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Pom Anonymous
I saw a Pomeranian at a puppy store last weekend. It was SOOO FUCKING CUTE...and now I really want one. I live in a decent sized apartment and have a friendly cat (that likes dogs). What are the pros and cons of this breed?
>> Anonymous
Whatever, just don't buy from a pet store. Go to a rescue kennel or a reputable breeder.
>> Anonymous
YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP

etc.
>> Anonymous
>>203817
Yeah, that was my plan anyways...although I feel so badly for the puppies in those teeny boxes.

>>203818
Ughh...
>> Anonymous
Pros: They are lightweight, and therefore crash less hard in to the wall when you kick them-- so you can do it again.

Cons: This could put you in jail, but only if there are witnesses!

In short, everyone hates pomeranians, except for people who don't matter.
>> Anonymous
>>203820
What kind of dog should I get then? Can live in an apartment, good with cats...quiet, not too hyper...not too big...
>> Anonymous
>>203824
Small and quiet? I'll be honest: It's probably not happening.
A dog of any breed can almost always be good with cats IF raised with them (or if you just magically pick the right one). It has to do with the individual animal more than the breed. Rescues are nice for this because they can tell you if the dog has already lived with a cat or not/is already known to be good with cats. Some breeds are more prone to cat-eating, though, but then once in a while you'll see a shi-tzu who has a ridiculous hunting drive for one reason or another. So as far as the cats go, don't worry too much about the dog's breed-- either get one as a puppy (please not a pet store. really. it's for your own good and money not to), or adopt one with a known history.
I'm actually kind of a small dog hater, but I'll try to lose my bias for informational purposes. Papillons are intelligent (unlike most dogs under 15 pounds)-- very intelligent, in fact, which means they're easier to train to not be an annoyance to the neighbors. Rat terriers are trainable and, in my experience, fairly mellow (for a terrier, that is). Age has a lot to do with a dog's calmness, too. Just about any puppy is going to be hyperactive, and most adult dogs (over 3 years) will be pretty relaxed.
You'll want to do your own research-- and a lot more than "ITS SOOO FUCKING CUTE." Google the temperament specifically of any breed you're interested in. Even if you want a mutt (which are the best, of course), it's good to be familiar with the breeds that may be in its blood.
>> Anonymous
>>203829
Adding that pugs are as mellow as a pet rock, but they're fucking ugly and you should be ashamed of yourself if you want one.
>> Anonymous
>>203824

You're not ready if you haven't done your reading. You're looking for this:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/lapdogs.htm

All puppies are going to be hyper, any breed can learn to get along with cats, and not all small dogs are yap yap yap yap, particularly if you teach them at a young age to not bark at everything. Even if you're set on having a yappy breed, there's always the option of having a vet to debark your pet, which makes it sound like its coughing but its not loud enough to bother neighbors.

In b4 "omg debarking is cruel"
>> Anonymous
>>203834
PROTIP: If you have to slice an animal's vocal chords in order to keep it, don't get one.

Yes, yes, I know, "as long as we can slaughter animals why can't we mutilate their vocal capabilities, cut off their ears with scissors, and rape them?" but I think that being willing to do that to one's own pet says an awful lot of bad about the owner.
>> Anonymous
>>203829
Thanks.
I realize a 'silent' dog doesn't exist. I have been living with my roommate's Sheltie for over a year now and he is actually really quiet except for "welcome home!" yips. I meant, in comparison to the Pomeranian.

From others' stories and from my own experience, I am pretty sure I'm going to get an older dog...and definitely from a shelter/rescue place.

Other breeds I am interested in are Papillon, American Eskimo and Keeshond.

And a mutt is fine too.
>> Anonymous
>>203839
Shelties are one of those rare small dogs that I approve of, when nobody's looking. They tend to yip quite a bit when they're playing, though, so it's surprising the one that you know is quiet.
American eskimos are definitely yappy. Papillons are great, though you may be mistaken for a fashionable teenage girl with one. Can't speak from experience on keeshonds, but they look like they'd shed tumbleweeds of fur.
Best of luck on the adopting, though.
>> Anonymous
>>203841
Thanks
and don't worry...I'm not going to run off and get a puppy just because they are so goddamn cute...
I'll do all my homework for their sake.
>> Anonymous
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>>203841
Also, our sheltie is fucking awesome.

pic related, Skye.
>> Anonymous
They are yappers and are prone to respiration problems later in life.

Seriously go fucking search on google for in depth information on breeds
>> Anon
It depends on the dog what you're going to get. Then it depends on you and what you teach the dog, how much you desensitize him to things.
I have a pom, as soon as I got him I instantly started desenstizing him to noises, getting him used to the cats, chickens..now I'm working on the horses. I figured he was going to be a yappy little shit, at least that way I'd get him desensitized a little. He doesn't bark much, just when there's something in the yard or when he's trying to herd the chickens into the pens.
Mom has two shih tzus. Ben is a little vicious, barky bastard, Hanna is quiet, loveable, but dumb as a fucking rock. Both private breeders, just luck of the draw.
>> Anonymous
>>203864
adorable :)
>> Anonymous
Papillons are smart and usually very well-behaved, although you might look like a faggot. Still, my favorite of all small breeds.
Schipperke's are adorable, but I have no idea what their personalities are like.
>> Anonymous
i have a pom and it is unusually silent, he really only yaps when we put him in his kennel to go to sleep, other than that he doesnt bark.

hes still only like 8 months old so hes a little rambunxious but we think he will calm down as he gets older

hes obedient and smart

one of the best dogs ive ever had
>> op Anonymous
Also...I'm looking on petfinder and other sites for rescue dogs. They all really extensive application processes. Should I even bother applying if I am a college student? I am financially comfortable, but still in an apartment...Will they want someone a little more stable or mature? Or should I still give it a shot?
>> Anonymous
>>204059

Just do it. Not all shelters are Nazis, they just screen people to make sure you aren't an animal collector or adopting impulsively. If you rent, they may ask for your landlord to call them or give a note saying its okay to have a pet.
>> Anonymous
>>204063

Of course she rents..she's a college student in an apartment.

Also the other animals will be huge obstacle, seems like most shelter dogs don't like either kids or other pets :/ They'll also ask you how many hours a day you'll be at the apartment and if you plan on moving anytime soon. I know I couldn't adopt for these reasons myself..but then..there's always the loophole of finding someone else to "say" they're the adoptee like your parents or grandparents,ha
>> Anonymous
papillons reign supreme over all small dogs. they are number 8 in intelligence over all breeds of dogs.
>> Anonymous
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for gods sake, please do not buy from a petstore. buy from a breeder that shows dogs, or get one from a rescue. please. ty.
>> Anonymous
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Looking on that Dog Breed Info site this is one of the coolest little dogs I have ever seen.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images10/American%20Bullnese%20shot3.jpg
>> Anonymous
Whats a good alternative to an English bulldog for someone who can't afford a few grand for a pet?
>> Anonymous
>>204577

LOL. That thing is retarded looking. American Bullnese WTF? It's more like a designer dog.
>> Kind Anon
>>204543
I agree with you,It´s always better to adopt a pet.Unfortunately,I think that´s really really hard to find a Pomeranian in a shelter...

To OP:I have a Pom.He haven´t completed one year yet,so he´s very playful.Hyper,actually.But he is a good friend and loves to play with my cats.Of course,sometimes he get a bit jealous and start to bark...Anyway,I like him so much.

You must give it bath one time per week and if possible,comb it everyday.
>> Anonymous
>>204603

Not really. Our shelters adopt out Poms once a month. Granted, they go like hot cakes, but they do show up. Just keep looking.
>> Anonymous
>>204580
Adopt?
>> Anonymous
>>204603
Are you kidding? TONS of poms at my local shelter. Maybe it's because I live close to Lancaster (puppy mill center of America), but check petfinder and you're bound to find a few in your area.
>> Anonymous
>>204059
Sup, I adopted my own dog from Petfinder while in college and I've worked at one of those shelters with a ridiculous application process. If you live in a dorm, don't bother of course, but as long as the dog isn't left alone 6+ hours a day at a time, I think you shouldn't have a hard time adopting. Some shelters have a strict fenced-yard-only policy, but most of them are flexible and will allow you to adopt when you live in an apartment as long as you can give landlord's approval and promise to walk the dog on a leash.

The applications are a little unnerving. I hate vet checks especially, because it feels like inviting someone to talk about you behind your back. But really, they WANT to get the animals adopted. They're going to look more for reasons to give you a dog than reasons NOT to give you a dog. They'll ask a lot of questions, but only because most Petfinder shelters have a foster system and they've really come to care about the dogs. Just be honest and be confident and it's not that bad.
>> Anonymous
If your cat loves dogs now, he'll fucking hate them and you if you get one of these yapping, wheezing, horrible beasts.