Here We Go Again!

Airn

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#1
So... I thought I wanted a Miniature Schnauzer, and they are still a possible breed, but I would like to see what you think. AdrianneIsabel prompted this thread, since she brought up a few other breeds that might better suit me. (Thanks, Adrianne!)

I want the following:

Under 25lbs
Not very vocal/limited barking
Off switch
Little/no shedding
Doesn't need groomed often
Doesn't need 'clothes' (A winter coat is fine but I live in a very... interesting climate and I'm not a big doggie clothes fan. Bandannas are fine and welcome, though!)
No brachy breeds
Not fragile (Gwen likes to play rough)
Nothing too 'designer' or 'girly' (it's going to be a male and I just feel weird having a male dog being prettier than my Gwen :lol-sign:)
Something easy to find (I prefer to have a breeder near me ((within 6 hours)) and that might rule out some suitable breeds)
Doesn't have to be athletic but swimming is a huge plus
Playful (I already have a VERY reserved dog, I would like a more friendly dog. Not to the extent of a lab, but something a bit more "Hi!")
Not known for being DR, DA (We like to go to the dog park!)

I'm really just looking for a dog that will bring Gwen out of her shell and make her not be a spoiled brat. We like to go to parks and lake in the summer but we are not really 'outdoorsy' people. A dog that would be fine with a couple of walks and some snuggle time.

While I would like to keep my price down, I understand that it's difficult if not impossible to find a 'good' breeder that sells puppies anywhere near $200. I am willing to pay more, but it would be awesome if the breeder has a payment plan of sorts. (I can afford the dog, just a bit of sticker shock and I don't want my boyfriend to leave me :p)

My top breeds currently: Mini Schnauzer, Cocker Spaniel (unsure of the type yet, need more information on them) and perhaps Mini Poodles. I also like several terrier breeds.

I appreciate all of the information and help that I've gotten so far. I REALLY want to get the 'right' dog and this is all so new to me. Bear with me ;)
 
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#2
I honestly can't think of any breed that meets all of those requirements. Actually...if you absolutely do not want to chance a DR/DA dog I would stay away from pretty much all terriers, including the Mini Schnauzer (that also needs frequent grooming, and can be pretty vocal).
 

Airn

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#3
Wow. I didn't realize I set my standards so high. I guess I was hoping that getting a puppy (as opposed to an adult) would help limit the DA/DR. Does that not matter at all?

I don't mind barking for a reason but just yip yapping, I don't like. And I live in an apartment so I doubt my neighbors would like that.

Maybe I don't know what I want? I like Gwen, I just wish she was less reserved and I also want a smaller dog. (She averages about 30-35 lbs.)

Maybe a shelter pup is more realistic for me.
 

Dizzy

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#5
Maybe a shelter pup is more realistic for me.
Honestly? Why not just go and look. Meet a few dogs, talk to people who have fosters who can tell you what the dog is like to live with.

You can't eliminate things by getting a breeder bred puppy. But you can have a good idea of knowing what you're getting in the dog has already lived with someone for a small while.

And you can pick, any shape, size or colour!!

It doesn't sound like you're really set on any breed... So why not expand your horizons a bit?
 

BostonBanker

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#6
Nothing jumps out at me as a suggestion, but I will say that in my experience, Mini Schnauzers are some of the worst barkers. I've known one that was very reasonable, and the other four or five I've known were horrible. I know it is partially a training thing, but since you specifically mention wanting a quiet dog, I figured I'm mention it.
 

Brattina88

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#8
Honestly, I'd go with a shelter/rescue dog that is living in a foster home with other dogs.
This :)

The breeds you listed go against your own wish list ;) Cockers, Schnauzers and mini poodles all require a good amount of grooming.

And I can honestly say that if youre going to go with a breeder that sells puppies for $200 or less, the possibility of getting a DR (or even HR) am cocker is definitely there. Possibly even fragile or health problems. I can speak for the other breeds with certainly, but I'd assume that'd be true for them as well.

But, if your requirements were a little more lax, I would say a nice rescue cocker would be a nice fit for some of these things! one whos been evaluated and in a home so they know their temperament and how they react to people/places/animals and other things. And I have rescue connections if your interested, PM me! ;)
 
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#9
Can you clarify little to no shedding and doesn't require lots of grooming for me? Do you want a coat like a Min Pin, sheds little hairs all the time, but not to an excessive amount but it doesn't need to be combed, like ever, or doesn't shed at all, but requires being shaved or combed out every day or so?
 

Airn

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#10
Well, honestly, my qualifications are vague (and maybe unrealistic) because I haven't had many dogs and just recently became interested in dog stuff :p

Shedding as in... I don't get a handful of fur every time I pet the dog. I also have allergies (just minimal and I suffer through them anyway) so it would be nice to get a breed known for being good for allergy suffers.

Grooming in terms of... taking to a groomer. I don't mind brushing or seasonal fluff (winter coat coming off as spring approaches) but much more than that would be too much. Maybe needs a grooming twice-three times a year? (Like the fancy poodle cuts, that's a no go.) Plus, I like 'natural' coats, if that makes sense. Not fond of shaving.

I think I was a bit too vague on my requirements and that's leading to confusion. Small, family pet. Likes to play, isn't TOO obnoxious.

Did that help at all? :lol-sign:
 
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#11
I would second a Border Terrier. Pretty cool little dogs.

Every Mini Schnauzer I've known has been a barker and a scrapper with other dogs. My Uncle's girlfriend had one, Smitty who barked so much she ended up getting his vocal cords cut, but he could still bark. They thought they hadn't cut a cord completely and did another surgery, but the little rascal could still bark, just more muffled.
 
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#13
Grooming in terms of... taking to a groomer. I don't mind brushing or seasonal fluff (winter coat coming off as spring approaches) but much more than that would be too much. Maybe needs a grooming twice-three times a year? (Like the fancy poodle cuts, that's a no go.) Plus, I like 'natural' coats, if that makes sense. Not fond of shaving.
Schnauzers and Poodles are pretty much out of the question then in terms of grooming requirements. Poodles should be groomed regularly every 6 weeks or so. You can keep them in a short kennel clip, but that still requires a professional groomer unless you have the time and patience to learn to do it properly yourself. Schnauzers should be stripped, though a lot of pet people get them clipped (and that effectively ruins the coat) and either way that's done on a regular basis as well, and they usually also need their ear hair pulled or they tend to get nasty infections.

Borders are cool little dogs but they also should be hand stripped. scroll most of the way down on this page: http://www.wimberway.com/borter.html
 

Airn

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#14
what about something like a Maltese? Maybe the shedding is too much. Someone on here had real scrappy, water loving Maltese

Or Rat Terrier?

I figured the grooming for something like a Maltese would be intense. Or is that just the 'fancy' ones? I like several other breeds but I thought the grooming/shedding would be too much to handle. (Westies, Poodles, Sheltie and now I guess Scotties and Mini Schnauzers...)
 

crazedACD

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#15
Italian Greyhound. Yes. Quiet, not DR, no grooming (needs a coat in the winter).

I love Cavaliers. Well bred, health tested for heart problems is important in this breed. I've met one Manchester Terrier that I LOVE, he seems like a great dog. Might be a loud breed though.
 

Airn

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#16
I love Iggies but I was worried about the breed being so fragile. Gwen has an Iggie friend she LOVES to play with. But I know her owner doesn't take her out in the winter because it's too cold and has to put sunscreen on her in the summer.

And I imagine they'd be a rarer breed?

I love these breeds, just want to make sure it's a good fit.

Sorry so I'm so difficult, guys. (On a positive note, BF likes the Border Terrier!)
 

Pintage

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#17
I love Iggies but I was worried about the breed being so fragile. Gwen has an Iggie friend she LOVES to play with. But I know her owner doesn't take her out in the winter because it's too cold and has to put sunscreen on her in the summer.
IGs are a breed that we talk about a lot in vet school... a significant portion of the radiographs they show us in class of limb fractures are from IGs (in at least one of those cases, the dog broke both his radius and ulna just by jumping off of a sofa!)

I'm going to echo a bunch of other people and suggest a rescue dog currently living in a foster home with other dogs. :D You might be able to find a really interesting mix!
 

milos_mommy

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#18
Getting a puppy will INCREASE your chances of dealing with DA.

Getting an adult rescue, you pretty much know how their temperament will be. Getting a puppy, you don't really know...from a breeder, you can stack the odds in your favor but getting from non-DA lines and choosing one with a temperament that doesn't usually predict any DA, but most of the time dogs with DA start showing it at sexual maturity, and you can't definitely predict which puppies that will happen in.

An adult dog, most of the time you know whether they like other dogs or not.

Schnauzers are not very good dog park dogs, in my experience. A cocker spaniel might be better. Or a cavalier, but they are considered a "heartbreak" breed, lots of health issues.

Maltese don't shed, really? All dogs shed, but they don't shed fur like other dogs...I'd consider them about as non-shedding as a poodle. I think a shih-tzu fits your description EXCEPT for the grooming. I guess they're considered a brachy breed but they aren't like pugs or frenchies.
 

Romy

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#19
Beagle? They pretty much hit everything on your list except the barking, and that can be trained. There are four beagles in the condos on our street. You can hear them when they bark, but they're so well trained they only really let loose and bark once or twice a week. And that's usually because the yard work guys are going around.
 
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#20
sorry the reason I asked was because non-shedding and low grooming don't really go hand in hand, LOL. If they don't shed they need constant grooming, weekly brushing at the very very least, and that's with a short coat.

I think I would look at a rescue as well, find a dog with the qualities that you want the most.
 

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