I thought i knew exactly what dog I wanted.I have been doing reasearch for 2 months now.I thought a shih tzu was definetly the perfect dog for me because it was cute, smart, better for allergies and just the perfect dog.But now that i have met a lot of shih tzus,7/10 had HEALTH PROBLEMS!And i realized that they are very gental so my clumsy little cousins might kill him.I am really stuck.Can ANYONE tell me what dog I should remember,it needs to stay cute and small so like looks like a puppy for its whole life and doesnt scare any of my little cousins,hypoallergenic,and does not get health problems every 10 seconds.PLEASE HELP ME!
2007-10-08 03:01:49 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
How about a miniature poodle? Not a toy poodle - one size up from the smallest ones.
2007-10-08 03:05:15 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Shih-tzu's are terrible around "scared " people. They are nippers and biters and have tons of health problems. Anything with a smashed face is going to be prone to respiratory and allergy problems. Shih-tzu's also have bug eyes which can also mean an extra vet bill or two a year. The only small dog that is good for human pet allergies is the mini poodle. With proper grooming this breed can be as cute as they come. You really have to be careful when selecting ANY puppy. Read up on the subject and know what characteristics you are looking for when you go meet pups. NEVER buy for cuteness. Good luck
2007-10-08 10:12:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No dog is going to look like a puppy for its full life. My yorkie, a small dog, was much cuter as a puppy. In my experience there is truly no hypo-allergenic dog. As most people are allergic to the dander not the dog. I'm not sure what your health concerns are, but you may want to consider that. If you truly DO want a small dog, remembering that most small dog breeds have a very nasty side (small dogs are more likely to bite than medium and large dogs). They can be touchy, temperamental, high-maintenance, and hard to train. But, you may get lucky with the individual dog. I did not with a nasty temperamented yorkie, but I have seen 1 or 2 nice ones. Most small breeds are going to have health issues as well as be senstive and gentle. You will just have to watch the interaction between you cousins and the dog.
As for you health concerns, yorkies, shih tzus, and poodles, do not shed to some extint. All dogs will shed, but they shed differently. All dogs have dander, to include poodles. You need to consider that as well. Talk to you doctor, who may be able to provide something, and you can have a larger option of breeds to choose from.
Check out short hair-ed dogs. They tend to shed a little less, that or you just don't notice the fur. But, again the dander...
2007-10-08 10:12:56 · answer #3 · answered by Whitney 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
As long as you are in doubt - don't get a dog just for the sake of it. When you are ready for a (dogs) life-long commitment, think very carefully. ALL pure bred dogs have severe health problems within the breed - mostly immunity problems due to senseless inbreeding (also called line-breeding), fuelled by the desire of breeders to "fix the trait". There is not one breed I know of that is free from genetic disorders.
My best advice - don't get a pure-bred dog ... -no guarantees, as mixed breeds also are affected by health probs, but the chances of getting a healthy one are higher. However, the healthy dogs I know of, I can count on the fingers of one hand... most dogs I know have got health problems. You'd have to be prepared to deal with the possibility of getting a sick dog. I have got two Weimaraners from different breeders - both finished up with incurable autoimmune diseases....
Whatever you decide... get pet insurance. If you can't afford the insurance, you can't afford to have a dog. Opt for an insurance that guarantees a "cover for life", the best I know is PetPlan. Perhaps not the cheapest, but well worth the extra bit, as they won't exclude a condition after you have claimed - most of the other insurers do.
Good luck,
Christina
2007-10-08 10:55:34 · answer #4 · answered by Christina I 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
With every small dog you haveto watch out wth your "clumpsy"cousin.
Have you thought about a min pin,rat terrier,they have short
hair.
What do you mean with hypoallergenic....you are not allergic to dogs...are you?
If u are it doesn`t matter what dog you get you still react(well mebay ot the hairless dog).
2007-10-08 10:10:48 · answer #5 · answered by Sunshine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Stuffed breed may be just what you're looking for. Very convenient, can go with you everywhere, won't ever bite or have health problems - and come in all colors. Good luck!
2007-10-08 10:13:56 · answer #6 · answered by Misa M 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have a Dauschund their cute stay small and you can get them long or short hair if you keep them inside the only problems youll ever have should only be the teeth and only if you dont brush their teeth
2007-10-08 10:07:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you wait till the cousins grow up.Don't ever bring a helpless animal into your life if you can't take care of it properly.
2007-10-08 10:08:40 · answer #8 · answered by waterlover 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
you can never guarentee your dog willnot have health problems. Maybe you should just get good pet insurance.
2007-10-08 10:06:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
maltipoo, which is maltese/poodle mix. doesn't shed, is hypoallergenic. very very cute dogs. they don't usually get much bigger than10 lbs or so
2007-10-08 13:48:47 · answer #10 · answered by monket 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋