Good small breed dogs

Breed specific discussion of your favorite breed.

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Marie<3
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Good small breed dogs

Post by Marie<3 »

So we got a chocolate lab.. I was wondering if anyone knows a good small dog that would get along with a lab. We eventually want to get another a dog. I just don't know if I want a small or big dog...so I am going to do some research on small dogs starting here! :)
here are some small/smaller dogs I would consider:
chihuahua
yorkie
maltese
havanese
bichon frise
cavachon
puggle
beagle- I am kind of iffy since they bark and howl. haha
dachshund - i heard these aren't good with small children

Any of these????
Fundog
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by Fundog »

Do you have anything against cocker spaniels? I personally would be hesitant to get a toy breed as a companion for a lab. Too much risk of the small dog getting accidentally injured, either in play, or just because labs can be a bit clumsy, stepping on things and sweeping anything in their paths into the middle of next week. :lol: Springer Spaniels are another smaller breed of dog, but not "too" small, and since they are sporting class breeds, they have a lot of common interests with labs, and a similar energy level. Springers are also very biddable and sweet natured, excellent family dogs, and highly intelligent. If you get a field bred springer, rather than the bench bred variety, the coat will be more manageable as well. However, being bred to hunt, they do require a great deal of exercise, preferably out hiking in the wildlands. 8)
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***Melissa***
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by ***Melissa*** »

Re dachshund-

Because of their long bodies they can hurt their backs easily, and personally I don't think playing with a bigger dog is healthy for their backs. I may be wrong though, but I don't allow my weenie to play with bigger dogs. :D

About the children & dachshund -

I have a dachshund and a dachshund x jack russel. We don't have children yet, but I am pregnant. I try to socialise them with as many children as possible. My husband's sister has 2 boys, one is 6 months, the other is 2 and a half years. Both my dogs are "wonderful" :wink: with her children. They will sniff the baby's feet and so, and then go their own way. Sometimes they will quietly lay down next to the baby, but they (the dogs) are always free to choose it they want to be close to the children, or not. As for the 2,5 year old - I wouldn't say they like him; they will sniff him (I let him stand still so they can sniff him), and then they go their own ways. I make sure my dogs ALWAYS have the option to leave a room and go to a place where they won't be disturbed. Small children can be very scary for dogs, so I also make sure the 2 year old don't touch or disturb my dogs, etc. Although they don't seem to "like" the boy, the situation doesn't bother me, because they will just ignore him (which is fine with me). And I keep my dogs protected by keeping the boy from "scaring" my dogs. :D
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Mercurykitty
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by Mercurykitty »

Ever consider small mixed-breeds (aka designer breeds)?

Cockapoos are well tempered and get along well with other dogs. Our Rose is five months old and she loves anybody and anything that crosses her path. Adults, children, big dogs, little dogs, cats...she wants to be everyone's friend!
dontpugme
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by dontpugme »

Do you mind a lot grooming or shedding?
--dontpugme
marticha
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by marticha »

I have a chiweenie (chihuaha dachshund) he is about 5 months... he LOVES to play with bigger dogs... at first he was scared because he was so small but bigger dogs seem to be very cautious with him... his best friend ZEKE is a BEAGLE/RETRIEVER mix and he was so careful with my Sammy... now I got lucky, my chiweenie doesn't bark at all, barely ever, but some might.
As for children, there are a lot of children in our neighborhood... and every time he sees them his little tail wags and he whines to go and play with them.
When any new person comes up to him he gets a little nervous (just tail between his legs and goes into submissive belly-up position), because he is so small, but I am always right there making sure he knows that meeting any new person, big or small, he is safe... basically a lot of "Good Sammy, good boy" after about 2 or 3 minutes he warms up to them...
He is definitely a lap dog, gets a little jealous when something gets more attention, but never aggressive (except towards one dog that kept trying to lick his privates, but they are friends now)

Plus with bigger dogs its a kick to watch him bolt back and forth and through the big dogs legs... he loves... I don't think there is anything wrong with letting a Dachshund play with bigger dogs, you just have to make sure your other dog doesn't treat him like a rag doll.
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Mattie
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by Mattie »

I never go for a breed of dog, I go for the dog itself, personallity, etc. just because a dog looks the right dog doesn't mean it will be, by going for the personality instead of looks I get a dog that fits into my family much better. There is nothing worse than a dog that doesn't fit in.
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Dixies momma
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by Dixies momma »

i have a dashchund and i also have a book on their breed. most are good with other dogs and children. i think it is a matter of when u get the pup etc. a friend has a full blooded beagle and he is good with other animals and kids. the down fall with him was he was abused by a man who owned him b4 my friend got him. so hes skittish with certain types of men. i rescued a cocker spaneil once and he was a beautiful dog. my ex at the time gave him away cos he did not like the dog growling at him when he came near me. again i think its a matter of age and training. i also believe that you should not settle for one type of breed. meet with various pups or dogs and also introduce your dog to the other on neutral territory(not your home) so that you can see what the responses will be like. then go from there. jack russels i know are hyper breeds if they dont get the mental and physical exercise they need. most chihuahas i have ever met are either nervous or fierce agressive ones. not saying all are but the ones i have met are.
hope this helps and good luck
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Noobs
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by Noobs »

Ditto Mattie. Instead of trying to pick a breed, perhaps do some research on several different breeds so you're aware at least of the general temperament and requirements. Then go to a shelter and pick that way, with the background knowledge you have on different breeds. Even then you might fall in love with another big dog! Be sure to introduce your dogs on neutral ground first - at the shelter before adopting even. How long do you want to wait before you get another?
SplendidLemon
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by SplendidLemon »

I have a Cavachon and he is the best dog I could have ever imagined!

I got him about 2 years ago, I was moving into an apartment on my own for the first time, and always being a dog lover, I wanted a companion. I have severe allergies and asthma, which is why I got a cavachon in the first place, and I only have a mild reaction to him. As long as I wash my hands after petting/playing with him and bathe him often I am fine.

My dogs personality and fun loving nature is perfectly in sync with everything I read about the breed. He is playful and friendly with people and dogs. He especially loves playing with bigger dogs. House training was a breeze with him, and he catches on to other commands/tricks quickly. He doesn't need a lot of exercise, I occasionally take him for walks, but mostly we just run around, play fetch, and chase each other.

Grooming can be a lot of work, I bathe him once or twice a month and brush him often. I keep his brush on the table next to the couch and at night he'll come sit in my lap and I will brush his ears and the rest of his coat. He enjoys its and he's so sweet when I'm brushing him, it hardly feels like a chore. I try to keep it a positive experience for him because it is IMPOSSIBLE to brush him when he's fighting to get away.

My boyfriend grew up with big dogs, and wasn't super excited about the idea of me getting a small dog, let alone a "designer dog". But they get along GREAT. He even taught my little Cavachon to catch a tennis ball!

I know a lot of people feel passionate about getting a rescue dog, but I got my dog from a groomer because of my allergies. I wanted to make sure I got a dog that I wouldn't react to. If you decide to get a dog from a breeder, I recommend Gleneden Cavachons (http://www.cavachon.com) That is where I got my little guy, and they do a great job of helping you find the right dog for you.

I hope this helps.
SplendidLemon
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by SplendidLemon »

I forgot to mention that my cavachon gets along great with my boyfriends dogs. They are both lab-mixes.
emmabeth
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by emmabeth »

a
Im sorry, but is that what passes in the US as a good and reputable breeder????? I am horrified!

That is a puppy farmer, they may not be producing hundreds of dogs per year, but they are producing dogs as a 'crop' for financial gain and are doing so without (as far as I can tell from the website) takin responsible steps to ensure the health of the animals they produce.

Where is the information on the health status of the parent dogs, in fact where is the information ont he parent dogs AT ALL?? Just pictures of cute puppies, and no admitting the fact that your puppy may have non-allergy causing, but equally, may well NOT.

SplendidLemon, can I ask you what your puppies CKKS parents syringomyelia status was? and Mitral Valve Disease? and Hip Dysplasia? And the Bichon parent, hip dysplasia, eyes, Legg-Perthes disease should all be done.

Hybrid vigor will NOT prevent a Bichon and a Cav who BOTH have the same condition from passing it on, and the inheritance of some conditions is not simple at all, and a dog can be carrying something and pass it on without ever showing it themselves.
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Mattie
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by Mattie »

I am as well Em, having taken on a b.itch that has been bred quite a lot it doesn't do them any good either, you only have to see some of the posts on here to see just how much damage breeding and breeding dogs can do. In the UK b.itches that are registered with the Kennel Club can only be bred a few times, pity that doesn't go for all b.itches.

Some information which may help those considering getting a cross breed dog, that is all they are, they haven't been bred for a job like most breeds have, ie herding, hunting, guarding etc. they are bred just for their looks, their health doesn't seem to matter these days. :cry:

http://www.westwinddogtraining.com/hybridvigor.pdf
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Noobs
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by Noobs »

That looks just like the site where my friends got their cavapoo (the one with the hernia that they neutered at 8 weeks in a two-fer surgery).

Less than two weeks after he went to their home, he was really sick and on antibiotics. Don't know what for. But really, NINE DAYS after the pup comes home and is sick already?
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littlefoot
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Re: Good small breed dogs

Post by littlefoot »

If you in england I know of a French Bulldog X Yorkie puppy in a rescue that rehome thoughout the uk. Here's the link http://foa-rct.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=dogs
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