Hi All,

We lost our last dog over three years ago and my daughter has been desperate for a new canine friend. FINALLY my hubby has relented.
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However, there are conditions. He doesn't want to have anything to do with its care. An agility and flyball enthusiast, I traditionally gravitated toward very active, okay, CRAZY, breeds. However, due to my injuries, we will need a less demanding toy breed.

The dog is intended to be a companion to my tween daughter. Due to a medical condition, she is often ill and forced to spend extended periods, isolated at home. Accordingly, we are looking for an affectionate breed, that will happily cuddle with her in bed. When well, my child is active and would enjoy participating in obedience and agility.

As I have experience as a trainer, I am familiar with many breeds of dogs. However, I would love to hear from those of you with personal experience.

In addition to looking for an affectionate toy breed, we would like to avoid smooth coated breeds (they bother my husband's allergies). We don't care about gender or appearance and would welcome rescue dogs. We will also need a breed that can get along with the confident, friendly stray cat that adopted us a couple years ago. (I guess that rules out most of the terriers. lol)

Some of the breeds I'm considering are Papillions, King Charles Spaniels (although their health issues concern me), Pomeranians, Toy Poodles and Japanese Chins.

I haven't been this happy for years!

Hi Hockey. I'm so sorry for your loss. Animals are our children too and it's hard to lose them. But I'm glad you are looking for another dog. I lost my Sheltand Sheepdog on March 26, 2011. Yes I remember the date because it was so hard losing my best friend. I also try to remember the good memories we shared together to help me deal with my loss a little easier. I knew him since he was four days old and brought him home when he was about 6 weeks old. I would highly recommend Shelties. They are one of the most loving, loyal and protective dogs I have ever known. My Sheltie was beautiful inside and out.
After I lost him to Lupus, I adopted a rescue dog who was about one year old. She is a medium size brown dog with the biggest brown eyes I've ever seen. She is a mix between a lab, chow and shiba uno (sp?). She is also my best friend and one of the most loving, loyal and protective dogs I've had too. I would also highly recommend a rescue dog like her as well.
Both of my dogs got along well with my cats. It just took a little time for them to get to know each other but they soon became best friends.
I think that the best thing to do is to visit different dogs and see who connects with you and your family the most. You will know the right one when you see it. And they will know too. My rescue dog came over and licked my hand when I was in the shelter looking for another dog. It was love at first sight for both of us.
I hope you find a dog soon to become a part of your family. If I were to chose a favorite one I would say I love all dogs and cats. They are all beautiful and amazing creatures. I wish you the best of luck with your search and hope you find that special dog soon.

Hi Hockey,

I cannot help you with Breeds, except to say my neighbour's Shi Tsus are both active and cuddly/affectionate. I do not know about obedience, but they get on well with their 2 cats, one aged, one young. All my experience is with mid - giant dogs, Collies, GSDs and a Bull Mastiff.

I just wanted to say your excitement pervades your Post and your happiness shines through. I am very pleased for you and your prospective new pal.

Dave.

Yes, I must add Shelties to my research list. The ones I've known have been okay with cats, very smart and affectionate.

I had excluded them, initially, because their grooming needs would be a challenge, given my limited hand dexterity. However, I think my daughter could handle that.

Yes, I am over the moon. As everyone here knows, living with limits can make it feel like there isn't always much to look forward to. It's so nice to feel hopeful and happy. More importantly, I'm thrilled for my child, who has really missed having a companion to keep her company through the tough times. All the best therapists have fur.

I had a sheltie many years ago. Grooming was not a big effort, compared to other collies and collie types I have had, I think the hair is finer and easy to run a brush through

I enrolled him in obedience classes, spent 5 minutes training and he came in first in the class, he was smart and loyal and so darn cute that he could put a smile on anybodys face. Also a natural heeler so never had issues with him pulling me when walking

also know a couple of Shi Tzu's who are also really nice and their coats can be kept short so easy to brush.

Good luck!

i loved my sheltie and shiapoo. i also love collies. never had a collie but always wanted one. they are also so beautiful and regal looking. i also love my rescue dog who is a lab, chow and shiba uno mix. she is a doll. they are all great. dogs have a totally calming affect on me. (and cats too.) i love them all. hope you have good luck with your search. i'm sure there is a dog out there that is meant just for you. you will know as soon as you see it. i am so excited for you!

My brother has a Labrador - it is affectionate and is good with the children in his family.

i love labs too and golden retrievers are also awesome!

Hi Hockey,

How exciting!
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I, too, have been a certified/licensed trainer. It was lots of fun!
I don't offer training anymore.
I had chosen to specialize in GSDs and in training service animals.
I am in love with GSDs, although I adore all dogs. I definitely don't recommend GSDs to most homes.

I am very much in favor of temperament-testing all dogs with a prior history.

(We had adopted a dog advertised by a local reputable rescue shelter as an A+++ family pet. This dog had seriously attacked two adults within the first 24 hours of adoption. I had very quickly volunteered to endure an attack when the dog had escaped and was aggressively chasing after a young girl in our neighborhood, in order to attack her. The girl was just running for fun and had no awareness of the dog.
I had called the dog's name, ran in the opposite direction and the dog -- a full-grown GSD-- had then attacked me.

The dog was held at a kennel and I had sent a well-known trainer to the kennel to temperament-test the dog. It was her opinion the dog was seriously dangerous and never should have been put up for adoption. Two more trainers had independently tested the dog as well. The dog had to be euthanized due to the serious nature of chronically aggressive behaviors. I was not yet a trainer at that point or I would have tested the dog myself. Instead, I had trusted the word of the shelter staff and their ad in the local paper. Please be very careful of dogs with prior histories. Some shelters will agree to pay for temperament testing, by the way.)

I like the way the site
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matches the lifestyle of the human guardian(s) to the canine companion. If I go to that site and answer the questions posed, the site makes suggestions of favorable matches.
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As you know, "energy level" is an important characteristic, as are personality attributes. Grooming needs is another factor you had mentioned.
The AKC site outlines all of this and more for each breed.

I am excited for you, for your daughter and for the lucky canine companion!
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Am anxious to hear all about the lovely addition to your family!


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DejaVu

Grew up with a Lab. They are a wonderful, intuitive breed. Hubby wants something smaller, though.