choosing between diffrent small breeds

[Punkygirl0101]

I wouldn't say dachshund for the apartment life to be honest. I guess its just cause mine are so much happier when they can go outside throughout the day as they please. They ARE barky dogs. (Not yappy...they have big dog barks).

Why do you have to carry a dog around in a bag? That is NOT healthy for the dog. Let them walk.

I agree with chihuahua mixes from a shelter/rescue.

My chihuahua mix Peanut (who we also see Min pin/Rat terrier as well) came from the SPCA. He is 6 pounds, he is SUCH A lap dog! We didn't make him this way, but he will sit in your lap on default..and just lay there for hours. I could carry him in a purse all day if I wanted to. Hes the perfect dog.

 

[FoxyWench]

in terms of everything your looking for.

chihuhaua: can be yappy and hard to housebreak, if adopting an adult look for existing behavioural problems, this is a GREAT breed for the right home, but bad breeding and too much papmerping an dlack of disaplin as puppies can destroy a chihuahua (all those bad chi stories you hear)
the chihuahua is relitivly high energy for its size and while it can get enough excersize playing a good game of chase aorund your livingroom, they will need a daily walk, some outside playtime and lots of socilization...purse living and chihuahuas can be tough as many get down right visiously over protective of their carriers (and their people!)
(i have always had chis and love them, but they require a firm yet kind hand, alot of structure in their lives, plenty of excersize relitive to their size and LOTS of socilization)

i woudlnt suggest a pap. pappillions are a high energy breed who likes to run and play, they make WONDERFULL agility dogs, but i have high doubts one would make a very good choice for a purse pup.

mini doxies...possibly the perfect dog for you...
some can be barky, but compared to chis there relitivly quiet. there a mid energy breed (stanrads are definatly a higer energy level than minis) and like the chi would be content with a good run around the apartment but should get at least 1 daily walk too.
my biggest concern with doxies and purses is the back issues they can get. youd need to be very carefull with stairs and jumping off furniture too. otherwise great little dogs.the grooming of the shorthairde is relitivly simply but the nails are fast growing!

other breeds to look into. chinese crested, the hairless and hairy hairless have moderate grooming needs due to skin, powderpuffs need a daily brushing and a weekly bath but no skin issues like the cresti, at 10-13 lbs there on the larger side of the "purse pup" range but doable (and ive seen some absolutly adorable 5-7 lb chihuahua x chinese cresteds in rescue that are just too cute!)

i would not suggest terriers, yorkies and silkies as cute as they are are true terriers and have the enery of one.

a small maltese kept in a puppy cut might work, same for a bichon, toy poodle would be good size and personalit wise but lots of rooming upkeep on that one.

an adult would be perfect! good for you for looking into rescue!


as a side note, ANY dog can be "yappy" and ALL dogs can be taught to be quiet on command. training! thats all it takes, both my chis know when i say quiet its time to hush, and they do!

 

[Fran101]

i already mentioned. I AM NOT GOING TO TOTE THE DOG IN A BAG ALL DAY

but what is better, a dog being home or a dog being with ME , of course ill let him/her walk but there are times where a bag is needed. its not unhealthy, its not like im letting the dog survive on twinkies lol as long as the dog gets sufficient exercise and isnt stressed out by it, which alot of dogs arent if introduced properly. then why not? lol

 

[Fran101]

thanks for the info foxy

im going to check out some rescues and they seem to really know their dogs personalities so im sure with enough searching i can find a dog that i love

 

[PoodleMommy]

Just something to keep in mind... ANY dog 2lbs or 200 lbs is going to need exercise... so if the dog wont be getting a lot of exercise outside it is going to get it INSIDE... you are going to have a hard time finding a small dog that is inactive inside... on days where i dont get my yorkie out enough he literally bounces off the walls inside... even sometimes when he does get out enough he is crazy inside.

Lots of small dogs are sturdy if bred well however, you always have to make some alterations for them. For instance my bed is very high so I bought a chair and placed it next to the bed.. taught my yorkie to go up and down on it and now there is no problems. I have never felt like he was fragile BUT he is well bred.

Like Foxy mentioned... any dog can be taught not to bark... I was told NOT to get a yorkie because they are barky and I live in an apartment but he has never been any trouble and no one ever complains, he barks only when someone is at the door until I tell him to stop, which is how I want it.

Keep in mind that even a 5 pound dog gets super heavy on your arm. I had a bag and now never even take it because it is too much of a hassle... I just take him places on his leash.

I think finding a dog that fits all your criteria is going to be hard. Most small dogs need grooming. The ones I can think of that dont are either too big for a bag or not really sturdy. The only thing I kind of thought of was a Chinese Crested but I dont know their exact size or temperment myabe Foxy can answer that.

Good Luck

 

[Punkygirl0101]

some can be barky, but compared to chis there relitivly quiet. there a mid energy breed (stanrads are definatly a higer energy level than minis)

I am going to disagree. Compared to Chihuahuas (Any chihuahua I have personally had, or met)..dachshunds bark more. They like to bark to alert owners to people walking by, they like to bark at small animals, they bark at the sound of other dogs barking. And its not just mine, I know a lot of people with dachshunds.

As for energy level. Mini dachshunds definitely have more energy than standards ("Mini" versions of breeds tend to have more energy). Atleast from my experience with both standard and miniature..my minis have always been energy batteries..and my standards are more laid back. For example..Reese will run around the yard doing zoomies and barking (Shes a mini), and Elliot will sit down in one spot and bark (Hes a standard).

Dachshunds LOVE To bark! And dig. I have heard from a lot of people who have carpet that when their dachshunds were left unattended at their house/apartment they even dug at the carpet by their front door, and completely destroyed it. And Jannah did that in the MIDDLE of the living room at our old house while we were sitting there watching t.v. They are dig machines. (And they will dig in covers as well).

Not sure if its just my chihuahua (Cause of her body weight issues) but even when it was 100f or above outside, she still wanted to bury herself under the covers..and was STILL acting like she was cold.

 

[Maxy24]

guys, she said she's taking the dog on multiple long walks each day, the dog is going in a bag when she goes places, like stores, that allow small dogs. It's that or the dog stays home.

It's great you are going to rescue an adult, that way you can get any breed so long as the individual fits what you'd like! Petfinder rocks! Please stick around after you've gotten the dog, this place is an encyclopedia of information.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I got my 7-pound chihuahua from a shelter when she was just over a year old (still a teenager!), so it certainly can be done. I was living in an apartment at the time and didn't think a chi would be quiet enough for me, but I guess I got a special one, she hardly ever barks and it's almost only when someone knocks on the door (which, IMO, is good when you live in an apartment!). So I guess you never know what you'll find in a shelter.

Don't forget rescue groups too, that's a great place to get a dog because most of the dogs live in foster homes, so you have a really good idea of the dog's personality before you bring him home.

I think it's great that you're going to take it with you wherever you go, mental stimulation is IMO even more important than physical exercise, and that alone can usually tire dogs out. Of course, that isn't to say you shouldn't exercise your dog, but you seem to have a pretty good handle on that. And the good thing about small dogs is that they CAN get all the exercise they need inside - a game of fetch or tug will usually tire them out. My chi is pretty low-energy in the house, but if I want to go for a long walk she's ready to go, her endurance is amazing. I used to be able to take her to work with me where she'd literally walk with me for 8 hours, and she never seemed to be physically tired (mentally, of course, she was pretty much fried... but she was working too).

Chihuahuas arent' for everyone though, it's true that they don't usually enjoy being around other dogs. My chi was very dog-reactive when I got her, but through desensetizing and training she will tolerate most dogs now. But she doesn't enjoy being around dogs. I'd never take her to the dog park, because she really just doesn't care to play with other dogs. Although she has had some great play sessions with a few other chis, so maybe she's just a snob.

Good luck!

 

[DogstarAcademy]

Just because stores and a lot of places ignore small dogs some of the time doesn't mean they're actually allowed. I don't think having a plan to take the dog 'everywhere' is a good idea at all.

 

[HoundedByHounds]

I agree...Cait. I don't see why some (not all, some) people think "no dogs allowed aside from service dogs" does not also, apply to them.

 

[PoodleMommy]

By the way... I was just trying to point out some things to think about... I was not trying to dissuade you... small dogs totally rock!!! If you give up on the low grooming requirement, yorkies totally fit your requirements (but i swear Im not biased )

 

[Fran101]

lol this is Miami, not the rest of the world. all restaurants, markets, stores, allow small dogs. sorry but thats just how it is, larger dogs are allowed in restaurants and such because most have outdoor areas because of the weather, but in most places, they arent welcome not because they are big, but because of the damage they can do when not contained. its not that small dogs are allowed because they are small, but because they are in something so they cannot bite, pee, or damage anything. and because they dont scare other people away, people arent usually scared of small dogs, especially when they are contained in abag

 

[Fran101]

lol i would love a yorkie, but the thing is, to be truthful, i really dont think i can afford one. i really had no idea what the average price was for a small dog, id much rather rescue a small dog and then have that money for vet care, spoiling ect..
i was really looking forward to a puppy, they are just sooo cute. but sometimes what u want isnt whats best for you i guess lol

 

[Laurelin]

If you're going the rescue route, particular older papillons could work. Generally papillons (especially young dogs and puppies) are high energy. But I know quite a few paps that aren't. If you got an adult through rescue, they might be able to match a calmer personality to you. There's quite a few in rescue. Paps from a good breeder depending on your area will be from just under $900 to near $2000 for pet quality dogs. Around here, it's about $1400.

Here's some papillon rescues you can look at other than petfinder:

http://www.papillonclub.org/rescue/
http://www.paphaven.org/
http://www.pap911rescue.org/

 

[DogstarAcademy]

So you only go to outdoor restaurants and malls? Because I don't think there's a health code in ANY us city that allows dogs under a certain size into restaurants unless they're service dogs.

 

[Boemy]

I'd keep an eye on Petfinder. They usually get an influx of pets two weeks to a month after Christmas, when people find out the dogs they bought as gifts don't fit in their lifestyle.

Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with leaving your dog at home while you do errands. Obviously a dog shouldn't be left alone 24/7, but there's nothing wrong with leaving the dog alone for some "me-time".

 

[Maxy24]

And you know because I'm bored...

(don't know about barking): http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11137942

(if you get him PLEASE don't call him a pughuahua): http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11547563

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11812084

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=12015383

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9910591

(I just think he's cute): http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11773633

Just some to look at (if you haven't already seen them) for the record your shelters and rescues are CHOCK FULL of chihuahuas, I didn't post the ones from Miami Dade county animal services because they had no info but they have many small dogs. Now sure of the size, barking, grooming etc. of all those dogs you'd have to call and ask.

 

[PoodleMommy]

yes small dogs are expensive but if you look hard enough there are plenty of rescues out there even private rescue situations. My friend just got a 6 month old yorkie with hundreds of dollars worth of supplies for FREE. Someone had gotten the dog and then realized that they were in over their head and offered it free to a good home with all the supplies she had bought it. :yikes: It was wee wee pad trained already and everything.

Good Luck in your search though.

Also, not that you asked for this advice, haha, but I will offer it anyway. I bought many different bags and wasted a fortune finding the right one. Make sure you get one that is completley closed not one of those where they can stick their head out. Also make sure their is plenty of mesh so that they can see out (and breathe of course).

 

[YodelDogs]

Have you considered a Toy Rat Terrier? The right size range, easy grooming, great indoor dogs, not usually excessively yappy, come in every color under the rainbow, and price is usually very affordable.

 

[FoxyWench]

a crestie definatly could be a good option, .
powderpuffs are actually easier upkeep than hairless who need lots of skin care upkeep.
but for you, of all the rescues i would definatly suggest a crestie x chihuahua
http://www.hopeshaven.org/toby.html (hes sooo cute!)

personality wise though i suggest cresties to anyone looking for a very devoted attatched breed who wants lots of attention and loving but also wants a dog that will realy play hard for a little while per day. cresties like a good 1/2 hour of good running/play time (just like sighthounds) then are happy to keep your couch warm for the rest of the day...miami weather is great crestie weather lol! just watch for sunburn...with chihuahuas too, in miami weather, sunscreen on the nose and ears are musts as many toy breeds tend to have very sun sentivie noses and ears. any high spf baby safe sunscreen is fine

honestly as Cute as puppies are, i think a young adult would be more joyfull for you...puppies often come with lots of frustrations...especially toy breeds who can be very difficult to housebreak (partially due to size)