Help Choosing Dog Breed

i-digress

Hi,

I've wanted a dog of my own for ages, but am now moving to a place with a garden. I want to pick the right breed though, so that both of us are happy.

I'm 23 with a chronic pain condition, so I'd need a dog that would be content with around 30mins of exercise a day.

It's coat would need to be light maintenance, a light-shedding dog would be perfect.

I'd like it to be a good watchdog.

I'm at home a lot, due to my illness, so I'd like a companionable dog.

It would need to get on reasonably well with children and other dogs, as it would stay with my parents, who have both, when I go on holidays.

Any suggestions? I've looked online for the traits of different breeds, but I can only find a dog with some of these characteristics.

mymo

Have you looked at a Lhasa Apso?
I got one last summer as a companion for my other dog and she's great.
They shed little hair, although it is long and keeps growing so do need a bit of brushing, but the hair can be kept short by a groomer every 2-3 months.
They don't need a huge amount of walking, and do quite well playing around the house. They aren't yappy but are good guard dogs, and their size means you can lift them easy enough.(mine weighs about 6.5kgs)
If socialized any dog should be good with other dogs and kids, so long as kids are gentle with it you should be fine.
I find mine more cat like than a dog, she loves to snuggle up and chase balls of paper around the floor.
The only downside I have encountered is that she hates being alone, thats not a problem as we have another dog to keep her company.(you could always try adding another when the dog matures a bit or find a family member or neighbours dog you can borrow occasionally)
Also you could try adopting an adult, sometimes show people/breeders have adults they no longer show or breed.
Here's a pic of mine.

i-digress

Aw! She's gorgeous! It looks like the perfect dog for me, thank you very much

F-Stop

A Miniature Pinscher would tick pretty much all of those boxes. Tend to be aggressive towards small animals though, so no rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.

i-digress

Unfortunately I already have two lovely guinea pigs. I would never have a dog anywhere near them when they're out, but still I'll avoid dogs that are particularly aggressive towards small animals.

CreedonsDogDayc

there was someone on here before lookng for something very similar to what you are looking for and what I would 100% recommend would be a greyhound!!!!

Despite what people think, they are actually couch potatoes!!

They have short single coats, so a 2min brush with a slicker brush would keep the coat in great condition (also great for bonding).

Greyhounds are big dogs, which is always good for security.

They are great companion dogs, very affectionate, loyal, and cuddly! Such pretty eyes too.

Greyhounds are very easy going and get on with everyone, especially children.

With regards to getting on with small animals, like all breeds it depends on the dogs temperament. there are LOADS of greyhounds looking to be rescued, and if you went down this route they would be able to tell you how the dog gets on with kids and small animals.

Some interesting reading here about dogs with small animals
http://www.greytexpectations.org/smallanimals.html

and here on the greyhound
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyhound

star-pants

Greyhounds would surely need more than a 30min walk a day no?

I have two lhasa apsos myself - they're content with a 30 ish min walk per day, I try and play with them too, just throwing the ball down the hall even, little one legs it and brings it back.
I have a long term illness (chronic pain , possibly similar to yours) and thus can't do too much with them but most days I can manage the walk and playing indoors doesn't take too much effort, I get a cushion and sit on the floor and throw the ball down the length of the hall (ours is kinda long).

Toys like rope balls and things are great because mine actually throw them around for themselves half the time it's gas!
Now my eldest came from another family so she's very nervous and gets very barky with new people etc so I wouldn't she'd be too comfortable with people/other dogs. BUT if you socialise the dog enough it should be ok with other dogs and visitors etc.
They do love company so if you're there most of the day they'll be happy! They're not too fond of being left alone.

Daisy

Lily

CreedonsDogDayc

Nope, greyhounds would need less exercise than most dogs, two short walks, or one longer 30 min one would do. Similar to your dogs, some playing or ball throwing too will keep the dog fit, but greyhounds are happiest chilling out watching telly!

F-Stop

i-digress wrote: »

Unfortunately I already have two lovely guinea pigs. I would never have a dog anywhere near them when they're out, but still I'll avoid dogs that are particularly aggressive towards small animals.

They're great loyal pals and small so they can be exercised easily. But they were bred as ratters, so it is in their nature to go after small animals - and they are determined - a cage won't stop them for long.

TooManyDogs

I'd vote for a greyhound too, they are the ultimate couch potatoes! Just make sure you choose one that has been tested with small animals/cats, some rescues are able to test them and will let you know. Or there's plenty of greyhound/lurcher pups available in Ireland and bring it up with guinea pigs, sorted!

I minded a saluki greyhound when her owners were on holidays and she was the laziest dog I've ever minded, she didn't get up until 2pm, literally refused to get out of bed despite all the other dogs having been for a walk and everything! Then she went to bed around midnight but you had to drape a blanket over her or she wouldnt sleep!!! Hilarious

TooManyDogs

CreedonsDogDayc wrote: »

Nope, greyhounds would need less exercise than most dogs, two short walks, or one longer 30 min one would do. Similar to your dogs, some playing or ball throwing too will keep the dog fit, but greyhounds are happiest chilling out watching telly!

This is very true, if you think about it it makes sense, they wait in their runs all day and then are taken out to run a mile like the clappers and put back into their runs. So they're very happy with 2 walks of 15 mins or a 30 min walk a day.

Glowing

Greyhounds are fantastic family pets, and the most difficult part about excercising them is getting them off the couch in the first place!

THey're creatures of habit and routine, and are content to snuggle up on the couch with you all day. Unfortunately, shelters like Paws (www.paws.ie) are full to the brim with these misunderstood dogs. They're also quiet and never tend to pull on the lead for example.