Weird question but recommend me a puppy!

equestrianabbie

equestrianabbie

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I slogged at a kennel when I was younger, being treated like a slave for 8 hours a day with no pay just to show my parents I was commited enough to look after my own pup. Finally after 5 years I've persuaded them to let me have one!
Now it does have a few catches, I have to save up my own money (which I would have done anyway), pay for everything myself including vets bills, food etc and I have to have a specific type of dog.

The rules are:
1. A small dog (not chihuahua type small but no larger than a Westie)
2. No "yappy dogs" as my mum describes them
3. Something that's generally a well temperamented dog and not extremely high maintanence
Can anyone make any suggestions?
 
Right, cut out small dogs, nothing too big, but as long as it's low maintanence (ie, doesn't need excessive amounts of grooming, special food) and good tempered, I don't mind.


Sssshhh mum doesn't have to know ;)
 
Try one of them online quizes to see what breed you should get :)
Or even look at rescuing some sort of cross breed? Have a browse on dogs trust, rspca etc
 
I think border terrier too, and there are many in rescues (we always have them in) if you decided on a slightly older one (saying that, the last 2 we had where only 8 weeks when they arrived)
Or as T4 suggests a staff would prob fit the bill to from your description.
 
Might be worth discussing the requirements with your mum again, small dogs are much more likely to yap (not that there aren't exceptions or that they can't be trained, but you would be going against the grain so to speak) and are far more excitable and nervy than larger dogs (again a generalisation, but how do you find the exception to the rule?).
 
How about a Cesky terrier?

Fit the criteria and because they are not a commercial breed the prices aren't silly.
They have a good breed rescue & grapevine too so sometimes older puppies are placed cheaply if the home is suitable.
 
Scottish terrier, ticks all your list

And very rarely ( if at all mine is 15months old and has not yet ) moults.

They are very chilled and layed back and only bark if there is something to bark at.

ot why do people love staffys so much, I like all dogs however as ugly goes staffys are near the top of the list!
 
lannerch said:
ot why do people love staffys so much, I like all dogs however as ugly goes staffys are near the top of the list!
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I expect we'd all have different breeds in ugly/beautiful line up depending on our taste.

What dogs traits would you like as it sounds like it is going to be your dog but needs to fit with parents?

Shame your only allowed small dog, a greyhound would be great for keeping parents happy, mine sleeps mainly when indoors, rarely barks and has a great laid back temperament. Maybe a smaller whippet/lurcher could be squeezed in lol (though as a pup they'll be more energetic).
 
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I have heard that cavaliers are 'easy' dog's, although training is paramount with any breed, IMO, just depends on what type of training you want eg gun dog, agility etc.
 
I would just go to your local rescue and have a look. It's mongrels all the way for me - there are plenty of small, terrier-type crosses out there. IF I was looking for a small breed though and wanted a purebred then a border terrier as mentioned would be a relatively sensible option or just a leggy jack russel. Some friends of ours have a welsh terrier though and he's lovely!
 
Thanks for the replies everyone!

I spoke to mum again today and I'm not entirely sure what she thinks she wants! She used to have a Yorkie when she was younger and wants one again - despite them being the yappiest dogs I know!

She also made it clear that she wants a dog that doesn't shed a lot, do any of you know if long haired chihuahuas, pomeranians or pugs shed a lot?
 
equestrianabbie said:
Thanks for the replies everyone!

I

She also made it clear that she wants a dog that doesn't shed a lot, do any of you know if long haired chihuahuas, pomeranians or pugs shed a lot?
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Long haired chis - not a lot. Poms are very heavy shedding & pugs are like mini labs when it comes to getting hair everywhere.

If she likes Yorkies how about Aussies?

Either Australian terriers or Australian silkies -these are what most people actually want when they buy a yorkie IME. Neither of these shed but need some grooming as does my previous suggestion of a Cesky.

With any dog you have to take hair off the dog, off the carpet or out of the sugar bowl depending on hair type.
 
Border Terriers are brilliant little dogs.

My old man was my first ever dog and he has been my best friend for nearly 15 years! He recently broke his leg and didn't even wimper... just waited for us to realise he couldnt walk! He is not yappy at all.
My other one is almost 14 months old and would happily be a lap dog for her whole life. She is without doubt the laziest creature I have ever met. She is a yapper... she still sounds like a tiny puppy!

Both of them will be on the go all day if you want them to, but then they will sleep it off for as long as they can. Both do shed when they need to be stripped (easy to keep on top of).
 
s4sugar said:
Long haired chis - not a lot. Poms are very heavy shedding & pugs are like mini labs when it comes to getting hair everywhere.

If she likes Yorkies how about Aussies?

Either Australian terriers or Australian silkies -these are what most people actually want when they buy a yorkie IME. Neither of these shed but need some grooming as does my previous suggestion of a Cesky.

With any dog you have to take hair off the dog, off the carpet or out of the sugar bowl depending on hair type.
Click to expand...

Not with a scottie you don't (or a poodle or I believe a shitzo )
 
We've gone for a Maltese :-)

Spent all evening trolling the internet and went through every possible breed but we feel like a Maltese would be perfect for us as a family. Now I just need to save up for him/her (if anyone has an idea of their price range on average let me know!)

First puppy, so it's very exciting!
 
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