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.

On Sun, 8 Feb 2009 13:24:15 -0800 (PST), 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.


are you wanting a small dog because you can't pick up a bigger dog?
or because you are afraid it will pull? (that's fixed with early
training)

any dog you get will have to be trained.

why do you want the dog to go in the house and not outside?

Nessa
--
trying to be the best human she can,

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.


A dog that tiny will be quite delicate and the only ones that small that
I have known personally (3 over the many years) had numerous health
problems and were never fully housebroken - there were tons of
"accidents" in various locations throughout their owners homes.

Given your circumstances, perhaps a cat might be a better choice. Small
size, easily litter box trained, generally healthier than the average
stunted teacup dog, self cleaning (mostly - I have known cat who were
slobs). And while I have heard cats described as aloof, I myself have
never known one who didn't love a warm lap to sit on, and who didn't
respond to loving and petting with ecstatic purring and affectionate
headbutting.

Siamese and siamese crosses are among the most dog-like of cats. They
are readily trainable. Mine came when I whistled, loved car rides,
enjoyed being worn like a feather boa draped around my neck and would
fetch thrown pencils and paper wads. Downside? Very vocal cats, with
really loud, annoying voices. No worse, though, certainly, than a small
yappy dog.

Cats are also easily exercised indoors, and are endlessly entertained
(and entertaining) by the cheapest of toys. A piece of string, a paper
grocery bag, a peacock feather.

I went to Petsmart today to buy a betta fish and they were having an
adoption event. There was a gorgeous blue lynx point girl, an adult,
who broke my heart. I love my dogs but I miss having cats, too. She
came to the front of her cage when I called to her and she chirped at me
hopefully and rubbed against the fingers I held through the bars. If my
husband and both kids weren't horribly allergic to cats she and her big
blue eyes would have come home with me then and there.

I know this probably isn't what you wanted to hear but I hope you might
keep an open mind and an open heart.

On Feb 8, 11:59*pm, Kathleen wrote:
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.

A dog that tiny will be quite delicate and the only ones that small that
I have known personally (3 over the many years) had numerous health
problems and were never fully housebroken - there were tons of
"accidents" in various locations throughout their owners homes.

Given your circumstances, perhaps a cat might be a better choice. *Small
size, easily litter box trained, generally healthier than the average
stunted teacup dog, self cleaning (mostly - I have known cat who were
slobs). *And while I have heard cats described as aloof, I myself have
never known one who didn't love a warm lap to sit on, and who didn't
respond to loving and petting with ecstatic purring and affectionate
headbutting.

Siamese and siamese crosses are among the most dog-like of cats. *They
are readily trainable. *Mine came when I whistled, loved car rides,
enjoyed being worn like a feather boa draped around my neck and would
fetch thrown pencils and paper wads. *Downside? *Very vocal cats, with
really loud, annoying voices. *No worse, though, certainly, than a small
yappy dog.

Cats are also easily exercised indoors, and are endlessly entertained
(and entertaining) by the cheapest of toys. *A piece of string, a paper
grocery bag, a peacock feather.

I went to Petsmart today to buy a betta fish and they were having an
adoption event. *There was a gorgeous blue lynx point girl, an adult,
who broke my heart. *I love my dogs but I miss having cats, too. *She
came to the front of her cage when I called to her and she chirped at me
hopefully and rubbed against the fingers I held through the bars. *If my
husband and both kids weren't horribly allergic to cats she and her big
blue eyes would have come home with me then and there.

I know this probably isn't what you wanted to hear but I hope you might
keep an open mind and an open heart.

chiuaua's can be litterbox trained. The only thing with wanting a
small breed dog, they can have more health problems. Toy poodles are
supposed to be under 10lbs.

I do agree with the oriental/siamese cat suggestion. They are very
vocal, talk to you like some dogs do ;o)

Tracey K wrote:

On Feb 8, 11:59 pm, Kathleen wrote:

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.

A dog that tiny will be quite delicate and the only ones that small that
I have known personally (3 over the many years) had numerous health
problems and were never fully housebroken - there were tons of
"accidents" in various locations throughout their owners homes.

Given your circumstances, perhaps a cat might be a better choice. Small
size, easily litter box trained, generally healthier than the average
stunted teacup dog, self cleaning (mostly - I have known cat who were
slobs). And while I have heard cats described as aloof, I myself have
never known one who didn't love a warm lap to sit on, and who didn't
respond to loving and petting with ecstatic purring and affectionate
headbutting.

Siamese and siamese crosses are among the most dog-like of cats. They
are readily trainable. Mine came when I whistled, loved car rides,
enjoyed being worn like a feather boa draped around my neck and would
fetch thrown pencils and paper wads. Downside? Very vocal cats, with
really loud, annoying voices. No worse, though, certainly, than a small
yappy dog.

Cats are also easily exercised indoors, and are endlessly entertained
(and entertaining) by the cheapest of toys. A piece of string, a paper
grocery bag, a peacock feather.

I went to Petsmart today to buy a betta fish and they were having an
adoption event. There was a gorgeous blue lynx point girl, an adult,
who broke my heart. I love my dogs but I miss having cats, too. She
came to the front of her cage when I called to her and she chirped at me
hopefully and rubbed against the fingers I held through the bars. If my
husband and both kids weren't horribly allergic to cats she and her big
blue eyes would have come home with me then and there.

I know this probably isn't what you wanted to hear but I hope you might
keep an open mind and an open heart.


chiuaua's can be litterbox trained. The only thing with wanting a
small breed dog, they can have more health problems. Toy poodles are
supposed to be under 10lbs.

So I've heard. Two of the three sub-10 pound dogs I've known were chi's
and they were never truly housebroken. And these were dogs with
motivated, reasonably experienced owners. Plus, both had serious issues
with luxating patellas.

I do agree with the oriental/siamese cat suggestion. They are very
vocal, talk to you like some dogs do ;o)

I could have a conversation with Thai - get him chirping and prouting to
me. On the other hand, he sounded like a crying baby with a microphone
when he was unhappy.

On Feb 9, 7:39*am, Tracey K wrote:
On Feb 8, 11:59*pm, Kathleen wrote:





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.

A dog that tiny will be quite delicate and the only ones that small that
I have known personally (3 over the many years) had numerous health
problems and were never fully housebroken - there were tons of
"accidents" in various locations throughout their owners homes.

Given your circumstances, perhaps a cat might be a better choice. *Small
size, easily litter box trained, generally healthier than the average
stunted teacup dog, self cleaning (mostly - I have known cat who were
slobs). *And while I have heard cats described as aloof, I myself have
never known one who didn't love a warm lap to sit on, and who didn't
respond to loving and petting with ecstatic purring and affectionate
headbutting.

Siamese and siamese crosses are among the most dog-like of cats. *They
are readily trainable. *Mine came when I whistled, loved car rides,
enjoyed being worn like a feather boa draped around my neck and would
fetch thrown pencils and paper wads. *Downside? *Very vocal cats, with
really loud, annoying voices. *No worse, though, certainly, than a small
yappy dog.

Cats are also easily exercised indoors, and are endlessly entertained
(and entertaining) by the cheapest of toys. *A piece of string, a paper
grocery bag, a peacock feather.

I went to Petsmart today to buy a betta fish and they were having an
adoption event. *There was a gorgeous blue lynx point girl, an adult,
who broke my heart. *I love my dogs but I miss having cats, too. *She
came to the front of her cage when I called to her and she chirped at me
hopefully and rubbed against the fingers I held through the bars. *If my
husband and both kids weren't horribly allergic to cats she and her big
blue eyes would have come home with me then and there.

I know this probably isn't what you wanted to hear but I hope you might
keep an open mind and an open heart.

chiuaua's can be litterbox trained. The only thing with wanting a
small breed dog, they can have more health problems. Toy poodles are
supposed to be under 10lbs.

I do agree with the oriental/siamese cat suggestion. They are very
vocal, talk to you like some dogs do ;o)- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I think the cat suggestion is a great one!

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.

"Mike S." wrote in message
...

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.

And don't forget yappy. A friend of mine has owned nothing but Maltese for
the last 25 years, and every single one of them yapped all the time. OK,
maybe not ALL the time, but it got to the point that if they had more than
two at time, we didn't visit anymore. You can't shut them up. No matter
how often we visited, sometimes every day for months on end, including
overnight stays (if there was drinking involved) those dogs barked at us for
at least 20 minutes every time we walked in the door. They yapped if we got
up to use the bathroom. They yapped if we moved, period. Three yapping at
you is too much. They're cute, but, damn, that yapping near drove us nuts!

Phyrie

In article ,
Phyrie wrote:

"Mike S." wrote in message
...

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.

And don't forget yappy. A friend of mine has owned nothing but Maltese for
the last 25 years, and every single one of them yapped all the time. OK,
maybe not ALL the time, but it got to the point that if they had more than
two at time, we didn't visit anymore. You can't shut them up. No matter
how often we visited, sometimes every day for months on end, including
overnight stays (if there was drinking involved) those dogs barked at us for
at least 20 minutes every time we walked in the door. They yapped if we got
up to use the bathroom. They yapped if we moved, period. Three yapping at
you is too much. They're cute, but, damn, that yapping near drove us nuts!

I guess it's part genetics and part environment/training. The dogs you
describe sound to have issues with who's the boss and whose house is it.
That's more environmental than characteristic of any particular breed.

Our Maltese barks for a few seconds when people enter the house, when he
hears strange sounds, and as an invitation to play (all different barks,
of course - and different body language). So he can be yappy at times,
but it's not constant.

On Feb 8, 11:59*pm, Kathleen wrote:
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.

A dog that tiny will be quite delicate and the only ones that small that
I have known personally (3 over the many years) had numerous health
problems and were never fully housebroken - there were tons of
"accidents" in various locations throughout their owners homes.

Given your circumstances, perhaps a cat might be a better choice. *Small
size, easily litter box trained, generally healthier than the average
stunted teacup dog, self cleaning (mostly - I have known cat who were
slobs). *And while I have heard cats described as aloof, I myself have
never known one who didn't love a warm lap to sit on, and who didn't
respond to loving and petting with ecstatic purring and affectionate
headbutting.

Siamese and siamese crosses are among the most dog-like of cats. *They
are readily trainable. *Mine came when I whistled, loved car rides,
enjoyed being worn like a feather boa draped around my neck and would
fetch thrown pencils and paper wads. *Downside? *Very vocal cats, with
really loud, annoying voices. *No worse, though, certainly, than a small
yappy dog.

Cats are also easily exercised indoors, and are endlessly entertained
(and entertaining) by the cheapest of toys. *A piece of string, a paper
grocery bag, a peacock feather.

I went to Petsmart today to buy a betta fish and they were having an
adoption event. *There was a gorgeous blue lynx point girl, an adult,
who broke my heart. *I love my dogs but I miss having cats, too. *She
came to the front of her cage when I called to her and she chirped at me
hopefully and rubbed against the fingers I held through the bars. *If my
husband and both kids weren't horribly allergic to cats she and her big
blue eyes would have come home with me then and there.

I know this probably isn't what you wanted to hear but I hope you might
keep an open mind and an open heart.

Thanks but I already have a cat. He's sweet and gentle but it's just
not the same.