What type of dog should I get?

Question

My parents and I were thinking about getting a dog this summer. I don't know what breed to get! We need it to be a small dog and tamed, got any choices? Sites and pics would help!!
Thanks so much!!!

Answer 1

"Taming" a dog is just training it. And there are lots of breeds of small dogs.

http://www.allsmalldogbreeds.com/

You need to think about how long you're home, if you're willing to do A LOT of training, how active you are, etc.

I'd recommend going to the shelter and meeting the dogs and seeing what their temperaments are. If you go to the shelter and tell them about your lifestyle and what kind of dog you're looking for, they can help you find the dog that meets your life best.

If you're looking for a specific breed, you can take this little quiz:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

And then once you find the breed you want please think about adopting:
http://www.petfinder.com

Answer 2

Go to your local animal shelter or ASPCA, look online at pepfinder.com, all dog rescues. Decide what type of small dog you want, whether it be a puppy or an adult dog, whether or not you want it hyper or settled. All dogs are hyper usually, especially a wide variety of small dogs and small dog mixes. I hope you find the dog you are looking for. I would recomend looking at several different dogs. Every dog deserves to be looked at and given a chance for a forever home. Take a few of them for a walk to see if that is what you are interrested in. After spending some time with each dog, then it is time for the dicision to be made. If I could take all the unwanted dogs in, I would. I have 2 miniature pinschers, and 4 new puppies from them. I also have a shepherd & husky mix that I rescued. I have 2 cats too. If I thought my husband would let me, I would probably have more. I wish you luck in finding your new forever friend.

Answer 3

I would recommend adopting a dog from a local shelter. You can find dogs in your area that need a home at petfinder.com

There's nothing wrong with mixed breed dogs either! Often times you get the best traits of several breeds in one dog.
GIve this breed selector a try - you enter some basic criteria about the type of dog you are looking for and it comes back with what breeds are the best match.

http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselectorindex.do

Answer 4

the only thing i can say is if you need tame a beagle is a BAD choice they can be good dogs but the barking and eating is a problem they are a gamble. I think a scratch ticket is a better gamble and belive me i took a shot and lost. They are the cutest puppies in the world though.

Answer 5

Do your homework. Research the different breeds of dogs and their temperaments. But before you do that, sit down and do some real soul-searching. Be honest with yourself. Is your family living in a house in the country on an acre? Do you go tramping through the woods? Are you active in sports? Are you sedentary? Do you live in town? Are you in a tiny apartment? If so, you will have to take the dog out several times a day to go to the bathroom even when it's raining, snowing, or hot. When you come home, do you plop in front of the television? On weekends, do you go to 'the mall' or spend time with friends? A dog requires your attention. Dogs are living beings, not vases or bookends that you can set down and forget. Are you prepared to spend time with the dog - not merely being in the same room with him/her? This will be a LIFETIME commitment.

Very important - can your family financially AFFORD a dog? We can't count the number of morons who go on this site and ask total strangers who have never seen their pet for some instant 'home remedies' - instead of getting the proper professional medical care for their pet. Do you realize that medical care is the pet's RIGHT by law, and that to deny them proper care is considered abuse? Do you know the cost of an office visit? That's just the start of an appointment. Along with that comes the cost of whatever they have to do for your dog: immunizations, teeth cleaning (that's with anesthesia and can be costly), yearly checkup. Part of your homework assignment is to call a vet's office and ask for those costs and add them up. And remember, these costs are not a one-time deal. They will continue over and over for the life of your pet.

What if your dog were to become sick? Throw up? Would you willingly get up at 2:00 a.m. and clean up vomit - without anger - at your dog since it isn't his/her fault? Can you afford major vet bills? Even young dogs can suddenly develop cancer, or have their kidneys fail, or some other problem. What if your dog is hit by a car?

Since you are not an experienced dog owner, you may want to start by adopting an older dog. They are wonderful and just want to go to a good home. People always adopt the 'cute' puppies and ignore the older animals. Older dogs are already potty-trained, which would take a big burden off of you and your parents. And when I adopted my big dog from the humane society, we all found to our delight that not only was he smart, but that someone had taught him absolutely beautiful manners. You could give some wonderful dog a good home. And please don't buy while pound dogs die. Get your dog from a rescue organization or a humane society.

I am not trying to discourage you or deny a dog a home. But I do want to ensure that whatever dog you get receives a GOOD home, and one that is fully prepared to accept the responsibility of pet ownership.

Answer 6

Any small dog breed will do, if your not looking for pure breds then get a mutt (now called designer dogs), they are the best of both worlds! just google "designer dogs" and you should get a whole bunch of sites to check out. I personally think that a mix between a papillion (french breed with butterfly like ears..not literally) and a pomeranian is too cute. hope you find what you're looking for.

Answer 7

i read my book and picked a few have a look:
pembroke welsh corgi:
average height:
10 to 12in.
ave. weight:
25 to 30 lbs.
it likes protekting u. three words that most deskribe him:
devoted
hardy
smart
feeding:
do not over feed! do not leave food out all day long!only feed to cover bottom of the bowl when you eat. keep up with the same times every day. feed: breakfast,snack,dinner,supper snack
gromming:
brush: twice a year
bath(s): only if needed please use conditiner!
extersize:
i can live in an apartment.just let me roam and only one walk.besure to bring me out every 1 hour to go bathroom.
toys and stuff:
one or two toys will do.
making friends:
i WILL bark at most strangers for i am a quard dog. interdose me to strangers and friends when i'm YOUNG.
chihuahua:
hieght:
6 to 9 in.
weight:
2 to 6 lbs.
feeding:
only fill bottom layer of bowl and feed me when u eat.
grooming:
a washcloth over my body once a mounth will help keep me active and clean!
extersize:
let me walk! i can live in aprtmants but let me roam! out side besure to put a lesh on thu.
toys and stuff:
what i really need most is sweaters! i may not like it but i shiver alot! i don't have much fur.
york terrier
hieght:
6 to 7 in.
weight:
7 lbs.
food:
a nibble here and a nible there will do the trick!
dry food please i get cavites so easy!
grooming:
just like my bad friend chihuahuha i need his grooming>>>>> here's a bounus... i don't shed!
toys and stuff: just like chihuahua i need sweaters!



so here's a few nice picks!

Answer 8

Go to your local animal control shelter or humane society and give a dog on death row a second chance. They'll have purebreds and mutts. I got a mutt 12 years ago and he's the best dog in the world. Never barks, never misbehaves.

Answer 9

If it's a first dog, don't get a basset. Don't get me wrong, I've loved my bassets. But for 3-4 years you have a toddler. They get into everything, hard to train. They're very sweet but stubborn and need a lot of attention.

And not a poodle. My grandma had poodles. They made huge messes and yapped constantly.

Answer 10

I just wanted to agree with the person who said you should rescue a dog. I rescued a dog once and my friend rescued a cat. Usually rescued pets are better behaved because they know you saved them and besides you'll be able to ask the workers at the animal shelter all about their personality so you'll know what to expect. Good luck with whatever choice you make.