changing from large dog to small dog which one?

kkennedy

I have had dogs all my life and mostly GSD but now im getting that bit older have decided its time to get a small dog, the one we are thinking about are a maltese or a bichon frise.
What im looking for is a wee lap dog to come sit with me now the kids are older and i can pamper, i work nights so pup will not be home alone as kids are home at night and im here all day we live in country so have loads of land, does any one have any of these kind of dogs and if so which one would suit me better, thanks

Shepherd1

kkennedy wrote: »

I have had dogs all my life and mostly GSD but now im getting that bit older have decided its time to get a small dog, the one we are thinking about are a maltese or a bichon frise.
What im looking for is a wee lap dog to come sit with me now the kids are older and i can pamper, i work nights so pup will not be home alone as kids are home at night and im here all day we live in country so have loads of land, does any one have any of these kind of dogs and if so which one would suit me better, thanks

Sorry don't have any advice for you but will be watching this thread with interest as I will be you in about ten years.

We have a 20 month old gsd (our third) and she will be the last, by the time she goes to rainbow bridge I will be 50:eek::eek:
I love the breed but think by then I will be looking for a smaller breed.

Good luck

Person_one

kkennedy wrote: »

I have had dogs all my life and mostly GSD but now im getting that bit older have decided its time to get a small dog, the one we are thinking about are a maltese or a bichon frise.
What im looking for is a wee lap dog to come sit with me now the kids are older and i can pamper, i work nights so pup will not be home alone as kids are home at night and im here all day we live in country so have loads of land, does any one have any of these kind of dogs and if so which one would suit me better, thanks

Bichons are great little dogs, they are fairly low maintenance exercise wise, they love a good run around but are also perfectly content with a stroll around the block.

They are fairly high maintenance grooming wise, but their coats don't tangle as easily as the Maltese does as its fluffy rather than silky. Mine goes to the groomers for a haircut every 8 weeks and needs brushing every other day when the coat's short, every day when its longer.

They do tend to be quite independent though, they will come and sit with you when they feel like it, not when you do! All the bichons I've known have been happiest sat on a windowsill watching the world go by.

Kinski

I've got a Bichon and in my eyes they are fantastic wee dogs, Ellie is a rescue and has quite a few problems but even with them I wouldn't change her for the worlds, she is definitely a lap dog and likes nothing better than snuggling up beside me. I also know a Maltese who is a lovely we dog and spoilt rotten. Have you though about a cavvie or maybe a sheltie, I've got a sheltie as well and again they are brilliant dogs, I have in the past helped look after a cavvie and he again is a brilliant lap dog. The only down side for me with a Bichon is the grooming, they are meant to be done every 6/8 weeks, they also get very very mucky being so low to the ground, I try not to bath Ellie much but she looks like she's being neglected if I don't.

rising_from_the_ashes

Shepherd1 wrote: »

Sorry don't have any advice for you but will be watching this thread with interest as I will be you in about ten years.

Me too! DM's having the same problem - we've always had Labs.

Their current Lab is .... not old really but has cancer so is sadly unlikely to be an old dog IYKWIM.

She's now in her late 60s and a) doesn't think she could cope with a pup and b) doesn't think she's got the energy for a young, usually boisterous Lab!

Best of luck with your search.

gettingready

Oh dear.... I do not even want to think about that.. seriously.. love all dogs but no way I can imagine myself with a non-GS...hmmmmmm

Wrinkled old granny with a stick - with a GS on a lead.. that will be me in few years time

Pthree

Not to put a dampener on things but a neighbour (mid-60's) lost her Newfi/Lab cross about a year ago (wonderful dog, not entirely suited to living in a flat in East London but a very happy one till the end!) after much though and discussion with family etc.. they decided a smaller dog would be best and went for a Bichon X, lovely little thing it is too, but.......... she (my neighbour) is moaning so much about the amount of bending a small dog involves.

Bending to get the lead on and off, bending to pat and make a fuss her, the dog loves to sit on her lap but cant quite get up there by herself and my neighbour has now done her back in with all the lifting and bending and is struggling to walk the little one as the slightest tug on the lead is killing her.

The plus point is I am now on the walking rota till she's better

But something to think about!!

P3

gettingready

I always though would get an older rescue dog when it is time for Zara to go but - with 4 cats in here no way I could risk an adult dog.

Just have to make sure Zara" lasts "me for good few years now.. with her new bionic hip and the other hip to be done later on in a year - hopefully she will...

As I REALLY , I mean REALLY cabn not see myself with a small dog.. oh perhaps a dash hound... ermm No, not even that one. GS all the way

Kinski

Pthree wrote: »

Not to put a dampener on things but a neighbour (mid-60's) lost her Newfi/Lab cross about a year ago (wonderful dog, not entirely suited to living in a flat in East London but a very happy one till the end!) after much though and discussion with family etc.. they decided a smaller dog would be best and went for a Bichon X, lovely little thing it is too, but.......... she (my neighbour) is moaning so much about the amount of bending a small dog involves.

Bending to get the lead on and off, bending to pat and make a fuss her, the dog loves to sit on her lap but cant quite get up there by herself and my neighbour has now done her back in with all the lifting and bending and is struggling to walk the little one as the slightest tug on the lead is killing her.

The plus point is I am now on the walking rota till she's better

But something to think about!!

P3

Poor woman, my Bichon ( who is small for the breed ) can jump up on most things including our very high bed with no problem, I don't really need to bend down to her much. One thing to be aware of it that a lot of Bichon's come from puppy farms so be careful if you go for one, I usually advise people to get in touch with the breed club as they generally know who to avoid.

chris_n_tj

Another vote for a Bichon Frise. xx

Shepherd1

gettingready wrote: »

Oh dear.... I do not even want to think about that.. seriously.. love all dogs but no way I can imagine myself with a non-GS...hmmmmmm

Wrinkled old granny with a stick - with a GS on a lead.. that will be me in few years time

I know what you mean and in an ideal world I would have gsd my whole life but being realistic I know I will not be able to give one the exercise they need when I am old and it would not be fair on the dog.