Looking to adopt a dog...would like some help.

I am looking to adopt a dog, and i'm looking for some tips on what breed to look into. I want a non-sheding dog who is small, I have always had a special love for small dogs, perferably ones I can easily pick up or hold in my arms. I would LOVE tips and advice, and if any of you have any dogs please post your pictures! I'd love to see them.

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Updated On: 4/25/09 at 11:19 AM

Though I've never owned one, I'm partial to Boston Terriers. They are small, but they are on the fat side. They are still pick-up-able, though. They would just get heavy if you were wanting to carry it around in a bag.

They LOVE cuddling, and I'm convinced they have an intuition for when you arent feeling well cause they will come up to you and just sit/sleep for hours.

They also love to play with the tug of war ropes, frisbees, but they do well indoors and especially in cities where apartments can be smaller.

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Anything mixed with a poodle doesn't shed, right?

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Rescue a Pomeranian!!
They are fun. bright, extremely loyal. Mine don't shed at all (some owners say theirs do).

Can you find the Diva in this picture?


Mindy is doing her Patti LuPone "Who do you think you are?" impersonation.

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Updated On: 4/25/09 at 01:19 PM

Yes. there are great rescue organizations where you can adopt pups that were confiscated from the puppy mills, or who had owners that have had to give them up. Petfinders.com is a GREAT place to start!

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stockard you are correct, pretty much anything mixed with a poodle won't shed. Also, Yorkies don't shed either and are hypo-allergenic due to the fact that their fur is real hair and not fur (true story, I know it sounds gross haha but it feels like fur not human hair). As MTVMANN said, Bichons are also non-shedding, and anything that is a Bichon mix will likely not shed either.

Shelter dogs are great, though! When you go to the shelter be sure to ask about shots and whether the dog has been "fixed" or not. Any quality, reputable shelter will do both of those things for you, usually for free, before you even adopt the dog and if they haven't or are trying to get you to pay a large amount of money for it I'd steer clear. In addition, though sometimes dogs at shelters are older and puppies tend to go fast, many of these dogs are already house trained and may even know some commands (sit, etc.). Most shelters also try to get dogs used to being on leash for walks and such.

Good luck in your doggy search! :)

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Updated On: 4/25/09 at 01:54 PM

Shelter and rescue groups that do neuter, vaccinate and micro chip will usually ask for an adoption fee. It usually runs from $75-$225. These fees are meant to cover the costs for having the procedures done. I know the ASPCA here in NYC charged me $80 seventeen years ago when I adopted old Foley. He passed away last week ... it was the BEST $80 I ever spent!

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I would also like to mention the pomeranian! If I could get another dog, I would get one of them.

Also, I think it is good that you like smaller dogs. As I said, I have two english bulldogs (who will be about 2 years this summer) and although they are not BIG dogs, they are bigger than most of the small dogs mentioned on here and are heavier.
Anyways, there are so many times that I would like to take them somewhere or something like that, but I can't because you can't just pick them up and go. It is a big ordeal.
If I were to take them on a plane, they could not be a carry-on dog.
So I think that you will enjoy having a small dog due to the ease that they will present in those type of situations.

The Kringazoid sheds like a mofo (as you can see on the brown blanket). I think that's probably from his Frenchie side. He wasn't a shelter dog, but I adopted him from a family who couldn't handle him.

just FYI - Boston Terriers do shed, and it's that annoying short fur that sticks to everything like needles. They are adorable though. I've had two pugs and they were both the loves of my life.

Bichons are great, but you have to be careful to avoid the neurotic ones.

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aaaaaw! I saw a dog who was a dead ringer for Kringas walking earlier today, before it started raining. So cute!! :)

Oops...I did say for free earlier haha I guess I just consider those procedures "free" because there was no extra fee on top of the adoption fee itself. I guess a better way of saying it would be "included" as SNAFU said.

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PS---you may want to consider the ability to walk your dog at night safely. Why not consider a glow-in-the-dark puppy? lol!
For real---world's first glow in the dark dogs

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I have mild dog allergies (and severe cat allergies) and I haven't had any problem with a Yorkie. Yorkies don't have undercoats, which is what sheds on other dogs.

I would recommend a breed-specific rescue as well; unless you live in Beverly Hills, I don't think many toy poodles and maltipoos are dropped off at the local animal shelter, but there are probably many (too many ) that have been rescued from puppy mills.

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Updated On: 4/26/09 at 11:27 AM