I think we're ready to get another dog...Maybe...

[nadiabreckon]

We lost our old girl in Feb of this year, and have decided in the past week that we think it's time to look for a new puppy to add to our family!

I didn't think it would be this quick, but really, I think she would want us to have another little fur-kid around the house...and quite frankly, I miss the evening cuddles on the couch...

We're having a tough time making a decision on which breed to get. We definitely want to stick with a small dog this time, somewhat easier to travel with in a vehicle, especially with DH in the military, we may have to move around a few more times. We've wanted to get a pug for 5-6 years now, researched the breed as much as possible, and believe it to be a perfect match for our family. Then recently, I told hubby that since pugs are a brachycephalic breed, it wouldn't be the best to take it on runs/bike rides/long walks with us, which we enjoy doing. We have also looked into Jack Russells and Beagles, both which would be perfect for an active lifestyle (before anybody says anything about these breeds not being easy to train, etc...it's not breed specific, it's how you train the dog itself, any dog can be difficult, stubborn, etc, if you don't train it properly).

Anyway, does anybody have any of the above 3 breeds that would have pros and cons to share with us? We have decided that adopting one dog now, and adding another dog of a different breed later is definitely a possibility.
Thanks!!!!

[GoddessDigi]

I had (and my mum still has him) a chihuahua/beagle mix, and he was my BABY.
He's really active (and he's pretty dang old now..we've had him way over 7 years, and he was in the family years and years before we got him) but he knows when to calm down for some cuddles.
He's very protective, too, might be good for your DS.

[Lynn49]

Hon, it took us about a year and a half before we decided the time was right to get another pooch after our beloved BC, Tammy, passed away. It was devastating.

We wanted a smaller dog, short coat, and when I saw the picture of a wee dachshund on Kijiji, it was instant love! It's not a breed I have ever seen or thought about having, but there she was, and she was mine! I couldn't phone the breeder fast enough!

Her photos are on my home page here if you'd like to see them
She'll be a year old and she's my angel fur-baby!! They're silly, she was easily trained, can gallop and walk as far as our collie, and still has gas in her tank to rough-house at home!
She's a kissy joy to come home to and I love her to crazies!

Good luck finding a new fur-baby...they bring us so much joy and ask so little from us...I really do think they're the embodiment of Angels...

[snuffaluffagus]

If your family is really active...like at least 2-3 hours of exercise per day including lots of running, game-playing, even agility fun...then I'd say go for a Jack. They're absolutely and incredibly wonderful dogs if in the appropriate home.

I must admit though, I'm nuts about Doxies as well. If anything, their personalities remind me of a more laid-back Jack, lol. My only concern would be that intense exercise can increase the risks for injury for both intervertebral disk disease and patellar luxation which is common in this breed.

If you've already narrowed down the breeds you're interested in, why not attend a dog show or two and get to meet a wide variety of breeders. Go armed with lots of questions (they should have plenty for you too!). An ethical breeder will not have puppies readily available for you to bring home immediately. The majority will have you fill an application form, ask to meet with the entire family, and may ask for references as well (similar to a reputable rescue/shelter) and, if they decide you're a good match for their breed/puppies, they'll put you on a waiting list for a puppy from their next litter. Research/google "how to choose an ethical/responsible breeder" for lots more invaluable information.

Or, you can always go the shelter/rescue route as well....lots of puppies of all breeds, shapes, sizes, waiting on new forever homes too .

[nadiabreckon]

I had (and my mum still has him) a chihuahua/beagle mix, and he was my BABY.
He's really active (and he's pretty dang old now..we've had him way over 7 years, and he was in the family years and years before we got him) but he knows when to calm down for some cuddles.
He's very protective, too, might be good for your DS.

We don't want a mixed-breed...the whole thing about people selling "designer" breeds for the same price is a registered, pure-bred pooch is ridiculous and we're not taking that route!

Hon, it took us about a year and a half before we decided the time was right to get another pooch after our beloved BC, Tammy, passed away. It was devastating.

We wanted a smaller dog, short coat, and when I saw the picture of a wee dachshund on Kijiji, it was instant love! It's not a breed I have ever seen or thought about having, but there she was, and she was mine! I couldn't phone the breeder fast enough!

Her photos are on my home page here if you'd like to see them
She'll be a year old and she's my angel fur-baby!! They're silly, she was easily trained, can gallop and walk as far as our collie, and still has gas in her tank to rough-house at home!
She's a kissy joy to come home to and I love her to crazies!

Good luck finding a new fur-baby...they bring us so much joy and ask so little from us...I really do think they're the embodiment of Angels...

It's funny, because DH was reminding me about our old landlords Doxie that our dog used to play with when we lived in our basement suite! He was the funniest little guy ever, and I kept telling him how much I wanted to keep Jake, alas, he was not ours... lol

If your family is really active...like at least 2-3 hours of exercise per day including lots of running, game-playing, even agility fun...then I'd say go for a Jack. They're absolutely and incredibly wonderful dogs if in the appropriate home.

I must admit though, I'm nuts about Doxies as well. If anything, their personalities remind me of a more laid-back Jack, lol. My only concern would be that intense exercise can increase the risks for injury for both intervertebral disk disease and patellar luxation which is common in this breed.

If you've already narrowed down the breeds you're interested in, why not attend a dog show or two and get to meet a wide variety of breeders. Go armed with lots of questions (they should have plenty for you too!). An ethical breeder will not have puppies readily available for you to bring home immediately. The majority will have you fill an application form, ask to meet with the entire family, and may ask for references as well (similar to a reputable rescue/shelter) and, if they decide you're a good match for their breed/puppies, they'll put you on a waiting list for a puppy from their next litter. Research/google "how to choose an ethical/responsible breeder" for lots more invaluable information.

Or, you can always go the shelter/rescue route as well....lots of puppies of all breeds, shapes, sizes, waiting on new forever homes too .

Ugh, we're definitely not 2-3hrs of heavy activity, but 1-2hrs is not uncommon for us to be outdoors when the weather co-operates. But like I said, we decided that if we get one dog now, it's always a possibility to get another of a different breed later, we're just not quite sure what to start with!

[Natalka]

Go down to the shelter and see which dog you fall in love with!

[Lynn49]

Well, here's one more thing about Dachshunds...our Jenny (who is presently asleep on my lap)...has absolutely no odour...she smells ... like ... nothing, really..unless she goes for a walk in the nearby creek. In which case she smells like a wet puppy.
There is no tidying up of..um..shall we say..there's nothing attached to any fur-bits after they've done their doggy-duties. With our long-haired BC, we had to keep her "line-trimmed" to keep her tidy.

They're not averse to being cuddled (okay, smothered) for lengthy periods of time and when you get home they are tasmanian devils, twisting and turning, just aching to get into your arms for good kissings and snugglings. Which can last for several minutes...

When my hubby walks her, they really go for a long walk, an hour or more, and when she gets home and has a drink of water, she's ready to keep going.
Until I get my paws on her, and she's very content to curl up on my lap, on a blanket and sleep.

I guess what I'm saying is...they're very low maintenance, have energy when you want them to, yet readily settle down when you don't.

This isn't a breed I have ever had any contact with, but now, wouldn't consider anything else. Jenny can make herself look pathetic by sitting in almost a ball, and when she lifts her eyes up with some white showing under them, omg...it's all I can do not to give her whateveritis she wants! LOL!

Good luck with whatever choice you make, Hon!

[Lynn49]

Seriously.
Can you resist this face?! LOL!!
Every photo I see of a black and tan looks absolutely identical to our Jenny...it's so strange to see "her" in other photos!

[Lynn49]

Yeah....those are the eyes that I'm sure she practices in the mirror when we're away...

I mean...how can you NOT pick it up and squish it to pieces??!

[emmy3111]

A Pug-X might be a good option if you're worried about breathing problems... especially if they are crossed with a dog with a longer snout.

Both my pugs are crosses, Laney is a Pug/Boston Terrier cross (Bug ) and Sally is a Pug/zu... both do not have any major issues with breathing, although Laney does snore.

Laney is black, which is hard on her in the summer sun, so I would recommend a tan pug if you decide to go that way...

Have fun puppy shopping!

It won't let me write what Sally's breed is... rhymes with mitzu

[couponandoff]

LOVE all the suggestions so far - I've had plenty of jacks - they're my fav - Right now we have 1 Jack Russel Terrier & 1 American Rat Terrier. My inlaws have 2 Dashunds that spend many days with us, and they are very adorable & cuddly. They are not as spirited and alert as Jacks, but require less playtime. My Ma has a BUG - Boston Bull x Pug, and I would say she is the best mixed breed ever. I would consider having one myself - she looks like a fat minature boxer, and was NOT a designer price. I just love love love my dogs and wish I could have many more - a whole farm of them!!!

[bdogsmom]

Go down to the shelter and see which dog you fall in love with!

i agree. our local spca has a website, all the adoptable animals have pictures and descriptions.

[avoncallingu]

It's coincidental that you say you lost your puppy in Feb. We did too, and we are now considering another companion for our other puppy. I miss having one dog on each side of me when I sit on our "chair and a half" watching TV or seeing one wrapped like a belt around my dh while I pet the other one. Our doggie is an Humane Society mini poodle who just LOVES to be on, beside, over, on top of, in your face (as he is right now) you. Good luck with your search! You'll know when you find him/her. It's like partners in life - you're just SURE you could never fall for a guy who is.......tall, short, has children, lives in another province, burps loudly, wears a beard, hates gardening, leaves the toilet seat up........ and then, you fall and it's Love for that beard-wearing, tall handsome guy who burps occasionally and has no backyard in that other province where he lives near his 5 kids! Love will find a way!

[Lynn49]

It's coincidental that you say you lost your puppy in Feb. We did too, and we are now considering another companion for our other puppy. I miss having one dog on each side of me when I sit on our "chair and a half" watching TV or seeing one wrapped like a belt around my dh while I pet the other one. Our doggie is an Humane Society mini poodle who just LOVES to be on, beside, over, on top of, in your face (as he is right now) you. Good luck with your search! You'll know when you find him/her. It's like partners in life - you're just SURE you could never fall for a guy who is.......tall, short, has children, lives in another province, burps loudly, wears a beard, hates gardening, leaves the toilet seat up........ and then, you fall and it's Love for that beard-wearing, tall handsome guy who burps occasionally and has no backyard in that other province where he lives near his 5 kids! Love will find a way!

Your description of your mini poodle fits our Jenny perfectly. As long as she's either on my lap or wrapped around me, or if at least one paw is touching me, she's content. And, coincidently, so am I.
Too cute!!!

[mle]

Sorry for your loss but good for you for looking into adoption

Have you considered a terrier breed perhaps? Westies, Border terriers, schnauzers and jack russels are all small-medium sizes, enjoy excercise, and are fairly good with children. They also either barely shed. You may be able to find some kind of a terrier or a terrier mix. You can search up the breeds for information, videos and all that to help make a decision. And if you're looking for a specific breed, check for breed rescues that may be in your area if you don't have much luck at a shelter. Best of luck!