Question for dog lovers ? or experts? or?

[texas*princess]

I was at Petsmart today and everytime I go there I get all excited b/c of all the animals. A lady was walking out with her dog and it was the CUTEST THING EVER!!!!

She left before I could ask her what breed her dog was because I think I might want one of those once my lease here is up and I can finally have pets that aren't "fully aquatic".

So --

I was hoping maybe someone could help me figure this one out. It was a small dog, pretty fluffy, and looked almost exactly like Lady from Disney's Lady & the Tramp.

Is this even a real breed? Or maybe it was just a really pretty mutt?

hehehe

Thanks for the help anyone can give!

[DGMarie]

American cocker spaniel?

[pirepresent]

If it's a purebreed, it should be recognized by the American Kennel Club - here's the link to the breeds sorted by groups. http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/group.cfm

There is history and information about all breeds, and pictures.
Even if the one you saw is a combination of breeds, if you browse around you can probably recognize some traits, and you might see one you like even more!

If it's a small dog, I'd recommend starting in the Toy or Terrier groups.

[thetalady]

Originally posted by texas*princess
Is this even a real breed? Or maybe it was just a really pretty mutt?

Tough to tell from the info given. May I offer a suggstion?? Please consider adopting a dog that is looking for a new home from a rescue group.

If you have to have a purebred dog, there are breed rescues for nearly every breed of dog. Petsmart & Petco have both purebreed rescue as well as mixed breed rescue groups virtually every single weekend. They are FULL of wonderful dogs. Go and find the one that looks up at you & wins your heart! A rescue group will help you determine what kind of dog would be best for you and your circumstances (working long hours, in an apartment with weight limits, no yard, etc)

Please trust me.... registration papers for a purebred are good for nothing more than potty training. Please don't support the puppy mills!!! Never ever buy a dog from a pet store.

[honeychile]

While I think "Lady" from "Lady and the Tramp" was a cocker spaniel, please allow me to push my mama's dog, the Bichon Frise.



I am very allergic to dogs & cats, and she wanted a dog very badly after my daddy passed away. After much prayer, we found an elderly couple who had had a puppy mill, but were going into a home. The puppies all gone, my mama adopted the Sire, Mister Buff, or Buffy. This was a happy ending for all involved in this particular puppy mill, as both the sire & dam both had champion lines, and were only 4 years old.

Buffy is a 14# bundle of fluffy love, and even though I didn't particularly care for dogs, he has me wrapped around his little paw! I'm his "Mama #2" and brush him almost daily - with not sneezing!

Here's some more about bichons.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally posted by honeychile

To quote G8Ralphaxi from this thread, "That's not a dog, that's a teddy bear!".

He is the cutesy "schmootsiest" thing I've ever seen!

So you don't sneeze when you brush him?
Because I am allergic too, but would love a less allergenic dog, if it was possible? Maybe his fur is a bit more "wooly" so he is less sneeze-causing?

Hmmm....

[DGMarie]

I luv those dogs! I could just eat them they are so cute!

[honeychile]

Originally posted by CutiePie2000
To quote G8Ralphaxi from this thread, "That's not a dog, that's a teddy bear!".

He is the cutesy "schmootsiest" thing I've ever seen!

So you don't sneeze when you brush him?
Because I am allergic too, but would love a less allergenic dog, if it was possible? Maybe his fur is a bit more "wooly" so he is less sneeze-causing?

Hmmm....

If you go to the site I quoted, it will explain how these little bundles of four-legged love seem to cause the least amount of allergic reactions. I'm able to brush him, wet or dry, and not have a problem. In fact, other than his groomer, he allows me the most "freedom" to brush him - when his "underarms" get too long, they can mat, and it had to be brushed out.

I had put my nose directly into dozens of dogs before I found that the Bichon's appeal was true - no sneezing, no hives - nothing. I would even let him sleep on my bed - and I have NEVER allowed an animal to do that!

If I had to say that Buffy was a problem, it is that he loves TOO much! He will fret when my mama leaves him, sometimes to the point of semi-hysteria. This could be from being a rescued dog, too, though. Also, he was sitting on her desk (since they're so little, bichons like to be up on a people level) when the mailman dared to come, and he made a flying squirrel-like leap at him - and tore his ligament. Now, he lets us carry him up steps that are too much for him - like a purse!

[honeychile]

This isn't Buffy, but this was his non-smart manuever:




This is the "show cut". Buffy is a bit more relaxed.



The texture of his fur, when brushed out, is similar to a flotaki rug, only softer. It's incredibly soft!!

[Sister Havana]

I second the recommendation for adopting a dog from a breed rescue group, or even a shelter. There are plenty of purebreds that come to shelters, too. (And lots of cute mutts of course! ) I got mine at a shelter, and he's a purebred, and the best dog on earth!

While we're talking about breeds of dogs we love, I'm going to give props to the Welsh Terrier. They're small, don't shed, and can live in an apartment or a house. Terriers aren't for everyone...they're very energetic and they can have a bit of an attitude. But if you like a spirited, intelligent dog they can't be beat! Here's information and cute pics of Welshies, from WTCARES (the breed rescue group), and here are pictures of Barney, my Welshie.

[TigerLilly]

I'll echo what other people said about checking out breed rescue programs or even the pound. If you decide you want a certain breed, and it's a relatively common one, there's a good chance you could find one in an area pound.
Definitely better than supporting puppy mills where animals are poorly treated! Also puppy mill dogs are often not so healthy, so if you got one from there you may be getting yourself into a lot more medical bills than you would otherwise want!

Honeychile, that dog is ADORABLE!!! My small terrier has hurt herself jumping off things, and sometimes we carry her up the stairs, too, when they're too much (and when her pride will allow us to.)

[EagleChick19]

Yes, "Lady" from Lady and the Tramp is a Cocker Spaniel. How do I know? I know because I own a Cocker Spaniel.

[GeekyPenguin]

Lhasa Poo! Our last doggie was a purebred and kind of a monster to everybody but me. Charlie is a great dog, albiet spoiled.

[Sister Havana]

GeekyPenguin, your dog is too adorable!

[Cluey]

I would definitely recommend a maltese! My family adopted ours from a rescue after she was abandoned in a closet when her family moved. We've had her now for over 10 years and she is just the sweetest thing. She travels with us almost everywhere and everyone just loves her. We don't like her hair long, like the show dogs, so we keep her hair in a puppy cut. I wish I had a picture of her to share because she is just too cute.