best dog breed

[befuzzled!!]

thinking about getting a dog but not sure what breed. needs to be small and likes people. which is best??

[pixiepie]

i have a pug and he is great. He is such a clown. Doesnt need much exercise and loves being with p eople
and very eager to please. Gets on brilliant with my 4 kids and 3 other dogs.

[bensmum]

Cavalier King Charles spaniels are also very good with people and don't take up much room (they are very dim however!)

[babykins16]

i have a bichon frise and its excellent with children and there aint any 1 who dont think he is cute.There is not one single aggressive bone in his body and doest need much excercise.I also own a ****-zhu and he cute but i dont trust him with my grandaughter ! Hope i have helped you Ann marie

[leelapops]

Well, I have a Collie, who is small, and I am very biased, but not entirely blind to the fact that they aren't always great people dogs.

Jack really doesn't like children under about 13 years old, and is wary of men too. I am aware this is more of a personal dislike, but other Collie owners hve reported similar things.

Staffies can be small, and are apparently excellent with people. I know of a couple, both of whom are lovely-natured dogs and very people orientated.

Good luck in your search-let us know what you decide on!

Lisa x

[lankeela]

I think you need to make a list of your requirements, apart from just size, i.e. long or short coat (are you prepared to groom or pay to have clipped), are you prepared to train (do you want a small working breed or one that is just a lap dog), are you prepared to give lots of exercise ( are you active or a couch potato), have you a fenced garden (some breeds are escape artists and/or will not come back if let off the lead).

Also you must decide whether looks are important (by this I mean some people don't like the look of some dogs, and some men may not want to be seen with say a poodle (although there is nothing wrong with poodles - a very intelligent breed).

Cost is another thing, the rarer breeds are more expensive, whilst some breeds are easily available and there is a lot of supply to satisfy the demand, therefore the cost is lower.

Whatever you decide, please go to a reputable breeder, the best way is to contact the breed club and ask for a list of club members who may have a litter due. Make sure all health checks are done and that the puppy is registered (you get what you pay for - a 'cheap' puppy may not be what you are expecting as others on this group have found out to their cost).

Please avoid puppy farmers who only breed to make money without any interest in the breed or its health requirements.

Remember, your puppy could be with you for anything up to 15 - 20 years (my dog's dad died last week just short of his nineteenth birthday). Make sure they are happy years for you both, rather than a nightmare because you didn't get the right breed for you.

[Bigeye74]

just a question, but why does the dog have to be small?

[Noweia]

Apparently Border Terriers are good with people - I know a family who have just got one. They spent ages searching for a small breed that was good with young kids and picked the Border terrier.

[snug]

lankeela has it right. It depends on where you live, how often you can give it exercise. Give a thought to a rescue dog, your local dogs home will be able to give you advice.

[abbie10]

torkshire terriers r lovely dogs and i luv jack russells

[thundercrack]

long haired jack russel if you have a large garden and like walks. they are good with people if brought up right and very faithful. if you don't want walks and no size garden then go for a manby pamby type like a king charles, they are peace loving super little dogs and are happy to plod around the house most of the day, and are friends to all, whreas jack russel wants to be out and about chasing rabbits etc. avoid spaniels, very nast when older, one man type dog. scotties can get a bit snappy.
meet the parents if paying lots of money, see how friendly they are.
good luck, alf.

[befuzzled!!]

hi thanks for all the answers.
for bigeye74: the dog has to be small because we have a smallish house and my mum says there isn't space for a big dog but just the right size for a small dog.
thanks again

[Bigeye74]

Fair enough, I live in a tiny house and have a large dog, but we make up for it with walks etc. We look after a mates border terrier quite often and its a top dog, though it does get under our feet more than our own and it harder to tire out etc. They have young kids, live in a tiny place and their border gets on fine.

[lankeela]

I would suggest you make a short list, and then visit either some breeders or better still a dog show where you can see the dogs and speak to owners, they will be able to tell you the good and bad points of their breed. If you let me know where abouts you live I will tell you of a dog show in your area, so you can go and see them in the flesh.

[Wireman]

Labordoodle (hybrid cross between Standard size Poodle and a Labrador; or an Otterhound.

[lankeela]

Labradoodle or Otterhound? Small? You must be joking!

[kita1]

You could also take a look at rescue centres.

Have a read through

http://www.freewebs.com/manytearsrescue/dogslo okingforhomes.htm

[BUSTERBOYS]

dont look any further sbt is your answer,any questions just ask,bbs.....

[ploddypop]

Hello Befuzzled. I had to beg my parents so much to get a dog and we finally got a little shih tzu. They are small, they get most of their exercise from running around the house but still enjoy walks, cute and the antics, it's just like having a little cheeky kid with our puppy. They have lovely furr but need brushing ( and love it) to keep tangles away and you have to watch some shih tzu's as their snout is scrunched up on their face but mine has a longer one. I do warn you though, you have to be good at foot (paw in the dog's case) massages. My dog goes to sleep when I pamper him. They are a people dog though so they don't always like being alone. They always want to be centre of attention too. what ever breed you choose, that little dog will become your best mate. I have a little verse thing that says "my little dog, a heartbeat at my feet" I hope this is what your dog is.

P.S they are also very intelligent.