dog breed

[sair5412]

Hi I am looking for a new pet and wonder if you could advise me?I would like a small dog, which is fairly calm and not hyper and yappy. I live in a quiet cul de sac and have a small house with a little garden with grass and a little stream. I walk my son to school every morning but I don't go hiking! Any ideas? I love the temperament of (most!) labradors.

[~posy-jo~]

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/breeds/do gs-breeds.htm

try looking here it will show you pics of the dogs and tell you a bit about them xXx

[maggie01]

That's a bit difficult really as I have two shih-tzu's. Before we got them we researched them as much as possible and they are know to be placid and quiet. Well one is but the other one has a few yappy moments. I think a lot depends on the individual dog. Like people, their personalities are all different.

[Clanad]

I think maggie is quite correct on the individuality of dogs... kinda like people, somewhat unpredictable. While we only have working dogs here on our place, some friends bought two of the "Butterfly" dogs, the Papillion, and we've generally been impressed with the little dogs. As with anyother dog, the time spent on training is invaluable. Some owners of this breed report disatrous results, but with a firm hand, as seen with our friends dogs, they appear to be exceptional pets. One additional word of caution... this breed displays some weaknesses with the kneecaps (patella) in the hind legs. This can sometimes be corrected by surgery. Also fontanel (an opening at the top of the skull similar to a baby human's "soft spot"). It sometimes corrects itself but if it does not, the dog needs to be protected. (Source: Dog Breed Information). Some have a difficult time under anesthesia, as with many animals... Do the research and be prepared to invest the time (and perhaps some money)... Good luck!

[Ethel]

As you seem to have the ideal home for a dog, would you consider a rescue dog?

These can make excellent pets, and a mongrel often has fewer health problems than overbred pedigrees.

[doglady]

I know they aren't especially small, but have you thought about a retired greyhound. All the dogs that can't race any more need homes, and they are very quiet and placid, don't need a lot of exercise (2 x 20 min walks a day - perfect for the school walk!!), and just sleep the rest of the time. They walk beautifully on the lead, and it doesn't take much to get them out of the chasing mentality, to protect cats and squirrels and stuff. Obviously you wouldn't have to worry about them with your son, as they are so laid back.

If you give any of the racing stadiums a call, they'll be able to put you in touch with greyhound rescue.

[agtweropi]

Have you looked at a beagle or a spaniel they don't need much exercise so the school run would great. They don't eat much either.
Hope this helps.

[lankeela]

Beagles don't need much exercise? - they are hounds for Gods sake. They are bred to run all day following a hunt.
They also howl like the devil. They also take off following their noses as soon as you let them off and only come back if you happen to be in their path.

Smaller spaniels e.g. Cavaliers are ok but Springers and other larger Spaniels needs lots of exercise and can soon get hyper if not given it. Take care of heart problems in Cavaliers.

What about a Whippet? They are very quiet and although they need exercise, so does any dog. They are short coated so don't need a lot of grooming. If you don't mind grooming how about a Lhasa Apso, or a Bichon Frise, or even the good old Poodle?

[saxy_jag]

You could do a lot worse than an ex-racing Greyhound.

Yes, I know they're big dogs, but:

1. They are placid, affectionate and quiet and very good with sensible kids.

2. They don't eat very much for their size - only the dogs in race training need lots of fancy food.

3. They don't necessarily chase cats and small animals.

4. They need little more than 20 mins walk twice a day.

5. They need minimal grooming.

6. They usually walk very nicely on a lead (ie they don't pull you around).

On the down side, they're apt to be a little dim, are useless as guard dogs and love a nice settee to call their own, but they're so loveable you can forgive them for that.

Have a look here:

http://www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk/

http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/information/factsh eets/otherfactsheets/

You'll need to register to see the Dogs Trust stuff, but it's free and probably worth doing in any case.

[Dawnio06]

i have never come across a small dog who isnt yappie or hyper!.. i have 2 bulmastiffs who are huge but they are so calm and placid. If i had to have small dog it would be a pug or I would go for a older dog not a puppy

[maggie01]

Dawnio06. Honestly my older shih-tzu has never been yappy. She is so laid back that I have to check if she is still breathing at times. She has a lovely temperament as does my younger one .

[saxy_jag]

I think you always take this risk with a smaller dog. A friend of mine had a Westie which was a lovely, gentle, placid little thing, and an absolute angel with kids. But then I've known others that were the complete opposite.

People think small dogs are easy, but it's not necessarily the case.

[~posy-jo~]

if you would consider a greyhound i would thoroughly recommend them. we got our greyhound from the retired greyhound trust. our son was 6 months when we got her and he grew up crawling on her, pulling himself up her, falling over her, pulling her tail. sticking his fingers up her nose!! not once did she flinch. they really do not need much exercise they are very lazy!! they very rarely bark - well not the ones i have come acroos!!
if you type retired greyhound trust into google it gives you loads of information
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=retired +greyhound+trust&meta=

[morbidstorm]

Please don't get a labrador.

They can be very boisterious, excitable, overfriendly, and if not exercised a lot, can get overweight quite easily.

I have a Golden Retriever, a breed very close to the lab, and although both breeds are absolutely fantastic with kids etc, they are demanding and attention seekers, and if pure breed can be prone to illnesses.

Fantastic, adorable and wonderful dogs - but not what you're looking for.

[lankeela]

Greyhounds are a brilliant pet. Some of the bitches can weigh as little as 22 kilos, not much more than a whippet.

But posy jo, I have to ask, why would you let a child pull a dogs tail and stick his fingers up her nose?

[~posy-jo~]

hi lankeela it wasn't intentional as soon as he was seen doing it i stopped him. i was just using it to prove a point about placid they can be. don't think i let my son hurt my dog on purpose.

[lankeela]

okay, explanation accepted, its just one of those things that gets me when people say 'he's great with kids, he lets them pull him about and never retaliates' I'd like to do it to the kids!

[iriseyes]

i have a bichon friese, she is adorable. She isnt a yapper, but she is a good guard do. My niece had just got a pug she is lovely, and she doesnt bark eitjher.