can u help me ?

[PUPPY POWER]

I would love to hear what you think would be the best housedog for us . we have a 3 bedhouse with 4 people with the youngest being my 11 year old brother. we are looking for a fairly small dog preff.low maintance. one with med. amount of energy. we are looking for a faily protective dog that will be fairly easy to train.i would love to here youre sugguestions.

[BandiTank]

I suggest maybe a Beagle or a Basset Hound. They are both small (the Beagle is smaller), dont reguire a lot of maintenance (maybe with the eyes or ears), the Basset is less active than the Beagle, but both like to lounge around at times, and they both are fairly protective, both will warn you of intruders, but chances are they won't be doing any attack service, chances are they would approach with a wagging tail. Hope this helps.

[Karen]

I would check the shelters first! Tell the staff what you're looking for - lots of medium-size mixes in shelters that would probably fit your criteria!

[Daisy's Mom]

I have a Basset Hound and she is the perfect dog for many lifestyles. They don't need too much room and they are very low maintenace. They don't need grooming or anything, and if well socialized as puppies, they are great with kids. Daisy loves all the little kids in the neighborhood. She is a wonderful, caring, and loving dog. Bassets are a great breed and I highly recommend them! Check your shelters first, of course, but if nothing fits your fancy there, go with the Bassets.

[Rottie]

Toy/Miniature Poodle might be an option!

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-Rottie

[Pam]

While I agree that most of what you are looking for in that special doggie could be found in a poodle, the maintenance is very high. They need baths and grooming approximately every 4 weeks. If you let a groomer handle these details then I'd say go for it. If you plan to do the grooming yourself, as we do, it might be more than you bargained for.



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[ilovehounds]

I totaly agree with Rachel (BandiTank).
Please check your shelters, they may have the perfect beagle waiting for you Im 21 and I love my beagles to death. They get along great with other dogs and animals and are very good with kids. They have nice short hair so a quick brush everyother day is all they need.

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~~ My House Is Not A Home Without A Hound ~~

[Tanya&Fritz]

I say a miniature poodle. I don't find the grooming a big deal. Both of my dogs go every 4 weeks. A little expensive but worth it.

[mruffruff]

I have to go along with the idea of checking with the shelters in your area. I would also recommend a trip to the library to read up on the different types of dogs. It's nice to know what kind of dog you definitely DON'T want, such as a St. Bernard. A mixed breed is just as much fun as a pure bred, and there are a whole bunch of them needing a forever home. If you check the shelters, look for an adult so you don't end up with a dog that's twice the size you expected. A lot of adults are already housetrained and past the chewing stage too. And they can be trained just as puppies can.

Some shelters will let you foster for a while to see if this dog is right for you. If it isn't the one for you, at least the dog has been out of the shelter for a while and you know more about what you can't live with.

Let us know how you make out.

[Dixie Belle]

I would try a shelter first. If you don't find one there, I would see into a beagle. That was the first dog I ever had, and I loved her. My daddy gave her to me when I was about 6 or 7. She was the sweetest little puppy. She would fight to the death for me. Good luck on your search!

[ownerof3dogs]

Ho about the Cavilier King Chareles(?) spaniel. The are great little dogs. If not I would go to the shelter to see what dogs they have there.

[PUPPY POWER]

thank you all we will defanatly [sp] check the selters