So I'm pretty set on getting a puppy within the next few months, but I'm having a hard time making a decision on the breed. I live in an apartment with my woman, so we're definetly looking for a small dog and I would prefer one that didn't shed so much.

I really like boston terriers and pugs, but those are "ugly" according to her. We've look at jack Russells, but I think they are just a bit too active for an apartment, I could be wrong though.

I'm not against adopting froma shelter, but I am set on getting a puppy and if I can't find what I want in a shelter, I will go to a breeder.

Suggestions?

8/15/2006 3:33:37 PM

Try this website:
http://www.petfinder.com

You can choose what breed you're looking to adopt, as well and genders and ages. I adopted my Pomeranian, Tinsley, from a woman in Charlotte after searching on there, and I am really pleased. She is a sweet girl, and the adoption fee was $180 - but they just had her fixed, gave her ALL shots, and she had to have 8 teeth removed (she had a mouth infection), and she was groomed. My poor girl is bowlegged and pigeontoed, they think her breeders abused and abandoned her.
Defintely a good site to check out though...I knew Tinsely had problems, and was willing to take them on, but most of the animals on there are relatively normal.

[Edited on August 15, 2006 at 3:55 PM. Reason : spelling]

8/15/2006 3:54:27 PM

sometimes its a bitch to get a smaller breed from a shelter. least at any shelter ive been to (with a few exceptions).

[Edited on August 15, 2006 at 3:56 PM. Reason : we've had nothing but good things to say with our chiuauas and rat terriers]

8/15/2006 3:55:32 PM

FYI though - most shelters will not adopt to college students who are full time students, and it might also be tough to adopt depending on the breed. Since you're living in an apartment, a lot of shelters want the animals to have a lot of space to run around and whatnot, especially for larger breeds. It also depends on what kind of job you both have - sometimes they also will not adopt to college students just because they know students don't have stable incomes, and may not be able to pay for random, expensive..uhh...expenses.

I was able to adopt Tinsley because I still live at home, and my dad co-adopted her with me, and I was lucky and sweet-talked to lady, becuase she said they've never adopted to ANY college student before.

8/15/2006 4:02:44 PM

We're not students, and thanks for the petfinder link.



[Edited on August 15, 2006 at 4:19 PM. Reason : ]

8/15/2006 4:05:14 PM

I hear this is an excellent breed:

8/15/2006 4:14:26 PM

shih tzu!!!!


seriously-she's almost full grown
you cant tell me she's not cute

8/15/2006 4:23:48 PM

yeah you're cute.

8/15/2006 4:24:36 PM

CORGI



[Edited on August 15, 2006 at 4:27 PM. Reason : ]

8/15/2006 4:27:06 PM

^^^too much work having to groom the dog's hair like daily

I don't plan on ever having a small dog. But if I did, it would have to be a short hair breed like a Jack Russell or maybe a Boston Terrier.



[Edited on August 15, 2006 at 4:30 PM. Reason : of course, I guess you could just keep a long haired dog shaved.]

8/15/2006 4:27:53 PM

^^ ein!

8/15/2006 4:32:04 PM

^^it's not really that much work actually

if you keep it short-it's no work whatsoever



i get her hair cut once every 3-4 months and i do not brush it, she hates
i think thats pretty reasonable


[Edited on August 15, 2006 at 4:35 PM. Reason : i just read you edit post-aha ]

8/15/2006 4:35:04 PM

a boston terrier is the only dog in that class I'd consider owning... they don't shed much either

8/15/2006 4:36:19 PM

shih tzus don't shed at all!!!




hahahah, im so whoring out this breed, ill stop now

8/15/2006 4:38:52 PM

mutts are the only way to go

8/15/2006 4:42:01 PM

8/15/2006 4:42:10 PM

i love mutts


LOVE them

8/15/2006 4:43:24 PM

^^^she is one of the best damn dogs i have ever encountered

8/15/2006 4:44:26 PM

corgis have alot of energy. its like a big dog in a small package.

English bulldogs tend to be low-energy dogs. but $$$ to get. breeders ask for way too much. plus they are prone to health problems

jack russels are a big NO for an apartment. it will bounce off the walls are tear shit up.
i'd stay away from any herding or working type dogs (border collies, huskys, etc..)


check out:http://www.akc.org/breeds/toy_group.cfm
if you really want a low-energy dog for an apartment you're best off with a toy breed/mix
granted those are only AKC recognized breeds but its a good place to start.


have you considered adopting an older puppy or dog? if you adopt through a rescue group and get a dog that was in foster care - the foster parent can tell you how the dog behaves (energy level, bad habits, etc..) they usually are somewhat trained and are already vetted. you can save alot of $$ on vet bills alone by adopting from a rescue group. you'll pay an adoption fee of usually $100-$200 but it covers all vetting. a puppys first visit to the vet for one round of shots can cost that much. not to mention spay/neuter


check out
http://www.bfpa.org/content/view/20/93/

8/15/2006 4:51:56 PM

Quote :

"shih tzu!!!! "

Has my vote. One of my ex's mom had one, and I fell in love w/ the little guy.

8/15/2006 4:54:24 PM

I have to say this. Just because you like the way a breed looks DOESN'T mean that is the dog for you. Please do research first. You can look on petfinder for dogs (both purebred and mixes). Whatever dog you do decide on talk to the people about the dog and the breed. If you get a dog that is in foster care, you can know a lot about a dog before adopting it. I like this b/c there are less surprises. I love boston terriers and they are really cool dogs but they are high energy (for their size) and will need a lot of exercise. Also, if you and your woman are going to be living together make sure you agree on the dog. If you don't agree on it now it will probaby cause problems later. I wish you luck! Oh yeah, the akc site is good for learning about dogs.

8/15/2006 5:07:29 PM

never been a big fan of the shih tzu, but I like a lot of dogs mixed with them. A BoShih is a mixture with a boston terrier, and I like those a lot. I also really like Italian Greyhounds.

I understand how it is much cheaper to rescue an adult dog, and how it is good to work with shelters, I have been going through shelter sites and visiting for almost a month now, but I'm not going to compromise what I want in a dog to save a sheltered animal.

8/15/2006 5:07:38 PM

boxers are the best

8/15/2006 5:09:13 PM

If I could find a miniature boxer, I would be all over it.

8/15/2006 5:14:22 PM

Whippets are great dogs. Low to no hair shed, very very sweet demeanors. Loyal and cuddly! They seem to do best in pairs though, they get lonely. http://www.whippet.com/gallery5.html

8/15/2006 5:16:56 PM

^whippets are great, but have the ability to jump on to a counter/table.

on a related note, my dad has 2 italian greyhounds and they can go at it for hours (wrestling, play-fighting, chasing), but they are fine with being left alone... except for the small bladders.

we have a bichon and he's great. really mellow, 100% house broken (he can hold it for 12 hours+), incredibly sweet, doesn't really shed.... but does require grooming.

[Edited on August 15, 2006 at 6:40 PM. Reason : ]

8/15/2006 6:39:58 PM

Definitely use Petfinder. I just met a woman with Rohe animal rescue that has two poodles up for adoption that she's fostering. Sounds like that rescue does a lot of small breed dogs.

Poodles and their mixes are the way to go for a guaranteed non-shedding dog. I couldn't tell you which other dogs don't shed. So far my puppy hasn't shed, and I think she's a pekingese mix.

Rohe: http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/NC115.html

[Edited on August 15, 2006 at 6:41 PM. Reason : ]

8/15/2006 6:41:08 PM

bichons are pretty cool

girlfriend has one, and it may be because he is old, but you couldnt ask for a more behaved dog.

8/15/2006 6:42:25 PM

Just got a Jack Russel, he is awesome. yes they have a lot of energy and if you're not an active person/couple then don't get one. Cute as puppies though....

My pup:
http://media.putfile.com/bruceeverest1

8/15/2006 6:48:29 PM

look at irish jack russell terriers, they are less hyper.

8/15/2006 7:01:11 PM

^ I doubt I would ever find one of those in a shelter, and I just looked up the price from a breeder as $950-$1500 .

8/15/2006 7:30:36 PM

i will agree that if you have a choice, get a mutt, but if you want a very low maintenance dog, make sure to check out min pins. THey dont' need as much excercise as other small dogs (but will surely appreciate it!) and can become VERY VERY good dogs if treated with the correct discipline (not bein gmean, just making sure they know you're in charge)


i have a min pin and a mutt (my folks have an older minpin), alot of people have bad info on minpins, so i'd be glad to give you any info you need

8/15/2006 7:32:38 PM

miniature dachshund



[Edited on August 15, 2006 at 8:16 PM. Reason : ./]

8/15/2006 8:15:49 PM

^ they are in my top 5 for sure, both the mini's and the regular sized actually.

8/15/2006 8:16:53 PM

mini > regular

8/15/2006 8:24:18 PM

Jack Russels are extremely high energy dogs. My brother just bought one for his family, but he has a young child that will run and play with the dog. I don't know if it's the best choice for an apartment or inactive couple who spends a lot of time at work/school.

I got a Shih Tzu for my birthday when I was in 8th grade. He's the best dog in the world. They are extremely loveable and cuddly, but are completely willing to play if that is what you have in mind. However, their coat is requires a lot of attention (you'll either need to learn how to groom them or be willing to shell out some money to have them groomed). And if you keep their coats really short, they don't look like wimpy girlie dogs. My mom refused to let me take my dog with me when I left for college because she is so attached to him.

I also spent a lot of time around my grandmother's dachshund as a kid. Great dog! I highly recommend them as indoor pets.

8/15/2006 9:38:55 PM

jesus, do NOT get a jack russel.

8/15/2006 9:43:12 PM

Quote :

"shih tzu!!!!"

more like shihtz everywhere
my friend has one that poops all the time

8/16/2006 10:02:10 AM

^hahaha

carter is extrtaordinarily well trained
she learned in about 1 week, so she was fully trained by 7 weeks
shes had 2 accidents in the house since then-and thats because she was really sick


i know everyone says this about their dogs, but in all honesty she is one of the smartest dogs i've ever encountered.....

8/16/2006 2:02:29 PM

Eh, I've had a Shih Tzu for 10 years now and I would not say that they are the smartest dog that I have ever encountered because our Rottie and Collie were highly intelligent dogs. But Shih Tzu's do have a little bit of the freaky mojojo about them. My Shih Tzu knows when I am coming home for a visit. My mom says that he will sit by the door on the days that I come home and just wait.

8/16/2006 2:19:01 PM

Quote :

"boxers are the best"

Agreed, and they make good inside dogs, as long as you exercise them outside every day. My boxer spent his first 2 years in apartments and did fine.

Another breed to consider is a greyhound (rescue). They are very laid back dogs.

We're getting another dog soon, and decided on a Brittany. They are medium sized dogs (30-40lbs) and also tend to do well indoors.

http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.org/

8/16/2006 2:25:27 PM

^^ehe

i'm sure there are smarter dogs, but i'm just saying that i've noticed she learns very quickly

she distinguishes different words very well...like she knows "potty" "bone" "treat" "water" "bath" "petsmart" "puppy school (aka daycare)" "finley" "picture" "bed (as in going to bed)" "sleep(as in taking a nap)" amongst a few others....and she knows my different friends names, and for some reason she likes to give different treats to the different people that come.....ie she likes to give mike her chilly bone, avesa her stuffed dachsand (sp?), greg her tennis balls, and when I say that "insert name here" is coming over...she bursts to her "toy box" and takes out whatever toy she wants them to play with...and its the same one every time for that certain person-i love it

[Edited on August 16, 2006 at 2:28 PM. Reason : whoops]

8/16/2006 2:28:44 PM

you should get a dog that can do this:

8/16/2006 3:13:24 PM

This is my new girl Tinsley I adopted from a lady in Charlotte, and I found her on Petfinder.com

She is so sweet, but still very scared and she shakes when you hold her. Everyone loves her.

8/16/2006 3:50:02 PM

8/16/2006 5:21:32 PM

IMHO A puppy is just an excuse for love and other hopes. better than a kid though.

it seems like alot of couples I know recently are getting puppies. hmm.

8/16/2006 5:51:49 PM

annie, a pit mix, was a stray.

8/16/2006 10:01:19 PM

8/16/2006 10:52:26 PM

http://www.petpadpets.com

My dog is from there and so is Joie's.

8/16/2006 10:53:46 PM

get a mini badger hound

8/17/2006 3:04:35 AM