Help me find a small breed dog.

[falconry-fan]

My much loved 17 year old Tibetan Spaniel died recently and we're now thinking of getting another dog.

Another Tibbie is a possibility as they're such a wonderful breed but I am considering other small and toy breeds.

It has to be a small or toy dog, under 30lbs ideally. I'd like it to be playful, I want a dog with a lot of personality. I've no objection to a clingy dog as my Tibbie was my constant shadow.
We have a cat so a breed that is generally ok with other pets is preferable.

Grooming and shedding aren't issues for us. We've no preference in regards to those characteristics being willing to have a short coated dog or a dog that requires an hour or two of grooming each day.

Someone will be at home all day. We have a reasonably sized home and garden and fields and woods all around us.

We've had experience with German shepherds,boxers, Tibetan spaniels and crossbreeds.

I'm leaning towards a pug at the moment but all advice and suggestions would be very welcome.

Thankyou in advance.

 

[Laurelin]

I think a lot of the toy breeds would fit based on those criteria. My favorites are papillons, but I'm biased. I also just LOVE Havanese (more grooming though) and Tibbies. If I didn't have a pap, I think I'd end up with a Tibbie for my small dog. I'm very sorry to hear about your loss.

 

[falconry-fan]

I think a lot of the toy breeds would fit based on those criteria. My favorites are papillons, but I'm biased. I also just LOVE Havanese (more grooming though) and Tibbies. If I didn't have a pap, I think I'd end up with a Tibbie for my small dog. I'm very sorry to hear about your loss.

Thankyou. We had her for just three and half years.
It's been a few weeks now and it still hurts but the pain of losing her is little compared to the joy she gave us during the relatively short time that she was with us.

I like the Havanese but I am very tempted by paps,particuarly after seeing and reading about your beautiful dogs. They're very high on my list at the moment.

Personality is my priority and I want a lot of it and I know I'd get that with a pap.

 

[Laurelin]

I bet she enjoyed those last 3 1/2 years too. I really want to be able at some point in the future to adopt a senior or two. Senior dogs are just gems and so worth everything.

If you have any questions about papillons in particular, let me know!

 

[falconry-fan]

Thankyou I'll do so.

I can't believe I forgot to mention this but there is a possibility that I'd like my dog to become a therapy dog.

It isn't a major priority for me but it is something that I'm considering.

 

[crazy_paws]

Well, I'll throw cresteds out as a possiblity. They also have a ton of personality and are velcro dogs. There are grooming requirements, but if you don't mind those then a powderpuff or a hairless might work for you.

Papillions are beautiful, too, though. The ones I've met have been very smart.

 

[colliewog]

Rat Terriers are neat dogs ... or if you wanna go naked, the American Hairless Terrier. Tons of personality there, but not as 'terrier-headed' as some other terriers.

 

[HayleyMarie]

How about a Westie? They are great little dogs with tons of awesome personality. But I am slightly Biased as it is my heart breed. They are great hearty breeds and my Teagan is contantly making me laugh they also are very fiesty and are always ready to go and explore. Also if you raise a Westie with a cat there should be no problems with chasing ect...I have two terriers and they are great with out Bunnies and small pets. Westies are also very, very playful dogs. They are even very playful right up into their old age. They are also not as stubborn as most other Terriers. They still can be a tad stubborn, but whats a terrier without being a little stubborn.

There are grooming requirments with the Westie though. You can either get them clipped, but that softens the hair. I get my Westie Stripped which looks alot more natural and it keeps the coat wiry like its suppose to be.

 

[MandyPug]

I vote pug, for obvious reasons lol!

They're little clowns that live to love you. Grooming is minimal, just a brush with a furminator once a week and wiping out the wrinkles once or twice a week (or like me, whenever they get dirty enough). They're happy to just lay around all day if or get up and go out, whatever you want to do. They snort and snore and sneeze, but it's very cute and you fall in love with their cute ugly mugs! Oh and they looove to cuddle and sleep under the covers lol.

 

[babymomma]

haha, I vote for a Yorkie!

My girl goes to the old peoples home about once a week and lets them pet her and she does tricks for them.

Just remember that no matter what breed you get for a therapy dog you will have to Socialise the Heck out of it. I didnt do that with my girl and she had some issues with people, but obviously with a little work she has overcome that.
Her issues with people were my fault though, not hers. I didnt get out enough with her when she was a pup.

 

[MandyPug]

Oh yeah forgot to add. Izzie is a former pet therapy dog, the program isn't running anymore so we don't do it anymore. She was fabulous at it too.

 

[Laurelin]

Summer is a former therapy dog too as are most of her breeder's dogs. She lived for therapy work.

Really, I think pretty much any toy breed could work based on the OP. It's probably going to come down to meeting some of the top breeds you're interested in and going from there. That's how we decided on paps. Narrowed it down to three breeds (Min Pins, cresties, and paps), went to a few shows and talked to people and narrowed it down. It worked out very well for us.

 

[colliewog]

I'll add Boston and French Bulldog to the list ...

 

[Lolas Dad]

Thankyou I'll do so.

I can't believe I forgot to mention this but there is a possibility that I'd like my dog to become a therapy dog.

It isn't a major priority for me but it is something that I'm considering.

Lola is a current therapy dog. She is a Japanese chin. You might want to consider that breed also but I must warn you if your looking for a dog that is wary of strangers than a Japanese Chin might not be the right breed. Their is not one person yet that Lola did not like. of any age, race or gender. If someone was to break into the house she would probably sit their wagging her tail waiting for them to get in and when they do she would probably want them to pet her. If she could open the door for them she probably would.


But just for kicks try this breed selector test and see what breeds it suggests.

Animal Planet :: Guides :: Dog Breed Selector

 

[Maura]

Boston Terrier. In fact, I happen to have a nice little girl waiting for a home.

Also, papillons, I really like those.