So I really, really want a nice cute little dog- I am so jealous of my sister's white purse dog that I could turn green from head to toe.

How do I learn about behavioral and health issues between breeds? I want a manageable llitte dog, but not a breed that is known for being hyperactive and barkng a lot. I looked on the American Kennel Club website, but they emphasis dog posture and what-not. Any ideas of good places to research? :confused:

Me, personally, don't want dogs that have to go to the groomer's every few weeks....although they are cuties. Narrow it down, from:

big or small?

high maintenance or not?

indoor or outdoor?

and then go from there.

get a pound puppy!

I love this site http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/ it's very informative and can even help you find a puppy or dog once you've chosen (always consider a breed rescue site if u def want a purebreed) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE look into your breeder and avoid pet shops. Puppy mills are evil! http://www.nopuppymills.com/

BTW quick link to the quiz that helps u choose a pup that's best for you http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm It's on that site but sorta buried LOL

The only dog worth a **** is a Rottweiler. Accept no substitute. :)

get a pound puppy! :werd:
avoid pet shops. Puppy mills are evil! http://www.nopuppymills.com/ :werd:
The only dog worth a **** is a Rottweiler. Accept no substitute. :)

Rotts are great dogs. :)

so are pitbulls. :|

I love so many breeds. But my favorites are belgian and german sheperds. Right now I have a terrier mix. We had a shepherd/golden retriever mix, RIP, and she was the best dog ever, had all the best traits of both breeds. I can't say anything bad about her. I have always had a special place in my heart for shepherds but I really love so many different dogs and through working at a dog daycare a few years ago I discovered that you can find a great dog of almost any breed.

HOWEVER, I would be hard pressed to consider any kind of spaniel or pointer, they are just way too hyper and need to be out hunting in the field to be happy. Not good housepets.

Definitely try to get a rescue if you can, there are so many homeless animals out there. petfinder.org lets you search listings of shelter and rescue dogs using various criteria.

I love this site http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/ it's very informative and can even help you find a puppy or dog once you've chosen (always consider a breed rescue site if u def want a purebreed) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE look into your breeder and avoid pet shops. Puppy mills are evil! http://www.nopuppymills.com/

The last pet shop I was in only had mutts from the dog pound. So I wouldn't use a blanket statement like that. Know your pet store.

Thanks for the link Fayebelle. I am definitely anti- puppy mill and pet shops. I have a relative who has a puppy mill beagle (although she maintains that the "nice little farm" she bought it from is top-knotch) and it is totally hyperactive.

I'd like to get a rescue dog, but since I've never owned a dog before don't know that I will be too well-equipped to deal with a dog that might have been abused or abandoned. The last thing I would want to do is make mistakes with that type of creature after it has already been mistreated.

After you decide what breed of puppy you want, check your local paper for families who raise puppies. We use to raise AKC collies. And it was by no means a puppy farm.

That is probably what I will do. My sister got her little Maltese from an AKC certified breeder and was very happy with the experience.

Her breeder was also a good resource when a series of unfortunate events transpired at the veteranarian/groomers. Turned out the fancy schmancy establishment not only shaved off all the dogs fur by accident and then denied it (culminating with a request that my sister take all her business elsewhere in future), but also was charging for veteranarian services that were not rendered.

you can still rescue, just make sure to ask a lot of questions and don't rescue first hand. Go through a shelter or something.

There are dogs that need good homes that have not been abused or neglected in any way at all. Just ask around, I'm sure you can find the right dog for you. :)

If you was a smaller dog I'd go for a lhasa apso. They do tend to be one person dogs though. For a smaller breed, imo, they're the best you'll find. They don't get nervous like some other small breed dogs, and are very playful. They love to be groomed and pet, and to snuggle. The only flaw in the breed, from my experience, is they tend to 'run away' My dogs now won't take off, but my dog before them (a lhasa) did all the time. :hmm: All the people I know that own this breed of dog have the same problem.

Here's a pic. <3 This isn't my dog, I lost all my pictures of him when I moved. :(

http://www.gotpetsonline.com/pictures-gallery/dog-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/lhasa-apso-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/pictures/lhasa-apso-0047.jpg

The only small dog that I don't want to dropkick over a fence is a beagle.

http://www.beaglejarjesto.fi/kuvat/sbj_beagle.gif

A beagle has a loud annoying bark!

Yes they do. It's called the Beagle Bark. They are also the most stubborn breed I have ever encountered.

My tiny seems to be part beagle, but only a small part. I love her.

German Shep > All

German Shep > All

generally correct. though I wonder about those ill-mannered beasts of yours - have you gotten them under control any better?

generally correct. though I wonder about those ill-mannered beasts of yours - have you gotten them under control any better?


.....

I love that picture!

All pay homage to the great Giraffe God...

Look how ravenous they are - they want to tear him to shreds.

Post a pic of your tea cosy :|

Post a pic of your tea cosy :|

Send me my Dingo *****!

I tried, but it ate a baby and they wouldnt let it through customs!

waht is a tea cosy?

http://www.cat-alog.com/housewares/browncats_teacosy2.jpg

good grief.

that thing scares me!

The only small dog that I don't want to dropkick over a fence is a beagle.

http://www.beaglejarjesto.fi/kuvat/sbj_beagle.gif

how can that be, with all the barking and braying that they do... at like all hours of the night as well.

I like having a dog that hardly every barks. :)

Ema, your lhasa is precious. I definitely want a breed bigger than a Maltese- they are too fragile healthwise.

My parents had an old rescued Shih Tzu when I was very young. I like Shih Tzu, Lhasa, Pekingese. As long as the dog doesn't get too big that I can't pick it up full-grown it doesn't have to be all that tiny.