"tenplay" wrote in message
news:IvCbc.175812$po.984312@attbi_s52...
I posted the original query "looking for a smaller breed". Thanks for all
the helpful suggestions. What are your thoughts about choosing a pure vs
mixed breed? I would like to rescue a dog from the local pound if
possible.
Almost all the dogs there are mixed breeds. We are not looking for a show
dog but rather just a good companion. I loved my poi (cannot see any
particular breed in the dog) dog, which looked more like a calico cat. I
assume that the pound makes sure that the dogs have their shots and are
relatively healthy. Thanks for any suggestions.

I think mixes are wonderful. At least my personal experience of them, and
that of everyone else I know with them, has been great. As for what the
shelter will do, each is different. Most of them will vaccinate and
spay/neuter the dog prior to adoption. That's not a guarantee of a full
physical though. If you want to be relatively certain of the dog's current
health then you will likely want to consider going to an all-breed rescue
group. Check www.petfinder.org

--
Tara