We are considering getting a dog...well I am anyway.... we want something small, a toy dog of some kind and are between two right now - scottish terrier(scottie) and the king charles cavalier spaniel. I prefer the latter, I never liked the snout and beard on the scotties - but don't know enough about either. Any opinions?
Background: we have 2 adult cats, no children (though will at some point down the line), great yard that can be fenced in and an office that we own, so we can take the new dog along to work.
mickeya1a
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
We have a pug and think she is the best small dog around.....so good with kids etc. weighs around 18lbs.
jenny11.9
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
how tall is she? they stay small right? does the coat shed terribly?
Sonicstef
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
Ive never had either dog but terriers in general tend to be great dogs.
Nothing against mickey's dog but my sister in law only has pugs and most of them have had serious asthma and other breed specific problems due to the way their snouts have been breed.
We are looking to get a dog too...we are torn between: Corgi or Beagle.
NovemberSue
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
I think Beagles are so cute.
jenny11.9
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
does the Beagle do a lot of howling though? I’ve got a beagle living next door and it just howls all the time. It’s cute because it’s so little with such a proud howl! But GOD – it’s a lot….maybe it’s just her?
Beagles seem to stay small though. Now what is that little Corgi?
Stef28
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
I love beagles! That's my vote. I would also look into a mutt b/c they make the best dogs. That is my personal opinion -- I love all dogs though.
I also have had friends with that experience with pugs -- the breathing problems.
NovemberSue
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
I think I heard that Beagles are hyper so maybe you want a mix with a mellow dog too.
Samanthas Mom
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
I have had poodles and yorkies Have a yorkie now she gets a long great w/ other dogs and kids Good luck!
Sonicstef
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
I actually agree with Stef28 that mutts really do make the best dogs...they tend not to have all the problems that purebreeds have. But they do have one problem - unpredictable size. You could get a tiny puppy and end up with a huge dog! So thats why I can't go with a mutt...but if you dont mind a slightly larger dog there are some of the most adorable puppies at the north shore animal league. (we were just there).
Beagles are supposedly a little on the fiesty/loud side...so its possible you can get a howler. Chances are, the dog that is howling all the time is just poorly trained. But if you have a dog howling next door, a new pup might learn to mimick that same behavior. Beagles dont shed very much and need minimal grooming. They do have a 'houndy' smell which can be avoided with regular baths.
Corgis are really small herding dogs. They have thick torsos and short legs. They are adorable and supposed to be good apartment dogs but need a lot of excercise...so regular long walks/runs are necessary. They have longer hair so need to be brushed at least once a week but still shed.
Both dogs are supposed to be good with children and other animals if you get them as a puppy and train them properly.
ss2002
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
Awwww...I want them all!
Don't tell Dexter (my cat), but I'm so looking forward to moving into a house with a big backyard so that we can have pups!!!!
Growing up, one of our neighbors had a Cavalier King Chas. What a great pooch. She was a very, very happy dog, got along great with children, not at all aggressive. Unlike many small breeds, she was not nervous around people.
I think the Scottie may be a little tougher, a little more attitude. That may be a problem with the cats.
Stef, keep in mind that beagles are barkers/howlers!! They have that hunting dog instinct!!
Samanthas Mom
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
many purebreeds do not have problems though my mini poodle lived to be 19 w/ a heart problem developed as she got older yorkies tend to live 18 yrs at least, that is why I got one, but I hope she lives into her 20's
Stef28
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
sonicstef you are right about the size. I thought about that too. Oh well -- I always try to get people to adopt those animals at the shelters or rescue them.
Amyd
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
We have 2 papillons (sp?). Actually one is a mix and one is purebred. I love my pups but I would warn others to research breeds thoroughly before getting a dog. Ours are big time barkers. The one thats a mix barks a bit less...adding to the mutts are great theory! They are very well trained otherwise (thanks to my hubby!) but there isn't anything we can do about the barking. I still love them though. Here's a picture. The big one is Norm (the mix), the little one is Willow (the purebred- aka 'little *itch' when she won't stop barking!)
All purebred dogs have some sort of problem specific to that breed. my pug does breathe funny, but doesn't have asthma...and she never barks. she will shed in the summer...but usually for about 3 months. we get her groomed monthly to make sure it isn't too bad....she stands maybe a foot or so high? here is a pic.
I think when you buy any animal you take on a risk of them getting sick...small dogs usually have less problems...my aunt had golden retrievers that all got cancer and died at 6...you never know..just make sure if you do buy a purebred, that you get all the paperwork to see exactly where they are coming from....
Jodi73
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
My friend has a Cavalier King Charles and I dog sat it last week becuase she was on her honeymoon. I have never met a better dog. This dog is so sweet. NO problems with her at all. They are great dogs to have.
shelzyp
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
My friend just got a sh*tzu, and it doesn't shed, and seems to be really good. She never had an accident in the house and was paper trained in like a week, she loves it outside and is adorable. She won't grow that big, but you do have to get her groomed, but I have 2 labs, and we have tumbleweeds of dog hair after a day of not vacumming. Supposedly sh*tzu's are very smart dogs, Not only did I hear this from my friend who thinks her dog is a genious, but from an unbiased person too.
Shamee
Posted:
Member since
Re: dog question
My vote is for Boston Terriers. I have two and they have the most entertaining personalities you could ever ask for. They are also very intellligent.
That's Angel. I think she looks like a Gremlin (when they were a Magwai, not the bad Gremlin, of course!). I named my other Boston Gizmo for that exact reason.
