Suggest dog breeds, please! (15-25# range)

[Books'n'dogs]

After losing 2 of our 3 dogs in the past few months my mom and I have been discussing our next dog, when we will start seriously looking (not until after Shadow dies, because of financial reasons we can no longer afford more than 1 dog at a time), and the breed, which is where you all come in. We have always had large or medium sized dog breeds until Shadow the Miniature Schnauzer and after dealing with Willow's (German Shepherd) vestibular disease in December/January we decided we need to go smaller, I am in my late thirties and have a connective tissue disorder that limits what I can lift and my mom is in her mid sixties and while she has always been strong and fit she isn't getting any younger. We are having a very difficult time deciding what dog breeds in our size range (15-25#) we should start researching. We would welcome your suggestions! Our preferences are breeds that are good with children because several of my siblings have young children and there is a strong possibility of more to come, and it needs to be a breed capable of doing a lot of stairs because of the house we live in. Thanks in advance!?

 

[Calluna]

What about another miniature schnauzer? Super adaptable little dogs and shouldn’t weigh more than 10kg (I have one and am very biased ?)

 

[Barton Bounty]

A huge vote for staffies! Best obedient loving nanny dogs ever

 

[maisie06]

I think Beagles make nice family dogs but are stubborn to train and can bog off on scent! Show cockers are calmer than working cockers and seem like nice all round dogs. On the smaller side but Border Terriers are fun too.

 

[Annette4]

I mean I'm always going to suggest Corgis or whippets but I'm biased ?

 

[PapaverFollis]

Spaaaaaaaaaniel!!!

 

[fankino04]

Not sure why but I instantly thought whippet

 

[Books'n'dogs]

I mean I'm always going to suggest Corgis or whippets but I'm biased ?

Can corgis safely do a lot of stairs on a daily basis? My mom has a cousin who has 2 corgis and she would love to have one herself but I've been vetoing the breed because I was concerned that they wouldn't be able to manage the stairs without injury.

 

[Books'n'dogs]

What about another miniature schnauzer? Super adaptable little dogs and shouldn’t weigh more than 10kg (I have one and am very biased ?)

I have looked for good breeders of Miniature Schanuzers and can't find one I would do business with (we won't be returning to Shadow's breeder!); I think the breed is a victim of its own popularity and the majority of breeders are either puppy mills or backyard breeders, and all the show breeders I found crop and dock. Some breeders of dogs that are traditionally cropped and/or docked are starting to stop the barbaric practice but it certainly makes finding a breeder I can support harder.

 

[Books'n'dogs]

I have floated the idea of a show spaniel or terrier. Do you know how prevalent rage syndrome is? I found an English Cocker Spaniel breeder in Wisconsin who no longer docks or removes dew claws and I am rather smitten with her Facebook page, I have been unsure if it is a breed that we should seriously consider though.

 

[splashgirl45]

Border terrier or poodle would manage lots of stairs and the poodle can be small or medium size if you don’t want a big dog again

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have had a border, she was an angel

 

[AmyMay]

Bichon!

 

[Books'n'dogs]

We have a neighbor who has had Bichons for decades and they have all been little characters, especially the one she had previous to her current dog!

I haven't really considered poodles because of the prevalence of neurotic poodle crosses in my neighborhood but if I could find an ethical poodle breeder the breed would tick a lot of our requirements.

I haven't considered whippets because of the harsh winters we have in Minnesota but I suppose I could stock up on coats!?

I wish we lived in the UK so I could get breeder referrals!?

 

[AmyMay]

Are, sorry you’re not in the UK.

Bichon would disappear in the snow!!

 

[CorvusCorax]

American Cockers and English Cockers are separate breeds.

I vote Swedish Vallhund or one of the French Griffon/bassett breeds.

 

[Annette4]

Can corgis safely do a lot of stairs on a daily basis? My mom has a cousin who has 2 corgis and she would love to have one herself but I've been vetoing the breed because I was concerned that they wouldn't be able to manage the stairs without injury.

Mine never struggled but is was very careful about stairs until they were 18 months and did lots of work getting them to do them slowly once they were older. Mine were much shorter backed than the ones I keep seeing currently though....they're more dachshundy in build.

 

[Books'n'dogs]

Does anyone have experience with Shetland Sheepdogs? I haven't seen one for years but I knew 2 lovely Shelties when I was a child and have fond memories of both dogs.

 

[Books'n'dogs]

My mom says her cousin's dogs are shorter backed and longer legged than the dogs we see at Crufts and Westminster, I haven't seen the dogs but according to my mom they look similar to Queen Elizabeth's early corgis. Our house is 14 steps up from the doors leading outside to the living area so doing stairs is unavoidable, I'm afraid. It's a rotten house for seniors of any kind but we can't afford to move.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Well obviously you need a jackhuahua ?
Some good suggestions above. I love a small staff, I met several round here and all had such beautiful temperaments.
There is also a lady we need regularly who walks the most lovely mini Schnauzer. I’m really quite taken with her.

 

[Spotherisk]

Border terrier would be good. If you’re going to be walking the dogs a lot in snow I wouldn’t get a feathered breed, those solid balls of ice which form are a sod to get off.

 

[Books'n'dogs]

This sounds terrible but I don't walk my dogs in the winter. My town sprays an anti-ice chemical on the streets and sidewalks that burns dog paws, poor Clover had raw paws for days the first time we walked her after the city started using the chemical and my sister once walked to work right after the sidewalks were treated and the chemical burned a hole through the sole of her boot. All of the hiking trails are skiers only once the snow falls so my dogs only exercise is playing on our property for about 5-6 months, fortunately we have a decent sized backyard. Shadow is prone to snowballs but strangely enough Clover (Australian Shepherd) and Willow (long coat GSD) were not.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Have you considered a rescue? Particularly if they have puppies or young dogs in? I’d say a whippet would be tricky given Minnesota winters!

 

[TheOldTrout]

Jack Russell terrier, that's what you need.

 

[Esmae]

Whippet, everytime. Super adaptable and easy to live with.

 

[paddy555]

Does anyone have experience with Shetland Sheepdogs? I haven't seen one for years but I knew 2 lovely Shelties when I was a child and have fond memories of both dogs.

Some of my friends have had them and I could be very tempted if I ever had another dog and had to downsize from a GSD. They were just nice easy dogs.
Otherwise I would consider a poodle mainly because I met the most wonderful obedience training one years ago. It was head and shoulders above the GSDs and the border collies.

 

[Ratface]

Another one for a poodle. Also whippets. Never has a poodle, but I understand that they are clever, steady and very trainable.
I had a whippet whom I adored. A real cuddle-bug, an excellent hot water bottle on a cold night, and possessed of a manic sense of humour!
Also, I found, very responsive to training.

 

[Books'n'dogs]

Have you considered a rescue? Particularly if they have puppies or young dogs in? I’d say a whippet would be tricky given Minnesota winters!

If we heard of a rescue dog that fitted our lifestyle we would be happy to give them a home but I'm not sure we would be considered by the reputable rescues in the area since we have small children visiting on a regular basis. My mom especially would love to give a rescue dog a loving home so perhaps once the children in our lives are older we will have the opportunity to do so.

 

[PurBee]

I prefer larger breeds too, but if i was to go for a small dog it would be a Papillon - theyre like a toy spaniel. We had them as a kid and all their natures were nice for a small dog. Not erratic, mental, or overly barky. Theyre very nimble on their feet, can easily manage stairs - live to a good age, (14-18/20), love a cuddle, very cute faces.
Health is robust, theyve got stamina. Our older boy at 18 half blind would walk miles with us then turn home by himself and be waiting at the front door. One younger female loved swimming in the river, and had an accident but just went missing for 2 days and was found clinging to the side of the bank, presumably for those 2 days, with a punctured lung, made a full recovery and was a very energetic fit girl afterwards. Very sweet family dogs for all ages and levels of human fitness.

Apparently…..i dont know if this is absolutely true - but i was told that the papillon long butterfly shaped ears inspired the look of the film furries ‘Gremlins”! Their ears are rather big and lovely whispy butterfly shaped hair ?

 

[planete]

Another vote for a Border Terrier. Tough, portable, will cope with now and ice, great characters.