What breed of dog should we get?

[annie]

We need advice on the right breed for our family:

No shedding,

no pug face (smash nose)

no excessive grooming ($$$$)

trainable

very small, will be hopefully a 'purse' dog

[Jaime]

how big is your purse?

[homeschoolmom]

Has a nose...

Picky, picky, picky... (you, not the nose)

[Proud2BCatholic139]

Personally, I'd prefer a golden retriever.

[annie]

My daughters purses could handle a 10-12 pounder, bet we could go up to 15 lbs

[Jaime]

That's a big purse

[annie]

We live in the city, small yard, small home, cruel to have big dog---need little fido who thinks yard is the size of a football field...

[Church Punk]

If you want a big dog (medium big) you should look into a Ridge Back, I love these dogs, the only thing is, you can't have a cat because they go crazy and want to eat them (they were originally bred to hunt Lions).

[zabbazooey]

Chihuahua!

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

How small is your yard? You should probably look into some sort of terrier. A toy yorkie may be perfect for you. They don't shed much, are very small, and you don't have to pay to groom them. In fact, with any dog you don't have to groom them other than brushing hair of long haired dogs. Short haired dogs tend to shed a lot more than long haired dogs. My wife and I own a Westie (she's almost 9 months old now, see my avatar for a puppy picture) and she's a whole lot of fun. We live on a 1/4 acre lot and our yard has plenty of space for her. She doesn't shed a whole lot. We get her groomed every other month at this stage (and that's like $25-$30 max). Terriers are trainable, but they can be stubborn at first.

[dUSt]

Get a Miniature Schnauzer:

[img]http://www.akc.org/images/breeds/miniature_schnauzer/lg_artwork.jpg[/img]

Another good choice would be a Border Terrier:

[img]http://www.akc.org/images/breeds/border_terrier/lg_artwork.jpg[/img]

Neither dog sheds, both are very smart, low maintenance good temperment, easily trainable and make really good pets.

[Guest T-Bone]

Get a retired Greyhound. I big bigger than a "purse" dog, but they're very loving and very trainable. Also, contrary to popular belief, they're not hyper. Most would rather spend most of the day sleeping with you on the couch.

[annie]

good suggestions,although the big dogs would not fit in our home (seriously, it is a Dutch colonial and has very small rooms). A toy Yorkie sounds cute, has a snout (I hate those pekinese and smush-nosed breeds) and if you say it doesn't shed, that is good. The kids have been begging for a dog for years, and I am about ready to give in (not that I expect ANY help from them, although they don't know that I don't expect it, I am just a realist, and teenagers are busy people).

I had Westies growing up, don't really remember any shedding, but do remember snags and snarls in their coats, be it would be good to have them clipped every so often.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Anyone ever had a maltese?

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='zabbazooey' date='Nov 30 2005, 12:40 PM']Chihuahua!
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haha we think alike.

[quote name='dUSt' date='Nov 30 2005, 12:58 PM']Get a Miniature Schnauzer:

[img]http://www.akc.org/images/breeds/miniature_schnauzer/lg_artwork.jpg[/img]

Another good choice would be a Border Terrier:

[img]http://www.akc.org/images/breeds/border_terrier/lg_artwork.jpg[/img]

Neither dog sheds, both are very smart, low maintenance good temperment, easily trainable and make really good pets.
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good choices. i like the miniature schnauzer. very good dogs. smart and friendly.

[Guest T-Bone]

I also short haired dachshound. They're smart, although I'd reccomend getting one as a puppy. If not raised right, they can develop a temperment.

And you'd be safe from [url="http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/"]Badger[/url] attacks!

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

One thing, you will not find a dog that doesn't shed. All dogs shed some amount of hair. The short-haired breeds tend to shed a lot more than the long hair breeds. However, long-haired dogs tend to need more grooming, so there is a definite trade-off. Just brush a long-haired dog every day or two and for the most part they will be fine. You can get a little pair of scissors to cut out tangles.

[Sojourner]

My friend Sam has the perfect dog, a mutt named Boudreaux that he adopted from the street.

The other day, Sam said, "Why did God give me the best dog ever?"

I said, "So you can give him to me!"

He said, "That's the last time I ever ask you that question."

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='Sojourner' date='Nov 30 2005, 02:19 PM']My friend Sam has the perfect dog, a mutt named Boudreaux that he adopted from the street.

The other day, Sam said, "Why did God give me the best dog ever?"

I said, "So you can give him to me!"

He said, "That's the last time I ever ask you that question."
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[Thy Geekdom Come]

Hmmm...a dead one?

Not too trainable...but you can get it to do tricks if you have a leash.

[betinabean]

I heard that silky terriers don't shed and they're small and cute