Which dog breed for me?

I am looking for a good small dog breed suitable for me. It will need to be small, does not shed all year round (no shedding or shedding twice a year, although we don't want poodles or bichons or other breeds that need clipping every 6-8 weeks) we have a large garden and live very near to a park and although we have the right facilities for a large dog, my mum only wants a little dog. In my family, there is a 11 yr old animal loving girl who adores animals and is very calm and will always be gentle with dogs, no matter how small they are.



please decide on a breed we can get! we have been thinking, and want one that is not very rare, as we live in Hemel Hempstead (when buncefield exploded) and there are not many breeders of rare breeds. We are thinkning that Chihuahuas and Yorkies are a good choice for us. would this be ok? by the way, whatever dog breed we get, it will be a female.

Which dog breed for me?
Chinese Cresteds have NO fur except on their heads and feet, and they are not that rare anymore. It will need its skin cleaned and moisturized, and it will need protection from the sun and cold.
Reply:why not get a westhigland terrier they are verry friendly and good company
Reply:Westies are hardy terriers - about 15 lbs

They do require grooming and haircuts - but not specialty cuts.

Or maybe a Miniature Schnauzer



Yorkies would be alright too - they require about the same amount of grooming and haircuts as the Westie



Chihuahua might be okay - a little small for a child to really play with though.



All dogs shed btw....especially the short-haired ones that don't require haircuts
Reply:Hamster
Reply:I think a minature dachshund is perfect for you! I have one myself and they are adorable! They have the best personalities and are really good with all kinds of people just not super little kids. You need to be careful with their back though since its so long. Thats why they arent good with little kids because they tend to drop them. But an 11 year old will be fine in fact im 13!
Reply:Here's the thing - dogs either shed - even short-haired dogs, or they are low shedding and need regular grooming. Of the two you mentioned as your top choices, a short-haired chihuahua is probably the better choice. Yorkies will need regular grooming - by you or a groomer as their coats do get long. A short coated chihuahua is too small to shed much and brushing and bathing is easily done by you.
Reply:get a little poodle
Reply:Try a beagle, they're nice dogs, though keep in mind they aren't easy to train and bark. Aside from that they're good family dogs(good with kids).



Yorkies are good dogs too but they're kinda expensive. Pugs are also a good breed though they do snore due to their 'smashed in' nose.
Reply:hiya, i'm originally from Hemel too!! now in Abbots. When we were kids we used to have a scottish terrier - it was the most loving animal ever!!

If you look on petplanet, they have a quiz that tells you what breed is best for you and yr family.



http://www.petplanet.co.uk/select_a_bree...



good luck!
Reply:i would go fora whippet. they ahve very fine coats they shed very little and they are lovely dogs. They need really good recall training but other than that they make great family pets. Be sure they ahve a nice warm coat for the winter and never tug on their neck. they are very delicate. They are fairly easy to get hold of and they live in an urban environment very easily
Reply:There are allot of dog breeds that fit in what you are describing. One is the basenji: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basenji



Another is the the Maltese:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltese_%28...



Yorkshire Terriers are small, but there filled with energy and very playful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_T...



Bedlington terriers need to be professionally groomed about every 3-4 months. They are often described as a "lamb" on a leash: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedlington_...



If you are looking to adopt, visit http://petfinder.com/ to find a local shelter or pound with the right dog or cat for you.
Reply:How about a Teddy Beat puppy? I'm not sure if they shed or not you would have to look them up. But they are small and get along great with kids. Or A labordoodle. It sounds weird but the DON'T shed at all but I don't remember how big they get. Good luck!
Reply:I would reccommend a mix between a chihuahua and aYorkie. I found a great breeder..www,teacupangels.net . They are absolutely adorable and you will fall in love. This mix has the best of both breeds and everyone with love her..and thats a promise!....I have one and she is just the light of my life..except for my fiance...he thinks! Good Luck!
Reply:i can't recommend a breed that wont shed at some time, a yorkie will need grooming every 3 to 4 months, Chihuahua's are good, short haired, but they do shed also, as a grooomer i get all breeds in and they all shed at some stage, also dogs who are in doors shed more often as central heating has an affect on coats.
Reply:don't get a dog!!!!! you are asking the impossible unless you get a Mexican hairless, even they have hair on their heads, all dogs either moult,or need to go to the dog groomers every 6-8 weeks to keep their coats in good condition. Why don't you see if any of your freinds or neighbours would like their dog walked by you a couple of times a week?
Reply:Hmm...I'm thinking Staffy (Staffordshire Bull Terrier). They're not incredibly small, nor incredibly large. They shed very little - in fact they're considered a "non-shedding breed", even though no dog is truly "non" shedding.



Female Staffy's are adorable! They look feminine and pristine. I searched these up to see if they were low shedding, because I really think that an 11 year old should have a playful puppy, rather than a show-dog pup. I'm considering getting a staffy, as I am going to have to get rid of my other doggy.

Oh, here's a few pictures of Staffys



Full Grown Female Staffy(s);



http://www.alsager-animals.co.uk/images/...

http://www.stefanrest.com/images/staffy_...



Cute Puppy Staffy(s);

http://www.pupcity.com/images/adpics/060...

http://bulldogbreeds.com/breeders/pics/s...



But even though they're adorable, they have very strong jaws/mouths. So as puppies, you'll have to beware, and teach them young that biting people/house items is "no no" but biting toys is ok.

Hope you get a wonderful dog!





EDIT **** I tried the pics, and they don't load on my computer...If they don't on yours either, go to http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10... , which is the page that I got the pics off. (PS; there's a picture at the bottom of a lady w/ a bikini on, by a christmas tree?? dunno why that's there but.. lol!)
Reply:I would say an westie or an jack russel or an staffordshire bull terrior!. I no what your thinking OH NOO IT WILL BE NASTY AN BITE AND ALL SORTS BUT THATS NO THE CASE!.



Staffys ( for short) are brill dogs to have for an begginer and for the more experienced they are VERY docial and it does take alot for them to snap!. You're more than likely if you pulled an chiuahha cheeks to get bit by them than an staffy. They have very little nerves in there coat so there perfect for young children as they could pull ther skin all day long and they not feel hardly anything, they have thick skin as they were bred for fighting but they are very docile compared to say an terrior and have only one shed an year!. OR my other thought thats just came into my head is an Beagle!
Reply:you could get a dauchund or a welsh corgi.
Reply:HMmm that is a tough one have you checked the designer breeds some of them may be what you are looking for. this is a good question. I guess if you can find a naked dog that would work. But i don'tthink i ever seen one of those.
Reply:I have a female Boston Terrier. She's great inside and outside. She is wonderful on a leash. She can be calm or can by playful...depends on my mood. She is very loyal. She is probably the most loyal dog I've ever owned.
Reply:While I think it is a good idea to consider grooming and size when finding the perfect breed of dog for your family, the main reason animals get turned into shelters and rescues is that the dogs temperament/breed traits did not match with that family.

Traits and temperament is usually MUCH more important than size or grooming.

For example: Terriers tend to need lots of exercise and can become destructive and barky when left in small apartments for extended periods of time.

Great Danes on the other hand often do well in apartments and small spaces because they usually do not require as much exercise and often enjoy just lazing around the house.



There is no dog breed that doesn't shed and also doesn't require frequent hair cuts. It is going to shed or need a routine clipping, there is just no way around that. Shedding can be different from breed to breed and it is certainly something to consider depending on if you want to have to vacuum daily or schedule appointments with a groomer and take your dog in to be clipped.
Reply:For Dog Breeders, I would recommend



http://www.buysellpuppies.com
Reply:Yorkshire Terriers are quite fragile, and their coats need regular grooming, the show dogs you see have their coats tied up to stop them knotting and splitting, so most pet people tend to have them clipped. Chihuahuas again are small and fragile and I think you need something a bit more substantial for a child to take a walk. Tibetan Terriers, dont moult, and although will need clipping, perhaps only every six months. Fantastic dogs, not too small, but not a big dog, wonderful temperaments, and a lovely character

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/176

or a Basset Griffon Vandeem

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/12

same applies as the Tibetan Terrier
Reply:I advise you to get a pug. They are very playful, loving, and great with kids. They do shed, but only twice a year and need no grooming. They do have eye problems at times because they are buggy like gold fish eyes, but they are so darn cute when they grow out of their awkward baby stage. Good luck.
Reply:Boston Terrier
Reply:jack russel terriers--not too small..and moderate to no shedding at all, great watch dog for your family, and you can probably find it anywhere...its not one of those rare rocket science breed
Reply:I think you are looking for......



A TORTOISE !
Reply:if u like poodle i would get a small dog like a poodle or a Yorkshire terrier???????????????????????? like u said your very very calm with dogs u could get a big on?????
Reply:German shepherd
Reply:Peraonally I love ,love love Pomeranians..they are very good with kids ,other dogs and people...comtrary to popular belief..it is all in there training.They don't shed hardly at if you brush them out 1 time a week and as far as grooming all they really need is a bath 1 or 2 times a month trim around there feet,pads and ears and a good brushing once a week.Thats it...not the really small ones though you should look for around the 10-13lb ones.I breed them and have lots of experience with them.I fyou are interested then let me know and I will be happy to help.Mine are trained,housebroken,and come with papaers.Kristin Pomrcrazylady
Reply:A Chinese Crested, no hair problem solved. Nothing wrong with a Chihuahua, Yorkies are very difficult to housebreak. Either way all dogs shed but short haired dogs don't require much in the way of grooming, Yorkies need grooming as they hair does get long. Whatever dog you decide on research the breed FIRST so you know what you're getting yourself into.

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