I need help choosing a dog breed!

maybe you should get a cat. . . .
 
I do not believe I know of ANY dog that I would describe as "easy to care for" when you first get it. As I said before, especially if you are looking for a puppy, you MUST be willing to put in a lot of care, a lot of time, and make some sacrifices. With a cat, you can go to work at 8am, and if a friend calls and wants to go out to happy hour and dinner and you won't be home until 10, no problem, just feed the cat when you get home and it will be fine. If you left a dog home for more than 8-10 hours, even an older, well-behaved, trained dog, you will not be pleased when you come home, I can tell you that. Unfortunately, I know many people who have gotten puppies because they are "so cute" and "fun", only to discover that they are more work and responsibility and than the person ever imagined, and the poor dog is taken to a shelter.
I second the above suggestion that if you want something lazy, quiet, easy to care for - a cat is the way to go. The one Japanese Chin I know personally is very loud and barks in a high-pitched bark whenever it gets excited....which is pretty much all the time.

Also....every dog has some grooming needs. Dogs like poodles and some terriers that do not shed, need to be groomed and clipped regularly, though not in any fancy way. Dogs that do not ever need to be clipped, will shed (though some much less than others) and will need to be brushed probably weekly or so. You will probably want to occasionally bathe your dog, though it is not absolutely necessary. I don't know if brushing weekly and cleaning up some dog hair would be considered a special grooming need, I certainly wouldn't think so, that is what happens when you have a dog. Cats clean themselves, you never even have to give them a bath.

Special exercise needs, some dogs like basset hounds are not as energetic and active as others, like jack russells and border collies. However, all dogs will have a ton of pent up energy as puppies (kinda like little kids), and all of them need regular exercise as adults so they do not take out their energy on your apt. I also know people who get dogs, never walk them, and wonder why their dog always chews everything in the house when they are gone.....if you exercise your dog regularly, you will find it will be much better behaved in the house. Stay away from notoriously active breeds, and for most dogs a daily walk will suffice. For really small dogs, obviously it is easier to get them tired on a shorter walk. If you're not willing to take regular walks with your dog though - again, get a cat. You'll never need to walk it.

I have quite a bit of experience with dogs, and there is no breed that will fulfill your criteria. Again - the idea that a puppy of any dog breed would be lazy is ludicrous - puppies are very active, yes some more than others, but all get extremely energetic sometimes. The only dog I could think that would possibly be quiet, lazy and easy to care for, would be an older dog that is already very well trained.
 
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Shelter or rescue is a good place to start. If you're going to a breeder, avoid anyone who breeds "designer dogs" (e.g., cockapoo, labradoodle - any of these two breed mixes). Make sure they are showing and health testing their dogs. Contact breed clubs and find out what a particular breed should be tested for. A good breeder will talk you out of their breed if they don't think it will be a good match for you.

I agree on the every-Cavie-I've-met-is-nice (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). And the heart problems are getting bred out... but brain problems have started to crop up, unfortunately. So make sure the breeder is dealing with both fronts.

And WFIW... Whoever said basenjis are quiet is wrong... they don't bark, but they yodel :P Australian cattle dog = Queensland heeler, but are different from Australian sheepdog.
 
AquaParadise12 said:
German Shepard or Beagel
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Shepherds are not a good first time dog at all, they shed, they are energetic, they need a strong leader, they are POWERFUL, and they most certainly shouldn't kept kept by someone who wants dogs that are:
*Are small
*Are Lazy
*Don't have special grooming needs
*Don't have special excersice needs
*Are quiet
*& Easy to care for.***
I cannot think of any dog that fits that... Maybe a stuffed one.

Beagles are energetic as well, they are loud, they make that beagle noise quite often... they are intelligent so they get bored easily, and they are notorious for getting lost by following that nose wherever it wants to go.


Truthfully, a cat would suit your purrfectly. 2 would be better, that way they can play with each other at night and not your feet.
They shed, but they don't bark, attack other dogs(usually...), get the neighbors dog pregnant and ect. when kept in. You really don't need to take them walking, some enjoy going outside. you could make an outdoor 'room' for a cat though, and on of those cat tunnels around your yard(if you have an area like that). Short-haired cats have no special grooming needs, they clean themselves, but a brushing once a week wouldn't hurt anything.
Cats don't need to be taken outside to go, so no problem leaving them home for a few hours. I know, 'it's not a dog', but cats can be taught to do tricks, they play with you, and they match everything you want.
 
suggestion for barking

There are battery operated ultrasound devices. You can use them indoors. I put mine outdoors to STOP my neighbors dogs from always barking.

You can set this device to how many barks to allow before it emits a signal. This signal does not hurt the dogs ears, or any other animals ears. Humans cannot hear it.

I finally could sleep at night after I put this device in my back yard.
 
Malorie said:
How bout a Japanese Chin? I need to look for dogs that:
*Are small
*Are Lazy
*Don't have special grooming needs
*Don't have special excersice needs
*Are quiet
*& Easy to care for.
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  1. [*]Fragility. Too many people acquire a toy breed puppy without understanding how incredibly fragile a toy breed is. You can seriously injure or kill a Japanese Chin puppy by stepping on him or by sitting on him when he's curled under a blanket or pillow, where he frequently likes to sleep. And Japanese Chin puppies can seriously injure or kill THEMSELVES by leaping from your arms or off the back of your sofa. Owning a toy breed means constant supervision and surveillance of what's going on around your small dog. Japanese Chins must always be kept indoors, in a safely fenced yard, or on-leash -- they are just too easy to injure when not under your complete control.
    If you have small children, I do not recommend Japanese Chin puppies, no matter how well-meaning the child. Small children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Japanese Chin puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even Japanese Chin adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness may be the result.
    [*]Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Japanese Chins need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They become anxious, which they express through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
    [*]Providing enough socialization. Japanese Chins need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds so that their natural caution doesn't become suspiciousness or shyness, which are very difficult to live with.
    [*]Grooming. To keep their silky coat short and free of mats, Japanese Chins require regular brushing and combing, and occasional trimming.
    [*]Shedding. The Japanese Chin sheds a lot. You'll find hair all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life.
    [*]Health problems. Because of their short face, Japanese Chins suffer more than their share of health problems.
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catnipgal said:
There are battery operated ultrasound devices. You can use them indoors. I put mine outdoors to STOP my neighbors dogs from always barking.

You can set this device to how many barks to allow before it emits a signal. This signal does not hurt the dogs ears, or any other animals ears. Humans cannot hear it.

I finally could sleep at night after I put this device in my back yard.
Click to expand...

that's good for you, but probably not for the neighbors. a dog that barks out of frustration or boredom will simply find other ways of releasing that frustration, including chewing and destroying things in the house.
 
Is a Chocolate Labrador Retriever with light blue eyes a good choice? I mean a puppy. Is it true that pet shops often sell aggressive or timid dogs? I read that in my book. You can't always trust books.
 
thanx wata!
 
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