I need help choosing a dog breed!

Ok...so your thread started out as this:
Malorie said:
:confused: For Christmas, I asked Santa for a dog. A chihuahua would fit the apt. rules:
*No LOUD barking
*No peeing on the plants, trees, other people's property, etc.
Well, that's all the rules.
If you find a small dog that isn't messy, isn't a heavy drooler, doesn't shed a lot, and doesn't have any special grooming needs.
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And so I will try and answer the following post with YOUR rules. (With help from AKC.org and my personal experiences)

Malorie said:
let me name the dogs i want, then can you guys decide which one fits my description. ok?

*Cavalier K.C. Spaniel--LONG hair...NEEDS grooming!
*Boston Terrier--the ones I have been around have all been droolers, and have barked a LOT, and have also been heavy shedders....and they were/are on the BEST of foods!
*Chihuahua--BARK BARK BARK!!
*Border Collie--Barkers, NEED lots of training and should NEVER be left alone for very long at all because the NEED a JOB-and not just as house pets, Heavy shedders, and are NOT small!!!
*Alaskan Malamute--they are NOT small!!! they also have a VERY large bark, VERY thick heavy fur which they shed out of!!
*Siberian Husky--they are NOT small!!! they also have a VERY large bark, VERY thick heavy fur which they shed out of!!
*Finnish Spitz--they are NOT small!!! they also have a VERY large bark, VERY thick heavy fur which they shed out of!!
*Shiba Inu--Shibas need a VERY experienced owner! They are also shedders.
*Keeshond--they are NOT small!!! they also have a VERY large bark, VERY thick heavy fur which they shed out of!!
*Schipperke--I have much to my dismay lived next to a couple of them..and at first I thought of them as the cute little bears....BUT they have a VERY LOUD bark, VERY thick heavy fur which they shed out of!!
*Beagle---OK as I have stated before a Beagle-or ANY hound-is NOT the right choice.....the Bark-LOUDLY-have drooling issues..when eating/done eating, or hungry/want something(not so much in the Beagle..but in other hounds) They also, being a hound, shed out quite a bit and ALWAYS leave hair EVERYWHERE!!!
*Labrador Retriever--NOT small, Need LOTS of training and a job to keep them occupied!
*Norwich Terrier--It is a Terrier...meaning it was bred to go after small game.....meaning that they will get away from you ANY time that they see something that they want and that they can get away!!!Are also wire haired---meaning that they HAVE to be stripped out AT LEAST 2 time a year
*Norfolk Terrier--It is a Terrier...meaning it was bred to go after small game.....meaning that they will get away from you ANY time that they see something that they want and that they can get away!!! Are also wire haired---meaning that they HAVE to be stripped out AT LEAST 2 time a year
*Pug---the ones that I have been around have been barkers...and have the same problem with their hair as the Bostons--LOTS of shedding..and tend to have VERY dry skin that needs to be WELL taken care of!
*Yorkshire Terrier and Silky Terrier--Have LOTS of hair!! My grandma and grandpa use to have one of each of these breeds....they were both MAJOR barkers, and OF COURSE HAD to be taken to the groomer VERY REGULARLY!!
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And PLEASE believe me when I say that they grooming needs of a long/heavy coated breed are NOT fun....nor are they something that should be taken lightly......I am headed home from my male Lhasa being in the groomers and I paid almost $65. to get him done (He has sensitive skin so has to have special shampoo!!)

Oh and I Do feel like I am TOTALLY repeating my self..over and over and over and over---but here goes AGAIN!

Im sorry I haven't read any info on if you have had dogs before...and if so what breed you have owned-and when that was...if you were the only one who took care of them...etc...
And also I would have to ask how long would he/she be left alone-without any human at your apartment? And are any kids in your household-and how old if any?
 
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abi88 said:
Ok...so your thread started out as this:

And so I will try and answer the following post with YOUR rules. (With help from AKC.org and my personal experiences)



And PLEASE believe me when I say that they grooming needs of a long/heavy coated breed are NOT fun....nor are they something that should be taken lightly......I am headed home from my male Lhasa being in the groomers and I paid almost $65. to get him done (He has sensitive skin so has to have special shampoo!!)

Oh and I Do feel like I am TOTALLY repeating my self..over and over and over and over---but here goes AGAIN!

Im sorry I haven't read any info on if you have had dogs before...and if so what breed you have owned-and when that was...if you were the only one who took care of them...etc...
And also I would have to ask how long would he/she be left alone-without any human at your apartment? And are any kids in your household-and how old if any?
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yes we ned to know that before we recomend a dog
 
I suggest you contact an all breed rescue and tell them what you are looking for. An all breed rescue will not allow you to adopt a dog that they don't feel will work with your life-style.
 
Malorie said:
let me name the dogs i want, then can you guys decide which one fits my description. ok?

*Cavalier K.C. Spaniel
*Boston Terrier
*Chihuahua
*Border Collie
*Alaskan Malamute
*Siberian Husky
*Finnish Spitz
*Shiba Inu
*Keeshond
*Schipperke
*Beagle
*Labrador Retriever
*Norwich Terrier
*Norfolk Terrier
*Pug
*Yorkshire Terrier
*Silky Terrier
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King Charles's are nice, but they do have their health problems.
They also need quite a bit of exercise, since they tend to gain weight easily.. little pigs.
I NM or posted on your page about bostons already.

Malamute and huskies are working dogs, and need good aerobic exercise every day.
Shibas are most certainly NOT beginner dogs. Talk to a person who owns them to see why.
Keeshonds are also nice, but require a lot of grooming, and also need exercise.
Schipperke's are very high-energy, yappy dogs. The love to destroy things when they're bored, like any dog.
Beagles are noisy, high-energy, working dogs. They also need a lot of exercise to keep from getting overweight, plus they are notorious for roaming if they find a good smell.
Labs are energetic, smart(which means easily bored), strong and hard to handle if you won't be giving them good exercise every day, unless you wants to take him or her running for a couple of miles or swimming then they are not for you, they are also shedders.
STAY AWAY FROM TERRIERS. High energy, smart, destructive, naturally bold and not for the beginner with requirements like you have.
Pugs are actually a good choice, as long as they get some exercise, but they have many health problems, so expect a lot of vet bills.
Yorkies are noisy, energetic, and sometimes nippy dogs. Silkies are just about the same. Yorkies do not shed, as far as I know, but need to be brushed out often to keep from getting mats and tangles. As with silkies.
 
sorry guys, never mind, i'll just get a rat/hammie/mouse/gerbil/guinea pig (cavy)/ ferret/bunny.
 
Malorie said:
sorry guys, never mind, i'll just get a rat/hammie/mouse/gerbil/guinea pig (cavy)/ ferret/bunny.
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That is probably a better pet for apartment life. Do you not like cats? They are good apartment pets too....
 
Hmm, apparently I posted, but wasn't quite at the end of the thread when I did it. So I'm deleting my original post and making it work better for the new topic - small fuzzies :)

Ferrets don't live long, get cancer, and die. And they stink. People who like ferrets LOVE ferrets (apparently, you can't have only one ferret...). The typical american ferret is middle aged by 4, and old by 7. If it lives to be 9 you've got a miracle going. Honestly, ferrets are a heartbreak pet. And they cost a lot in veterinary expenses. But if you're attracted to their personality, and can handle it, go for it. [ETA: Noticed you're in California - Ferrets are illegal here. Not that they're not obtainable, and people don't have them, but not recommended. The other animals listed are legal in CA]

Rabbits, chinchillas and guinea pigs both have the same problems with teeth growing all their lives, so they need good hay (grass hay) and toys to chew on. All can make great pets, but can have problems with overheating. They are not outdoor animals. Chinchillas can live 10-15 or more years; rabbits (depending on breed) 5-10 years, and guinea pigs around 7. Go to a GOOD breeder or rescue - they will be honest with you about malocclusion (the fancy word for "tooth issues") in their animals. DO NOT get from a pet store - they're over priced, poor quality, and will likely have health problems before long.

Rats are great pets, personable, fun, etc. Good diet is key. But they dont' live very long.

I personally don't like hamsters, but when handled consistently, they can be good pets.

Mice are cute and fun, but less personable than rats, IMO.

Don't know much about gerbils, they're illegal in California too, but much less common.

Regardless of what species you choose, find a good breeder (and/or rescue) and talk to them about their species. Do a lot of research before deciding which one. For all of them, have a vet fund, and find a good exotics vet in your area.

If going with a rodent-type, I'd get a guinea pig or a rat for your first pet. And whatever you do, don't feed them any of those fiesta-type pellets you can get at the pet store (you know, the kind with all the bits of dried fruit and nuts and stuff in there), because the pellet quality isn't any good, and the animal won't 'eat the pellet part anyway - they'll stuff on junk food.
 
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