What would be a good breed of dog for me to get?

In My Humble Opinion
21

Another vote for two cats, preferably litter mates. I got a pair (he and she) from a rescue group and they were sort of standoffish for a month maybe, but now if I want to be alone I have to shut myself in the bathroom and even then I see little paws reaching under the door and little voices asking what I’m doing. Can’t be lonely with two cats trying to beat one another to your lap.

They do not mind being left alone. They won’t damage your furniture if you give them scratching posts. They’ve never bit me, tho I know some cats will bite, but you’re bigger! You get to scoop the poop when it’s not warm, with a scooper, and if you use clumping litter you don’t even see the poop. My two do shed some but they love being brushed so it’s not really too bad. Think about a cat!

22

There are small dog breeds that don’t bark a lot or need much exercise, but I can’t think of any that would thrive without companionship for much of the day, in a small home without a yard.

If there’s a chance the OP would be taking a full-time job, I’d rethink the idea of a dog.

23

Please, please do not get a lab or lab mix or a boxer or, heaven forbid, a border collie. They are all extremely active dogs who need space and exercise. I have a ten-month-old lab and live on five acres and can barely keep her tired out.

I’m with several others who have suggested a cat or, better yet, a pair of kittens. They are amusing as hell.

24

On a normal day a dog’s smell can out rank a litter box. Dogs adore rolling in stinky spots they find outside. They pee on their own feet. The smell of “wet dog” lingers after returning from a rainstorm bathroom break or a jump in the lake. And not to be crude, but a cat fart is divine compared to what a dog expels.

25

I’ve also discovered that the fiber and high carb content of dry cat food is about 90% responsible for the stinkiness of cat crap–feed them just wet food and you barely know they crap at all. I clean the box every morning, usually only end up with 1/2 to 2/3 of a standard doggie poop bag full of clumps a day. And that’s accounting for 2 adult cats weighing 24 lbs between them.

26

Agreed, totally. My sons dachshund is so funny. Cute as heck, too!

27

This is absolutely true. I do this exactly the same except I scoop at night. Wet food and clumping litter means no smell. I have had people who don’t even like cats say they had no idea I have cats; they did not smell anything.

28

Perfect.

29

I agree with the idea of going to a shelter and meet the dogs there. And if you are looking for campanionship I’d recommend a dog over a cat.

I used to be a cat person - I liked dogs well enough but I never thought of getting one, I always had and loved cats. Then, last year, my brother adopted a cat from a shelter. He asked me to come with him, calm the cat in the transport box while he was driving, help him carry stuff…easy! You can already see where this is going, right?! :wink:

We walked into the shelter and the first thing I see is this small white ball of agressiveness, barking its head of at me… and I immediately fell in love, :smiley:
I told the shelter lady “I’ve never considered a dog, but… what about that one?” and it turned out that Amy (the white Chihuhua) had been turned in together with her two friends Nelly (Chihuahua as well) and Skippy (Minipinscher). They had been together all their life and the shelter wouldn’t seperate them.
My first reaction was that I could never get THREE dogs! But then I walked into their crate and met the other two and there was this absolutely clear feeling, that these dogs belong with me.
I adopted them about six week later and it was the best decision I have ever made.

Yes, it is a lot of work. Yes, they sometimes smell and you have to pick up poop and it’s a lot of responsibility but you just get so much back!
I still like cats, but IMO dogs give you a kind of companionship that cats don’t. :slight_smile:

You said you don’t really like small dogs, but I have to say that I’m happy with my toy breeds - they are real dogs, with dogs’ personalities, despite their size.
Plus - on the practical side - they don’t poop as much as bigger dogs, they don’t need so much space and in a pinch it’s easy to carry them. :wink:

I am lucky that I’m allowed to take my dogs to work, but they can and do stay alone at home sometimes. They are very relaxed, now that they have a home, they hardly ever bark, unlike in the shelter.

When I tell the story how I got them people usually say “the three were lucky to find you” but really I feel lucky to have them. They make my life so much richer.

30

I’m going to suggest fostering as well. It’s a great way to try out dog ownership without making a years’ long commitment. When I fostered, I might have a dog for a few weeks, or for months. As a bonus, during that time, all the dog’s food and vetting expenses were covered by the rescue. Choose your rescue carefully, there are lots of good ones, but some are nothing more than dog brokers, flipping dogs for profit. A good rescue will work with you to make sure you end up with a dog that’s a good fit for your expectations and lifestyle.

What kind of dogs are you attracted to? Do you like pointy ears? Floppy ears? Smooshy faced dogs? Fluffy or smooth coated? What kind of activities do you see yourself doing with your dog? Long walks, or just a trip around the block? Taking your dog places? Dog parks? Do you want to try any activities like agility, or dock diving, or nosework?

I would also consider an older dog. I have a house full of nine year old dogs that have tons of energy for play time and long walks, but are also happy to just lay around the house.

31

Boston Terriers are calm and easily trained. I’ve owned four in my lifetime and none barked.

They’re a medium sized dog, typically around 16 to 18lbs.

Photo
https://images.app.goo.gl/aZT8MZgAA35rSYRw5

32

Counter anecdote, my neighbors have a Boston Terrorist that barks ALL THE TIME, is massively fence aggressive and is actively trying to get itself killed by randomly attacking much bigger dogs. I was sofa king happy when they rented their place out and moved away and so was every neighbor within earshot of that yappy little fuck.

33

Yeah besides size and hair/fur shed/allergy issues breed or type is more about what strikes your fancy, if anything particularly, than dog behavior being all that closely tied to breed, as opposed to variation among individual dogs and their training.

Our last dog did bark during her life, but virtually never when in the house. Only sometimes at other dogs when outside, also if two of us walked her and one went into a store, she’d bark for that person to come out. She was a ‘pit bull’ type, actually must have been a Dogo Argentino mix from her appearance. Our daughter’s current dog we sometimes take care of is another ‘pit bull’ with more classic American Pit Bull Terrier appearance: she rarely barks in the house but the first one almost never did at all.

Both came from same local shelter, where ~90% of the offerings are ‘pit bulls’. Both very sweet dogs (to people), but pretty distinct personalities otherwise. First was off the charts intolerant of all other dogs, the second likes other dogs. The first was as close to perfectly behaved in the house as could be imagined, the second’s at home behavior leaves something to be desired. The first had a serene and majestic bearing, it was calming just to look at her. We never know what silly thing the current one will do next, but she’s fun to have around.

It really varies by dog IME. But if we wanted another dog of our own we would certainly go back to that same shelter and get another friendly ‘pit bull’.

34

I also recommend ‘test driving’ a dog through fostering. Or if you don’t have the Nextdoor app, sign up for it. My local Nextdoor feed always has pets available due to owners dying, moving or having some other lifestyle issue that makes it inconvenient or impossible for them to keep the pet. Then you get the benefit of someone giving you the good, bad, and ugly about that particular dog.

And if the only thing standing between you & a pet cat is the litter box smell, you can get one of those fancy electronic litter boxes that scoops & bags immediately after the cat exits the box.

35

Our family has had 3 Bischon-Poodle mixes over the last 20 years, and they’ve all been excellent, excellent dogs: neither breed sheds, so there’s no worry there, and neither breed is particularly yappy. They are small dogs, but not terriers–there’s no aggression. Poodles can be a little too smart and bischons a little too dumb–the mix seems about perfect.

All three have had really different personalities, but they’ve all been sweet, affectionate, and happy to sit next to you while you read or watch TV for as long as you could wish.

36

enough said!
Of 107 breeds of dog, I believe their no higher than 104th smartest. A box of rocks is a relative Rhodes Scholar next to one of those yappy little shits. MiL had two; one would routinely pee on itself. Yup, it would roll onto it’s back & pee. They also frequently have back problems.

I’d recommend a mutt, by getting a mix you’re reducing the chances of any genetic issue (especially with improper breeding) related to any given breed. dachshund - back, German Shepards - hip, Dalmations - deaf, etc.

37

Got to disagree with the above post. Dachshunds are smarter than most California voters, smell not quite as bad, are far prettier and have more sensible world-views.

I don’t even really like ‘dogs’, but am thouroulgly in favor of Dachshunds.

Awesome little creatures.

38

Have had the same experience. Although it is good to get one that is already house trained as they can be stubborn about that.

About the only other down-sides to BTs that I can think of is that they snore and you can’t take them on airplanes because of their squished skulls/noses.

39

Not true. Tana and Neska (mother and daughter, Pyrenees mastiffs) were couches. Damn big hairy drooly couches, no potatoes involved.

40

Some of your concerns are:

No barking.
Not wanting to pick up dog poop.
Dog will be alone for hours
No yard to speak of.

I agree with others in that you should consider a cat. Barring that, you may want to wait until you can provide a more appropriate environment for a dog.