What small breed of puppy do you recommend?

[ShrekDawg]

That's great.if they really mean it.

I do have a lot of dogs! Three of them are Toy Fox Terriers though which weigh about nine pounds each! They sometimes have a lot to say! But they are gentle, love people and are quite cuddly. One of them (the incontinent one) is a shelter rescue. We went to photograph all of these confiscated TFTs as a favor and ended up adopting one!

She's goofy but we love her. She had been a show dog and a friend recognized her name and sent me her info from a catalog. She doesn't really look like a show dog anymore but she still moves like one!

I think they are. They seemed very reputable based on what I saw.

And awww wow that is amazing!!! So nice of you to rescue her!! And that sounds like a cool breed.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I know a few people who keep Cocker spaniels for retrieving (there's a local pheasant hunting club) and they seem to be good dogs. Of course, your average hunter puts a lot of time into training his dog, so that might not be a good place to get a sample. They're small-medium—20-30 pounds.

I didn’t realize cockers were so small! Wow!

 

[BGcoop]

How about a Newfoundland? (Jk)
Seriously though, depending on where you are located and your patience level, there are some shelters out there where you CAN get pure bred Puppies from, but it takes a lot of dedicated watching if you are looking for something specific. We have a couple here in WI that often bring in these pure (unpapered) puppies from other parts of the country.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I must be the only one who has had bad experience with Cocker Spaniels... I remember a neighbor having one when I was a kid and it'd run along the fence when we were in the backyard and bark nonstop at us and snarl between the gaps in the fence. Looking back on it now the dog probably wasn't getting any socialization since it was just in the yard all the time, but when you're 6 or 7 it sure seems a lot scarier.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I must be the only one who has had bad experience with Cocker Spaniels... I remember a neighbor having one when I was a kid and it'd run along the fence when we were in the backyard and bark nonstop at us and snarl between the gaps in the fence. Looking back on it now the dog probably wasn't getting any socialization since it was just in the yard all the time, but when you're 6 or 7 it sure seems a lot scarier.

Nahh, that’s part of why I’m afraid to get one because I have heard of/seen quite a few with aggression issues. Even today at the trial one lunged at another dog that wasn’t even really near it or doing anything, just walking by like 10 feet away. Idk if it was just a fluke or what cause it appeared fine with all the other dogs there but it was weird. Although I’ve heard they can be bossy with other dogs sometimes. And I’ve heard a lot of stories of vets and groomers and stuff being bitten by cockers. But I also wonder if most of the aggression stories are due to poor breeding, poor socialization, and/or poor training?? Cause I know there are some really nice ones and not every single one is aggressive. But it is a bit worrisome.

 

[KaylorFarms]

Yeah, the insurance guy out here said they have more aggression problems with Cocker Spaniels than German Shepherds

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

I suggest whatever breeds you are interested in research the breeds then go to a dog show, talk with the handlers (some are just handlers others are breeder/handlers). Be prepared with questions of the breed, and be prepared to answer any type of questions they ask. All the breeder/handlers I know don't let their pups go to just anyone. I have been in the show ring with Chihuahuas, Lhasa Apsoes, Miniature Pinschers, & Black and Tan Coon Hounds. 20 years ago I bred Miniature Pinschers, my pups did not leave my home until I had checked the people out, even called their vet's to get what type of owner they were, checked with Humane Society for any complaints. If for any reason they could not keep the pup/dog no matter what age they could bring back to me.
Myself I have 3 rescue Chihuahuas. 2 were older 10 years(now 13) and 2.5 years(wIll be 5) Those two do not bark, The 4 year old, took him in from a gal who had a 4 year old and a 8 month old. She said he was 9 weeks but we know he was younger, baby teeth were barely coming in. He was a very sick pup. Took to vet next day, said he wouldn't have made it another week. He had Geradia. What he ate went right through him. Wouldn't know he was at death's door now. He does bark when a person or dog/cat gets close to our place, but stops when I tell him no bark. There are breed specific rescues that do get pups in.
Positive Training is what I do. No attention (petting, treats, etc) for bad behavior, only for good behavior. Socialization is very important.
Do your homework no matter what breed you decide on and research the breeder also.

 

[MochaDuck]

This doesn't have all the answers you're looking for, but it may help narrow your results. https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

 

[Leigti]

I really like the King Charles Cavelier breed. Does anyone have these?

I have always wanted one of those. They are gorgeous. Like all dogs they do have health issues, but if you can find a reputable breeder those should be minimal. No matter what dog you get, you have to socialize it and train it. Sometimes people don’t treat small dogs like dogs, they treat them like babies. Treat your small dog like a dog and it will be great.

 

[Willowspirit]

I must be the only one who has had bad experience with Cocker Spaniels... I remember a neighbor having one when I was a kid and it'd run along the fence when we were in the backyard and bark nonstop at us and snarl between the gaps in the fence. Looking back on it now the dog probably wasn't getting any socialization since it was just in the yard all the time, but when you're 6 or 7 it sure seems a lot scarier.

No. You are not. There have been a lot of aggression issues in cockers.