Need toy/small dog recommendations for family pet?

Question

We would like to find a toy-size dog (around 9-15 pounds) for our family of seven. We have children from ages 2 1/2 to 14. The youngest children are 2 1/2 and then 6 and I haven't seen them be rough with any animals. The six year old falls in love with every animal she sees. Family members are home most of the time so the dog would not typically be left alone except for weekend errands.

Here is what we are looking for:

**Toy size or very close to it.**

**Doesn’t shed or minimal shedding but is not hairless.**

**Hypoallergenic.**

**No doggy odor.**

**Good with children.**

**Doesn’t require frequent professional grooming (prefer less often every 6 weeks).**

**Easy to housebreak and train.**

Yes, that's a tall order but I'm hoping there is a 'perfect' pet for us. I have done a lot of looking online and seem to only find conflicting information. I would be very thankful for any 'wise' recommendations you care to share.

Thanks,
Donna

Answer 1

I hate too say it, but there is no toy size that is perfect for a family with young children... the dogs are too small, too fragile. No responsible breeder would sell you one either.

There are a few breeds that have minimal shedding... but none that have no odor and that dont require any grooming...

However, you can try this sitehttp://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm and see if it can help guide you... remember there are no perfect dogs, just like children, you love them for what they are

Answer 2

You could look into a Havanese. They end up being between 7 and 13 lbs. They fit everything you ask for, except for grooming, and if you kept it in a puppy cut it wouldn't be a problem. But usually, with dogs that don't shed, their hair just keeps growing and you will need to get the hair cut twice a year or so. My friends have two of these dogs and they are the softest, most loving animals. The children in the family are ages 4 and 11 and the dogs love them. They had no problem training the dogs, though sometimes they will get a little stubborn if they don't feel like doing something. On the down side I think they run about $700, although I have seen them listed at a cheaper price.

Answer 3

Personally I'm partial to a poodle because that's what I have. But I think a lot of the small breeds could be good, you just have to get a dog with a good personality to begin with - so make sure you get the doggie from a good breeder and you check out their dogs beforehand. Maybe bring your kids along too, you'll see how the dogs respond - but of course check with the breeder first.

As far as the grooming goes, I groom my poodle myself. I bought the cheapest clippers at some pet store $50 and anything I can't do with the clippers I do with scissors. I've been doing this since he was a young pup. Just a thought as far as the grooming issue since most dogs who do not shed will require some kind of grooming.

I also think good training goes a far way with a dog. So consider obedience classes for your pooch!

Answer 4

Check into a Patterdale Terrier. They are tough enough for youngsters, aren't as yappy as most terriers, shed less than most, stand about 13 inches at the shoulders and should weigh under 20 pounds. Can't make any promises about smell. They need a lot of exercise so hopefully you have a nice sized, fenced yard or live in the country. Patterdales originated in Great Britian and are relatively rare in the states.

Answer 5

Now my grandma has a Toy Poodle hes 6 months old, doesnt shed, is not aggressive, falls in love with every child he sees, doesnt have a doggy odor, will bark if he has to go to the bathroom, and he knows 8 tricks already i really recommend one i was very impressed

Answer 6

Toy Pomeranians are really cute and don't shed or stink. We had one but they liked to mess in the house. Our babysitter has a really cute toy chiwawa(?) but might shed some but doesn't poo inside and is really sweet around our 8 mth old. My grandmother had really cute toy poddles that didn't shed or mess in the house and didn't have to be groomed very often AND were never stinky. I've heard that toy dogs are really hard to housebreak because they can't 'hold it' very long but not all are like that. Good luck.
PS Cats stink, shed, destroy stuff, cough up hairballs - not good pets!!

Answer 7

First, I am sorry to say but you will probably never find a dog that doesn't smell well like a dog, but I have had good experience with dashunds and basset hounds, beagles are ok although very high energy and of course the signature howl. All have pretty short hair, and as for ease of training I recomend crate training. I used crates with my dogs, and I could easily leave them home for 24 hours and not worry.

Answer 8

I'd reccomend a male shih tzu.

**Toy size or very close to it.** --CHECK

**Doesn’t shed or minimal shedding but is not hairless.** --sheds a bit, but not too much if kept short

**Hypoallergenic.**--CHECK

**No doggy odor.**--CHECK

**Good with children.**--shih tzus can be a little scared with children, so i reccomend a puppy that will grow up with your children. my experience is that males are more tolerant than females.

**Doesn’t require frequent professional grooming (prefer less often every 6 weeks).**--keep him short and haircut every 2-3 months

**Easy to housebreak and train.**--again, have found that male shih tzus are easier than females

Answer 9

OK not toy size but a Bischon fits most of your description. If you are going for "toy" that is hard because they are incredibly difficult at times. A whippett it a great dog for what you are talking about also, a little bigger but incredibly loveably, good with children and body smell is great...mine smells like a dryer sheet all the time...Most "toys" ARE NOT good with children.

Answer 10

Poodles are really sweet-you just have to get them groomed several times a year. I grew up with a standard poodle, and my best friend grew up with a toy. They don't shed, and are good with kids. They are also really smart-my mom has won a TON of competitions with our poodle. They are relatively easy to train-I still teach my poodle new tricks and she is 13!
Hope this helps!