Best small family dog?

[kitchendevil]

Love to hear what small dog we should get. We have a small garden, children 8,6, 5 and 2, and don't like dog smells or hair. Other than that, we love them...

dog smells?

I think they all smell a bit!

Don't get one if you don't like dog smells or hair. Bot are ineviatable when you get a dog. Spare yourself a lot of anxiety.

are you sure you don't want a goldfish?

Poodle.

Or a cockapoo.

All dogs stink though.

We have a beagle. She is a fantastic small family dog.

However she does smell of hound and her hairs get everywhere .. like most dogs

Dachshund. i love ours passionately. smells delicious (but still a pup so different to 16 yr old dribbling mutt smell) doesn't shed. curls up on your lap. utterly cute and snuggly.

We have a spaniel and the hair he produces is phenomenal. I hoover multiple times a day, but when I pull the sofas out, I could make a dog hair jumper from what collects behind them.

How about a Maltese? They don't shed hair.

Gat a small labradoodle - we have abig one which does shed a bit but her temprament is excellent and she was very easy to house train.

Is 18 weeks and gives paw, sits, stays on command, always comes back when off lead, and only poos in one part of garden.

I would steer clear of beagles personally - neighbours can never be let off lead and howlslike a demon on acid!

beagles aren't great pets anyway. They are working dogs and still haven't really had that bred out of them sufficiently.

what's a maltese? and sorry, I'd sooner stick hot pins in my eyes than get a poodle..

what on earth is wrong with poodles?

DH refused a poodle on the grounds that he would look gay!

that's ridiculous

a) what is wrong with looking gay

and b) what is gay about this?

they are ugly, imo.

although much better without the ridiculous hair cuts

they're not very small, admittedly, unless you get a toy or miniature but how can you say they are ugly!

The standard poodle isn't a small dog, anyway.

Get a Whippet. They dont cast, they dont smell, the only need as much exercise as you are willing to give them, love cuddles and IMO one of THE best family dogs you could have. Wonderful with children, patient,loving. Get a Whippet.

I know the standard isn't small we have a shetland pony sized 18 week old Labradoodle on account of her being half standard poodle.

And there is nothing wrong with being gay - DH just has a problem with looking gay!

I know a few men like that, they all deserve to marry women who breed Lhasa Apsos or Shih Tzus

Agree, poodles are only ugly if they have them silly haircuts and they don't shed hair. iv'e never owned one, so not sure what their temprement is like but I'm sure there must be someone here whos had one.

Besides wanting one that doesn't smell or shed hair , what are your other criteria?

• how small is "small"?
• have you had a dog before?
• would you be able to handle something quite independant and stubborn eg most terriers, or would you prefer something "easier"?
• how much exercise can you/are you prepared to give the dog? Even some small dogs require a LOT of walks!

There are some quite good online breed-selectors which might be a good starting point for you. You answer questions based on what you would like and they recommend dog breed which would suit your situation and personality. Not perfect, of course, but would maybe give you an idea of all the different types of breeds that are available.

the ones I have met have all got a screw loose, they are fab!