Advice wanted on dog breeds

It doesn’t really matter on WHAT dog breed you get, it’s more about the personality and lovingness of the dog. You could get a specific breed, and regret the decision completely.

The best place to find a dog under $500 is a Local Animal Shelter. Like Dara said, about 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred. The difference is that you will get a dog that’s already spayed/Neutered, up to date on shots, and you will be saving dogs from getting put to sleep.

I volunteer at an Animal Shelter, and there are many purebreds that come in. There have been many purebred dogs that fit into the criteria you want. Bichon’s, Lhapso Apso’s, Jack Russell’s, etc…The dogs there are less than $200…(=

Like I said though, the most important thing is personality. There are many mixed-breeds that are small-medium sized, and are bred for natural selection.

Good Luck finding that perfect doggy.

Many thanks for the advice ladies. I know nothing about dogs as I…Ha!!! Was just about to say I was a p*ssy man…then realised in the US it may have a different meaning…lol

I promise, that was not deliberate.

I have a wonderful cat at the moment called Isis. We have a huge house and garden and there is only my wife and I that live there so as the cat is a bit on the elderly side and not too mobile, she tends to live upstairs and we carry her up and down the stairs to let her in the garden. (She is also epileptic and on medication)

However, I am beginning to think there is nothing wrong with her and just wants an easy life being fussed and carried around everywhere. :)

So, the plan is for the dog to live downstairs but they will meet up so the dog will have to be a breed and have the type of temperament to get on with Isis.

Ref the dog refuge Dara, we do have a number of these in the UK and I would much prefer to give one a home. The problem is that I was hoping to get a young puppy that could be trained from the start.

One, because we dont have any children and I want to spoil it rotten but train it at the same time and secondly, I read somewhere that dogs dont tend to live as long as cats and I am a really emotional person believe it or not and will get very attached to the dog.

Hence my wish to have a doggy companion for as long as possible. I think he would be welcome into the family almost like an adopted child.

If I get a rescue dog of mixed breed, I have no problem with this but how easy it it to judge the temperament of a dog just by seeing it for a short time?

What should I be looking for? What sort of questions should I be asking? What sort of problems could I expect if I were to get a 1 or 2 year old dog?

I’m not too bothered about the dog being a pedigree, the shitzu was just because he was the first dog I have seen and liked since my wife said I could get one. (bit like a kid in a sweet shop grabbing the nicest looking sweet he could see before Mum says, sorry, too late!)

What about medical care, vacinations, regular checkups, typical problems or does this differ between breeds?

Sorry Dara, I was not aware that you worked in a dog shelter or I would have asked before.

:)

Many thanks for all the advice. Like many questions posted on here, once could look this up on the net but I tend to prefer personal advice and recommendations.

*Interesting, since the first question I ever posted on here asked why people asked certain questions on this site rather than just look them up on Google. Ha Ha!

I think I have been converted!

:):):)

Shelters have puppies too. The Lhasa is so much like the Shi-tzu that unless you are an expert you may want to look into that bred. A Lhasa is much sweeter and friendlier then a Shi-tzu.

I like the older dogs, myself, I say this because after they get over being fearful (mine came from kennels (as adults) so they were scared) but once they got use to being out of a cage, they are the most devoted, loving dogs. They all train as well as a puppy with time, patience and love. Older dogs that are adopted seem to know you saved them and so show it.

Now my dogs are all purebreds. But what I can tell you from years (all my life) of being around dogs. If you get a dog that looks like a Shi-tzu but it also looks like it has say Border Collie, this dog will have the same born traits of the two purebreds, it came from. Or if your adopted a dog that looks like a Terrier it will act like a Terrier pretty much. Do you understand what I mean. It will be a digger and maybe yappy.

Now don’t get me wrong about the puppies, I love puppies, I breed my dogs and sale my puppies. I give those puppies tons of love and attention. BUT I wanted to mention older dogs are so much fun and love too. They also get very spoiled :) I hope I have explained my point.

Many Shelters take the time to explain what the dogs or puppies are and what they will grow up like and help you figure out which dog is best for you. Do at least visit a Shelter and check out what they have.

I fall over when you said how much that Shi-tzu was in the UK. Here I can get you a pretty good pet quality AKC Shi-tzu dog for about $125.00, here in Missouri :)

Oh about the Bichon. They are a Blast, you would love that dog. I have 3 and they are a trip

Oh and what Phrannie says about the Cat, oh my cats let the dogs know what is what right off the bat. Yes they will train each other.

You should get a bichion frise…they are well cute, any nice, and fluffy, and gawguss. I would recomend a Bichion frise because they dont malt and they are just really cute, hope this helps, :)

I just looked up the Lhasa Apso that was mentioned as I have never heard of them. This first pic that comes up on Google is just adorable.

:)

Hi Kiasu,

Not sure if you know, but I work at a dog and cat shelter on weekends. I’m pretty obsessed and knowledgeable about dogs.

Now, first of all…Shih Tzu’s are cute, a good size and soft. But they can be yappers, barkers and biters. It’s part of the breed. I personally wouldn’t recommend one.

May I ask if you are completely against getting a mixed breed? I have been to Britain twice and didn’t notice dog shelters either time, do you all have the pet overpopulation problem that we have here in America? I would urge you, 200%, to adopt a dog instead of purchasing one.

Mixed breeds can be lovely, but 25% of dogs in shelters here in America are purebred.

As for breeds that may fit your size and coat constraints, that are of a good temperament (in my opinion): -Corgi -Bichon Frise (although probably expensive bought purebred, try for a mix) -Lhasa Apso -Havanese

Now, here in America at least, any of these breeds bought purebred from a breeder will run you a good chunk of change. If you can find a mix of any of these breeds, or adopt a homeless dog, the fees are likely to be less.

Oh and of course, I’m not meaning to say all Shih Tzus are yappy, bitey, etc. I’ve just seen loads who are quite unfriendly and biters at my work. It all depends on the dog :)

phrannie, also Corgi’s really aren’t that much like Shih Tzus but I happen to love them so I snuck it in ;)

the bichon frese (spelling ?) is a very cute and loyal doggie. You know this dog is going to be so spoilt…lol

Just done a google search on bichon frise as suggested.

They look really cute as well.

:)

Your cat and a puppy will get to know each other on their own terms…I can tell you that my cat was far superior as a “dog trainer” than either my husband or I were…or at least MoJo knew how to behave around our cat faster then he learned how to behave around us…LOL…Dave was a 100% dog savvy cat, tho, who grew up loving a 130 pound GSD…he was not out to hurt a pup, but wasn’t about to take mauling, or biting…

In other words, they will come to like one another, or they will at least respect one another…

Don’t forget Westies…they’re from the UK, so maybe they run a little less money? Also Miniture Poodles (they don’t do all that shaking or seem as neurotic as the Toys)…

Lasa Apso’s look like a Shih Tzu, but are a little bigger…I’ve met a LOT of Shih Tzu’s, and the majority seem to be friendly and happy…Dara sees more dogs than I do…tho.

Just don’t get one from a pet store

phrannie