The Perfect Dog

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Bichons will be a little on the bigger side usually close to 20 lbs. Our trainer said they can be tough to train. They are very sweet. Yorkies are small and delicate, I would wait until your two younger kids are older. Even though you may trust them, you can't know what their friends might do. I spoke to a toy poodle breeder that wouldn't sell her dogs to a house with young children. If they fall off the couch or bed (or get dropped while squirming out of a 5 year old's grasp) when they're puppies, they break something (or worse).

I would have suggested a Maltese, but somehow couldn't picture someone with your avatar owning a white fluffball. They are a very popular breed here, and they are supersweet. Again, careful on the size with your kids.

Emmy, I ended up with a mini-poodle because my allergy doc maintained they were the only true hypoallergenic breed. And my aunt who is terribly allergic to everyone's animals has no problem in my house...

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Does anyone know anything about
Bichon Frise or Yorkies?

Do NOT get a Bichon they are damn near impossible to house train.

The larger non-teacup variety of Yorkies can be very good family dogs. The teacups are fragile and hyper.

Have you considered a french bulldog? I just LOVE them. Ugly, gremlin looking things but have a big dog personality in a small body and they are good with kids.
http://simpler-solutions.net/pmachin...h_bulldog1.jpg

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Does anyone remember the little scrappy dog on The Osbournes named "Chicken?" Chicken is a Hairless Chinese Crested. They have some hair, but not much, mostly "bald," except on their heads/ears. The ones with absolutely no body hair in the shows/pics are usually shaved but if you leave them natural they get those cute scrappy patches. There is one breeder here on Long Island, I met her at a dog show. Her dogs are adorable if you like the "different" thing and don't mind having to put sunscreen on them... They do feel a little sticky when you hold them in the summer, but I considered getting one! They also come in a "powderpuff" version, with lots of hair, but I like the hairless ones

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Doesn't sound like you should get one as they are a commitment, however, consider

Beagles, Beagles and more Beagles ! Here's why:

Humility
The Gates of Heaven were guarded by St. Peter. Four canine friends approached and stood waiting for permission to enter. They were asked for an account of themselves.

The poodle was first and, leaping forward proudly, he said, "I am the showman, winning many prizes for my beauty. See how fine I am? There was none better than I in my prime. I was my master's pride and joy." He demonstrated his fine show stance.

Next, the Labrador, black and glossy: "I am the Field Champion, keen for the gun, never missing a bird. I worked hard for my master."

Then the German Shepherd, keen and alert. "I guarded my masters, keeping them safe. No strange foot trod the paths without my permission. They feared not with me around."

"And you sir," said St Peter, "come forward to me. What of you?" The dog replied, "I am a Beagle—maybe not so good, I confess. I pursued the cat, fell to temptation, and stole food. I forgot to return to my masters' call, leaving them to worry, then showed my disapproval at being left alone by chewing their shoes. Oh, and there was also my bad habit of barking at the garbage collectors...."

"But what did you give them?" asked St. Peter.

"What did I give them? I gave them light in their eyes and laughter in their voices."

St. Peter opened the gates and waved the Beagle through.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Dave,

The AKC website can be helful for narrowing down choices:

https://www.akc.org/breeds/chinese_crested/index.cfm

[chemteach Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chemteach]

There's also the Schnoodle - a cross between a schnauzer (sp??) and a poodle. A friend has one that is sweet, but maybe a little hyper.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

There is a reason why everyone is trying to improve their breeds with poodle

[VVTrader Member Find all posts View Profile Close VVTrader]

Flat haired retriever

There about 50-60 lbs, but that's a real dog not a slipper.
Get a female, I've had males and they don't listen (similar to the human species in that regard my spouse says).
Think long and hard though. What does this do to your timeshare life. We constantly have to figure out who is going to watch Matilda. We don't kennel her and are fussy about who we would trust with this beloved member of our family.
I sometimes joke that you could tease me or take a poke at me with out to much fear of heavy reprisal. You mess with Matilda and you better have your cemetary plot prepaid. But hey that's just how I feel.

[ohioelk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ohioelk]

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

I was strongly anti dog, but my wife and kids wore me down. I agreed as long as I picked the breed. One year of research later we got a Cavalier. They are wonderful, in fact now we have 2!

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

We have had two Old English Sheepdogs and they are the greatest!

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

miniature poodle.

I grew up with them. Mom knew a breeder and would wait for one that couldn't be shown. Tessa had an underbite and was the coolest dog I had ever met. Not a barker because we didn't teach her to bark (DO NOT let your kids teach your dog to bark!!) They are only foo foo if you make them that way. I prefer the puppy cut which is less embarrassing for everyone.

It's not well known, but poodles are hunters. I also found out on a camping trip that she was our protector, staying up all night, and growling when a creature came too close. They are playful their entire lives, and make good family dogs. They're big enuf that you don't have to put them in the car or on your bed, but small enuf that you can carry them when you have to. Ours were well travelled and were pretty clear about when they needed a pit stop. NOT accident prone: a poodle will not mess its bed.

They are smart, which is good, cuz I sure don't remember anyone in our household training any of the dogs, but somehow, they behaved (the standard poodles mom has now are a different story).

Ours were happy dogs and lived well into their teens.

Most dogs want to be with their people. When they don't get what they want, this is when destruction starts. Tend to your dog, and your dog will tend to you.