Looking for a Dog Breed that fits me....?

Question

Hey everyone.

I have had dogs in the past, and my old German Shepherd sadly, died a few years back.

I'm now looking to find a new companion. I need some help since I'm not too book smart on Breeds and Breed characteristics. I'm looking for a dog that is kind of laid back, preferably a smaller breed of dog. A dog that will lay up on you and cuddle, but still go on a walk a day or so. I do have a cat, that's really playful, and jumps around other dogs, she's fine with dogs. But the dog has to be OK with her too.

I'm looking for a dog that isn't very energetic, but mildly energetic is fine.

Some dog breeds I have in mind.. Pug, Yorkie, English Bulldog... DO these fit my requirements?

PS: I live in an apartment, which is why I don't want a high energy dog. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

You might want to look into a Lhasa Apso. We have one and it is the most laid backed dog we've ever owned.

A couple links about the breed below.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/lhasaapso.ht...

http://www.akc.org/breeds/lhasa_apso/

Answer 2

English Bulldog

Answer 3

I would recommend you Shih tzu dogs, lhasa apso, pekingese, chiuauia. But for me Shih tzu is the best. They're hairy, cute, sweet and they have long hair. You can view their pictures by clicking the links.

Shih tzu pix: http://www.flickr.com/photos/18351297@N0...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25214011@N0...

Lhasa Apso pix: http://www.el-minjas.com/lhasa-apso-than...

pekingese dogs: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images/Pekin...

Thanks hope you liked them. They're naturally housedogs and good watchdogs.

Answer 4

Here are a few suggestions:

West Highland Terrier

Shih-Tzu

Dachshund

Yes, a Pug would fit perfectly so would a Yorkie.

But choose whatever breed you desire... whichever breed your heart tells you to get. Maybe a mutt would do good...

Answer 5

some dogs that are good are:

pug

dashound

scottish terrier

any terrier  

Answer 6

i was thinking a pug while reading your question then i see its already one of your choices, that would suit you well

i also have in mind a jack russel they're small and generally laid baack they like to play and would run around all day once they see the great out doors perfect for when you go walkies they also make a good family pet to and they also have a really good temperment.

1)jack russel link... http://www.thebestofbreeds.com/catalog/i...

pekes are cute fun extremely laid back and perfect to cuddle up to will enjoy long walks and being in a flat i hope theres not many stairs as this is one tiny fellow =]

2)pekes (pekingese) link...

http://fashion-stylist.net/blog/wpconten...

good luck x

Answer 7

The only dogs I've ever had a hand in raising are an English Mastiff, Border Collie mix, and Golden Retrievers. Thus, my advice is going to be limited from what I've learned online and through anecdotes.

I've heard Pugs called "mini English Mastiffs," and while I certainly disagree, they do have similar components. You seem to want a cuddler, and I've read that Pugs are very attentive. As a wikipedia article puts it, they are "always at their owner's feet, in their lap, or following them from room to room."

I have seen them referred to as "rambunctious" and "spirited" little dogs. Is that okay? I don't think they'd be considered "energetic," but I don't think they're quite lethargic. "It is relatively inactive indoors and will do okay without a yard." A daily walk would be a good idea, because they're prone to obesity if they don't get some sort of exercise.

They're pretty easy to take care of. No fancy grooming or anything, so as long as you can stand the cute wheezing/grunting/snoring, you're good to go.

I've never known a Yorkie not to be energetic. I mean, they are terriers, and terriers were designed to be active and fearless. They can also have a lot of genetic defects, as can other purebreds.  

They're pretty hardy, though, I've read. While they want to be with you, a properly raised Yorkshire terrier isn't gonna be constantly underfoot or anything. They need their space, too.

But, they aren't nearly as laidback as the Pug. Yorkies are very active indoors, so they don't really need a walk a day.

English Bulldogs. . aren't they absolutely adorable? Like Pugs and other short-snouted breeds, they tend to have some breathing problems, so you can expect snorting and wheezing and snoring.

These dogs can vary a lot, though. While young, some English Bulldogs are very active, while others are always couch potatoes. (It's much the same with Mastiffs.) They're generally really inactive indoors, though, and they'd do best with a walk a day to stay fit.

Bulldogs can be pretty persistent, though, as well. While they're lovebugs, they're still notorious for being hardheaded, so if you're looking for a pushover, this isn't the dog for you.

As for some other breeds people are suggesting..

I would not recommend getting a Beagle. They're great dogs, yes, but not for everyone, you know? They are hound dogs. Most are going to bay; it's in their instincts. I mean, not all will, but most will, so if you're living in an apartment with other residents, you need to be aware that a yappy dog probably won't make them happy. (Oh, and on that subject, I've heard Yorkies to be yappy too, although I have no proof.)

Besides that, though, they're generally really friendly, loving little dogs. They've got stamina and intelligence. They're really pack dogs, though, so if left alone a lot, you might be confronted with a dog with separation anxiety -- which could mean a bored, anxious, destructive, howling pooch.

Since they've got the stamina and drive of a huntin' dawg (okay, I've watched The Fox And The Hound too many times..), they're gonna need good exercise. A brisk walk every day might not be enough; they also need a nice yard to romp in. Also, since they're hounds, they've got good noses and prey drive, so no off leash for these guys!

Lhasa Apsos are good dogs, but being in an apartment, they might not be your first pick. They were designed to be watch dogs, so you might have a barker! They've got a lot of personality.

They require regular grooming. They're generally pretty active indoors, though still should be walked.

Westies are known for sometimes being cat-chasers, as they originally chased rats and foxes. They usually only do it for the fun of it, but still, that might present a problem, unless your cat takes advantage of that to play. They're robust and cute. They're pretty active indoors, though, and should still be walked.

They might not be as quiet indoors as you'd like; they're undeniably active.

Shih-tzus are also excitable. They can be barkers, and are generally pretty playful and lively. They're not too active indoors, and so would be good with a walk a day. They require more grooming, are affectionate, and being stubborn, can be hard to housebreak.

Dachshunds are definitely little chasers, and can be pretty stubborn. They're known for digging. (They originally hunted badgers and other burrowers.) While they're very devoted to their owners, they can be standoffish to strangers. According to a study performed by the University of Pennsylvania, 20% of Dachshunds studied had bitten a stranger.

Some are laidback, and others are energetic. It's luck of the draw. They really need to be entertained and well-trained, because they tend to be very destructive when bored or ill-raised.

My neighbor has a Dachshund named Maggie. He doesn't have a fence, but lets her out a lot (while he is present). She's loyal, she's never run away; she isn't especially obedient, though. She yaps a lot to our Mastiff.

The Pekingese is known for being stubborn and "childish." They can be jealous, and are very difficult to train because they need to be swayed into believing that training is worth their time. They're devoted to one person, usually. They tend to be barkers.

Chihuahuas are very spirited. They can be difficult to housetrain and can be yappy. They're usually very jealous, and they really require extensive socialization as puppies because they often become dog-aggressive. I think this would be a poor match because tiny dogs are more prone to biting because, being so small, all threats are magnified. They feel the need to defend themselves, and a playful cat might frazzle a Chihuahua and result in an aggressive-defensive dog. Of course, a scrappy Chihuahua might go the other way and play right back, but I dunno about that. They also tend to be snappy around kids and such, because rambunctious kids are threats.

They're pretty active dogs.

French Bulldogs are cute. They're usually very friendly, merry companion dogs. They need a walk a day. Some are laidback, while others are hyper. They're "clowns," and are quite playful. Care needs to be taken to avoid dog aggression, which isn't too common, but still can happen. They're willful, with with patience, they can be trained.

They can be rather active indoors, and will play for a long time if they can get away with it.

I've never heard of a calm Jack Russell. They're very vocal and athletic, because they were designed to dig and bark. They are working dogs, and are high energy and quite intelligent, so they need to be kept occupied. JRTs can be stubborn and aggressive, so they need extensive socialization and a gentle home. They've got considerable prey drive, so you'd have to raise him to be gentle with your cat. They need a hard walk a day, and may require further exercise, or they'll become nuisances.

Scottish Terriers are surprisingly dominant little dogs. They can be moody and snappish, and it's recommended that you don't play games like tug o' war with them because they rise to challenges like that. They're stubborn and intelligent, so they need patient training. They tend to be loyal only to immediate family/owners. They can be playful and friendly, too.

They're active, so they need walks.

Although all dogs are, of course, individuals, you can usually expect the same things from terrier dogs: high energy, barks, digs, stubborn.

Of course, all puppies will be pretty high energy. If you really want a dog that you can rely on to be cuddly and relaxed indoors but still appreciate a walk, you'd do best to adopt an adult!

(The only puppy I've ever met who isn't is my own Mastiff.. he's fourteen months old and is content with a half-hour soccer game every day or twice a day, and he's happy to relax the rest of the day! He's perfectly fit, too.)

So anyway, I think that the suggestions that have been most appropriate thus far have been the Pug and the two Bulldogs.

Good luck!

Answer 8

you can have two dogs of the same breed and they can have opposite temperments.theres no guarantee on the energy level or cuddle factor of a breed of dog.go to the pound,dont breed or buy while the homeless die,i have two "mutts" i rescued from the humane society and they are smart,healthy,friendly and i cant believe that they were once on death row.

Answer 9

French bulldog :)

http://bp1.blogger.com/_uaYwgt90YUA/RjDN...

Answer 10

A Beagle!!!

Answer 11

The only thing I have to offer is I wouldn't get an English Bulldog if you are wanting a smaller breed.  They can get up to 50-60 lbs...

Answer 12

you could try a dog finder website

my favorites are

http://animal.discovery.com/breedselecto...

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

but there are tons more. just type in dog breed selector on google

after you find a breed you want you can get a breeder here

http://www.akc.org/classified/search/ind...

and you can get puppy information here

http://www.expertvillage.com/expert/396....

then just go to the bar to the left to select a category

good luck

PS yorkies are CRAZY. I would recommend a puggle