Best breed?

[mummycxx]

Hello everyone

Would like some advice, we are thinking of getting a puppy but unsure which breed? I have dd who is 3 and adores dogs my mil has one who she loves and the dog loves her she is a poodle crossed with a terrier.

We decided we would look into getting one we have a huge garden and have fields all around us so no worry about space.

My dh likes shitzus but he also would love a bull dog his wanted one since he was kid. But we would rather have a small breed?

Thanks

I've been brought up with yorkies and they are fab little dogs, so brave and funny characters

I want a poodle as I think they are lovely dogs. Dh though isn't keen and so we have Eric who is a poodle shih tzu cross (gratuitous photo) I think that Eric has a poodle temperament tbh as he's not at all yappy, he's clever, he'll walk and run for miles although he'll also curl up by the fire next to your feet happily too. The couple of shih tzus I know bark far more than Eric and they are quite stubborn (mind you Eric has that trait too) and they seem to be happy with a stroll whereas Eric likes a good walk and the chance for a run with his doggy mates. I've never met an unfriendly shih tzu either they seem to like people and other dogs.

Eric is a fab name love it

I love mongrels, proper old fashioned mongrel, were you can't identify any recognisable breed. You just don't see them anymore though. (helpful)

A Bichon Frise may work for you. They are excellent with kids, non shedding, non yappy, big dog in a little dogs body. Not great with being left for extended periods generally though although ours is fine.

I have a cairn terrier. Awesome dog, loves my kids but he is a terrier - no small furries etc.

I really really want a whippet now too.

They wouldn't be left for long I live next to where I work so can pop back. My 3 year old dd is asking for a white dog with black spots lol xxx

In that case do look into Bichons they would fit your circumstances apart from the black spots however mine generally spends most of her life white with brown spots from jumping in muddy puddles!

Which tau cross! We've got a shih tzu x Bichon Frise and apart from the fact that she will forever look like a teddy bear, what a complete charmer, toilet trained in 3 months, clever enough to do all sorts of tricks, cuddly, loves mummy and daddy kinda girlie she is. She is the best ever. And not one hair shed. Ever.

Which tau cross? WTF meant shih tzu cross.

Consider your lifestyle. Do you work full time? How long can you walk? What about grooming?
I wouldn't want a pup if I worked I'm afraid.

I'll suggest a lhasa-apso :)

Great natures, clever, non-yappy & non-sheddng.

Happy choosing :)

p.s would also get one in mandatory colours

Shih Tzu's can be trained so that they aren't yappy.

Shelties, the sweetest most loyal little dogs in the world :)

Labrador if you dont mind the hairs. shelties are horrible encountered one of our walk yesterday was a huge thing snarling and growling at poor ddog while its owner was trying to shovel its poo of the floor with a tiny bag and control the thing at the same time

You mean rough collie.
The sheltie is a small breed, much, much smaller than a Labrador.

A rough collie looks the same but much bigger.

The faults of the one you met are more likely to have been caused by poor socialisation, bad experiences etc that the breed itself.

Cavachon? Mine is lovely, great temperament.

Lhasas and shitzus come in black and white... ok, not spotty as such, but close.

Bichons are nice.

And no offence to anyone - because there's nothing wrong with them and I'm sure you all have lovely dogs, but I don't understand why poodle crosses are so popular and poodles aren't.

Poodles are lovely little clever dogs and if you like a little scruffy dog...you just don't give them a traditional poodle haircut.

I've got a bichon and she is so lovely and affectionate. I've had her 5 years now since my dd was 5, she was quite a crazy puppy leaping everywhere but dd was sturdy enough to cope with that.
Now she is calm 90% of the day, but still loves a good walk and a play. She doesn't like to be left alone for long though and sometimes will even cry at the bottom of the stairs if I'm in the bath! However I love her so much and she is a great family pet.
I also foster children, and she has coped well with the children man handling her until they learn to stroke gently.
She doesn't shed though the grooming costs add up.
I also have a Pomeranian too and pay £70 every 8 weeks for both of them to be groomed so you'd have to factor that in.
The Pom however doesn't really like walking far, but likes a play in the park. Both are good with kids but the bichon is sturdier built so copes better. They eat very little though so that doesn't cost too much.
Good luck with choosing your new pet!

Natureplantar "Shelties are horrible" sounds to me like you've got your breeds confused. Shelties are little dogs, maybe it was a rough collie you encountered. Personally I don't think you get horrible dogs just horrible irresponsible owners who don't care for and train their dogs properly.

I'd definitely avoid Bulldogs - they're sad victims of their breed and whilst lovely characters often need multiple surgeries to correct the problems bred into them, are unable to be active and can easily overheat in summer
I'd second a poodle - smart, friendly, non-shedding. Lovely dogs.

Tabulah I really wanted a poodle and still do tbh it was dh who didn't want a poodle so a cross was a compromise. Mind you if I ever get a poodle I am having the whole works top knot,pompom tail and little tippy toes which is probably why dh doesn't want one

Sheltie stands for shetland sheepdog basically lassie. this dog was huge covered in fun about 6 inches long and was definitely a sheltie never come across a small sheltie in my life unless its some new cross breed

Shelties or Shetland sheepdogs stand about 35cm tall, as opposed to tough collies, like Lassie, which stand at around 67cm.

In response to OP, have you considered minature Schnauzers? We dogsit one and she is lovely, placid temperament, low shedding, easy coat to trim yourself if you feel confident. Great little dogs.