I am still desiding what breed of dog i should get?

Question

I want a dog that is small,hypoallergenic,and is cute.By the way hypoallergenic meens good for people with allergies.I have kinda narrowed it down to 2.Yorkie and Shih tzu.Can anyone give me an idea of each breed and which one is good for me?And I know Yorkies and Shih tzus are cute when they're puppies but i want to know if the stay cute even when they're older.HELP PLEASE!FIRST PERSON TO GIVE ME ALL INFO I NEED WILL GET 10 POINTS!

O yeah and it needs to be good with kids and other dogs and any other info on other dogs you think i should get would be good too.

Answer 1

another option is the bichion frise, they have wool instead of fur and so cute, here is some sites that might be able to help
http://www.pedigree.com.au/breeds/?b=274&p=b&pp=

http://www.pedigree.com.au/breeds/default.asp?b=206&p=t&pp=z

http://www.pedigree.com.au/breeds/default.asp?b=173&p=s&pp=

Answer 2

By the way, no dog is hypoallergenic, and the only truly low allergy dogs are Poodles and Bichon Frises. Yorkies and Shih Tzus may not shed profusely, but they DO lose hair, they DO have dander, and they WILL cause allergies in some people.

Yorkies are not good with children. Period. They are too small, and they have both the toy breed and terrier breed tendencies to bite when they are afraid or annoyed. If you need a dog that is good with children, this is NOT it.

Shih Tzus can be okay with kids if the kids are taught to be gentle. They do not always grow up to be 'cute'. Due to their face structure, many Shih Tzus grow up to have bugged-out eyes, very wet faces (due to watery eyes which causes wet, sticky fur on their face), crooked teeth that may poke out through their lips, etc. A well bred Shih Tzu from an AKC show breeder would probably not have these problems, but if you pick up any random dog from a pet store or backyard breeder, chances are good you're not going to have a pretty dog.

You should also keep in mind that any long haired dog is going to require extensive grooming. Daily brushing, and monthly professional grooming is needed. This can be both time consuming and expensive - $50 a month or so. Make sure you're prepared for that responsibility.

Answer 3

All warm blooded animals shed and have dander - which is what a person is allergic to - the protein in the dander. This is INDIVIDUAL so it doesn't matter what breed of dog it is as much as if the individual is allergic to that protein.

The two breeds you spoke of both can have dander that cause allergic reactions in some people. They are both also coated breeds and require extensive care and grooming committements as they will matt and need to be brushed (and trained to behave while being brushed) on at least an every other day basis. They are also highly exploited breeds so there are lots and lots of poorly bred ones that have really horrible temperaments and they get away with it because they are small and people don't think it is a big deal but then when it becomes a big deal the dogs end up in shelters or being ignored.

You want a small dog -- why? If you are allergic to dog dander then it might be wiser to select a pet that you won't likely be having to get rid of in the future.

'Cute' is a personal preference term - all puppies are considered 'cute' but it is individual as to what you or I or Joe Blow considers 'cute' as an adult. Stuffed animals are cute and don't ever grow out of it and don't require a responsible owner that will properly care for, groom and train them to be good members of society and their family. If you are set on getting a dog, please volunteer at a shelter and maybe find out what it is you are really desiring in a companion dog and see if maybe the right dog comes along. Have you been around Yorkies or Shih tzus much at all? If not then find people that own them or a responsible breeder of these breeds (not the usual puppy miller or back yard greeder) that can help educate you on them and where you can be around them a lot and see if they meet your needs -- they both have rescue organizations as well and maybe volunteering to be a foster home for one of them to see if they are right for you would be beneficial to both you and the foster dog :) Good luck...

Answer 4

I would highly recommend a dog from a shelter. Go to http://www.petfinder.com or you could check out a breed rescue. In my opinion, Yorkshire Terriers should not go to a home with young children. Shih-Tzu's are sturdier dogs. I would also recommend a miniature poodle (toy poodles are fragile like Yorkshire Terriers). No dog is "hypoallergenic". All dogs shed. If you are planning on getting a dog from a breeder, you need to do your research and learn how to find a good breeder and not just an irresponsible backyard breeder. In my opinion, they are cute as adults, BUT that should not affect your decision. You should never get a dog for cuteness. Would you get rid of the dog if it grows up and wasn't cute? A puppy is a lifetime commitment, so be sure you're ready for one. They're like a child. You should never give them up unless you're really in a situation you can't properly care for them anymore. Again, I highly recommend rescuing a dog. There are many puppies sitting in shelters and breed rescues waiting for a good home.

Answer 5

Depends on what your family wants in a dog. It's likely given your age and the fact that keeping a dog while you are in college is impractical, especially the first year, that this dog will end up being cared for by your mother and any other family members living with you. So they should have a role in the decision. Your mother will also think you very mature for thinking ahead and involving her. Talk about how much shedding you want to deal with, whether you want to brush the dog regularly and take it to the groomers, whether you want shorter hair or longer, how long you can spend each day walking the dog, your experience levels as far as training and dog care, energy level of the dog, etc. Be realistic in your assessment of what you are willing to devote to the dog. Then look for a dog that meets those criteria. Given that you don't have a breed in mind, I would suggest that instead of choosing a certain breed, that you visit your local shelters and look for an individual dog meeting your needs. Bring the list you made of the qualities you are looking for in a dog, and meet any dogs that the shelter staff thinks are a good fit and see what you think. It feels really nice to give a good dog a chance at having a loving family, especially when they have had a difficult run of luck so far. Plus shelters vet check, spay or neuter, vaccinate, etc. before you adopt, so it really cuts down on those first-year dog ownership expenses!

Answer 6

I think that I like the looks of the adult Yorkie better than the adult shi tzu, unless you keep the shi tzu's hair sort, then it's cute and doesn't look like a mop! I like the coloring that's like, brown and gray, that's really cute! If you were planning on getting the shi tzu because it looks good with long, moppy fur, than GET THE YORKIE!
Yorkies are smart, usually well-behaved around others, independent, and courageous. But on the other hand, they sometimes have digestive problems that result in vomiting and diarrhea. But whatever you do, don't get hybrids, because these may shed, and then it wouldn't be hypoallergenic.
Shi tzu's are intelligent, friendly, energetic and lively. on the other hand if you're looking for a low-maintenance dog, don't pick this one, it requires lots of work. They don't go on long walks, and they are bred to bark when people approach the house.
I think you should get the Yorkie if you're going by looks now, but you make your choice, hope this helped!

Answer 7

Those are two of the cutest breeds you're going to find but the real problem is temperment. Yorkies, despite their appearance, are strong willed and fearless watch dogs so it is very important to make sure that you get him/her from a reputable breeder instead of a pet store as these characteristics can morph from strong will and fearless watchdog to beligerant and feral very quickly if you get your Yorkie from a pet store(puppy mill) as these places don't screen their dogs. Shih Tzus are extraordinarily cute but possibly more overbred than even the Yorkie. Same situation applies here. Of the two, Shih Tzus are easier to deal with on average, but it is a bad idea in both cases to get them from a pet stotre or BYB.

Answer 8

There is no totally "hypoallergenic" breed. If you have people with allergies, you are taking chances getting a pet.

Do they stay cute when they are older??? That depends on what your definition of cute is. I do not think they are cute as puppies or adults. Look for pictures of grown dogs of both of these breeds and decide if you find them cute.

Most breeds are good with children if raised properly.

I am not really sure a dog is a good idea for you. Do a LOT more research first!!

Answer 9

Any dog is good for people with allergies as long as they are bathed once a week and all their bedding is washed every week. Allergist told me that people are allergic to the dander and the slobber.

Mini poodles shed the least

Between the Shih tzu and the yorkie - you are dealing with two breeds that bark a lot. Both breeds require a lot of grooming care - so that costs $$ or lots of time.

The Shih Tzu's may be harder to house break and they tend to have their own ideas of what is going on - more so than following your lead.

Yorkies tend to do better with older children and are easier to house- break - they have a LOT of energy!

Answer 10

Are you only getting a dog because theyre cute!?!? Think about responsibilities, time, effort and money that go into having a dog!! Yorkies stay cute thoo..if shih tzus get their coats done to a ''puppy clip'' then theyre pretty cute too

Answer 11

You have narrowed it down to two breeds so now don't worry about breed. Look at both breeds of puppy's and keep a open mind and get the baby who comes to you and shows instant love. This is the most important part of any animal. good luck on finding your baby. Dogs of all sorts are great.