Hello,

        First of all please excuse me for posting this in here but there is no 'new topic' button in visitors questions.

Im looking for some advice on which breed of toy dog to buy. I've researched online until im confusing myself.

Theres no way i'd go down the road of puppy farms and all that and I do realise that some breeds can have generic problems, which is why I want to make sure that I get the best possible advice and breed.

Basically im looking for a toy dog as a companion for myself. Im not 100% in good health, although I do have my good days. I need a small dog that doesnt require a great amount of exercise or extensive grooming. Sometimes im in bed for a few days at a time, hence the reason for minimal exercising. I have no grand children as of yet but would like one that is known to be good with children.

I live on my own and theres only so much TV you can watch, I dont go out much either and feel that I could give as much companionship to a dog as it would give me.

I've always had large dogs before and my last dog was a rough haired collie.  She was an ex show dog and excellent temperament, sadly lost her at the good old age of 16 :(

I know I couldnt cope with the demands of a larger dog now, hence the reason why im now looking for a toy breed.

I live in N.Ireland and would need local to here. Any help or advice would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hi and welcome

I don't know much about toy breeds but I did wonder, if you are in bed for a few days at a time, would you consider a cat instead? They can live perfectly happily indoors and I'm sure you could get a breed that enjoys human company. Maybe you have arrangements for a dog if you can't get out, but if not, then even a toy breed would need walked twice a day which might cause you difficulty.
I hope you find a suitable companion.

>Sometimes im in bed for a few days at a time, hence the reason for minimal exercising.

I'm sorry but every dog, no matter how small, needs taking out daily at least once, unless it's a one-off emergency. Unless that can be guaranteed (have you good neighbours who could exercise the dog for you?) a dog probably isn't the best pet for you.

i was going to say what about a cat too.i have a cat and im sure she thinks she a dog! :-) the plus side of having a cat would be that if you are in bed for a few days you dont have to worry about walking it.i have a chihuahua and he needs walking twice everyday,just because he is a toy breed doesnt mean hes not active. do you have family near you that would help out with walking?

Hi,

I would second what others have said.  Any dog needs exercise, it's not even just the exercise needs, it's letting them have a change of scenery, letting them sniff and giving them a bit of mental stimualtion with variation that comes from a walk.  There are dogs that would put up with that kind of lifesyle but it really wouldn't be best for them, no dog should be confined to four walls for days at a time; though I can understand why you want the companionship.  If you could pay someone to come in daily so you could ensure the dog was getting the exercise he or she needed then that may be a way around it but I really wouldn't advise a pup, how would you cope with toilet training if you were in bed for a few days at a time, a pup may well end up eating its way through your home if they become bored.  Another option to consider, maybe you could rescue and oldie dog that can't take much in the way of exercise, there are quite a few of them at rescue centres and it can be a really rewarding thing to do. 

Must admit having had poor health myself recently I would suggest a cat rather than a dog. My Siamese would play with toys and retrieve but needed no walks although she did go on a harness at times :-)

Hi
Maybe it would be an idea to get a rescue dog older for a companion?  A pup even a toy breed can be very lively and if not taken out some days could end up destructive and a little naughty with barking as some can be demanding. If you are willing to find a good dog walker maybe a rescued greyhound even though they are big are very quiet at home and only need a sprint twice a day in a large field.  There are lots of older dogs that only need minimal exercise that people don't bother with. Phone around the rescue centres and see what they have to say about your circumstances before buying a small puppy. I own 2 cats they are great family pets and are very loving companions. Having 2 they keep each other company when I am at work and if you have days when not up to much, they will keep themselves occupied without destroying your house and going toilet everywhere and hassling you to take them out for a walk. Obviously the cats will hassle you for food and cuddles though. Good luck in finding a pet pal. :)

Have to agree with the others, if you can't arrange for someone to help by walking the dog for you when you are ill, then a cat or pair of cats would be a better option ;)

Burmese or Siamese cats are very affectionate, have short, easy-care coats - just a 5 minute rub over with a rubber glove or mitt every day ;) and absolutely love human company.  Burmese are a little less demanding than Siamese but would enjoy cuddles in bed and retrieve for you all day if you let them :-D  they would be happy indoors with a litter tray and full run of the house :-)

If you do have help for walking the dog, then why not try an older rescue dog/ex show dog ?  I wouldn't really recommend a toy dog tho as most Toys and smaller dogs are really energetic for their size ;)  

Ragdoll cats are very doglike in their behaviour, so might be ideal. They do take quite a bit of grooming though.

Several breeds of cats are said to be 'dog like' in nature including 2 I own - British Shorthair & Selkirk Rex & baby Robin doesn't know if he's feline or canine he's seen so many black noses sniff him!

I would suggest a cat as well.  I know, with my dogs, they need exercise, and when I am layed up on crutches, they seem to go bonkers.  But I have made the arrangements for my mom to do the exercising when I am layed up. 

Toy breeds, although small, most people think they get enough exercise around the house.  But that is not the case.  It would be a bit different if it was the odd day here and there, that would make it harder to take them for a walk. 

My sister has two cats, both rescues so I cant say a breed (since we have no idea).  But her one, she has trained.  It comes when called, rolls over, sits, heels, lays down when told, uses the toilet as a litter box (for real - and he can flush it too!).  She has also started this cat with Cat Agility.  He can do weave poles, a down-stay to five, jumps, tunnels, etc.  A cat isnt limited in what they can learn.  And when she gets home from work, and just wants to laze around, she can.  They will entertain themselves, or they will snuggle up with her. 

Unlike all the other posters, I'm not going to suggest you get a cat. If you are a dog lover then a cat just will not fit the bill. You said that when you are laid up the dog would have minimal excercise, not, no excercise at all. Have you thought about a pug. They are charming gregarious little creatures, as well as being loyal and affectionate. Obviously I don't know the nature of your disability but you might also find that if you have a little soul who depends on you, it will make getting up in the mornings worthwhile. Also, when you are bedbound, you must have somebody who comes in to tend to your needs so maybe they would be willing to give your dog a short walk. Good Luck and I hope you find your perfect little companion.

I need a small dog that doesnt require a great amount of exercise or extensive grooming. Sometimes im in bed for a few days at a time, hence the reason for minimal exercising.

Saxon, certainly the way I read that, is that the op wants a dog that needs minimal exerciseing because they are sometimes laid up in bed for a few days at a time, meaning they would need a dog that would manage without exercise in that time, not that the dog would get minimal exercise on the days when the op was laid up.

Pugs can be incredibly playful dogs and can get underfoot and like to be part of everything and if not given enough stimulation could run riot.  They are real characters, big dogs in little bodies, however they are quite prone to health problems so this would be something else to take into consideration, if you can be laid up mfor periods of time.