what is best dog for us

[bass_n_bob]

We lost our two dogs to old age in the past 3 years. Our yellow lab was my best friend in the whole world and our rescue dog helped change my life. Now we are both retired and are looking to get a smaller dog - maybe. DW likes the King Charles Spaniel but I'm concerned about separation anxiety and yipping when we leave the camper. A smaller dog would probably be best for us at this time. Appreciate your thoughts.
THX

[Pawz4me]

toedtoes wrote:
While I am very pro-adoption, I know that for some people, adopting is just not practical and/or effective. Mutts are great, but there is a reason there are so many different breeds out there - because people want different traits/personalities/etc. in their pet. If all dogs were mutts, they'd evolve into the same dog (this happens in areas with large feral/wild dog colonies - after multiple generations, the dogs start to lose the breed-specific features).

However you obtain your dog, do your research and don't promote bad breeding. Don't buy a dog from the guy down the street who lets his female dog get pregnant whenever he needs extra money; don't buy from the couple who think their dog is so perfect that they "just had to breed him", etc. Buy from the reputable breeder.

I totally agree.

Especially when looking for small breeds, it can be difficult to impossible in many areas of the country to find adoptable dogs who aren't old or don't have significant health issues. Not that there's anything wrong with adopting those dogs--I've done so myself several times. But if it's not what you (generic "you") are after, then by all means look for a good breeder w/o any guilt.

And I say that as someone who has been active in rescue work for over two decades. There is absolutely nothing wrong in seeking out a good breeder.

[nineoaks2004]

Dog Folks wrote:
No matter what breed you choose: Adopt....Don't shop.

X 2 all 8 of ours are rescues..And they are all great pets.
We take the three Chihuahuas camping with us, we do leave a TV going while we are out and they are quiet and of course glad to see Mom and Dad when we return. the 4 others are 2 Aussies, and two mongrels, they do their job and keep the place safe while we are gone. 1 stays in the kennel, my little Dixie Squirrel dog she wold not get along well with the big dogs and she is also an escape artist..

[rexlion]

Huey, Dewey and Louie asked the same question in "Ludwig Von Drake, Dog Expert". A classic Disney book from my childhood. Get a copy and see the answer!

[toedtoes]

While I am very pro-adoption, I know that for some people, adopting is just not practical and/or effective. Mutts are great, but there is a reason there are so many different breeds out there - because people want different traits/personalities/etc. in their pet. If all dogs were mutts, they'd evolve into the same dog (this happens in areas with large feral/wild dog colonies - after multiple generations, the dogs start to lose the breed-specific features).

However you obtain your dog, do your research and don't promote bad breeding. Don't buy a dog from the guy down the street who lets his female dog get pregnant whenever he needs extra money; don't buy from the couple who think their dog is so perfect that they "just had to breed him", etc. Buy from the reputable breeder.

[dvitale300]

We're dog people - breeders and showers. The absolutely best advice you've received on this thread is to go to a dog show (all breed) and stroll around, look at the rings, watch the dogs and how they react to and interact with their owners/handlers - and when you've narrowed things down a bit - talk to the dog people. They will be more than happy to spend time with you and give you the pro's and con's of their breed.

[gafidler]

Border Collies are the best

[toedtoes]

To clarify on my comment about the online breeder selections (I was at work on my phone at the time), I like the ones that provide a long list of dogs with percentages as to how well they fit your criteria. That allows you to "see" how the program evaluates the criteria (do they rate grooming requirements above energy level? etc.). Those breeds that are at the bottom of the list can be pretty much eliminated safely. Then you can pick and choose the breeds higher up on the list to research further.

The programs that just give you 1 to 5 breeds are usually way off and they tend to push less popular/common breeds that are hard, if not impossible, to get locally.

[Crowe]

No matter what breed you choose: Adopt....Don't shop.

Buy from wherever you want as long as you vett any breeder thoroughly. There are pros and cons to both but don't let yourself be guilted into buying from one place over another. There's nothing wrong with buying a well-bred dog, especially if you are looking for certain characteristics or to use it for a specific purpose.

'll be the contrary voice and say that I don't like online breed selectors.

Me, too. Buying the right dog is not black and white. You need to base it on any number of factors such as size, demeanor, social ability, personality style (i.e., laid back or bouncy), etc. I've had 3 Gordon setters, 1 bluetick coonhound, 1 bloodhound, and now two Springers. Loved them all in different ways. Right now the Springers are perfect but who knows what we'll pick next time around.

Labs are one of the best all-around breeds IMHO. Adaptable, loveable, friendly, usually good with all kinds of people, kids and other animals and usually easy to train. Some run very large, some not so big. Springers are great if you want a high-energy dog that's devoted and clingy. All dogs have inherent personality traits but almost any dog can be "molded" to some extent, especially if you get them at a young age. Go to a dog show and check out various breeds and see if one strikes your fancy. Can't decide? Go to a local shelter and look. Keep all of your options open.

[romore]

I love spaniels, DW not so much so. We have two toy poodles who could not be better travel companions. They take up little space, don't shed, and lay quietly until they need a pit stop when they get restless. One at 13 has gone totally blind and has started to cry when separated from DW who got her at 8 weeks. The other, a rescue, is pretty much deaf. We think she is a little older. They are both great with kids and strangers.
Both are showing signs of enlarged heart which is an issue with this breed, it presses on the trachea and causes shortness of breath. We will just keep loving and spoiling them as long as possible.

[usmohls2]

Dog Folks wrote:
No matter what breed you choose: Adopt....Don't shop.

2X

[guidry]

Our King Charles Cavelier loves to travel with us and camp. Never barks and is friendly but shy with other dogs. Great companion and loves to just lay next to one of us. Easily trained and well behaved.

[is_it_friday_ye]

We got Max as a stray. We were told he's a Havanese. Great camping dog. Doesn't bark much at all and loves rides in the truck.
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[Pawz4me]

I'll be the contrary voice and say that I don't like online breed selectors. I've not yet found one that doesn't give some pretty bizarre results. I've played around with several of them a lot, intentionally giving answers that should result in a certain breed showing up as highly recommended, and yet that breed wasn't one of the results at all. I always urge people to use them with caution, and to take the results with many grains of salt.

Along the lines of what ToedToes said -- when considering breeds I always recommend that people pay as much or more attention to the negatives of a breed as they do to the positives. The negatives are what make a dog hard to live with. Too many people just consider the positives and think those will outweigh any negatives, but it doesn't always work that way.

It might help if you told us a bit more about what you're after in a dog --

What does "smaller" mean to you?
Is shedding an issue?
How much grooming do you want to deal with, or do you mind having a dog professionally groomed?
How much exercise are you willing/able to provide? What type?
Do you prefer a high energy dog or one who is calm and laid back?
Do you have young children around often?

[gbopp]

Dog Folks wrote:
No matter what breed you choose: Adopt....Don't shop.

X2. Forget breeds. Go to a shelter, the right dog will pick you.

[jtfcons]

We have fell in love with the Rat Terrier. Vet's comment to us was, "I would go broke on taking care of Rat Terrier's".

Very smart, loyal, extremely personable, low grooming costs.

When our Scottish Terriers lived such a short time (Lymph Cancer, Cushings Syndrome) and we were heartbroken. DW has contact with a couple that have Rats and was impressed with the breed.

We now have a pair and love them.