Help needed to pick a new dog

Goodne

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice on getting a dog please. I lost my German Shepherd earlier in the year so I'm thinking of getting a smaller dog so that in no way I could compare to my last dog, but not a very tiny dog. Maybe a non shedding type that could be brought with me when visiting relatives down the country - I'm very anxious that a new dog would never have to spend time in a kennels if I'm away from home. Any advice very welcome

Hesh's Umpire

If you can at all, please consider rehoming a dog from a pound or shelter.

Goodne

I would love to rehome and I've been looking. God its so sad but there seems to be a huge amount of German Shepherds and other large dogs. I'm really adamant the any new dog would never have to be in a kennel, my last dog died after a stay in a kennel so if I had a smaller dog he could come with me or stay with a friend.

frankled

An extremely proud and happy owner for four months of a jack russell cross mixed with possibly corgi/beagle (much bigger than a normal jack russell). We got her from <snip>

Both of us have had dogs before, personally my experiences is with labs. Our new dog is low maintenance, extremely intelligent and above all- fantastic. For this reason I'd echo the above- go to a shelter and have a look, it can't hurt and you may get a small(ish) dog that ticks all of the boxes and more.

Goodne

Thank you for the replies. I've been looking and not finding online so I'm going to go visit shelters. I'm off on holidays in 2 weeks so I will wait until I'm back. Thanks again

cocker5

There are lots of amazing dogs, all sizes, ages, breeds, crosses, colors - in rescue centers up and down the country .. google some local rescue centers and visit a few .. tell them what you think your looking for and they should be able to help.

Lots of them may not have available dogs online.. they are more likely to update their Facebook pages daily .. so you can look them up there too

Best of luck

Eve2001

Goodne wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting a smaller dog so that in no way I could compare to my last dog, but not a very tiny dog. Maybe a non shedding type that could be brought with me when visiting relatives down the country

Bichons are friendly dogs, small but sturdy, and don't shed. Only inconvenient thing I can think of about them is they need regular grooming.

glencurtis252

Staffordshire bull terrier.. great dog and sounds size wise to what your looking for

Goodne

Eve2001 wrote: »

Bichons are friendly dogs, small but sturdy, and don't shed. Only inconvenient thing I can think of about them is they need regular grooming.

Yes I have been looking at them. So many poor dogs neglected, I'm going to try visiting the shelters first.

em_cat

Can’t really advise other than, adopt if you can, just be honest with the rescues. Wanting a “non” shed will limit you to a few breeds just beware that there are the en vogue designer breeds that claim to be non shed but in reality ever are. Also look into grooming costs and be aware that for some reason the Bichon & Poodle breeds tend to suffer from skin & food allergies and the testing and meds can be expensive. Also Toy breeds in general tend to need more confidence training to avoid anxieties and fear. I think it’s becasue people think they are so cute, fluffy and small they forget they are dogs.

There are breed specific rescues so look there if your thinking Bichon, Maltease, Shih Ztu etc.

sillysmiles

I would bring my dog with my to (some) peoples houses when I go visit. He's a black lab, he does shed but I try to give him a good brushing before we leave so the most of the loose hair is gone. As he's always inside anyway he's clean and I think that's the main part about taking them to someone else's house.

tk123

A dog is a dog and you'll surely compare to your old dog because it's just natural - it doesn't mean you love either of them less! I do it all the time with my two! So I wouldn't restrict yourself to a certain size for that reason alone.

Goodne

tk123 wrote: »

A dog is a dog and you'll surely compare to your old dog because it's just natural - it doesn't mean you love either of them less! I do it all the time with my two! So I wouldn't restrict yourself to a certain size for that reason alone.

I get what you are saying and its not my only reason for wanting a smaller dog, I'm hoping a smaller dog would be easier to bring with me and if the dog is not coming with me it wouldn't be a huge inconvenience for the dog to stay at my friends house.

aonb

Goodne wrote: »

I get what you are saying and its not my only reason for wanting a smaller dog, I'm hoping a smaller dog would be easier to bring with me and if the dog is not coming with me it wouldn't be a huge inconvenience for the dog to stay at my friends house.

a small dog to bring visiting makes sense. or a medium dog!
As mentioned, the shelters are just bursting at the seams, and you get an instant friend, without the hassle of training and rearing a puppy:)

em_cat

aonb wrote: »

a small dog to bring visiting makes sense. or a medium dog!
As mentioned, the shelters are just bursting at the seams, and you get an instant friend, without the hassle of training and rearing a puppy:)

I agree small dogs are easier to take places, not sure about the instant friend though. I love our rescue, but he’s hard work compared to all the puppies I’ve ever reared & trained. Also I have to say sometimes I miss the bear cuddles of a large dog.