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

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 11:19am

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.

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

[snl89]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 11:29am

I have a Westie (West Highland Wight Terrier) and she is the best thing in the world! Fantastic personality- she's more spunky and less prissy than a lot of little dogs tend to be hehe


Pictures:




<3

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 11:40am

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.

[danmag]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 11:46am

Cockapoos are great non-shedding, hypo-allergenic dogs. Unlike my hairy, shedding, smelly golden retriever. Good luck with the adoption!!

[StockardFan]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 11:50am

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

[madbrian]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 12:04pm

We have a schnoodle (schnauzer/poodle mix). If you want to adopt and you have allergy concerns, look into a breed-specific rescue rather than a shelter. At a shelter, you are almost never absolutely certain of pedigree, and with allergies you have to be certain. Rescue organizations are usually better suited to verify pedigree.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 1:19pm

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.

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

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 1:22pm

Oh my lord...those are absolutly adorable!

Just so I'm clear, everyone agrees on adopting rather than going to petsmart and buying a puppy, right?

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 1:24pm

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!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 1:41pm

Poodles do not shed (so they say).

I have two english bull dogs and my white one does shed , and I am a neat freak, so I can understand why you do want a non-shedding dog.

As for a poodles cross...if you don't choose a poodles itself (and the poodles come in all different sizes), try a maltypoo... a cross between a poodle and a maltese.

Another small non-shedding dog (and I am going to spell this wrong) is a Bichon Frise.

[jessica0414]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 1:54pm

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! :)

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

[Marianne2]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 2:07pm

I'm going to agree with you, Jessica. If the shelter or rescue group is really good, they will have already had the animal fixed. Some even do microchipping now. I know mine does.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 2:34pm

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!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 2:38pm

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.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 2:38pm

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.

[mauriposa]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 2:39pm

My dogs: http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=eldzly&s=5

They're a Lhasa/Shih Tzu and a Bichon/Shih Tzu, and I would highly recommend any of those breeds. Bichons are especially great because they are very smart (but stubborn). Shiz tzus and lhasas aren't as intelligent, but they are very loving and loyal.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 2:47pm

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.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 2:53pm

Oh my god he is so cute! And he looks A LOT like a Boston Terrier, at least from what I can tell.

[misschung]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 3:03pm

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.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 3:29pm

Chrys, he's half Boston/half Frenchie. He really looks boston in the face, but the rest of him is built like a little bulldog.

[jessica0414]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 9:08pm

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.

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 9:16pm

About allergies-perhaps some of the people who are allergic to dogs are allergic to their hair, but that isn't the case with me. It's the dander and saliva of animals which cause the allergic reaction, and not the hair at all.

That being said, I was wondering if there are any of you out there who suffer from severe allergies, who have found a breed of dog which doesn't give you any trouble whatsoever.

Every single dog that I've tried to get close to has cause a reaction for me. This includes poodles, schnauzers, westies, and shih tzus.

[jessica0414]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 9:41pm

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

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 4/25/09 at 9:44pm

I can not even find words to express my love for the Toy Poodle. Yes, it is a non-sheding dog that is loveably, smart, friendly, and yes... cute and cuddley.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/26/09 at 11:27am

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.

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