# Need recommendations for a dog. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 5, 2015, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041 "2015-09-05T16:38:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![XaMcQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/f9ae1b/32.png) [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041/21 "2015-09-07T03:11:19Z")
Mutts, mutts, mutts. I’m a pet sitter, so people often ask me what breed to get, and I always say the same thing. Go to the shelters and find a mixed breed. They are usually healthier than purebreds, and all dogs are individuals anyway, regardless of breed. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2015, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041/22 "2015-09-07T03:19:00Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Agree with no animal as a pet. > > As for breeds when your dad is ready to picky his dog, how about Boston terriers? Short coat, big dog in a small dog body, friendly, cute, farty. > > Also agree with poodles, but then your parents are on the hook for regular trips to the groomer. > > StG I’m a huge fan of Bostons. They shed, however, and a lot are headstrong, making training not so easy. I would recommend going via rescue. They know the personalities of each and will find a good fit. I also have to agree about grooming. I’d infinitely prefer sweeping rather than spending $50+ each time I have to take my dog in. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2015, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041/23 "2015-09-07T03:51:18Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I agree you shouldn’t get a pet as a surprise. Let dad pick it out. > > That being said, I can’t recommend a Dachshund enough. [Dachshund - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachshund) > > Really great dogs. Incredibly loyal and make great companions. Reasonably smart, but a little stubborn. They kind of stink, too, but some folks don’t mind (I kinda do). They come in miniature, and can be very small. They don’t bark too much. They do like to dig, and might tear shit up if kept inside all the time, so consider that. They catch mice, too. > > But overall, good dogs that fit your parameters. Through a comedy of errors, we ended with four of them. They are all great dogs. This. I’ve been a dog owner all my life, but we recently rescued a doxie and, not only does she meet every bit of criteria on your list, but she’s the best damn pup I’ve ever had. She completely stole my heart in about two days flat. I can’t recommend them highly enough. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041/24 "2015-09-08T23:05:45Z")
Agree with everyone about not getting a puppy as a surprise unless you are POSITIVE your dad wants a dog. Personally, I always wished I’d get a surprise puppy, but haven’t since I was 16. My vote as far as breed is a Papillon. They have long hair, but if you brush a couple times a week, shedding isn’t bad. They are funny and playful, and very intelligent. They live to make their person laugh. And they are cute as hell. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041/25 "2015-09-08T23:08:18Z")
Don’t do this. If your dad actually wants a dog, take him to the shelter and pay for his adoption/spay/neuter fees for an animal he chooses. ---
**Author:** ![Gothic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Gothic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gothic)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041/26 "2015-09-10T20:03:15Z")
Get a french poodle and name it Gigi. I had a Saint Bernard pup that never barked until I took it to doggy school. They said I should teach it to bark so I can teach it not to bark. It only learned to bark though, and barked like the Digging-est dog digged when it first learned to dig. If your dad wants a dog, let him get one and gift him a year of dog health insurance if available in your area. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041/27 "2015-09-10T20:19:37Z")
Since everyone has given the same advice I would (don’t get him a dog), I’ll share my anecdote. After our family dog died several years ago my dad offhandedly mentioned how it was nice having a dog around. My sister took that as a signal to get my parents a dog, and while they accepted the gift, it was obvious (and they did admit to me) they did not want the dog. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041/28 "2015-09-10T20:39:00Z")
> **[Animal shelters discourage pets as Christmas presents](https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2014/12/14/animal-shelters-discourage-pets-christmas-presents/16645776007/)** > > Animal rescues and shelters have a message for Santa Claus: Leave the new pets in the North Pole. > Bringing home a new pet — a new family member — needs to be a family decision, not a surprise in th… ``` DON'T do it ! If your dad decide he want a dog for a pet you can offer to pay for it . Too many pets given as gift end in shelters and on death row ! Most kill shelter only keep a dog for 3 days if the dog is lucky and if the dog is black or on the 'dangerous dogs list' they're killed in 2 days . My sister black dog got picked by the ACO was it killed on the second day , my sister car was in the shop and she got to the shelter too late. Let your dad pick out his own dog , it's better for the person and dog . If your parents get sick and can't take the dog out or buy food for it will you be around to take over ? ``` ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041/29 "2015-09-11T02:45:47Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > How about this? If you’re still set on the dog idea, why not buy and wrap a dog collar? Then (if he likes the idea) you can get the dog later, when things are calmer, and it can be walked when it’s less likely to be slippery outside. > > And if he doesn’t like the idea, you can return the collar and buy him something else. Perfect! Also include a note - ‘This gift cannot be purchased until February’. That gives him, your mom, and you a month to really explore the idea, rather than just him rushing out and getting the first dog he sees ‘so as not to disappoint you’. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041/31 "2017-12-22T06:28:14Z")
Get him a zombie dog! As previously noted, it is a really, really bad idea to get somebody a dog for a present if they are not expecting it. Bad for the recipient, and bad for the poor dog. However, in the interest of anyone who happens to resurrect this thread yet again, the dog to fit the OP’s bill would be the Bichon Frise. Small, not yappy, low maintenance, affectionate, very trainable, and does not shed (but the flip side of not shedding is that they need haircuts). I have one and he is fabulous. Similar options would be the Maltese or the Shih Tzu. Poodles are close, but they can be yappy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-a-dog/730041.md?page=1)