My mom wants a dog...ideas? (update: think she found one)

[Pam]

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She was thinking about a Miniature Poodle or something...But she doesn't want to spend the money on a purebred lol..

I was going to suggest a miniature poodle (big surprise there! ). I whole-heartedly recommend looking at shelters. Poodles are there for sure. That is where I found my Ripley and he was house-trained and does not shed. What could be nicer? She might have to keep visiting the shelter sites but I promise several will come up. Tell her to go to Petfinder and click under 'breed' for poodle. If she is able to find a poodle that has been fostered (there are many) she will often be able to inquire about how they do with cats too.

All of the above said, I have to tell her the downside of owning a poodle and that is the need (not an option) for regular grooming. If she doesn't want to spend money on a professional groomer she can learn to do it herself. I do. It is not hard really. Of course there are mistakes to be made in the beginning but hair always grows back! Better to be chopped up than matted up. Please get back to us and let us know what happens.

[mruffruff]

There are a lot of small dogs in shelters that would fit your mother's needs. I wouldn't recommend a Shepherd/Lab/Collie. A poodle is good if you don't mind the grooming requirements. My choice would be an Australian Terrier, Norwich Terrier or similar mix. They are small but sturdy, don't require a lot of grooming and can be good with cats. Cats more readily accept a smaller dog, providing the dog isn't aggressive. I don't think I'd want to get a puppy.
I don't know how old your mother is, or if she has any health concerns. A puppy is a real handful for the first year and she may not want to put up with all the hassle.

Just my 2 cents.

[Freedom]

I was going to suggest a miniature poodle (big surprise there! ).

And I was going to suggest a bichon frise, big surprise there, huh?

I know bichons don't bark much, or often. When we had the 30 dogs for the filming for Animal Planet 2 weeks back, not a bark among them! But just let a car stop in the road in front of my house, or someone walk by, and the 4 of them are charging about barking their fool heads off! (And I haven't done anything about training them not to, as we want the "intruder alert.")

Think about a rescue dog. There are rescues for all breeds. The one I am with for bichons is www.smallpawsrescue.org

In a rescue, the dog is in a foster home, and the foster parent can tell you about the dog. I made sure that my first one was OK with cats as I had 6 cats when I adopted Sugar. The foster home HAD 2 cats. If they don't, they usually know someone who owns a cat and they arrange a visit for a half hour or so, make sure that works alright for your mom. Bichons, like poodles, Havanese, and Maltese, need regular grooming, so you get to know your groomer quite well. Even if you learn to do it yourself (I do, as Pam does), now and then you just need someone to get them back into tip top shape. (Pam has been doing grooming lots longer than I have, I need mine at the professional's about twice per year).

And bichons are white, so they need baths. Mine get a bath every 10 to 14 days. I walk them regularly. A dog that is more in the house may not need a bath as often. Poodles are available in other colors. Maltese are white; Havanese I think are other colors. These are all dogs with hair not fur, and they need brushing regularly to keep the hair from matting.

Now a puppy: I don't know your mom's age, health etc. Is she able to cope with a high activity puppy, take it for walks and play dates to get it properly socialized, be up at night for the first month or so until it is trained to let her know it has to go and all the other puppy issues? Just something to consider. My 6 year old (the youngest here) and a LOT more high energy than the other 3, have to walk her and play ball with her more every day than what the other 3 require.

Hope this gives you more ideas!