Maybe I need to be more specific. My husband is dying. He is the
love of my life and I just don't know what I'll do without him.

The only thing I've always wanted, which he didn't, was a dog. I
think that having a dog will help me through the worst times to come.

I need a small dog because it would be impossible for me to take a dog
for long walks and exercise. I have constant, chronic back pain along
with two bad knees. A small dog could get the exercise it needed
running up and down the stairs in my house. I'm not saying I wouldn't
take it out, of course I would, I just couldn't give it the exercise
it would need outside.

Same problem with going out to the bathroom. Most of the time I
could probably take it out right in front of my condo, as long as I
picked everything up. However we get lots of terrible weather and
sometimes, for months at a time, my front steps are covered with ice.
I think the best solution is to train it to go indoors.

Finally, because of my back pain I can't lift anything heavier than 7
lbs or so without chancing a back spasm.

I've had cats. I have one now. He's a gentle, wonderful animal, but
a cat just doesn't give the kind of love and affection that I'm going
to need.

I realize that small dogs have many health issues. I was thinking of
a toy poodle, a papillon or a teacup yorkie. I'd like to know the
pros and cons of each.

thanks again.

Jane said in rec.pets.dogs.health:

I realize that small dogs have many health issues. I was
thinking of a toy poodle, a papillon or a teacup yorkie.
I'd like to know the pros and cons of each.

First, avoid "teacup" anything - if a trait like size isn't part
of the breed standard then the breeder has likely been breeding
specifically for that trait--usually over just a few
generations--and has paid little attention to the many other
facets which make the dog a good companion.

I know a lot of Papillons - their exercise requirements are more
than what you mention you're capable of.

My experience with Toy Poodles is minimal. My family had
miniatures and I've met plenty of standards. If you can find a
good breeder (http://dogplay.com/GettingDog/checklist.html), a
toy poodle may be OK, but I'd talk to the breeder about exercise
needs.

The only breed I've ever heard referred to as an indoor
exerciser is the Italian Greyhound. I'm sure that someone who
knows them better than me will jump in.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

"Jane" wrote in message
...
I realize that small dogs have many health issues. I was thinking of
a toy poodle, a papillon or a teacup yorkie. I'd like to know the
pros and cons of each.

If the upfront price is manageable for you, I suggest that you find a
responsible breeder of one of the toy breeds and buy a dog or puppy there.
They may even have an older dog that would fit your needs. Any of them
could be trained to use the pee pads.

I would suggest that you avoid anybody calling their dogs "teacup". There
is no real "teacup" version of any breed. It just indicates that the
breeder is trying to make an extra buck by selling a designer version. In
any breeding, there are many issues for a good breeder to consider. One
that is making an extreme size a priority has to not place as much weight on
something else. With most toy breeds having some types of health issues,
you want to find someone who is making health the primary consideration.

I suggest going to a breeder because I think that in your situation you want
to be sure that the dog doesn't have any unnecessary problems that you could
avoid with some upfront care in selection - both of the dog and the breeder.

Pros and cons of the individual toy breeds are pretty much similar between
the breeds. Most of these breeds were created to be exactly the type of dog
that you are looking for. The question is - which of the toy breeds tugs at
your heart? For me, I love papillons. And I have seen some absolutely
adorable yorkies. Poodles just don't do it for me - but that's just me. I
have never met a chihuahua that I could stand. But obviously they have
their fans.

Is it possible for you to get to a dog show in your area? A day spent
there - and I know it may be difficult for you to orchestrate it - would be
invaluable to you to help you decide which breed most appeals to you. You
can also - but just not as they are going into the ring - talk with the
owners and handlers there and find out more about the breed. What about
contacting a kennel club in your area? They may have breeders in their
clubs who would be able to talk with you and help.

Good luck.

Judy

"Jane" wrote in message
...
Maybe I need to be more specific. My husband is dying. He is the
love of my life and I just don't know what I'll do without him.

The only thing I've always wanted, which he didn't, was a dog. I
think that having a dog will help me through the worst times to come.

I need a small dog because it would be impossible for me to take a dog
for long walks and exercise. I have constant, chronic back pain along
with two bad knees. A small dog could get the exercise it needed
running up and down the stairs in my house. I'm not saying I wouldn't
take it out, of course I would, I just couldn't give it the exercise
it would need outside.

Same problem with going out to the bathroom. Most of the time I
could probably take it out right in front of my condo, as long as I
picked everything up. However we get lots of terrible weather and
sometimes, for months at a time, my front steps are covered with ice.
I think the best solution is to train it to go indoors.

Finally, because of my back pain I can't lift anything heavier than 7
lbs or so without chancing a back spasm.

I've had cats. I have one now. He's a gentle, wonderful animal, but
a cat just doesn't give the kind of love and affection that I'm going
to need.

I realize that small dogs have many health issues. I was thinking of
a toy poodle, a papillon or a teacup yorkie. I'd like to know the
pros and cons of each.

thanks again.

You might consider an indoor lawn. Here is an example:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/f...or-lawn-024584

For a small dog, you could probably make a frame about 2 ft x 6 ft from
pressurized treated lumber, and maybe even have it on a raised platform to
make it easier to maintain, while providing storage area underneath. You
could start with a layer of gravel, then some topsoil, and some sod. It
would need plenty of sunlight, or you could have gro-lights installed. You
could even grow some flowers. It would be more natural for the dog to go on
real grass and dirt. And an indoor lawn and garden can be very helpful if
you are stuck inside. Growing live plants can be therapeutic.

Some other links:
http://www.helpfulgardener.com/container/2003/
http://www.essortment.com/all/indoorvegetable_rhar.htm
http://standupgardens.com/index.htm
http://www.urbangardeninghelp.com/indoor.htm

Here is a link for "dog grass" which is designed for indoor potty use by
dogs:
http://www.patiopark.com/turf.htm

And a discusion of indoor dog potty options:
http://www.thehousebreakingbible.com...ty-options.htm

I think you should also have someone take the dog out for a real walk at
least a couple times a week, or perhaps you could manage it when the
weather is good.

My neighbor has a Papillon named "Bug", and he is a very nice dog. He's a
bit scared of Muttley, but he's only about as big as Muttley's head, so no
wonder!

I realize that your back problems may restrict your ability to make or
maintain some of these options, and I can sympathize because I have spinal
stenosis and sciatica. I have had some relief by getting anti-inflammatory
injections along with lumbar traction, stretching exercises, and a home
TENS unit. There are many non-surgical as well as minimally invasive
surgical techniques that you may want to investigate.

And, finally, I am sorry about your husband. I have known many people who
have had to deal with the illness and death of a spouse, but there are
support groups, discussions, and programs that can help. In the Baltimore
area, there is www.friendsofmercy.org.

Paul and Muttley

On Feb 13, 12:39*pm, Rocky wrote:
Jane said in rec.pets.dogs.health:

I realize that small dogs have many health issues. *I was
thinking of a toy poodle, a papillon or a teacup yorkie. *
I'd like to know the pros and cons of each.

First, avoid "teacup" anything - if a trait like size isn't part
of the breed standard then the breeder has likely been breeding
specifically for that trait--usually over just a few
generations--and has paid little attention to the many other
facets which make the dog a good companion.

I know a lot of Papillons - their exercise requirements are more
than what you mention you're capable of.

My experience with Toy Poodles is minimal. *My family had
miniatures and I've met plenty of standards. *If you can find a
good breeder (http://dogplay.com/GettingDog/checklist.html), a
toy poodle may be OK, but I'd talk to the breeder about exercise
needs.

The only breed I've ever heard referred to as an indoor
exerciser is the Italian Greyhound. *I'm sure that someone who
knows them better than me will jump in.

From my experience, the main reason IGs may be referred to as indoor
exercisers (though I've never heard that) is because they run, jump,
climb, leap and do it all over again wherever they are. Also, they
generally don't like the cold weather, so many are trained on pee
pads. Smaller IGs - and 7 lb. max is a smaller IG - *may* be able to
get the bulk of their exercise indoors, but they are also fairly
fragile and broken bones are not uncommon. Keep in mind that these
are sighthounds, and even the little ones love to run. They are also
very active dogs. My own 18 month-old IG, who admittedly is
oversized, tore off after a squirrel this morning like you would not
believe, and this a month after he had one attached to his head. I
definitely would not recommend an IG as indoor-only or indoor-mostly
dog.

Mustang Sally

"Jane" wrote in message
...
Maybe I need to be more specific. My husband is dying. He is the
love of my life and I just don't know what I'll do without him.

The only thing I've always wanted, which he didn't, was a dog. I
think that having a dog will help me through the worst times to come.

My parents had a Lhasa apso for 17 years. My Dad was confined to a wheel
chair and required a lot of care so the dog was seldom walked and was never
the worse for it. I've never been a big fan of small dogs but "Watson" was
the perfect low maintenance dog for them.

http://www.dog-names.org.uk/lhasa-apso.htm

wrote in message :

From my experience, the main reason IGs may be referred to as indoor
exercisers (though I've never heard that) is because they run, jump,
climb, leap and do it all over again wherever they are.

The IGs I've known have been fun little dogs, very into bouncing off
everything. Comes with rocket boosters, near as I can tell.

Aren't there specific breeds of cats that are more dog-like? Would that be
a better fit for the OP, given all the constraints?

Suja

Suja wrote:

Aren't there specific breeds of cats that are more dog-like? Would that be
a better fit for the OP, given all the constraints?

Absolutely.

A Maine Coon would definitely be bigger than
7 pounds, but would have the personality that
she's looking for.

As would an Abbyssinian....in a completely
different way.

I'm not thinking finding the right dog for
this situation is going to go all that well.

The only thing I could think of is if she
signs up with *every* toy rescue she can
think of with her criteria and hope that they
both come up with an adult dog that matches
it and that she is high enough up on their
waiting list to get the dog when it comes up.

Otherwise, there are plenty of cats that are
rather dog like. Especially if you put the
time into bonding. Plus, the lack of
socialization that will be happening here
wouln't cause an obnoxiously yappy cat.

Suja wrote:

wrote in message :


From my experience, the main reason IGs may be referred to as indoor
exercisers (though I've never heard that) is because they run, jump,
climb, leap and do it all over again wherever they are.


The IGs I've known have been fun little dogs, very into bouncing off
everything. Comes with rocket boosters, near as I can tell.

Aren't there specific breeds of cats that are more dog-like? Would that be
a better fit for the OP, given all the constraints?

Well, yeah, siamese, which is what I advised, but the OP already has a
cat and thinks a dog will help her cope with her terminally ill husband.

The thought of any dog in the circumstances she describes worries me,
especially absent any sort of safety net if everything suddenly goes all
pear-shaped.

"Suja" wrote in message
...
Aren't there specific breeds of cats that are more dog-like? Would that
be a better fit for the OP, given all the constraints?

If I want a dog, telling me that I should want a cat isn't going to work.

I like cats. I have had cats that were cuddly and outgoing and even did
tricks.

But they were never close to a dog in my heart.

Judy