What kind of dog should we get?

Question

I am moving into a new apartment, my dog has died (cancer) and I am lonely.
I need something smallish, under 30 pounds. I have no kids and no other pets. Either me or my boyfriend will be home pretty much all the time, and we prefer a more affectionate sort of dog who doesn't shed much. As far as exercise, we are prepared to do two walks a day (morning and night) plus normal outside play, but not honestly wanting a dog that needs constant running (huskies!!)
We want to make the right decision both for us and the dog, so we've been debating what kind is right for us for months. Help!
This may seem a demanding list, but too many dogs end up in the shelter because people thought they looked cute, without thinking of whether the dog's personality fit in with their owner's lifestyle.

Answer 1

My sister adores her shih-tzu. They're "apartment dwellers" and do well in small areas. Of course he'll still need exercise, but it's not like getting a huge dog who needs to run. And they're very sweet and affectionate. They only get to be between 15 and 20 pounds Good luck
OH! AND they are one of the few breeds that have "hair" not "fur" They do not shed.

Answer 2

My parents have toy poodles, a male and a female. The female toy looks like she's got some daschund in her somewhere because she's longer and more muscley than the male. While both of them are very loving and loyal to their masters, the male can't go running with my mom because he's too wimpy and doesn't last the whole run. The female keeps up and is great for outdoor activity. Sometimes my and brother and I have to take the tennis ball outside for her and throw it a couple of houses down the street about nine times before she'll quiet down. She's really active and ambitious.

Poodles, also, don't shed. So that's a plus. :o)

If you pick carefully, you can pretty much find what you want from any breed of dog, you just have to know what you're looking for.

Answer 3

Well, I have the cutest little doggie... who we got because we lived in an apartment... and who doesn't shed at all (they have hair but we keep him groomed all the time). He is 1/2 Maltese & 1/2 Lhaso Apso. He is about 12 pounds and he has the cutest personality. I recommend mixes since then you don't have all the health issues and they are cheaper to buy.

The biggest perk for me was that they play in the apartment and they require about a half hour of exercise per day. They are cute little puppies and very smart. I trained mine to ring a bell on the door when he needs to go outside (very useful in an apartment).

Whatever you decide... enjoy your little pet. I am glad you are a smart pet buyer!! Thinking ahead to your lifestyle is key :)

Also Malti-Poo's and Lhaso-Poo's are really adorable with shorter curlier hair as well.

Answer 4

Well I have two miniature dachshunds. They are great dogs with great personalities. My female named "daisy" acts like shes a human sometimes. Some of them have alot of energy depending on how old you get them at. Mine don't shed and they don't really have an odor to them, so that means less bathing and maintenance! Plus they come in all kinds of different varieties. My female is 3 years old and she weighs about 12 pounds and wont get any bigger. My male is about 1 yr and a half and is about 13 pounds. Males do tend to get a little bigger then the females by a few pounds. Don't think you will be disappointed! Good luck and let us know what u ended up with!

Answer 5

I think since you live in an apt you should choose a chihuahua they are smart and they are easy to housetrain . I have two and if they are properly socialized they are not yappy . You will have to be outside with a chi at all times due to the fact that they can become prey to a hawk or owl or something like that . But if you also want a dog you can cuddle with this is the dog for you . good luck on what ever you decide .

Answer 6

French bulldog comes to mind, they do shed, but not like a husky. Then of course, you have the whole plethora of toy breeds, but I can't say I'm a fan of most. And you can always do the rescue route and look for maybe a poodle mix kind of dog or someone with a mellow couch potato disposition.... Sorry about your dog, good luck with the move.

Answer 7

Look at the AKC website. They have tons of information about breed personalities. Following that is a link to the best book ever on dog personalities and traits.

I suggest a Bichon Frise or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They were bred to be companion dogs.

Then there is always www.petfinder.com

Answer 8

Rat Terriers are great under 30 lbs dogs. Since you want to be 100% sure you may want to foster a dog first. You can look a breed specific rescue group in you area and foster a dog, if things work out you can adopt the dog.

Answer 9

My favorite small breed is a Tibetan Spaniel. Try rescue groups. There are breed specific ones. Look on the AKC site and get the sites of the Breed Clubs. They will lead you to thier rescue group. Also you can look in search engines for rescue groups. I recommend breed specific groups because the people incolved tend to know about the breed. I just got a Newfoundland from a rescue group and he is allready housetrained and crate trained. Check it out!

Answer 10

i may well be what i'm now, a sturdy ol' American mixed breed. i may well be extreme, have a sturdy artwork ethic, and choose to stay in a sturdy working homestead. If I have been stored as in basic terms a puppy in a fenced backyard, i may well be digging super holes and barking because of the shear boredom of all of it. i might choose to be taken places, to benefit new issues, and to work out human beings. i may well be friendly yet reserved and not aggressive. i may well be very unswerving to my loving proprietor and to the my family participants. My seem may well be accepted. No extremes, perchance a medium or double coat. very like a circulate between a spaniel and a shepherd. colour black perchance brown with somewhat white trim. i may well be alluring to look at and positive to the touch. i might problaby weight 50-60#.