Any Dog lovers out there

I just have to find a small breed that doesn't shed alot etc, for allergies.

And small enough so my tiny self can carry it if it gets sick and needs to be taken to the vets, cannot carry a 60 pound dog lol.

I heard the the mutts are the healthest breed, pure breds always have some sort of problem usually with sickness, is prone to it more.

Mind you I had a pure bred black lab and she never got sick really, she went at old age at 13 or something like that, old for that size doggie, we were going to put her down but she went on her own of a heart attack when our friend who were vets at the time was on their way to my parents house. Sad day that was, at least my dad was with her when she passed.

Haven't had a doggie since, just my cat, but she is going to move in with my parents in January, again my guy has bad allergies...

When I was younger I had a King Charles and a Jack Russell and they got on really well together. The King Charles was older than the Jack and I suppose they looked out for each other. They also got on well with the 2 cats I had at the time. So it was like one happy family. They all played together.

I have since got another King Charles and I have 1 cat also and they are very close. It's so nice to watch them play and cuddle up together too in their beds. It's just so sweet. Charlies are very friendly dogs. But they can be very lazy dogs.

Sadgurl, greyhounds rarely get sick so you are not likely to need a vet beyond the routine shots/worming etc. If you can try asking a vet for their opinion on greyhounds and their likely health problems. You'll be pleasantly suprised as out of all the pure breeds they are the least likely to develop health problems or catch canine diseases.

As for exercise; greyhounds are sprinters by nature and like human sprinters a quick run every now and then is all they need. They do love the occasional long walk though but they are quite likely to trot along by your side demanding to be stroked as you walk . However as your neighbour said they are real couch potatos and are more than happy to lie around doing nothing if you'll let them

You really don't need a big enclosed yard for them to burn off energy in like you would with a terrier, lab or a collie. These three breeds are only a few generations from being pure working dogs where they were bred for brains, high energy levels and stamina.
Not suprisingly the dogs brought most often to the rescue center where I worked as vicious "biters" were these breeds with collies being the worst of the lot. Of course they weren't really vicious just bored and frustrated with all their pent up energy.
This is never a problem with greyhounds as they are bred solely to run short distances very quickly. Brains are not required for this and they are so dumb they never get bored . Lack of brains is a real benefit in dogs living in small spaces because they just don't get bored or curious and it makes them wonderfully placid and affectionate too.

Anyway if I haven't convinced you of the benefits of greyhounds why not think about the other smaller sight hounds? Whippets for example have many of the virtues of greyhounds in a smaller package. The only problems with them is that there is a smaller breeding population so inbreeding can be a risk with all the associated health probelms and they can be a little frail and timid compared to the good natured affectionate nature of greyhounds.

As for mutts you are right to say that they are amongst the healthiest dogs but they often have the same problems living in small spaces as pure bred working breeds ie. too much energy and so smart they get bored and cause problems or eat the furniture.

Pretty Green Eyes, I have no idea what a King Charles is. I've never heard of that breed of dog before. I'm going to have to look it up.

I don't mind if dog gets a bit wired as long as it's not 24.7.

I still have to do alot of research on breeds and what they are prone to sickness wise. The only reason why my boyfriends dog (the boarder terrier that passed) was sick is because she ate tin foil and since then had stomache problems, otherwise she was a fantastic dog. I'm still either set so far on that breed, or a minature dachshund. I know those breeds, and been around them. I think it depends with hyperness as well how much exercise the animal gets, how the owner treats the dog, and whether or not you train the dog.

I don't know what to do yet, I know that Jacks get hyper and jump around alot etc, but I haven't ruled them out yet. I don't want a boring dog that doesn't do much but lay around, I want a dog with personality, who will get along with other dogs since my sister has an australian shepard and the cats...

I'll see what happens... haven't made a decision yet...

King Charles are beautiful dogs. You should definitely look them up. They are very friendly. My parents and I say she's only short of being able to talk. She's a very clever dog. If she wants something she'll try get your attention and then walk over to where the thing she wants is and will sit there making little noises and wagging her tail all excited. She rarely barks. She'll only do it if something frightens her. We never leave her alone in the house. We're afraid someone will break into the house and take her away or hurt her.Unfortunately in Ireland this happens alot, people breaking into peoples houses and robbing the dogs. They try sell dogs like these.

I'm sorry to hear about your boyfriends dog Sadgurl. It's sad when you lose a pet isn't it?! They really are a big part of your life. We had to get our Jack Russell dog put to sleep because she was just too old. She lived to 17 years old. Her hind legs were failing on her and she could barely walk. The pain of seeing her trying to walk was unbearable. It really hurt. She passed away quietly in my arms. She didn't put up a struggle. I burried her with a necklace of mine, one of those chains were you get two parts. One part says best the other says friend. So I buried her with the part that says friend and I have the other. The part that says best. At the time I thought it was my way of remaining close to her. Has anyone ever done anything similar

I was with one of my cats when he had to be put down, our whole family was with him, we buried him in our rock garden with a blanket of ours. Same with our other pets, except for 3 of them, being 2 cats and a dog, we cremated our black lab.

I will from now on go with my pet when it's their time, I want them to see me for comfort.

It's always sad to loose pets, that's for sure. We've lost 3 dogs, 3 cats, a few birds, fish, and 3 gerbils....

I'm the kind of person that needs animals in my life all the time. I've had them around for 25 yrs, and so that's why now i'm bugging me bf to agree to a dog, more comfort for me, and they are great for mental health I think... Animals alway seeemed to help me in that aspect.

I did look up your breed of dog, very cute, however I haven't found any breeders save a couple in the Ontario region in Canada where I am from.

I'm not as picky breed wise for a dog, I'm not the one suffering from really bad allergies... and my poor guy suffers from every allergy pretty much lol.

I'm the kind of person that needs animals in my life all the time. I've had them around for 25 yrs, and so that's why now i'm bugging me bf to agree to a dog, more comfort for me, and they are great for mental health I think... Animals alway seeemed to help me in that aspect.

I know what you mean. I had a dog up until the age of 18 and then I was without a pet dog for 3 years. I've always had cats, but to me dogs have more of a pressence about them. My mam wanted a dog but my dad didn't. My dad was out of work sick so it meant that if we got a dog he would be the one looking after it. My mam looked after her mother during the day. But when her mother passed away, we both longed for a dog. I suppose it was in our way of grieving. One day I got a call from my mam saying she heard about this King Charles that was needing a new home. Afew days later we had a little puppy. I haven't looked back. I really can't imagine life without her. My mam used to bring her in the car to collect me from work when she was a pup. She is now a large version of a King Charles. She can't come with my mam anymore. I love coming home from work now. The second I get in the door,she is jumping up on me and licking me. It gives you a great sense of being loved. The dog doesn't know your bad points. Their love for you is unconditional. Is there anything that your boyfriend doesn't get allergies from, pet-wise? Is there any type of pet you can compromise on?

Dogs with short hair like jacks, border terriers he was ok with, as he had one for 13 yrs...poodles, but we do not want poodles...there are a few options, he just has to choose...lol.


I think it's going to be out of the 3, minature wiener dog, jack russel or a border terrier.

Good luck finding the right dog for you both

legacy wrote:This morning I had such a migrane I couldn't lift my head, If I opened my eyes it was all just bright colours, my baby boy came and jumped on my bed and laid on to p of the quilt but so close. I couldn't see and I felt so sick and scared, like my brain was going to explode, but he nestled his face under my chin and I relaxed and went to sleep and woke up tons better.

He's a rescue dog and was ill treated and very nervous, but really I didn't rescue him he rescued me, he gave me the need to g out, the confidence to try and the support to be able too.

To think they were once wild animals and now there is such a bond between humans and animals it's truely awesome.

With all my praise of greyhounds I kept forgetting the original point of this discussion.
There is an excellent book called "Creature Comforts: Animals That Heal" by Bernie Graham which goes into great detail about the healing benefits that come from spending time with animals of all kinds. It is worth reading if you are interested in learning more on this subject.