What is the best dog for me?

Question

I want a small, friendly, frisky, intelligent dog. I like dogs that will look you in the eye, and pay attention, not ones that always seem to be distracted by something else.

My ideal dog would like to hike with me (I can make weekend trips to some great hills), does not shed, is not aggressive or mean, and is good looking (as opposed to the dogs that are "so ugly they're kind of cute".

I like cocker spaniels, but don't know much about them. I've seen c.ock-a-poos, and other mixes, but I don't know if they enjoy being outdoors and walking a lot.

Importantly, I need a dog that doesn't weigh much more than 20 pounds maximum. I want to be able to lift him up without killing my back.

What do you think is the best dog for me? (I live in a city where the summers aren't too hot, and winters have only occasional cold days).


I live in an apartment where there are no parks close by. I would probably have to walk a good twenty minutes to get to one.

Answer 1

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm
i did this and got a westie, which it suggested, and
she is the PERFECT dog for me

i took it for you, here is what i got, but you may want to take it yourself because i dont know everything about you so :

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/cgi-bin/dbi-search.cgi

Answer 2

There are lots of smaller dogs that would suit you. A couple of things to consider though is that smaller dogs have shorter legs and therefore can't always keep up on long hikes. Also regardless of the breed of small dog, you'll want to ensure that the dog has good knees. This can be a real problem with smaller dogs and it would definitely impact hiking.

Additionally you have a small contradiction in what you are looking for in that you want a small do that likes hikes. Typically dogs needing a lot of exercise are better at hiking and dogs that don't need a lot of exercise (smaller more indoor dogs) are going to tire more quickly.

Having said that I have a mix breed, westie/shih tzu, and she loves short hikes but I have to carry her sometimes on the longer ones. She'll only get to about 15 lbs and because she has the westie hair type she doesn't shed as she only has a single layer of hair. She's absolutely adorable with a terrier face and a shih tzu underbite. :)

My recommendation would be to go to a shelter and spend sometime with the dogs there until you find a healthy small dog that you relate well with. Much less risky than getting a puppy from a breeder and then finding that as it gets older it really doesn't meet your desires. Most mix breeds , like mine, will vary greatly as you can't standardize a mutt.

Answer 3

As you have mentioned, the cocker spaniels are great dogs. Affectionate, loving and loyal dogs who are very playful pups. They usually weight around 18+ pounds with the males being on the heavier side. But with most breeds you will need to get them out exercising. They need at least daily long walks, twice daily would be better. They have a lot of stamina and should do well on a hike.

These dogs can become bored so you have to make sure they get enough exercise and stimulation otherwise they may tend to bark and become a bit depressed.

They require a bit of grooming but don't shed too much. You have to be willing to keep their big adorable ears clean though as they can be prone to ear infections.

Apartment living is hard in terms of matching the right dog when you also want one who will be up for hiking. You must ensure that you exercise them daily if they are going to be in a small area. The cocker spaniels will do better with a yard though.

Answer 4

There are only two dogs that do not drop hair, and that is a purebred Poodle and a purebred Bichon. Whatever BS other people tell you, it's wrong. All other dogs drop hair, some more than others, but they all do. And ALL mixed breeds shed. Period. Cockapoos, goldendoodles, all those silly designer mixes shed. And neither of those breeds is much of an outdoorsy dog, so I'm going to disregard your shedding requirement as being unreasonable and unrealistic.

Long-haired dogs do not do well outdoors; they get hot and they get mats and burrs in their hair.

I don't think any breed matches your criteria 100%, but here are the closest matches I can think of:

13" Beagle
Miniature Dachshund
Jack Russell Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer

You'd get more matches with less requirements... no dog is perfect!

Answer 5

When you say small, frisky intelligent, and good looking my first thought is a Jack Russel. For small dogs they are probably the smartest and very fun from what I hear. If you don't know what they are they are the dog from the show Wishbone and sitcom Fraser. Obvisously smart dogs if they can get them to do what they want on tv.

Thats my suggestion. Personally I am into the dumb, ugly ones when it comes to small dogs. But if I was willing to give the time to keep a smart dog happy I'd get a Jack Russel or a Fox Terrier.

Answer 6

I recommend my breed of choice, the Papillon. I feel that it would be a good fit your you.

They are EXTREMELY intelligent (so much that they always look like they're thinking about something)- they are the smartest of the toy breeds and are high up there on intelligence ranking of all breeds. They are very easily trained- frequently used for agility.

They have the potential to be athletic, as far as going hiking or walking with you- but you will have to condition them if you'll be rigorously exercising them, regardless. (Some may ask you to carry them along the way).

They're a very lively breed and aren't very high maintenance. They grow to about 11 lbs max, so they can be fragile- but they're pretty sturdy for their size.

feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

Answer 7

I recently had a bischon and it was the sweetest, most loyal, most affectionate dog I've ever had. Lots of personality and energy. Highly intelligent. She played well by herself but, was also always egging me to jump in. She was a thumb sucker. She would sit on my shoulders when I was on my computer. I would hold my hand up and she would suck my thumb until she went to sleep. Absolutely no shedding.

But, you do have to groom them and I'm not sure I would consider them a 'hiker.' Great apartment dog though and great companion dog.

Answer 8

I have a cockapoo, and I suggest you get one. They are very loyal and not violent at all, when Brandy (my cockapoo) was just a puppy she nibbled, but never bit anyone, this can be an advantage if you have small children. She LOVES walks, for instance I'm working on maintaining a weightloss and I take her on all my walks, she loves it. She never pees in the house, we've got her completely trained in about 2 months she was fine with it.

They are loyal too, Brandy is always lying next to someone pratically begging with her big brown eyes to be pet. She is a wonderful pet!

Answer 9

I'm going to have to say a Bichon Frise. They do not shed at all, are very intelligent and all of the other things you mentioned. Cocker Spaniels are not a good choice. I have heard that they scored real low on temperament tests, & they are prone to biting poeple.

Answer 10

a SHIH-TSU!!!!
laugh if you may, but they are the SWEETEST, KINDEST, most CAT like creatures, (cuddliest) and playful,you will EVER find!
I found my little BUTTON at a POUND the day He was doomed . He looked up at me thru dirt, grime, filth, and matt, i swear he looked like a rat!, but his eyes! His eyes captured the hearts of all 3 of us, ME, my little Tara, 6 and Desire' 5...and our lives transformed that day. We took the 1 pound "rat" home , fed and nurtured, bathed, had him groomed, cut, etc....and loved him to LIFE.
Never had a dog been so grateful!!!
He gave us 13 years of love and he was already about 2 when we got him They had found him curled around his beloved 92 year old Gramms who had been dead nearly 2 weeks....

I have had German Shepherds..great dogs
Collies
Miniature Collies
Yorkies, (horrible with kids and wont walk in city or mind well)
Dalmation (flighty and mind of their OWN, not a kids dog!)
Saint Bernards, (GREAT DOGS< slobbery, but eat,eat,eat!
Cockers, (not kids dogs, but sweet)
Tons of mutts! the BEST !!!
Jacks
but none can compare to the temperament of my BUTTON!!!

Answer 11

I'd say the Miniture Poodle. They don't shed, they're intelligent, small, friendly, frisky. (I think they're frisky at least)