Choosing a dog

amibovvered

GwylimT wrote: »

Lots of breeds don't shed.

The OP specifically mentioned bichons and schnauzers. I've had schnauzers all my life, and Person One above mentioned having bichons all her life. They only 'don't shed' if you groom them regularly and have them trimmed regularly. Our first schnauzer, acquired in 1967, was chosen on the basis of not shedding. As novice dog owners then it was some time before we realised there was quite a lot of work needed to make them 'not shed'!

Person_one

amibovvered wrote: »

The OP specifically mentioned bichons and schnauzers. I've had schnauzers all my life, and Person One above mentioned having bichons all her life. They only 'don't shed' if you groom them regularly and have them trimmed regularly. Our first schnauzer, acquired in 1967, was chosen on the basis of not shedding. As novice dog owners then it was some time before we realised there was quite a lot of work needed to make them 'not shed'!

I think its a reasonable shorthand. I'm badly allergic to most breeds of dog and the ones that I can live with are all the breeds that have constantly growing hair rather than proper doggy fur. They do shed a bit, just like I lose a few hairs from my head each day, but they don't lose hair and spread allergens in anything even remotely approaching the amount that most breeds do!

Yes, grooming is a lot of work and cost if you pay someone to clip them and should definitely be considered when deciding on what breed to get, but I don't disagree with the description of bichons and schnauzers as non-shedding breeds.

trixie73

We have a 2yr old mini Schnauzer and wouldn't be without him. He can be very boisterous and is completely bonkers, but he makes us laugh everyday. He's also very loving though and loves to be sat close to anyone who will have him. As I type this,he's snuggled up to hubby on the sofa,even though he was never gonna be allowed on furniture

bugslet

toffeentom wrote: »

I guess best for our house and lifestyle? Average sized house with garden. We all love pets. don't want a big dog. Want a dog that is easy to train. Loveable. doesn't shed. not bothered about the cost of maintaining coat etc. average exercise needed. full of fun.

Another mini owner here. One died earlier this year and her half sister is here with me now, snoozing in the office. I don't know about Bichons, but schnauzers fit the bill. I don't think they shed, but then again, I've always had a spitz as well, which is basically a moulting furball on legs, so any other breed is an amateur when it comes to shedding. Schnauzers are reasonably energetic, but good at inertia as well;), mine were good at the basics and just a very easy dogs to be around.

Ilona wrote: »

The best breed are rescue dogs. IMO people who breed dogs for money should be closed down. Sorry, you don't want to hear that, but it's how I feel. The rescues are full of unwanted dogs.
Ilona

Well it's a free world, Ilona, but personally I like a definite breed. I tend to get a rescue then a pup and continue like that. My Giant Schnauzer came from a very reputable breeder, who puts a lot of effort into making sure her dogs have good blood lines and are healthy. If anything goes wrong, then I'll ring her up for either advice on any issues or horror of horrors, re-homing.

I think there has to be balance.

anto164

How about getting a rescue dog - 7-8 years old so it's best of both worlds!

tooldle

I have a mini schnauzer, who is almost two. He doesn't shed. We keep his hair short, hence only need to brush him every few days.
He is great fun. Needs 45min walk daily, and enjoys a much longer run at the weekends. He was fairly easy to train, but can be stubborn at times. He loves a cuddle, and playing with other dogs. My neighbour has Bichon's who are very vocal. Further down the street are two more Bichons. These are also vocal, and snappy with it.

elsien

I'm surprised anyone bothers coming on here any more to ask for information about breeds and puppies.
They either get cross-examined about whether they've thought enough about what a puppy involves, or they get told to forget about a breed and get a rescue.
I appreciate this is all well meant because poster want owners to be aware of what they're taking on but the people coming on here are concerned enough to ask because they want to get it right. So a couple of pages of people generally telling them they've not thought it through is probably enough to send the OP running for the hills and not bothering to come back. Which is a shame when they've made the effort to ask the question in the first place.
There's a balance between getting a point across and scaring people off and on this issue I think it too often goes the wrong way.

And I will declare an interest in that my last 3 dogs have been a specific breed. And also rescues. But I'm not knocking anyone who decides they want a puppy if they've done their research to avoid the puppy farmers.

GBNI

I'm biased as I have a mini schnauzer, she's 15. Best dog I'll ever own. She's stubborn, she's grumpy, she's vocal. She takes up more room in the bed than you could ever imagine. But she's my best friend, my little side kick. I'll be lost when she goes.
Schnauzers are a funny little breed. I find they interact with other schnauzers in a way they won't do with other breeds of dogs. They can also be very aloof with strangers or people they've decided they don't like.


There are breed specific rescues for schnauzers so would be worth contacting them. Schnauzerfest on FB is a good start, they can point you in the right direction.

teddysmum

Even within a breed there are huge variations of character (I have one of the rare feisty cavaliers), so there is no guarantee of being easy to train. The owner also needs to be training savvy, as unlike what a neighbour of mine believes, dogs do not learn to 'behave' by being told they are naughty in a 'smiley' voice and training should be kind , not through punishment.

As has been mentioned, Many Tears, for whom I do home visits, often has the two breeds you mention, but they are, quite rightly, very particular and prefer most dogs to go to a home where they will have a canine companion.

I. too, would not recommend two puppies , unless the owner is very experienced, as two are more than twice as hard as one. (Imagine two little dogs running off in opposite directions or needing a wee/poo at the same time, requiring deft grabs to get both outside in time.)

Person_one

tooldle wrote: »

My neighbour has Bichon's who are very vocal. Further down the street are two more Bichons. These are also vocal, and snappy with it.

Being 'vocal' or snappy is certainly not a breed trait, its probably to do with training and socialisation.