If you are looking for a dog in the 25 to 30 pound range have you thought of a Labradoodle? I am not speaking about the US version which are mostly F1 generation and are large dogs. Ours is an Australian version. They have been breeding them down under for about 30 yrs. This means that this is a F35 generation and is only a Labradoodle - Labradoodle cross.

This is where we purchased our Labradoodle from

http://www.aussiefarmlabradoodles.net/index.html

If you go to the site and click on "Meet the pack" ours look just like the one in the upper left hand corner.

 

I've scoured the rescue centers for various types of pets. I'm VERY disappointed that many of these rescues DEMAND you have a fenced in yard which we do not. We live in a very private subdivision of only 22 houses and very little traffic PLUS are connected to a miles long paved pathway where we now walk BB and our granddogs when they visit. We finally came to the conclusion that the rescue operations are just too difficult to deal with and if we "adopt" a dog of our choosing that fits our personalities and home environment that is one less dog that will end up in a shelter. Several of these so-called rescue operations totally peeved my last nerve with their unbelievable demands. I'm not so sure they're really looking to place a dog!

PS. One of the first things we taught BB both here and in our previous home was the boundaries of our yard. She does not cross our property line! Generally she is on a leash, but when I take her out in the evenings to roam around the yard, she stays within a few feet of where I go. She also knows where she can go potty. It makes the cleanup so much easier for the cleanup crew. I'm amazed at how quickly they can learn.

 

Val - check this out.

http://myrtlebeach.ebayclassifieds.c...r&catId=100112

 

AWWW, so cute! Reasonable prices too. Bookmarked the ads.

 

I have a bit of experience with schnauzers and to me they're typical terriers - smart, loyal, very territorial and protective of their families. They really are a joy to have around but they do have a stubborn streak and will pout sometimes when they don't get their way. They don't shed but their coats will matt if they are not brushed regularly.



We had to have little Precious (the black one) put down last month last month a week shy of her 13th birthday. She was suffering from CCDS (doggie alzheimer's). Her sister Molly continues to thrive and seems to have taken the loss better than Barb and I.

Good luck to you and Jim on your search for a companion - I don't think you'll be disappointed if you choose a schnauzer.

 

Ohhhh, thanks Raymo!!!! I was so hoping someone on the forum had a schnauzer or two for a while! I've read their life expectancy runs to about 12-15 years. Our maltese, BB, is 12 now, but our vet says she has the physical appearance and apparent health of a 4 year old. Maltese have very long life spans (for dogs) and have been known to live to 22 yrs old (kind of like a cat). I have NO idea why the schnauzer appeals to me so much, but from my searches it would seem they have very similar personalities to the maltese, love their humans and are good little guard dogs. Like me, they're stubborn and pouty. I'm just hoping we can find a good reputable breeder and not some puppy mill kind of operation, so I'm doing searches through the AKC and Schnauzer organizations. BB has to be brushed almost daily, so I think she'll really enjoy seeing her companion going through the same torture. We're thinking it'll probably be September before we're all ready to move forward since we have more company coming this month and in August. After that we can concentrate more on getting a routine in place for the new baby. I am sooooo sorry to hear of your loss of Precious. I guess part of the reason I'm wanting to add to my family is my terrible fear of losing BB and not having a little furbaby to love. Anyway, I so appreciate everyone's responses and hope you'll please pass my sympathies on to Barb. I lost it and almost fell apart in the vet's office when BB lost a tooth.

 

Val,

If you have and enjoy a Maltese, why not a Bichon Frise? Just a larger version of the Maltese, and they should get along fine. We've had 2 females and one male Bichon, and they have been WONDERFUL dogs. Quiet, yet attentive, and combative if they think a pack member is in jeopardy. I would get a female if your Maltese is male, and vice versa.

Expect about 15 lbs, intelligent, and a wonderful companion. Hypoallergenic, but needs gromming every 8-12 weeks. I know some great breeders, as well. Our current female, Anna, has a sister who won best of breed in the National competitions 6 years ago.

Dave

 

Val, I have not read any of the other comments....... but you need a BIG loving dog. Maltese (we had one thanks to me when I thought they were cute) and most of those "bark at anything that is bigger" dogs are not what you need. Trust me. Get a BIG loving dog. Your friend, Dave

 

How about a ... they are cute "little" dogs!


Komondor Dog

The Komondor is a large, white-colored Hungarian breed of livestock guardian dog with a long, corded coat.
Sometimes referred to as 'mop dogs,' the Komondor is a long-established powerful dog breed that has a natural guardian instinct to guard livestock and other property. The Komondor breed has been declared one of Hungary’s national treasures, to be preserved and protected from modification.

The Komondor is a large dog (many are over 30 inches tall), making this one of the largest common breeds of dog, or a molosser. The body is covered by a heavy, matted, corded coat.

 

I can smell that dog from here. I think it is a lovely dog, but no thank you.