[sm4657]

I thought it would be interesting to see how many smaller breed dogs are out there, what breed they are, and why you love them...maybe how you acquired them, and would you buy that breed again....why or why not?

I personally love the miniature poodles and the miniature schnauzers....I have 2 of each.
I love the min. poodles for their intelligence, devotion, willing to please, and affection they give...so lovable.

I love the schnauzers for their intelligence, spunkiness, also devotion to people, and the emotions that are shown on their faces...so funny. And also their ability to love and be loved......

What about you out there? What are your favorites and why?

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[123fraggle]

If I could clone my Border/Jack I would have another, but unfortunately with most hybrids, they are not all the same.

I also love the Miniture Poodle, all I have been aquainted with are sweet and smart.
Tibetan Terriers are just on the cusp of being a small dog and I am pretty sure I will have a purebred one day.


This is Karma, my smart and lively Border/Jack

 

[Abbylynn]

I love Schnauzers and Schnauzer mixes to be quite honest ... and any Terrier breed. I love their high energy, intelligence, and loyalty for sure!!! I even enjoy the occasional stubborn streak they may have. I also enjoy their adventurous ways ... such as Leeo was an excellent rodent hunter. I never had to worry about rodents in the house living out here in the woods. Lol!

I also like Poodles ... as they seem close in attitude from my own two experiences with Leeo and Blu Boy. I have the Schnauzer/Poodles and now Eddee my new rescue who is a Schnauzer/possible Cairn mix ... and he is living up to all my expectations and more.

Blu Boy, Eddee, and Leeo (face pic) They are all under 25 pounds with Eddee being 11.8 pounds.

 

[crysknife]

I do not have much experience with dogs but I am loving the Shetland Sheepdog in my puppy class. There is also a regular Border Collie in this class and my dog really enjoys playing with both of them.

 

[Fuzzy Pants]

My families last dog was a mini-Schnauzer/Beagle mix and was so smart, athletic and generally people friendly. I also love the temperament of mini-Poodles and Shih Tzu. I think next I'd like an Affenpinscher or Brussels Griffon or any friendly, scruffy terrier mix.

 

[spanielorbust]

My favorites under this weight are mixes. That is probably becuz what I like in dogs with regard to muzzle length and non-furiness and laid back temperament doesn't come in a breed.

I like smooth muzzled short or medium coated laid back and biddable dogs. Sooooo many smaller breeds are fuzzy faced and require trimming regularly. Cute for someone else, but not for me.

If I lived in Europe I'd probably be after a Markeisje, but I'd need to know more about their temperament. Tibbies are probably as close as I can find in a breed that suits, but a really willfull one would make me crazy. Cavaliers also suit really well - but I won't touch the breed with the health issues inherent currently.

SOB

 

[Babyjinks]

My favorite small dog is the Boston Terrier. Our Toby who passed at 9 1/2 years in April was 18 pounds. The perfect size. We have recently acquired our second BT. So why? Well prior to getting Toby I rented a apartment so I could not have a dog but I have had various dogs and breeds throughout my life and some fit and some didnt but I knew when I bought my own I would have the dog that fit my life. So I searched the internet and the library and dragged my then Fiance to every dog show in Chicago and talked to BT owners and just about everything about this breed fits us.

1. Friendly. Do not tend to be as single owner oriented as french bulldogs (from the research i did, this was/is my other top choice)
2. Low shedding. I am a bit fussy about dog hair (our rescue lab mix has enough to knit sweaters)
3. Minimal exersize needs (i like walking and family outtings but we are not runners)
4. NO YAPPING.
5. Doesn't look all fragile and breakable. I do not like dogs that shiver all the time.
6. Cuddles.
7. Smart, trainable, can do agility and therapy.
8. Does not require weekly, biweekly, monthly grooming sessions. Easily maintained.

It is the perfect fit for our family Oh the research took about 3 years....but I was not having my heart broken again. My mother chose dogs when either the house or the dog was unsuitable and then got rid of them. I was not going to do that!

 

[Kayota]

I think my favorite small dog is a Roxie... One of the best dogs I've ever had.

 

[Laurelin]

Papillon for sure (anyone shocked). They are just the best dogs in the world in my biased opinion. I love them for their intelligence. I know everyone says that but my papillons have been very eager and trainable as well as being good problem solvers. They are bright, happy, athletic, energetic, hilarious, and just so much fun. They have an easy to care for coat and of course giant ears. And mine are very devoted, handler oriented dogs, fast paced dogs. One thing I love is that they're generally the kind of dog that is good with other dogs and people. Just overall a lot of fun both to train and to just have as a pet.

They are followed closely by shetland sheepdogs, which is the breed I've had longer than any other. Shelties are great, sensitive, intelligent, biddable dogs. They can also be pretty spirited and zippy and tend to be right up my alley. I like their size better than papillons but I miss a little bit of that craziness that paps tend to have. I find the shelties a bit more level headed and responsible than the paps. And their barking and grooming requirements are also less desirable for me than the paps.

Personally, I can't see myself with a small breed other than those two.

 

[chubby]

I love my Bichon Frise. She is so goofy, fun loving, and bright. She brings a smile to EVERYONE who sees her, as she runs around with her tongue lolling out, and that goofy expression on her face. She is kind, sweet, and lifts the spirits of those who need it most.

I love you Butters! You are my love and my life.

 

[begemot]

Min poodles, tibetan terriers, havanese, and DACHSHUNDS! I was never really a small dog person, but my min dachshund has shown me the error of my ways.

 

[Amaryllis]

Beagles. (I know they can get a bit bigger than 25lbs.) Love 'em. Love their big barks, their grins, their white tipped tails held straight up.

Bichons. They are smart, loving and loyal. You could do a lot worse than a bichon.

 

[momtolabs]

Mutts! you never know what you are getting,lol. I live 3 dogs but only the labs are mine BUT my mom has a mutt named Mae. She doesnt really like me,lol but I love her. She is around 30ish pounds....I think.

If it were a purebred dog then a fox terrier. My cousin has a FT/beagle mix and I watched her for a weekend and feel in love,lol.

 

[Crantastic]

The Markiesje is a cute little thing, SOB! Looks a bit like a solid-colored phalene.

I agree with Laurelin -- papillons are where it's at. Intelligent, biddable, energetic, easy to groom, generally healthy, not overly yappy or nervous, and beautiful, too.

I want to say the Alaskan Klee Kai, but I really can't. I love Casper and think he's a great dog -- much smarter than I initially expected, pretty biddable, mostly serious but sometimes a clown, handsome. He's given me the opportunity to own a husky when I otherwise couldn't due to space and other practical considerations. But he has the extreme shyness issues that are a big problem in the breed. The AKK is also a fairly new breed, so there's still a lot of variation in looks -- a lot of the smaller ones look like chihuahuas, and while I like chihuahuas, I don't want my "miniature husky" to look like one. I can say that I love some klee kai!

 

[osdbmom]

My papillon/poodle x is a great dog. I don't think I have ever met another one, or really even seen one, but for us, that mix is great. She is very cute, of course, about 16 lbs, so she's pretty sturdy for a smaller dog. She loves to walk with me (and I love to walk, so thats cool). she's also really smart....she learns tricks and commands quickly and she is hyper as hell but also very snuggly. Also, she makes funny faces that crack us up all the time.....I never realized before that dogs can have actual expressions like that. Zoey most defnitely has personality, which is funny. I swear sometimes she is more person than dog lol But she is also small enough to take with us easily camping and on trips or long car rides or to visit.
Also, I have a special deep love for her pretty tail.

My yorkie is rather small. She is just about 6 lbs now and I like that a lot better than when she was only 2 lbs, bc I was constantly afraid I would break her. She is far lazier than Zoey and spends most of life happily in a lap, or in her crate with her toys. Most of her job is just sitting there looking cute. She is the resident snuggle bug and loves to cuddle in beds with us. She also likes walks and playing outside. She is not as bright as Zoey, though, she really isn't all that bright at all....but I don't think thats a yorkie thing, I think its just Ziva. But thats okay...shes sweet and pretty and loving, and thats what matters. She is easy to take places bc she is little.
If I had unlimited resources, I could easily become a yorkie hoarder.
I have never had a Bichon, but have met several, and we think if we ever get a 3rd dog, it would be a Bichon. I mean, they look like giant marshmallows with eyes, how can you not love that?

I need to take the time to learn how to post just one picture from an album into a thread. sorry about the overload.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.106625849445423.10822.100002940258423&type=3&l=cb477e5c03

 

[JulieK1967]

My favorite is a Molly! LOL! She's a mix but whatever the combo, it's a good one. She's adorable, smart, eager to please, cuddly & funny as heck. Of purebreds, I had a Shih Tzu named Oreo many years ago and she was an absolute delight. Very sweet and cuddly, smart and spunky. They can be a bit much in terms of grooming but Oreo was great for her bath and blow dry so she was easy to groom. I'd love to have another one someday.

 

[Hambonez]

Hamilton is the best small dog! He's a dachshund mix - maybe doxie + JRT? Some small terriery thing. I call him a "Derrier" because he's a pain in my butt He's a really solid little dog, not yappy at all, really cuddly, super friendly, goofy looking. I like dachshunds because they're smart and independent and goofy looking. I think my little mutt-doxie is even cuter than a regular one though

 

[ChaosIsAWeim]

I love my french bulldog, they are such clowns. Very smart dogs, but are stubborn and I mean very stubborn.

As for other small breeds, I like the Prazsky Krysarik and the Russkiy Toy. And I love miniature bull terriers such great dogs.

 

[houndies]

Wired hair DachshundS are my favourite small dogs. They have an amazing old soul character. We walk with a couple of them and they are natural born comedians... Lovely dogs

 

[Laurelin]

Just can't help but love these guys.


DSC_0309 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr


My best Friend by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr


the kiss by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr


DSC_1178 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr


DSC_0321 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr


mia22 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr


My Bad Dog by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr


L2 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr


sleep by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr


DSC_0139 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Just love love love love them!