Which dog should I get?

[BC_MoM]

The purchase price (I hate calling it that) of a dog is nothing compared to how much the dog will cost you in the end. Just be aware that dogs cost money to be cared for properly.

[CagneyDog]

Cavalier King Charles are excellent dogs. Have you done research on them? They are great family dogs, very friendly, and with training they can be really obedient. I love them

[Aurie]

In the bottom right corner of this page: http://www.mysmartpuppy.com/ask-us/articles.html The author has several links to different breed types. Each of those links gives you very good general information on a type/catagory of breeds. This may give you a start at what would fit well with you and your situation. Read the first link on purebreds and then go from there. Good luck

[lute]

pomerainians are nice dogs. i have one. they are barkers. they bark at everything. they shed. some people don't like dogs that shed. hair does get everywhere. you have to brush them out every day. if you don't they will get mats and that can be painful for a dog.

there are small dogs in shelters. i adopted my Beanie from the humane society 5 yrs ago. i'm not sure where you live, but if you'd like you can PM me and i'll help you find an animal shelter or rescue.

it may seem like we are jumping at telling you to do research on the breed you want and dogs in general. unfortinatly we've seen what happends to a lot of dogs that people get when they want a dog, but don't do their research on the breed and about dogs. dogs are left abandoned or killed. we just don't want to see it happen again.

good luck!

[mruffruff]

It would help to know your living situation and how many people/animals live there. A dog that would be good for one person might not be good for a large or young family.

I like Cairn and Norwich Terriers. They are small without being tiny, don't need a lot of brushing but do need regular grooming, and are good guard dogs. But I don't know that they would be good with very small children and I know they need a firm hand. Also they are diggers.

What are you looking for in a dog?

[Roxyluvsme13]

If you want a Pomeranian you better be prepared to groom them every day. I groom Lily almost every day, and she still has mats here and there. They are very energetic dogs, and if you don't like barkers then I suggest you don't get one. They do shed slightly, but if brushed, they usually aren't too bad. They do need lots of stimulation, if not they will destroy things. (trust me, I learned the hard way ) Lily also has a slight bit of separation anxiety, and when excited or nervous she pees..

[Lady's Human]

Please, please, please.....

RESCUE, Don't buy from a breeder!!!

[GreyhoundGirl]

We can't really tell you which dog would fit your lifestyle best. We hardly know anything about you. I like sighthounds, but they might not fit your lifestyle. Tell us more about what kind of dog you want. You said small, but what else.

Do you want an active dog, or a couch potatoe?
Do you want the dog to do something with/for you, like protection or agility?

Any information would help.

[buttercup132]

Do you want the dog to do something with/for you, like protection or agility?
.

Any dog that you love a ton will protect you in return no matter what breed or breeds.

Maybe coming here asking for advice was part of her reaserch?

[labmomma]

Firstly, if you get a dog it's like deciding to have a child and all of the responsibilities that goes along with it. Their medical care is expensive, they require discipline, schedules and all of the same things that children need. Just be sure you are committed to such a long term relationship before you make the big step. Please check with your local shelter and rescue groups and you'll be very surprised about what they have to offer. A lot of these dogs have already been crate trained and on their way to being obedient dogs. Good luck to you and I hope your years with your new fur child will be long and happy!! Both of my Labs are rescues and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world because they have added so much to my life!
Labmomma

[horse_lover]

Thanks everyone. I'm glad I didn't buy one. Now I realize that there are so many animals out there that need help. Ones that are for sale already have a home. No offense to anyone, but some people just care about money. It also breaks my heart to see people just leave their animals on the street, abuse them, and neglect them.