Help me pick a puppy!

[CriticalCrittles]

I have been wanting a puppy very very badly, and my boyfriend has decided he is going to try and get me one for Christmas this year. These are the types of dogs I'm interested in. The things to keep in mind are the health issues each dog can have, the trainablity of each, and how well each dog could live in an apartment (it of course would be taken out regularly for excersize and play) because once we get completely on our feet we will be starting off living in one at first, and how it behaves around children, since I will have some in my family.

Although the Corgi and the Lab were the top two of the 4 I had picked at first when added up the good against the bad of each, I still love them all honestly, so I'd like to see what other peoples opinions are. Btw, when considering the Pitbull, please remember the fact that they tend to get more bad then good publicity which isn't fair, because MOST Pitbulls aren't the way they are portrayed, and the Pitbulls that ARE that way are trained and abused to be that way sadly. I just wanted to make a note of that.

Vote please, and comments welcomed, I'd love to read your thoughts on these breeds!

[Leonardo_Mystic]

So you're looking for around small breed dogs then? I have a Pomeranian mix who has a lot of personality and she is sweet, gentle and loving.

Here is a webpage that lists 10 of the best small breeds. A lot of them are cute like the Pug and Maltese.

http://www.sheknows.com/articles/808128/top-10-small-breed-dogs

Hope this helps.

[CriticalCrittles]

I know there are plenty of other small breeds out there, but these are my top favs so I was wanting to have someone help me decided out of these. And my boyfriend was wanting a very large breed (I assume because he is a very large guy XD ) so we decided to meet somewhere in the middle at small/mediumish, hence the Lab, Boxer, and Pitbull.

[Leonardo_Mystic]

Oh, sorry about that. I didn't see a poll when I first saw the thread, but now I do. I had interpreted maybe you were still looking at options, but those four breeds were at the top of the list. I understand now.

In that case, I vote for the Corgi. They are cute and intelligent dogs.

[CriticalCrittles]

doesnt anyone else wanna help me pick a puppy? aww come on! lol

[Mindy]

Living in an apartment, I would highly recommend a smaller breed of dog. No more than 25 lbs (my mutt is 25 and she's *just* enough to handle).

You're right about Pits, too. They can be the SWEETEST little sops!

[Aignatius]

Well, you could go to the local SPCA and adopt a dog from there. 

(Thank you Aig, that was really helpful. Not...)

[CriticalCrittles]

Actually that is a consideration at this point as well, as I know brand new puppies can be a handful to take care of in the begining and very costly as well with needing brand new shots and the like, and we may not have the time or money for it at this point, even though we do want a doggy pal. So, thank you for bringing it up, and please know we are definately considering that option!

[Mindy]

Well, you could go to the local SPCA and adopt a dog from there. 

(Thank you Aig, that was really helpful. Not...)

Nooo, that's a beautiful idea.

[Aignatius]

Oh, good. 

Can't be easy though, picking just one out over there, since there's so many of them, and most of them look beseechingly up at you and want you to take them home. 

[Mindy]

Yeah, like the breakdown I almost had from being mewed at by so many wanted kitties at our local Petsmart. I know better than to go in there!

[CriticalCrittles]

It is really hard for me, as I'm such a softy. I see anything tiny and cute and go awwww I want it! lol So yeah....it's gonna be rough to pick out just one....I told my bf I wanna buy abunch of land and have a big doggy farm lol

[Mindy]

I love the doggy farm idea! My husband wants a bucket of ferrets and I want to be surrounded by puppies. 

[CriticalCrittles]

the phrase "a bucket of ferrets" just made me lol so bad XD I love ferrets! I used to have one as a kid, they're awesome! now look what you did, now I want a bucket of ferrets too! lol

[Aignatius]

A bucket of ferrets? 

Orrr... a bucket of baby turtles... 

[Mindy]

My husband is just so giddy over ferrets. That's all he wants is that crazy bucket of ferrets! I say that he'll have to clean up that mess!! LOL

A bucket of turtles? Can you imagine those little beady eyes looking up at you like, "WTF are you doing?!?!?"

[CriticalCrittles]

Turtles in bucket: If this bucket starts getting hot, make a run for it, it's a disguise for turtle soooooup!!!! 

*imagines turtles "making a run for it" and lols* XD

[Leonardo_Mystic]

*laughs* I want a ferret too, but I don't think I want a whole bucket of them. I might get one when I move into my new house. It's either that or a kitten, but I'm allergic to cats. I don't think I'm allergic to ferrets though because I've handled them before at a local pet shop where you can interact with the smaller animals such as them and rabbits.

I've done the whole aquarium thing for a few years and while fish are pretty to look at, it's a pain to clean the tank. I doubt there's quite as much work involved with cleaning a ferret cage than it is to "tear down" and "rebuild" a 15 gal tank.

[Mindy]

@LM: Nah, not quite as much work as a fish tank but ferrets are very social animals so you need to put aside quite a bit of time for them. Their cages can become quite stinky! *g*

[CriticalCrittles]

Agreed, ferrets are adorable but can be VERY stinky lol XD

[Leonardo_Mystic]

Well, I have a stinky dog already, so I don't think that it will be much of problem. *laughs* I've read where bathing on a regular basis, like you would a dog, helps to cut down the odor.