2004 04:53 PM         

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Maisey has excellent suggestions. I would recommend the chihuahua personally if it is going to be a one person dog. Key thing with this dog is from DAY ONE take it out wherever you go and encourage strangers or anyone who would like to hold it...let them hold it. Like at petco buying food...the employees will give a treat or pet them. Chihuahuas need to be taught to accept other people. Same goes for children. I have a very outgoing chihuahua which is not typical of them. I personally would avoid terriers as they are supposed to be more difficult to train (stubborn) and almost need the exercise of a medium to large breed dog. But that is just what the books say and I've never trained one.

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-31-2004 04:54 PM         

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Oh OH I forgot! Once you have narrowed it down to the breed(s) of dog you are interested in...check out www.petfinder.com and breed rescues, they are a great place to find a dog that truely wants and needs a forever home.

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-31-2004 05:05 PM         

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OK MistressKela..now I get to tell my faves..*grins*

The Boston terrier..just love these little guys!

The Pug, has become very popular and is in every example I have met, been very very outgoing and people friendly. My neighbor had a very overweight male named Pugsley (of course!)and he used to climb the hill separating our yards every chance he got to visit my kids, he LOVED kids. He would be so out of breath and snorting like crazy but he was beside himself happy to see my girls. Whenever he came up missing his owner would come to my house first, because he knew Pugsley would do anything to get to the kids.
Pugsley died in a house fire this past fall, we were all heartbroken and we miss him greatly.

and like I said the Schipperke, there is one on my flyball team and she is a character. Every one I have met seems to have this habit of standing on their back legs and waving their front feet at you. It's adorable. She is an awesome flyball dog and will do ANYTHING for food. Their coat is longish and super thick but a "wash and wear" type, they kind of take care of themselves, really all you have to do is comb and brush it. They are jet black and super duper shiny, tidy looking little dogs with an intelligent face and expression.

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-31-2004 05:47 PM         

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I have never heard of this breed of dog but it looks cute!

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier http://www.geocities.com/trtaunited/photo.html

I have DSL and it still took a bit to load the page, so be patient.

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Moderator

Posts: 806
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 01-31-2004 10:56 PM         

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Hi bwknox, From my experience the smaller breed dogs like you are searching for generally have dependant personalities. Dependant means that they crave attention and are usually a one person dog. I have had several different breeds, but since we got our Chihuahua I don't think I would want any other breed. We now have two Chihuahua's. As with all smooth coat breeds they are low maintenance. They are very smart. The second one we bought I set her on a paper to try and train her. Although she didn't go to the bathroom then, the very next time she went, she went on the paper. Be sure to reward them when they do right. Because of their craving attention, smaller breeds tend to suffer separation anxiety when left alone and can show up as chewing on things. After some time and a little patience on your part they will adjust to your schedule. Also due to their dependant personalities they tend to be one owner dogs and are extremely protective so they will need to be worked with in regard to acceptance of other people. Chihuahua's are definately my favorite. I can't lay down without ours trying to snuggle up to me.

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Member

Posts: 156
From:
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 02-01-2004 06:28 AM         

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I have not had that much experiance with smaller dogs, just my own poms. But my cousin has a pug, he is very sweet and loving. Only problem with him he can get a little pushy. He has on several occasions knocked down my small children and bitten me. Now this may just be the dog. He has been through extensive training but its just not taking with him. Also he sheds quite a bit, I didnt know such a short coated dog could have so much hair. I think Chihuahuas are great little dogs, but like another posted said they need to be well socialized or they are one person dogs. Another dog to consider Chinese Crested Chin. My friend has one and at first I thought this was the ugliest dog ever but he grew on me and is a very sweet dog. My friend got him from a rescue group but normally they are very expensive. The only problem is she has to be careful since he has no hair he has to wear clothes when it is cold and sunblock when he is outside in the sun. Ok so maybe not the perfect dog but he sure is cute.

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