Small/Medium Dog Breeds

I plan on moving out...eventually. When I do...eventually, I will be in a position where I can afford having a dog. I won't be able to have a big dog as I hoped, so now I am looking into smaller breeds.

How do I go about looking at the different breeds? If I google "What dog is right for me" I get pop quizzes that offer basic questions with even more questionable results.

I have never owned a medium size or small dog. I like big dogs, but small living means compromising the big dog for a little dog.

How do I go about researching medium/small breed dogs?

Ball of Floof

If you have the time you could offer to walk/exercise dogs for your local shelter. Here they are always looking for people to interact with the animals. Then you could see firsthand what their personalities are like and if they are compatible with you.

This is what a friend of mine did and she found out she specifically didn't care for what she called "mop" dogs. She said the maintenance for their fur and keeping their poop out of their fur was too much work.

Lark, rather than picking a purebreed dog, what about a mixed breed? I strongly suggest adopting rather than buying. Most of the dogs I've had found me rather than me seeking them out. The few times I adopted I went to my local animal shelter and walked through looking at the dogs available. Both times the dog picked me.

A couple of suggestions for learning about breeds, visit your local library. They should have books on various breeds and their characteristics. Online try googling something like "small dog breed characteristics."

The problem I have with adopting from a shelter is that a lot of times you don't know what has been imprinted on them, whether they have been abused or gained unfavorable traits that would be hard to correct. And a lot of times they are not puppy-puppies. I would like to have a dog that can imprint on me from the beginning.

EDIT: I have found a really great article on Boston Terriers

http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/boston-terrier

They said they are great for apartment living, have a wacky personality like mine, easy to train, and are very loveable.

I'll do more research into these dogs, but I love everything I am reading about them.

I know I still have a looooong ways beforehand, but humor me...I need something to look forward to when I have my independence.

Something to consider about getting a puppy. They take lots of time and training.Will you realistically have the time if you are working full time? Am not trying to be negative. Just want to point out things to consider.

I hope the member Eskie will see your post and respond about Eskies. She used to raise them and would be a good source of info for you.

Something to consider about Eskies and Poms is that they are long haired breeds and take more grooming than a short haired breed. You might want to give thought to whether you want a long- or short-haired breed. In addition to grooming, some long hairs shed more which means more clean up time.

Since you mentioned Boston Terriers, have you considered French Bulldogs? They look kind of like bats, but I've heard they are great dogs.

You mentioned it will be a while until you are ready for a dog. I think you are wise to start investigating what kind you want ahead of time.

Ohhhhh my gosh what a cutie!

My parents work 60+ hours a week plus overtime and they can take care of three lively pets. When I am ready I will have the time for a new puppy. There are so many benefits of raising a puppy I can't list them all. I do not want an adult dog.

And yes, I don't want to rush into getting a dog. That's another reason why I don't want to go to a shelter. I will go in there thinking I'll get a certain puppy and end up with something entirely different...or several puppies. O.o

Can't remember where it was, but I saw a Frenchie recently and thought it was just tooooo cute.

Sorry, if I came on strong about shelter dogs. It's something I feel strongly about. You are wise to think ahead of time to sort out what you want and don't want.

No, i completely agree that adopting from shelters is in many ways better in some aspects than choosing a breeder, but its not for me. I would adopt a shelter cat, but not a dog. Personally, i need to adopt right at the time they are old enough to be adopted.

I did some side-by-side research and comparison between the Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, and the English Bulldog, but I have already fallen in love with the Boston Terrier.

This dog seems to suit my personality and expected personality in a dog, lifestyle, and apartment living in every way. The Boston Terrier always has a happy face vs the French Bulldog which looks sad (I can't stand unhappy-looking dogs--and who would?--but my dog Max always looks depressed and lonely unless you have food which I find absolutely appalling and a horrible trait for any dog). So happy, goofy looking dog? Check. Boston Terriers seem to be the easiest to train vs the English bulldog which are said to be very stubborn. This will be my first dog to raise on my own, so I am looking for a dog that can not only imprint on me but be suitable to train. The French Bulldog are said to be lap dogs, but I've never cared for the idea for a dog to sit on my lap. To me, it's bad etiquette for a dog to sit on the couch and I have never liked when dogs sit on my lap. Cats are the exception because they don't wiggle around, but Evy is not a lap cat and I like having my personal space. All in all, I think Boston Terriers are the right fit for me. I like having pets with big personalities. I got lucky with Evy, she has quite a few personalities, and my German Sheppard Sarge had a big loving personality, so I am quite ready for the spunky goofy loveable personality of a Boston Terrier.

Edit: The biggest concern I have with the Boston Terrier is that they can have health problems or multiple health problems. So if I get a Boston Terrier, I need to set aside a "pet emergency fund".

MAJOR EDITING 5/15 8:45pm:

I'm trying not to make so many posts, so luckily I am able to edit.

dogtime.com has been a HUGE help. I began looking at AKC, but they were more summaries of dogs. If I look up a breed at dogtime.com, it will first have a brief summary, then 5 categories (Adaptability--apartment friendly, weather tolerant, etc; All Around Friendliness--are they sociable around strangers, pets, and kids; Health & Grooming; Trainability; and Exercise Needs) where they are ranked according to each statement, then it goes in-depth of these categories, their temperament, and anything special I need to know about these dogs. It's a life saver!

I went back to dogtime.com and did more research on the French Bulldog and the English Bulldog, because I had gotten confused as to where I discovered the link to the Boston Terrier. The Boston Terrier is still the top competitor. I do not feel compatible with the French or English Bulldogs, as well as the pomeranian who cannot handle being alone. BUT I still need to do my research on other dogs. I can't make this decision today. It would be foolish.

However, I will continue to venture on in my search for the right dog. Like I said, this may not happen for another year...but it will take a year to not only find the dog I'm looking for but to do all the initial ownership and vet responsibilities which I know will be costly...

Will someone please explain to me the new ownership and vet procedures when you first adopt a pet, preferably one you get as a puppy, and how much it will cost? THANK YOU!

Lark, I'm going to repeat something said to me during the Great Horse Hunt. The right dog will be out there when the time comes.

I know, but I don't want to go about this lightly.

I just did some math with my *hopefully* new job, this may not even happen for another THREE YEARS :_(

I am really bummed. I mean, I'll only be 26 so it's not like I'll be withered and pruny, but for someone who you know has impulsive characteristics, I can't really fathom waiting for such a long time. But my top priority is to buy my first car which will be done in roughly a year. Kindness mentioned I should save up $20k, but my parents said different. So who knows what will happen after that first year. I think I should go with kindness' suggestion, because I don't rush into an apartment and be struggling to live month to month. If I had $20k, I'll have enough money to buy the things I need as well as what I want. And who knows, maybe that $20k involves a puppy as well, surely I won't use every penny of that $20k.

*sigh* If my house wasn't a circus enough with three animals plus fish, maybe I'd get my dog a little sooner.

There are usually at least some young puppies at shelters, some born there when the pregnant mom is brought in.

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I don't want a shelter dog period.

Gotcha.

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