Still trying to decide on my ideal dog... Couple of ideas which I can't get out of my head are French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers.

Criteria: Willing to be well-trained, very loyal, happy to sit still for more than 2 minutes at a time (!!!), friendly, can be let off the lead without charging off out of sight, intelligent and possessing a decent amount of common sense, quite small (yet fairly substantial) with short coat, enjoys walking (1-2 miles at a time)... and I think that's it!

If anyone can suggest any other breeds which fit the bill, that'd be great. It's so hard trying to find ONE breed that's "better" than the rest!

What happened to your search into Staffords?

Karen

i must be well confused-i thought it was smooth coated chi's    :(

Hi again Matt, just to say, again, that Frenchis are as prone to having problems in the heat as Pugs, if not more so.  they also shed quite a lot.
bye
Gwen

Just to recap on things... I'm having ZERO luck finding a female smooth-coat Chi pup. I'm on several waiting lists, but I've been told that I could be waiting until at LEAST late next year before the right pup comes up. I'm also questioning them on their tiny size (something more substantial would perhaps be better)...

Hence the Staffies (big difference, I know!) which have also since been put on the "no" list for various reasons... namely because I feel they'll be too boistrous to take to work, and because I'm worried about them with my cats. I'd also like a dog I can let off the lead without excessive worrying!

Gwen, thanks for that... I guess the French Bulldogs are out also. Which leaves the Boston Terrier, or something similar. Too much choice and a brick wall every time I think I'm onto a winner!

Depending on the boston Terrier...Some have more flat pushed in faces like the pug where others can have more of a snout...I have both, my female has a real pushed in pug type face she takes more after the bulldog and  is more Canadian breed where my male came from the States and he has more of a nose and he takes more after the terrier, results was puppies with inbetween snouts. My male and my two pups can run forever I even had him in agility-planning on racing him this summer with his two daughters, my female can't run forever or go for really long walks....The heat would also be a factor in the summer and the cold in the winter, they do shed a bit but more so when they are nervous. They are a brack breed just like pugs and french bulldogs.... I would do a search on them and see the pro's and con's....With out proper training I wouldn't trust any dog off lead...Tiva and Dozer I can trust off lead where Junior and T-Bone I don't think I would because they see something they want they turn deaf real fast. Boston's if exercised properly can go for long walks as long as its not too cold or too hot outside, they too can have breathing problems.

Thats interesting about the Bostons,  just like the Pugs then,  the flatter faced ones are more prone to heat realted breathing problems, whereas those with a slightly longer foreface seem able to cope with hot temps. much better.  Lewis and Alison can both gallop around our local park or on the hills in full summer, quite happily.  However, Mabel (very flat face) has to be kept in the shade and not over stressed when the temp really rises. 

Matt, I think what it comes down to is that even though you are attracted to the "flat faced" types, they may all be precluded from your list by your concern on the excercise/hot weather criteria.  Well done on carryhin out full research into you breeds before jumping straight in!  I have been trying to search my brain and come up with an alternative breed who may fit inot the sort of /mould" your choices point to, but no luck so far.  However, goint back to your first choice, the Chihuahua,  are you absolutely determined it must be a bitch?  I think you would have more luck finding a dog pup, and if you are looking for a pet rather than a show potential pup then one of the slightly larger dog pups, who would not be run on for showing or stud potential might suit you well.  Just something to think about.

bye
Gwen