Dog question...

King Charles Spaniel is a good choice as the previous poster mentioned I would think. If you're wanting something to walk with you I think what you'd be looking for would be more a "medium" sized dog, something in the 20-30 pound range. The pug you mentioned is actually in this range (I may repeat some things, I only skimmed the thread, sorry.) I've always called Pugs "short-haired Pekingeses" and I may be rather partial to Pekes for some reason . We actually had to pretty much teach Kellie to bark, she's a very quiet dog, but definitely high maintenance (much like a Persian.) Also the standard for Pekingese call for a dog under 14# (12# in Britain) so they're somewhat on the small side. The only other dog I can think of right off that's smallish like this and would probably like walking is an Italian Greyhound, but I understand they can be rather delicate. I know other folks have more experience with them, but I've never seen any terrier that wasn't a yappy barker. Of course it's always possible that the ones I've seen were exceptions.

Cindy
Mom to Narsil, Mithril and Kellie da Peke

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Originally Posted by Juniper

Oh, I love the "arroooooo" bark.

My ex had a beagle mix, and when we'd get down on the floor and play with her, she'd lift her head and do the "arrooooooooo" playfully - so funny.

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hehehe well if you love the Arrrooo you would love the basset..and hey are great characters too..we tell "Athena, Athenas bed" she of course...leaps into ours, LOL only a little protest though and she gets into hers.

My mother has two female bassets and they are great watchdogs - they will watch someone carry the whole house away (as will her Great Dane and Rottweiler).

Personally, I am partial to mixed breeds (not that I'm going to get rid of Ike). I once had a cockapoo, with a wonderful personality. Penny was a family dog anf friendly with anyone, who she was introduced to but, very protective of my then-toddler son.

i didn't read through all the responses but, a mini pincher or itialian greyhound are both small breeds but not the typical 'glorified rat' that breeds like the teacup yorkie would be (nothing against the teacup yorkie). also, basset hounds may be ok, but they tend to bark alot, a basenji, basset fauve de bretagne, or grand basset griffon vendeen (lesser known breeds) don't get that big (these are all in the hound group if you want to look them up). corgis are sturdy little dogs too. maybe 25lbs. also whippets are medium sized dogs very quiet (think greyhound but only 30 lbs). bull terriers and bull dogs are short and don't make that much noise. they could be ok in an apartment setting. depending on the dog a chihuahua can be a good dog, the cats might outwieght the thing. (i have a dog breed book can you tell??). many pure bred dogs have genetic health problems from skeletal issues like hip dysplasia to metobilic disorders like diabetes. i would also suggest going to local shelters to find a dog. mixed breeds tend to be healthier and cheeper. those are my suggestions most of the breeds i listed are decent dogs, i hope this helps


~tiger

Originally Posted by tigerfanfrv

mixed breeds tend to be healthier and cheeper.

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I agree with the shelter, and I agree with the cheaper in most cases, but i dont agree with the healthier, Any dog can have any problem a mix breed could get the genetic traits from two or more of the purebreds, and get the worst of them. or the best its luck of the draw. a good breeder of purebreds, will guarntee an animl against the genetic sickness's and have all their animals checked, for such things...

I defiently dont think the "designer dog" mixed breeds are healthier than purbreds, and 9-10 they arent cheaper either.

I go to an SPCA camp, and they say that daucsands are the best for apartment dwellers such as yourself. However, I would personally suggest a mix. Mixes are great! My friend has the CUTEST little dog, about 20 pounds or so. She hardly barks, she gets along fairly well with cats, and she's a total snuggler.

Whatever you choose, good luck.

Just slightly off topic, the thing about mixed breeds being healthier than purebreds. If that were totally true there wouldn't ever be any pups or kits at the vet's ! At least, although many purebreds will have some type of problem, if you've done your research you know what particular issues may crop up (although of course all responsible breeders do their utmost to breed out any genetic tendencies toward particular diseases or defects by screening and testing breeding stock and spaying or neutering those that come up short in that department.)

GSDs (and many others) are tested for Hip Dysplasia, Dalmations I believe have a deafness gene, Collies (and I assume, Shelties) have something called Collie Eye Anomaly, many toy breeds (my Pekes included,) may have various degrees of patellar luxation. I was particularly concerned with my dog's parent's knees , when I was looking! The list goes on.

And a mix, unfortunately, can come down with any of these things from any of these ancestors depending on the inheritability. Doesn't matter if it's recessive. All it takes is a couple of the "wrong" genes getting together, and whammy ! Don't get me wrong, obviously most are healthy and lead long lives, but to say that a mixed breed is going to be healthier than a purebred, is not really true in the long run.

Now, back on topic; Juniper a big for doing your research and giving a lot of thought to what you want. I know it took me close to two years before I decided I definitely wanted a Pekingese and I made a pest of myself on many lists and boards (7-8 years ago there weren't really forums like we have now. Mostly mailing lists.) Good luck in your search!

Just wanted to add that Narsil's and Mithril's breeder "mom" tests her stock for HCM, PKD, and HD. So I know that at least at this time the parents are clear for that, although of course being fairly young (5<) could develop some of these things later.

Originally Posted by ScamperFarms

Huskie is a good choice, but too big for what she wants

we have one shes 26lbs already.. and they can have a high prey drive...isis is medium on the scale but is learning.

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I totally agree. I have three of them. Dakota my male is 92lbs. Nakita is 65lbs and Tala is 63lbs. They are full grown so that is what you would be looking at with a Husky. Don't forget about the hours it takes to groom them with those beautiful coats....it's a job that I usually spend about 4 hours on my three working on their coats.

High prey drive? Oh yeah no small animal, bird, or what ever is safe around my monsters. I even have to watch them around my Minature Pinscher, Ceasar, Now that is one dog you may consider...a min pin.

Ceasar is 10lbs soaking wet with his collar on. He loves to walk and can walk a mile without me having to pick him up to tote him. He can be a little yappy at times when he hears something outside that bothers him. He gets along great with The Sammycat and Oscar too Thing is though they both are way bigger than he is but he is a tough little guy and will put them in their place as long as they keep the claws in

My Vote for you is Cavalier King Charles Spaniels...They'ree wonderful dogs.

I have Jazz. She's 50 kg though, but she's a beaut!

I love yorkies , didnt till I got one she is aobut 11 lbs and is not a yapper ... she is a wonderful hiking / walking buddy she likes to go for 3 miles when I plan for 1 ... I adopted mine at the shelter...Yorkies are forever hyper and high energy till about age 16 ..

On the slow lounger end is the pek( I cant spell) lovely dogs thou they only walk a few miles in a lifetime......

miniture pinscers are high activity dogs and seem sweet

I like toy poodles all the minis I ever knew were bity and yappy

All the pugs I meet at work are very sweet and good natured

king charles are great if you like spaniels ( I do but not to live with)

I'm dog-friendly, but not a dog expert. I do have a couple of experiences to share, though, of small dogs with character to burn.

Both of Rob's sisters have small dogs. One has a daschund, and has had many before Russell, all neat fur people, not yappy, good walking companions, fine with cats.

The other has a miniature schnauzer mix (not sure what the mix is), not the first. Ollie (and Koku before him) are/were great little dogs -- fun, good walking companions, not yappy, get along with everybody, even cats. Rani (Rob's sister) and Ollie have a grand time doing agility training, and he's gooooooooood. (Actually, I credit Ollie with showing Rob's Mum's smooth collie how to "let her hair down" and enjoy life -- she used to be very reserved and wary of everyone, of any species, but when Ollie came on the scene, that changed almost immediately, and she became much more laid back and sociable. Go figure!)

Anyway...FWIW. Good luck with your choice, when the time comes.

Originally Posted by blondiecat

I totally agree. I have three of them. Dakota my male is 92lbs. Nakita is 65lbs and Tala is 63lbs. They are full grown so that is what you would be looking at with a Husky. Don't forget about the hours it takes to groom them with those beautiful coats....it's a job that I usually spend about 4 hours on my three working on their coats.

High prey drive? Oh yeah no small animal, bird, or what ever is safe around my monsters. I even have to watch them around my Minature Pinscher, Ceasar, Now that is one dog you may consider...a min pin.
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Hhehe yup that Husky prey drive is always there. Isis is learning though, she knows what Leave it, no chase, and NUUH mean lol

I've known many Corgis growing up, I think they have a lot of what you're looking for in a dog.
They are great frisbee, flyball and agility dogs to boot.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

You said you are looking for a smaller non-yappy dog. Well, what about a yorkshire terrier? Now, don't get me wrong they CAN be yappy, but it depends how you treat them when they are pups. I guess any dog could be possibly yappy though, but I am sure there are some "safer" breeds.

I had a yorkie for 14 years, (she was put to sleep due to cancer in her old age) but she was the best dog I have ever come across. I know I am a little biased, but I AM around lots of dogs at the shelter and still believe she was most well mannered I have ever met.

Here is a pic of my parents new yorkie Katie, she's a sweetheart!

Good luck with your dog hunting!

How cute are these?

http://www.4puppy.com/

Well I just have to say that looking at and contributing to this thread has convinced me LOL, that if I were to get another dog I might have to re-think GSD in favor of the Cavalier King Charles.

Just goes to show, everybody's got their faves !

My gran used to have 2 king charles, and they got on great with her cat, even slept together sometimes. Any I know dont yap, they'll do a little 'wruff' when they are playing, love walking and are very tidy house dogs. I know quite a few people with king charles and cats.