We have a pug. They are GREAT with kids and other animals. The males seem to be more laid back then the females. They have so much personality! 8)
we have a long hairred daschund! He is 15 lbs max, was easy to house train, very sociable. highly recommend!
Many dog breeds have rescue organizations. We got one of our aussies from aussie rescue. A google can probably lead you to a local rescue for a the breed you decide on.
http://www.tribeagles.org/ http://www.1-800-save-a-pet.com/adoption_rescue/72287.html http://www.ackcsc.org/rescueinfo.htm
We got all of our dogs from shelters as well and we found a winner with our golden lab. The sweetest, most loving dog ever. Great with kids...loves to go for walks..never chewed up a thing. Will catch a ball and bring it back to you all day long!
best thing I ever did. going thru empty nest, DH said he would shoot me if I brought one home, told DH I was on my way home with one and if he was shooting to just shoot me in the foot, that was 3 years ago, left for work this morning DH and the dog asleep in the bed. so sweet.... he loves that dog better than I do!
I wish you could have seen the chow-chow puppy that I saw at Petsmart on Sunday. She was a cream colored puff ball... SO CUTE and one of the prettiest colors I've ever seen!
We just got a mountain fiest puppy at Christmas. I really did not want a dog, but my daughter pulled the parental guilt routine on me! He is the coolest dog ever - smart, loving, lots of energy but not hyper. The vet says he will be about 25 pounds at adult size. I would highly recommend this breed or a mix with this breed. Best dog ever - I think I love him more than the kids do!!
I too recommend a shelter dog however if you really want a purebred I would take a look at the Boston Terrier. They are absolute sweethearts. Smart as anything, loyal, affectionate, and very playful. We lost our sweet little boston Jack two years ago. I really wanted to get another one but like you I was afraid it would make me miss him more. We adopted a hound mix and he's been a great addition to the family. Good luck in your search.
Oh my goodness, there is a Chinese Crested in one of the shelters today! http://dogsindanger.com/dog.jsp?did=1202766184597 She sure looks ugly, bless her heart, but I've heard good things about these little dogs.
Blondie Breed: Chow Chow (mix breed) Age: Adult Gender: Female Size: Medium Shelter: Animal Protection Society of Caswell County 836 County Home Road Yanceville, NC Shelter dog ID: 08103 Contact tel: 336-694-4921 Contact name: APS Caswell Shelter Contact email: apscaswell@yahoo.com About Blondie Hi, I am Blondie a sweet shy lady looking for my forever home. I am so cute when you talk to me I turn my head slightly in response to your voice. Come and see me today! I am ready to go! male bassett Breed: Basset Hound Age: Adult Gender: Male Size: Small Shelter: RC Animal Shelter/Protection Alliance 578 Laurel HIll Dr Rutherfordton, NC Shelter dog ID: male bassett Contact tel: 8282877738 Contact name: Lynne Faltracto Contact email: rcapa@blueridge.net feist chihuahua mix Breed: Chihuahua (mix breed) Age: Adult Gender: Male Size: Small Shelter: RC Animal Shelter/Protection Alliance 578 Laurel HIll Dr Rutherfordton, NC Shelter dog ID: feist chihuahua mix Contact tel: 8282877738 Contact name: Lynne Faltracto Contact email: rcapa@blueridge.net Hobo Breed: Shepherd (mix breed) Age: Under 6 months Gender: Male Size: Medium Shelter: Greene County Animal Shelter 1985 Hwy 903 North Snow Hill, NC Shelter dog ID: Hobo Contact tel: 252-939-6334 Contact name: Jeanie Taylor Contact email: Jtylrjeanie@aol.com About Hobo Hobo is a fluffy Shepherd/Chow mix. He is at the shelter with 5 littermates. All are so cute & sweet. We have lots of puppies--all need forever homes. These dogs/puppies and more can be found here http://dogsindanger.com/searchReturn.jsp
Speaking of dogs needing homes, does anyone else's heart break everytime they see that pedigree commercial with "Echo" in his cage at the shelter? That dogs has human expressions!:cry:
YES, I hate that commercial! I can see Blondie ^ doing the same thing. She looks so sweet and scared. If I didn't have 4 dogs already...
My mother has a cavalier, wonderful lap dogs. The breeder she got her's from stressed the importance that this breed not be left home alone during the day, this breed has seperation anxiety problems, their very owner attached dogs. They are wonderful around children, as long as the children are taught to be gentle with this type. This breed is very, very easy to housebreak, my mom's Cavalier had a total of 5 accidents and she got him at 9 weeks of age. They love people and have a very laid back personality, do not mistake them with the cocker spaniels of the dog world. Unless you have a good chunk of money to spend on this breed check out rescue programs. I have seen them in the paper as a mixed breed with poodles, Cavapoo. Good luck on your search.
Someone mentioned boxers earlier in this thread and they are great dogs. I have two. They are larger, however, than the ones you have in mind. For a smaller dog (smaller than a boxer I mean) I'd definitely go with a border terrier. Great all-around family pets.
forgot to explain what the breeder meant by "leaving the dog home alone during the day", these dogs are not the type breed that you leave in the morning to go to work and stay gone 8-10 hours a day, they thrive on companionship and are very owner attached. When my mom first got her Cavalier I thought what a bunch of crap the breeder was giving her, then through the years I read up on the breed and came in contact with people that had this breed including my own vet office and they all agreed with the breeder due to their own experience with this breed. My mom's Cav does just fine on days that she's gone for up to 4-6 hours at a time, just not an everyday occurance.