I’ve fallen in love with a friend’s Pomeranian (it’s platonic, don’t worry) and I’ve been thinking about getting a dog of my own.
Ideally, I’d like one that’s as small/cute as possible, but I’d also like one that enjoys to be pet and scratched for longer periods of time, which the Pomeranian doesn’t seem to like. My family had a Shih-Tzu as a kid, which also didn’t seem to like being pet for any length of time.
Most of the larger dogs I’ve seen like to be pet/stroked, usually for longer periods of time than I feel like petting them.
So to recap, I’d like as small and cute a dog as possible, but one that enjoys being petted/stroked/scratched for longish periods of time. Any suggestions?
My parents bought a chihuahua last spring, and that would fit the qualifications. It’s tiny and it loves to be pet. And they get cuter the more you play with and love them. The downside is that they are scared, always terrified and they shake a lot. We had a hard time house-training ours too, and they lick a lot (I prefer dogs that don’t give big sloppy kisses).
Our golden retriever is the best dog ever, but he’s probably too big for you.
Good luck finding a dog! They’re definitely worth it.
Go down to your local animal shelter. Fall in love. The dog you fall in love with is the right breed.
The friendly staffer there should be able to counsel you about whether he/she is the right dog for your needs/desires. Good luck, and tell us how it goes.
I’ve got to go with the animal shelter thing- but if you are looking for a small dog that’s also very social (ie wants your attention a lot) you can’t go wrong with a cocker spaniel.
Find the breed you like and get it from a rescue organization. Most breeds have them, and they are much better dogs than you’ll find at the animal shelter. They are often rescued from the shelter, but the dogs are placed in foster homes where they are trained. In addition the rescue organizations won’t release animals with bad behavioral problems, unlike the shelter. I got my dog from the Border Collie rescue, and he’s the superest dog ever!!
I’m a big fan of pugs myself. They’re not too big and don’t require a huge amount of maintenence. Also, they aren’t too hairy so they won’t shed all over the place. We had one from when I was 2 til when I was 16 (I’m 17 now), although he was actually 17 years old when he passed away. He was the most lovable little creature imaginable and the inspiration for many a childhood game or story. Every story I wrote through all of elementary school revolved around Pugsley, and he was fitting hero. He was insanely sweet and would be content to just sit in someones lap for hours. But I guess that’s enough of a rant for today. I would honestly suggest checking out the animal shelters and doing what the other posters recommended- just find one that grabs you and take it home. But make sure to do some research first because the worst thing that could happen is for you to stop caring for that dog and have it end up back at the shelter (or even worse, on the street). So good luck, and keep us posted on how it turns out!
I have a shelty (shetland sheep dog, miniature Lassie?). He is the absolute best dog I’ve ever had. Intelligent, loving, and loves to be petted. And petted. And petted. But he minds very well. His name is Blaze. He weighs about 35 pounds, and his only drawback is he sheds. But just brush him often, and you can keep it under control. Simply beautiful dog!
I am a huge fan of cocker spaniels myself. I have a black one named midnight, he’s about a year and a half old. I actually got him from our local humane society. The only problems I’ve run into with him (and a female my parents had when I was a kid) was that #1, they tend to overeat, and #2, they piddle when they get excited, I’ve been told they grow out of that… I’m still waiting. They’re fairly mellow, love to be hugged and cuddled, mine is basically a couch potato, great with kids, other dogs, cats… I’ve found though, that most cocker spaniels, and even cocker spaniel mixes are excellent dogs.
“…they are much better dogs than you’ll find at the animal shelter.”
What do you mean by “better?” There are a wide variety of dogs at shelters, of all ages, breeds, and backgrounds, and temperaments. Rescue organizations focus on one breed, but otherwise, there is the same variety between animals. Plus, there are many different kinds of shelters, from the local pound to the North Shore Animal League.
“They are often rescued from the shelter, but the dogs are placed in foster homes where they are trained.”
Shelters often keep dogs in foster care, too. Dogs do not necessarily receive training in foster care.
“In addition the rescue organizations won’t release animals with bad behavioral problems, unlike the shelter.”
This statement is completely untrue. Rescue organizations release animals with behavioral problems all the time. Where did you get this information?
“I got my dog from the Border Collie rescue, and he’s the superest dog ever!!”
I am glad you love your dog, and I am glad you rescued him rather than purchasing him. But your good experience with rescue is not evidence that shelter dogs are inferior.
Dogs wind up in shelters for a variety of reasons. Sometimes people give dogs to shelters because the dog has problems, but usually, people give up their dogs because they can not keep them anymore. Plus, many dogs come in as strays. Just because a dog is stray doesn’t mean that he is feral. My dog came into the shelter as a stray, but he must have had a good home at some point–he was healthy, friendly, housebroken, trained, and showed no signs of ever having been abused or neglected.
On the other hand, my friend’s dog, from a reputable rescue, is violent (she ripped another dog’s eye out!), aggressive, and neurotic. She shows all the usual behavior found in a dog that has been beaten and neglected. This is not to say that she is not a wonderful adorable dog. She is, and my friends couldn’t be more pleased to have her. But by purely objective measures, my pound pup could probably be called “better.”
Breed rescues are wonderful organizations. They have many fabulous dogs available for adoption. But shelters have many fabulous dogs, too. If you are interested in a particular breed, you should definitely contact rescue. Otherwise, try a shelter.
I probably should have clarified that rescues are best if you want an ADULT dog. Puppies are great, and are generally trainable no matter where you get them, but if you want a dog then go to a rescue organization. However, if you’re looking for a particular breed, you may have no choice but to go to rescue.
I get this info first hand as I worked in a county (kill) shelter for several years (I also used to show (bench and field) and train Brittanys and English Setters) and unfortunately, most of the owner surrendered adult dogs in a shelter are there because of behaviorial problems. These are not the dogs fault, but owners who are too irresponsible to properly train their animal. I saw a dog that was left at the shelter because it chewed too much. On the way to the shelter it ate the interior of the owner’s car. Now chewing is a relatively easy problem to solve as a pup, but nearly impossible (without a LOT of time and the destruction of your home) as an adult.
BTW for a small dog I recommend the Sheltie, and the Cocker Spaniel. Both have very nice temperments. If you want a REALLY calm dog get a Bassett Hound. You can pet them forever! Be very careful that you have the time and the inclination if you plan to get a pup. If not, then get an older dog, these are wonderful animals, and are not often considered by folks looking for a dog.
Green Bean, I am glad that you got your dog from a shelter and are happy with him, and your friends story is horrible, but my statements are made with first hand familiarity with in a county shelter, and I stand by them.
I have to vote for the Dachshund. We inherited ours when my wife’s uncle died. I’m not sure if these are breed traits but mine…
[list]
[li]Barks only when he has a reason (doorbell, strange noise’s at night etc…)[/li][li]Enjoys to be petted for hours on end.[/li]Is the biggest snugglebum I’ve ever met.
I have to say got to your local shelter first. You can usually find a good dog there. My dog was from the shelter and she is simply amazing. Usually in the case of a surrendered dog, the shelter will have the number of the previous owner, so you can call and get the background of the dog (ie why it was surrendered, is it good with kids, etc.). We were able to do this with my dog, and it was quite reassuring.
Well, anyhoo, on to the type of dog to get. I would have to agree with bio-brat, and say get a Basset Hound. They are extermly laid back, and quite frankly, cute as all get out.
I say, check up about poodle.
It’s a healthy, smart, fun and very glad dog.
Also they often live long.
I have one and he is 10 years now
and still very playfull.
it’s a very charming dog.
The downside is that they are scared, always terrified and they shake a lot. We had a hard time house-training ours too, and they lick a lot (I prefer dogs that don’t give big sloppy kisses).