What small breed of puppy do you recommend?

[BigBlueHen53]

Small dogs have a reputation for being yappy, but generally they are "trained" to bark. A little dog barks, and what does the owner do? Picks it up and pets it to "calm it down." Does this calm the dog? No, it reinforces the barkung. A big dog barks and what happens? The owner yells at it or (heaven forbid) gives it a swat or a kick. The big dog quickly learns not to bark at people.

Do pugs have breathing problems? Yes, virtually all smoish-faced dogs snore because they can't breathe properly. Do Bassets follow their noses? Yes, they are hounds. Do St. Bernards drool? Yes. Use Google. Research breeds you are interested in.

Everybody has a story. Some have had great experiences rescuing dogs and would never do anything else. Others, just the opposite. Some would never get a dog from anyone but a breeder. Life is a crap shoot. You pays yer money and you takes yer chances. Good luck!

 

[The Angry Hen]

Shelters are cute little dogs!! I went to an agility trial today and saw tons of them. But they are a little bit yappy/barky/vocal dogs, right?

Haha, they can be! My older one, Sammie, is 15 and he's much more quiet than the younger Charlie (4 yrs).
Charlie will bark at just about anything- meanwhile, many folks are able to keep their Shelties on the quieter side. Depending on where somebody lives, traffic wise, Shelties can act either way I suppose.

 

[Willowspirit]

Cocker Spa

I'm not a small dog person, but a childhood friend had a cocker spaniel and there's a cocker spaniel in my neighbourhood where I live now. Both very calm, but also playful dogs.

I hear you about the rescue dog thing. I also had a bad experience and will never do it again. Raising a breed bred for the specific traits you need/want from a puppy is the best way, I've found. Still loads of work, but you know what you're getting. We now have 3 Hungarian Kuvasz, all lap dogs, all over 100 pounds! They protect the chickens, and even step in to stop cock fights

Cocker Spaniels require frequent grooming. If you have them groomed professionally which is the best choice you will be putting out a lot of money. Six years ago it was costing me about $45 a month to have my Springer groomed ( and no, Springers are terrible for your lifestyle!)

I.think you should work with the dogs you have before you even remotely consider adding another dog. Puppies do not come magically trained. The rescue dogs that you disdain are generally the products of people like yourself who neglect their puppies and then dump them.

But I expect you'll get a Bassett anyhow because you want one. Poor pup.

 

[Willowspirit]

I forgot to mention Bassetts also slobber and drool a lot. A lot.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Haha, they can be! My older one, Sammie, is 15 and he's much more quiet than the younger Charlie (4 yrs).
Charlie will bark at just about anything- meanwhile, many folks are able to keep their Shelties on the quieter side. Depending on where somebody lives, traffic wise, Shelties can act either way I suppose.

Awww they sound adorable!! Do you have any pictures of them??

 

[The Angry Hen]

Awww they sound adorable!! Do you have any pictures of them??

Thanks! And certainly, I'll send you a PM so not to overly fill up the thread's topic.
Also, I see the adorable lab in your profile photo. Very sorry for your loss. Labs are amazing dogs.

 

[Willowspirit]

I have two Shetland Sheepdogs (aka Shelties). One is medium sized and one is large. I've come across people that have small Shelties- which may be something you are looking for. The breed is rather compatible, a good companion, and well worth the lifelong friendship!!

(NOT MY PHOTO)
This is a "Miniature" Sheltie I found a photo of on the internet.

View attachment 1813403

Best of luck on your mission of finding a nice dog!

Do you mind me asking why you would recommend a Sheltie to this person? She doesn't bother with her other dogs, do you think she would care for a Shelties coat? Teach it gently not to bark? Did you read about her other two untrained dogs that she hasn't socialized to walk on a leash in public? Sorry to climb all over you but i hate thinking of a merry little sheltie with such an irresponsible owner!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks! And certainly, I'll send you a PM so not to overly fill up the thread's topic.
Also, I see the adorable lab in your profile photo. Very sorry for your loss. Labs are amazing dogs.

Good idea!! Lol

And thank you very much!! They really are!! He was actually half Great Pyrenees too but he was an amazing dog. So sweet and loving yet protective when necessary the Pyrenees mellowed out some of the Lab crazies too LOL mostly slept but up for anything!! Loved walks and car rides aha

 

[Willowspirit]

Dittos.

:clap You are a feisty one! I like this very much.

 

[KaylorFarms]

Do you mind me asking why you would recommend a Sheltie to this person? She doesn't bother with her other dogs, do you think she would care for a Shelties coat? Teach it gently not to bark? Did you read about her other two untrained dogs that she hasn't socialized to walk on a leash in public? Sorry to climb all over you but i hate thinking of a merry little sheltie with such an irresponsible owner!

Where does it say I don't take care of my dogs?? All of my dogs have been to the vet recently and are up to date on all of their shots... They also got a wellness check. My other 2 dogs probably don't bark at people because they're Golden Retrievers and they're more of a social breed. I've taken my dogs to the park and we have 10 acres of fenced property.. So to say I do not take care of my dogs is totally ridiculous and false. I was just looking for a breed that doesn't need every day socialization but I guess all small breed dogs bark so I'm not going to find that. My min pin doesn't bark at people when we go out just other dogs.. She's also potty trained yet she marked her territory in the petstore last time we took her. I guess all small dogs have that "territorial' nature so I'll look into a bigger, friendlier breed..