I can't decide what kind of dog to get?

Question

It has to be small/toy, get along with cats, not need a fenced yard (I'll take it for walks), basically a good "first-dog." I've gone back and forth between so many of the small breeds, I can't decide! Some of the ones I've looked at are chihuahua, staffordshire bull terrier, italian greyhound, pomeranian, and papillon. Any owners of those?

by they way...I have read a lot about a lot of dogs but I still can't choose. Right now I'm siding toward a papillon or pomeranian, idk.

Answer 1

Chihuahuas are not a good first dog. Even though they are small and cute, they are a one-person dog, difficult to housetrain, and tend to be very protective of their property.

Italian Greyhounds are very energetic (they need a yard to run in) and are difficult to housetrain.

Pomeranians and Papillons are good first dogs. So are King Charles Spaniels.

Answer 2

Most dogs don't get along too great with cats. All the breeds you listed are a good potential except the staffordshire bull terrier which isn't small and the italian greyhound which needs alot of exercise. Remember, small/toy dogs are usually very "yappy" so I hope you have the patience for this. I think a great "first" small breed dog would be a toy poodle. They are probably the smartest among the toy breeds and don't need a fenced in yard. Stay away from the toy terriers like Jack Russels which are just too excitable. Chihuahuas shake alot, would that make you nervous? You could check out mix breed pups at your local shelter, too. You do want to get a puppy so your cats don't feel threatned. I have Shelties myself which are beautiful,small, and super smart but they require tons of exercise. How about a dauschaund, they are cute? And they don't require alot of exercise. Mini Pinschers are cute. Oh, and French bulldogs, though expensive, are like the "new" trendy do to own. They also have this breed called a Puggle that's a cross between a pug and a beagle and I've heard they're like the perfect city dog and everyone on the street wants to stop and pet the puggle puppy! Anyways, do alot of research. Only, get a breed from a reputable breeder who lets you see their kennel. If they don't want you in their kennel, they may be a puppy mill, so be careful. Also, no pet shop puppies! They usually get puppy mill pups or breeder rejects. And remember, you'll have this dog for up to possibly 16 years, are you prepared? And vets are expensive, do you have the finances? Good luck.

Answer 3

Chihuauas take non stop attention. If you work or go to school it wouldn't be a good choice for you. Italian greyhounds although small need a place to RUN, if you don't have a fenced yard it would not be a good breed. poms are basically lap dogs, I've never "met" a papillon so I don't know their personallities. There are also Mineature Dacshunds I love the Doxie breed because of their "attitude" and their personallities. They seem to have more individualized personallities than most other dog breeds. They are very good indoor dogs, can get along with cats as well as other pets and humans too.

Answer 4

I would get a Papillon if they were the types of dogs I liked. I would much rather a large - medium size breed (Labrador, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever etc.).
I know someone who owns a Pomeranian and an Italian Greyhound. Poms are very yappy and I think they're a bit annoying, really. I like the Italian Greyhound much more but they are VERY active.

Good luck on making your decision.
Don't rule out the option of adopting a dog and saving the life of one at your local ASPCA.

**Edit: You can go to http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm and do a 'test' on which dog breed would SUIT you best. It gives you a LOT of imformation about nearly ANY breed of dog.

Answer 5

You definitely don't want to go with a staff/pit bull. Though some can be nice dogs, they were originally bred to be animal aggressive so why take the chance if they can rip your cat to shreds?

My advice is to go with a small mixed breed. Truth be told, they get the best qualities of all the breeds. I have a Lhasa/terrier mix I got from my local SPCA. He's about 17lb, looks like a mop, and is the cutest, sweetest dog you'll ever find. With purebreds, they usually have some kind of congenital defects cause they have to be inbred at some point (some chi's brains grow too big for their skulls!?!).

Just don't go to a breeder, pet store, or buy one in the paper. When people are trying to make money off of animals, you can never know what you're gonna get. Anyway, you can save one at a shelter who would otherwise be killed!

Take a look at: www.petfinder.com b/c you can even type in the size/breed you want and find one in a rescue or shelter nearby. The best part is, the people will be able to tell you more about their personality and likes/dislikes because they'll have information from the previous owner who turned them in and getting to know them at the shelter!

Answer 6

i for my area dont think of that's a stable concept to think of roughly getting a dogs only yet. dogs are very social animals, and that they gained't delight in being left living house on my own for 8 hours an afternoon, and somewhat walked. Definately stay faraway from any terrier breed- and this includes the Yorkie. Terriers have a hell of diverse potential, and that they're going to tear your place aside once you bypass away them living house on my own all day. the diverse toy breeds ought to be somewhat greater properly- desirable. short coated dogs like pugs do tend to shed continuously- yet pugs are small dogs and the quantity of hair they shed relatively isnt that plenty in comparison to the bigger ones- like large danes lol. Pugs are properly favourite for being tenacious and not ordinary to coach, nevertheless- I dont be attentive to if this dogs is maximum suitable on your ecosystem. For you- i could be thinking adopting an older, small dogs from an animal preserve. one that doesnt prefer alot of exercising, needs much less interest, etc- and one that needs a house. there are a number of older dogs available who prefer loving properties- and you ought to discover the ideal dogs in an older dogs. A retired racing greyhound could additionally be a stable journey. opposite to undemanding perception those dogs don't prefer plenty exercising in any respect. a fifteen min walk is sufficient to positioned on them out- and that they are complete settee potatoes. British Bulldogs additionally are a reasonably low maintenance breed.

Answer 7

my friend has a chihuahua its cute and small. VERY ACTIVE likes to bark.. My favorite dog is poodles they come in diffrent sizes!

i have a poodle hes is the most loving caring dog! they love family and other pets.. he gets along with my other dog, other people, my parrots ect... so i think they are a nice calm dogs to have as afirst pet. here soem info on poodle. they come in Tea CUP now that cute. my next dog will be a toy cup poodle.

Standerd poodle, tea cup poodle toy cup poodles ect lots of kind of poodles!

http://www.homestead.com/sharminspoodles/PoodleFAQS.html

Toy Poodles are bright, perky little dogs who are easy to train and eager to please.

Other Names: Caniche

Colors: All solid colors; clear colors are generally preferred
Coat: Profuse and dense; harsh texture

Temperament: Toy Poodles are loyal, sociable, happy, good tempered
With Children: Yes, if children are older.
With Pets: Yes, they are social and playful.
Special Skills: Family pet.

Watch-dog: Very High
Guard-dog: Very Low

Care and Exercise: The Toy Poodles coat grows rapidly and should be shampooed and brushed every week. Frequent trips to the canine beauty parlor should be part of their routine. Careful attention should be paid to the ear and teeth. Toy Poodles can be exercised indoors or in a fenced yard, but they will also enjoy a walk on a leash.
Training: Quick to learn Toy Poodles need a gentle but consistent approach to training.
Learning Rate: Very High, Obedience - Very High, Problem Solving - Very High

Activity: Very High
Living Environment: Apartment living is adequate if enough exercise is given.


HERS SOEM SITES ON TEA TOY CUP POODLES

GOOD LUCK!
NICKY

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=images&imgsz=&imgc=&vf=&va=teacup+poodles&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=UTF-8

http://majesticbayoupoodles.com/poodle_parents.html

http://www.homestead.com/sharminspoodles/index.html

http://www.toypoodles.org/

Answer 8

Pomeranians are good little dogs and so are jack russells. But if you have small kids, no small dog is a good idea. Kids can hurt them easily and little dogs tend to be more nervous and can bite kids in defense.

Answer 9

chihuahua are great dogs but usually dont get along to great with other pets pomeranians are great dogs too they dont need to be taken on real long walks but need alot of grooming

Answer 10

Go to an animal shelter and talk to the staff they can match a dog's temperment, size and exercise to your life. And if you adopt an adult dog you don't have to deal with puppies (which are hard) and you know how they will be as an adult