In article ,
Jane wrote:
I want to get a small dog. It can't weigh more than 7 lbs full grown
(I have a bad back problem). I want a dog that I can train to go to
the bathroom in the house. I understand they sell special paper or
pads (Piddle Pads?).

I want love and affection. I want a dog that is friendly and
healthy. I know that certain breeds tend towards particular health
problems.

I was wondering what breed of dog might be best for me. I'd be more
than willing to get a full grown dog if it would be possible to
retrain it to go in the house instead of outdoors.

My husband is very sick. I believe that getting a cuddly dog will
help to make me feel a little better. I love animals and have always
wanted a dog. It wasn't practical until recently.


May I suggest the breed we settled upon: Maltese.

Meets your weight requirements.
Affectionate and even temperament, bred as a companion pet.
Sustainable as a house pet but happy to go outside. Does not shed.
Basically a healthy breed as long as the seller screens for the usual
genetic defects.

Only negatives: high-maintenance especially if you let the coat grow long.
Even after a "puppy cut" ours is brushed at least daily.

Little dogs seem to have more dental issues than larger ones. Be prepared
to brush the dog's teeth regularly. If you start when they are young, they
realize it's part of being a dog and don't fuss.

We got ours from a family who breed them on small scale. The mom lives
with the pups in an exercise pen which has a pad or newspaper on one end.
They watch the mom go there and learn, "hey, that's where you're supposed
to do it".

Before taking him home, we set up his "safe area" in an exercise pen just
like theirs. When he came to our house, he was already house trained at
3 months of age. All dogs have accidents, of course - especially pups -
and you have to be around to intervene and redirect if that happens; as he
got older the accidents stopped.