Which beeed for me?

[KCalifornia]

Hi all. This is my first post here. Currently, I'm a high school student looking for a companion. My parents aren't too crazy about dogs and I'm not really sure if we're going to get a dog but I would still like to know the ideal breed for me anyways. I plan to work at my local shelter for a year + just so I can really know what I'm in for if my family does decide to get a dog. I don't what to be one of those bratty teens who gets sick of their dogs. I really do love animals and if I had a dog, I would give it my full attention. I've wanted a dog for years now. Maybe like 3+ years. I recently had a hamster 2 years ago and I got sick of it and readopted it after a year. A hamster does not compare to a dog though... I was looking more for a companion not an exotic animal. I just hope I'm able to handle the responsibility of a dog.


Anyways, enough about me. Here's what I'm looking for:

Size:
A small dog... but not teacup small. Like a French bulldog or Aussie 15-25 pounds.

Behavior:

A Chill, laid back dog.

Is calm in the house. My mother is really organized and she is proud of the house the way it is. We can't have a destructive hyper dog.

A dog that doesn't bark much

I have no other pets but there is a 8 year old in the house, and I have little cousins who love dogs. So the dog has to be good with kids.

Grooming:

A dog that doesn't shed much. Very little- no shedding is a MUST. Again, we would like to keep our house relatively neat and tidy.
Good for a first time owner (so not too much extra maintenance/ not many health problems.

Exercise:

The dog will get some exercise, but I would like it to be happier cuddling. I'm pretty lazy so I want a dog that I can just sit with. So pretty low energy level.

I plan to walk on the trail behind my house, play fetch in the yard, and maybe run around in the nearby field from time to time. But that's pretty much it. Just basic exercise and basic training is all my family and I care for.

Time:
Well, everyone in the family is at work and school from 8:00am-4:00pm... so the dog can't be too time consuming. It should be pretty independent, but still greet me when I come home.

On weekdays, We have maybe 1 hour of free time in the afternoon for walks, training etc. We also sit in the living room for a good hour at night time from like 8:30-9:30pm. During that time we could play fetch by throwing a dog toy down the hall or something like that.

Climate:
Over here it's warm in the summer, and cold in the winter. Nothing too bad though. It doesn't snow here also.


I hope I don't sound rude, or stubborn, or selfish. I realize my list is extensive.

For possible breeds, I was thinking something like a French bulldog/ Australian terrier mix? I get the laziness of the bulldog, but with the coat of a Aussie and sense I have a mix, I won't have to deal with the health problems bulldogs have. (Pushed in face, breathing problems, etc.) this is just an idea though.


Additional info:

My lifestyle is different and I'm still trying to decide if a dog is best for me... Or if I should wait until I move out. I mean 8-4, That doesn't leave me with very much free time. Plus I have homework too.

Is it practical to fit a dog in to a busy schedule? I know they are a lot of work, but I know so many class mates who have dogs and I'm just like... :O how do you make time?!

Some questions:

Weddings, parties, and other events come up almost every weekend (literally) What can we do with the dog when it's a busy Saturday night and we're out from around 12pm-12am? That does happen sometimes.

Does a dog really make it hard for you to keep your house clean? My parents are very big on cleanliness and 'maintaining their household' lol so that's a big thing I guess. I've seen houses that are filthy and that have that 'dog smell' and then there's my aunt. Her house is spotless. The carpet is bright white with no stains, all dog toys are put away, no sign of fur, and no dog smell at all. She has a single male Pomeranian.

Does your family like dogs? My family does not like dogs but I feel like I can't live without one. :/ I do need support for my family if we get a dog though. A dog is not a pet for a single teen.

How much does a dog cost? Initial startup, vet bills, checkups, toys, treats, ... Everything.

 

[richard123]

Yes, if your deciding to get a dog than firstly decide that you are able on not to take all responsibility of a dog. Dog needs proper care and training to grow up. Dog ia a lovable nature and will be you best friend forever.

 

[KCalifornia]

Yes, if your deciding to get a dog than firstly decide that you are able on not to take all responsibility of a dog. Dog needs proper care and training to grow up. Dog ia a lovable nature and will be you best friend forever.

Thanks for the reply. I decided not to get a dog because I will be going off to college soon. I'm also not ready to handle the just yet. BUT out of curiously, I would still like to know what dog is best for me. Any suggestions anyone?

 

[frostfell]

most small dogs are going to be very energetic in the house, even french bulldogs. you might go for something so small that even if they do charge madly around in zoomies they wont hurt anything. a tibetan spaniel or papillon are good choices there. a retired racer greyhound is another good choice, theyre calm, gentle, shockingly low energy for something that races, which surprises people, and their short thin hair means almost no shedding.

 

[Maxy24]

I don't think you sound like in a good position to get a dog. Having a dog when you live with people who dislike dogs is going to be very upsetting. It's one thing if they are just not "into" dogs, it's another if they actually dislike them.

Dogs are expensive. If you want a dog that doesn't shed you will also have to deal with regular professional grooming.

8-4 does not sound like a problem as long as you are willing to put in the time when you ARE home. That means taking the dog for a walk/play time in the yard even if you are tired when you get home. 12pm to 12 am is not gonna work unless you have someone willing to let the dog out or you're willing to run home and do it. My friend bought a puppy and this is the reason they ended up getting rid of her. They had events every weekend that completely ate up their time, they just didn't have time to take care of her.

Cleanliness will depend on the dog and your habits. The house will be clean if you clean it. But the dog will scatter toys and get wet outside and mud on his paws then bring it in unless you make sure to wipe his feet. If you get a puppy there will be accidents on the carpet and there will likely be some chewing and destruction, even with a small puppy. Smell again depends on how well you clean as well as how well groomed you keep the dog and what you feed the dog.


Based on your temperament requirements I'd suggest a Shih-Tzu. But you need to figure out if you really have the time, money, and living situation for a dog at all right now.

 

[frostfell]

oh crap thats what i get for skimming. yeah, OP, now is definitely not a good time. even if you get a hairless chinese crested who is an adult and pottytrained, if your family doesnt like dogs, they will FIND SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOUR DOG to complain about. best to wait until you move out and have your life lined up better, then get a breed YOU love, instead of one thats low profile that your dog-hating family can "stand"

 

[Opal]

Honestly, have you considered one of those hairless cats? I think they're called a Sphinx, but can't be certain. My cousin loved dogs as a child, but her mother had severe allergies toward them and not a ton of extra cash for training, dog walkers...etc. She got my cousin one of these naked kitties and they were best friends for 16 years. She was even able to take her with her through University (it's not as difficult finding a place to rent with a kitty as it is with a dog, of any size). They're really smart cats, she taught it a few tricks, including fetch. It was just like a dog, without most of the setbacks that come with canines. And my Auntie was a clean freak. Very nicely kept home. You would never be able to tell an animal was there if you didn't already know. My cousin's cat passed away several years ago and during the last few years, my cousin took her time and began researching dog breeds. She ended up with a Rottweiler who is very blessed to have such a considerate mom. She's out of school, has a permanent residence and a good job that allows her to care for the dog optimally.


In the future, when you're ready, I would encourage you to check out some rescue organizations. You may find a dog who suits you quite nicely!

Another thing I will mention, "hybrid vigor" is a subject of debate among a lot of dog enthusiasts. Because I don't want to derail your thread, I'll just say that you should look into the theory behind the statement and decide for yourself what "hybrid vigor" means.

** I just wanted to add: The breed of cat I mentioned is quite expensive and not a common breed, if I remember correctly**

 

[Laurelin]

I would not recommend a dog OR a cat to someone that 'got sick of' their last pet and got rid of it. A dog is wayyyy more work and a much longer commitment than a hamster.

 

[Dizzy]

Thanks for the reply. I decided not to get a dog because I will be going off to college soon. I'm also not ready to handle the just yet. BUT out of curiously, I would still like to know what dog is best for me. Any suggestions anyone?

I think this one meets all your needs:

Low shedding. Low exercise. Doesn't need company. Doesn't bark. Isn't destructive. Won't cry when you get sick of it. Good with kids.

 

[Oko]

I would not recommend a dog OR a cat to someone that 'got sick of' their last pet and got rid of it. A dog is wayyyy more work and a much longer commitment than a hamster.

This. It's a hamster. You barely have to do anything. How can you get sick of it??

 

[Linds]

I think maybe waiting until you are out of your house might be the best idea in this case, mainly because not having your family on board really makes things like this hard. What happens when you leave in a couple years? Is your family going to keep the dog you wanted to get or are you going to be able to bring him/her with you?

And, while all your wants in a dog aren't impossible to find, it does show a trend towards really not wanting a dog, or at least the whole dog. I think it could cause a lot of tension in your house.

While dogs aren't necessarily gross creatures they are dogs. They have fur, they have dander, they go outside and track mud in, they throw up, have accidents, they get excited etc.

If though I was going to suggest a breed I would say, even though it's way over your size limit, a retired greyhound racer might be a really good fit. But again, I'm not sure this is the right time to add a dog if you don't have your family on board.

But, you volunteering a shelter is a great idea. It will help you get a feel for the type of dogs you want and learn a little more. Just make sure to keep logic there and not be ruled by your heart and end up bringing home the wrong type of dog that will cause stress between you and your family.

 

[Laurelin]

In all seriousness a dog is a big time commitment for many years. Your average dog lives 10-16 years so its a big deal. I had dogs through college and it changes your lifestyle quite a bit as well as limits your ability to move to certain places (dorms, some apartments, overseas etc). There are some days where dogs are incredibly stressful. They are pretty high maintenance pets

As far as breeds I saw papillons mentioned and I think they would be a poor fit in general. In general they are medium to high energy, very Velcro and not in any way independent, they are very vocal and bark a lot and they shed some all year around. I get white hair on everything.

 

[Laurelin]

Also cost varies. Purchasing a dog could be free from the paper or a few hundred for a rescue or even 1000+ from a breeder. Vet bills can run pretty expensive depending. Shortly after I got Mia my dee dog needed surgery then emergency care over a weekend. That was around $800 in one weekend. Flea and Rick and heartworm meds are expensive at times. Training classes here (which is recommend for a new owner) are around $80 per six weeks. Not to mention brushes, crates, toys, food, bowls, chews, leashes, etc. some breed also require professional grooming every 6 weeks to few months.

 

[Beanie]

For possible breeds, I was thinking something like a French bulldog/ Australian terrier mix? I get the laziness of the bulldog, but with the coat of a Aussie and sense I have a mix, I won't have to deal with the health problems bulldogs have. (Pushed in face, breathing problems, etc.) this is just an idea though.

With a mix you really have no idea what you will get. I know plenty of active Frenchies, but assuming the Frenchie involved was lazy, there's no guarantee your pup would be lazy. There's no guarantee what the coat type will be, or what physical attributes will be or won't be passed along.

I agree with Dizzy.

 

[frostfell]

This. It's a hamster. You barely have to do anything. How can you get sick of it??

Exactly. its a hamster. you cant DO anything with it. you cant walk it. you cant play games with it. you cant really train it to do fun things. you cant cuddle it on the couch while watching tv. id get bloody sick of a hamster too, after about a week. but ill keep a DOG forever.

 

[noludoru]

I don't think you sound like in a good position to get a dog. Having a dog when you live with people who dislike dogs is going to be very upsetting. It's one thing if they are just not "into" dogs, it's another if they actually dislike them.

Dogs are expensive. If you want a dog that doesn't shed you will also have to deal with regular professional grooming.

:hail:

If your family isn't on board it isn't happening. You're going off to college soon - what are you expecting to do, rehome the dog when you leave? Or be able to afford a dog-friendly apartment? I had to work full time to afford my own place.

I think this one meets all your needs:

Low shedding. Low exercise. Doesn't need company. Doesn't bark. Isn't destructive. Won't cry when you get sick of it. Good with kids.

This. Harsh but true. Some days I wish I had one of these. . .

 

[Oko]

Exactly. its a hamster. you cant DO anything with it. you cant walk it. you cant play games with it. you cant really train it to do fun things. you cant cuddle it on the couch while watching tv. id get bloody sick of a hamster too, after about a week. but ill keep a DOG forever.

Uh yeah but my point is why would you rehome one?? They aren't even social animals...it's like rehoming a tiny fish. Just bizarre to me.

 

[*blackrose]

Uh yeah but my point is why would you rehome one?? They aren't even social animals...it's like rehoming a tiny fish. Just bizarre to me.

When my sister got her animals (she's been through birds, fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, and puppies...), she would loose interest after about a week and I was stuck caring for them. I rehomed them. Cleaning a cage and providing food and water is cleaning a cage and providing food and water...and when you don't want to do it, it's an annoying chore.

However, I LOVE my hamster. I can pick him up and cuddle with him whenever I want, watch him run around in a ball for my amusement, and he's super, super low maintenance. Like, I think my bettas were higher maintenance than he is. LOL Best pet ever. I actually really enjoy having a hamster and don't think I'll ever be without one. Which sounds silly, because it is a hamster, but...they're cool. Like a fuzzy fish, only without the water changes and you can touch it.

 

[stafinois]

Get a Furby! My daughter has two and they have a lot of personality.

 

[Oko]

Get a Furby! My daughter has two and they have a lot of personality.

I would not wish a furby on anyone haha. My childhood was tainted by that darn toy.