best dog for me?

Question

i have asked this lots of times but this time has different questions.

1. i want one that is small (maximun height would have to be the size of a springer spaniel) and will be ok in a apartment without a garden
2. i want one that does not bark much
3. i want one that has no wrinkles (for my mums sake)
4. i want one that is not a good guard dog/watch dog
5. one that is good with kids.
6. one that is popular, so easy to find good breeders.
7. one that is not prone to back problems (breeds like corgis and dachchshunds)
8. dogs that like to be stroked
9. i want one for a friendly, companion that will greet me with a wagging tail. (but i don't want it to go as far as jumping all over me!)

plz help! i have been researching and have over 20 dog books but they all say different things, HELP!

Answer 1

bichon frise would be perfect for you.

its size is about 9.5-11.5 inches, its not as hard to maintain as the shih tzu, because they don't shed fur. its good with kids too, and a great companion.

if you're still doubtful, try taking a test from web.tickle.com so they can determine what breed would be compatible to you depending on how you answer a set of questions.

Answer 2

Cocker spaniel they are very sweet and perfect for you from what it sounds like. They don't require a lot of exercise, they're easy to train. Just to give you some perspective on the other dogs mentioned.

Jack Russell...and more energy than you can even imagine, seriously...they are extremely active and energetic dogs. They need a lot of exercise and involvement. They have a great temperament though.

Shih Tzu's can be prone to back problems, but they are very loyal and do bark less than other small dogs toys.

Bichons are super sweet they seem to require some exercise however to keep them at a healthy weight and to keep them from being bored.

A Poodle is a great dog but can be barky. But very smart and can be trained to do virtually anything.

This however is all from my experience, a dogs disposition ultimately comes from how you train them!

Answer 3

I recommend "The Intelligence of Dogs". It has some good analysis, and to your need, it has lists you can use.

a few comments;
1) Intelligence
Adaptive intelligence is the quality that teaches us not to touch the hot stove a second time. Don't laugh, but some dogs are bred not to have this. Terriers come to mind.

2) No barking
Avoid your herding breeds w/lots of energy. (e.g. shelties)

3) Guard/watch dog
All dogs will want to inform their pack of the presence of something near their territory. With an intelligent dog, you can train it to stop barking once you give a confirmation. (e.g. "It's OK")

As for protection, I have not met anyone who could improve a dog's overall temperament with aggression training. Give your dog all the reason to trust you, and don't fret the rest. IMHO only the military & police truly need to train guard dogs.

4) Kids
You are responsible for making good introductions. In my experience, dogs cut slack to the young, whether dogs or human. Your responsibility is to insure your dogs safety & children's safety.

Children should not harm or terrorize dogs. This said, I've had Rottweilers & German Shepherds that were fantstic with kids.

5) Know your puppy
Please read the book I mentioned above. In it (and in many other dog books) there is a puppy aptitude test that will allow you to test different aspects of a puppy. READ THIS. In any litter, there will be a wide range of personalities. (e.g. from assertive to submissive, homebody to explorer, ..) So picking the breed is not enough.

Myself, I'd recommend a Rottweilor, but that doesn't satisfy your size requirement.
Bichon Frises are a friendly dog, and all I've ever seen have been wonderful.
American Eskimos are wonderfully intelligent dogs, but they have long coats.
Boston Terriers are intelligent, and I've yet to meet a bad one.
Papillons are a good choice also.

Once you have a short list, go to a few dog shows to see what the breeds are really like. Best of luck.

Answer 4

It all depends really, if you get a dog from a puppy you can train it. Teach it to be a gaurd dog, teach it to be good with children, make it great you with a wagging tail, teach it not to bark. All these things you can teach a dog. Having a dog from a puppy is a good idea as the puppy will be brought up in your home and you can train it how you want it to be trained. It up to you what dog you want to get. None can decide for you. if you want a small dog then why not get a Moyen Poodle, there medium theyre good to train there loving and best of all it sounds like the perfect dog for you. But also renember that puppys/dogs are a lot of hard work as i know from experience, they need a lot of loving and care. But im sure your be just fine..

Hope my advice was helpfull..

Good luck

Answer 5

Shi tzu-- They bark less than other toys except the chinese crested. They don't shed. They are cuddly and easy to find. Sturdy little dogs that love their humans. They don't have a lot of health problems other than eye issues. They don't bite like yorkies, maltese, pekes, chis, etc. They do need to be groomed and clipped at times. This would probably be the best choice.

If your mom is brave then you might try a chinese crested. They have a powderpuff variety that isn't bald. It might be harder to find than a shi tzu though. Pugs are another options, but they have the wrinkles.

Any short-faced variety will do better with a halter than a collar to prevent damage. A dog that pulls on it's collar can actually pop its eye out of socket.

Answer 6

Hey Toogsie,
That question just described my shi-tzu also. Very well mannered and a perfect house pet. 13 pounds, but he thinks he,s a lion when need be. Also perfectly happy to just lay on my lap and be loved. If I have him out he won,t let me out of his sight. I think he is afraid I,ll get lost. Doesn,t eat alot and was easy to house train when he was a puppy. Also we rent. It,s easy to have such a little dog in an apartment as alot of places won,t let you have bigger dogs. Best dog I,vr ever had. He,s ten now.

Answer 7

Sounds like the best dog for you may be a Bichon Frise. They are very loyal and loving, love attention. They have beautiful long white hair, but are easily kept trimmed/clipped if you dont have time for 3x weekly brushings. They are approx. 8-10 pounds whick make them ideal for apartments, yet they are not teeny-weenie nervous dogs you have to worry about stepping on or have to fetch out from under the bed constantly! They love kids and are excellent companions.
And they dont shed!!!! They are considered the "hypo-allergenic" dog.

Answer 8

dogs are different, i think you should look around and request a play time with a dog you think you like, a puppy would be best, so you can train it. Dogs are amazing but they usually don't have all the things you want...not one specific breed doesn't have back problems that would be the dogs familys heritage's.

Answer 9

Yes, welsh springer spaniel would certainly be best, but they are not that easy to find. Full size terrier, except they are a good watch dog. Tricky, isn't it ? Spadoodle or whatever you call them - spaniel/poodle mix, but breeders are unreliable. Go for a king charles spaniel, from a good breeder so you can practically guarantee no genetic defects.

Answer 10

Jack Russell Terrier

Answer 11

In any given situation, focus on what you do want your dog to do instead of on whatever he’s doing wrong. Learn how to train your dog https://tr.im/nycqQ

For example, suppose that on many evenings, your young dog gets busy looking for trouble just as you’re digesting your dinner. He grabs a boot from the mat by the front door and gallops through the house with it. You yell at him and take it away. He grabs its mate. You yell and take it away. He heads for the kitchen and starts checking out the counters in case something tasty’s been left behind. You chase him away. And on and on, until you’ve lost your temper and torn out clumps of hair you can ill afford to lose.