I'm wondering if anyone can recommend dogs based on how easy it is to see ticks on them, how happy they are mostly being around the house, and any other considerations you've found. The Xolo and the Chinese Crested seem like two breeds that might work because they're mostly hairless. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Posts: 30 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Dec 2009
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just don
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My daughter has a creme colored wheaton terrier.
Not too big,,,not too small.
Hypo-allegoric,,,or whatever that word is.
The hair is curly and hard to see attached ticks, but crawling across outside a good color.
Any fur is going to hide them,,,black especially
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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sammy
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A wheaton terrier would be a good choice. They have fine, soft, light colored, curly hair. It would be easy to run your hands over the dog regularly to feel for ticks.
Of course I would also use a preventative like Advantix or Frontline to keep fleas and ticks away.
I have some friends with a wheaton. He has a very friendly disposition. Calm, easy going dog. Loves attention, loves to play with kids but not annoying like some terriers can be. He is also very quiet. Doesn't bark much. I'm not sure if that is characteristic with the breed or just part of his easy going personality.
If you want a certain kind of puppy, be sure to buy from a reputable breeder. Don't order online and don't go to a pet store. Those pups are often from puppy mills. Find a local breeder, go meet pup and it's parents. This way you will find a dog that fits for you.
You could also consider adopting from a shelter. People buy expensive pets and can't care for them. If you visit a couple shelters you will have your pick of young dogs that would make excellent companions.
When you find a dog that you like, visit a couple times. Take the dog outside for walks. Get them out of the shelter environment and see how they respond to you. That will give you a better sense of how they will act at home. And of course, no matter where you get your pup you will have to teach them the rules of your house when you bring them home.
Have fun!
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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littlebit27
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We had a boxer. And because of his short hair it was easy to spot anything on him, even when he unfortunately got fleas.
They are great dogs-really smart and very loving but look scary to strangers.
They like to chew though so they can't be left alone without being kennelled most times unless you get lucky and get a better behaved one-I heard they exist.
Good luck on your search-definitely NOT a sheltie-we can't see anything on that dog-so when I pet him I'm constantly feeling on his skin and if I see or feel anything I'm all over it. So far it's only been dirt.
just don
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My other daughter has a hyper boxer. I like him but he is a BAD choice for a in town family house dog.
He has been operated on numerous times for ear growths AND was thought to have cancer once in one growth. He was going to lose the ear or more if so,,,but was benign,luckily for my grandson etc.
He also has long claws that scratch glass doors, floors and furniture. Hard to trim them also.
As he ages he is losing some puppy habits,,like all dogs they reflect their owners training. So basically untrained,,,hard to retrieve when escapes his bounds.
I could think of many breeds to own,,and a boxer is not one of them,,,sorry,,my opinion!!!
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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sutherngrl
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I have owned several different breeds over the years. My latest sweety is a short haired dashchund. They are great indoor dogs. Don't need much exercise, low maintnence.
I suggest a red one though to see ticks better. Mine is black, but we have never seen a tick on her or a flea for that matter. We keep her protected with frontline every month.
Dashchunds are great if you are looking for a lap dog! Also they are so adorable with their short little legs and long body!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
um, one of those hairless kinds? lol (just kidding)
I would get something medium to small size if I could do the dog thing over again. My 50 lb puppy JUMPS and throws himself at me when he's excited. It's a bit too much for me and my kids.
My parents have a mini-dashshund that is awesome! Or maybe something with short light colored fur?
posted
I bet you can't guess what I would recommend...
Posts: 472 | From New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2007
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kam
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LOL Cockapoo! I'd like to put a different spin on things. There is a web site that that will help you know which breed might be right for you.
They do not have the categories mentioned above but they do include: how much grooming is needed and how often, how much exercise is needed and how often, etc.
Dog intelligence
These would be things to consider too.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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I love my chiauauas (spelling?). They are happy to lay in bed with me when I feel bad and keep me company. They don't have much hair, so you can easily see/feel things on them. And they love to get under the covers.
One of my chiauauas like to go for walks, but the other one is too little to make it, so we just put her in the back yard some to run around.
The two dogs also wrestle around some, and it funny as heck to watch!!! But, good luck with whatever you choose!!
Posts: 893 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2008
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dmc
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Xolo and the Chinese Crested, really any of those "hairless" breeds get horrid,smelly, scaley, gross skin conditions if not properly care for.
Even if cared for, but poor breeding, poor diet etc. can raise your vet bills due to their skin problems.
Any dog with a thinner smooth coat would be a canidate. There are plenty of those breeds such as those mentioned above.
research, research, research.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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merrygirl
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I have a bulldog. They are short haired. They dont like exercise or being outside much. BIG couch potato. Very much my speed. They do however usually require a lot of vet care. I would suggest VPI pet insurance to anyone getting a bulldog or a pup for that matter. Its like $40 a month.
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
We have a smooth (short hair) Collie...and I love everything about him except that he's so hyper. I guess that could be because he's a puppy though? I'm hopeful that he'll mellow out.
When my service dog died a few months ago, just out of sadness I browsed and found my german shepherd Nico.
He needs me as much as I need him.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Andie333
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I have had a wonderful shelter dog who was absolutely great. Plus so many are abandoned now, because of the financial crisis.
But I happen to agree with cockapoo. I'm new to this breed, but the pup I have is really wonderful: smart, funny, active, loving. He enjoys swimming and is a class A fetcher. A real cuddler who loves the cats and kids.
This boy loves to run in the woods, and thankfully, he's light colored, so ticks are easy to spot. Mostly surface, thankfully, because he's on frontline plus.
he's a really wonderful guy!
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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17hens
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dmc, is Nico white? if so, that's too weird...
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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lpkayak
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black is bad..white is good-in dogs anyway
labs have great personalities but my vet says he puts down more labs from lyme or "liver-kidney failure" than any other dog and he is beginning to think it is cuz when ticks get into that thick hair that keeps the dog s warm in the water the ticks are really hard to find until they have done their thing
i need a 10 lb or less dog next time(cuz of my arthritis) and i will train it to use indoor facilities. i'm allergic and am thinking of a havernese...they have a rescue. many breeds do-another option to shelter
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
i am a firm believer in saving dogs lives instead of supporting breeders who bring more into the world, causing an overpopulation and euthanasia
i highly reccommend petfinder.com ... you can search by whichever breed you decide and save a dog's life!
i've adopted all 3 of my dogs, and they have been the best thing to ever happen to me Posts: 220 | From Kansas | Registered: Mar 2010
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dmc
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17hens, Nico is a black & dk tan.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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17hens
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Ah, Ok, not weird at all then. Just thought maybe you adopted the Nico I had looked at some months back. What a small world that would have been!
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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Keebler
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- Train the puppy from the start to NOT kiss anyone on the mouth.
Then you can better enjoy romping and cuddling. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
It is good to be tick-aware but be careful. I live in a park-like neighborhood where deer run through the back yard. Our found golden retriever mix loves the woods. We are outdoors people.
When Lyme came it sucked. And after two years and some change I am not sure it will ever not suck at least a little.
Since then I have thought a lot on prevention. the location of the house, and the dog seemed to generate the most exposure to ticks.
I decided not to let the ticks take what I love. The life I have here is the one I love. I decided awareness would be a good defense. I keep the grass shaved low around the house, and I brush Caroline often.
More than all else I spend time with her, scratchin her underside and rubbin her all over. If there is a tick on her I find it, and more often than not, I find it before it hooks in.
(Oddly this works for the rest of your fam too. You do not have to be like an ape. And it is good for everyone to be touched.)
If I had to choose another breed, and I will soon given Caroline's age, I know there are better breeds from a tick exposure standpoint. But from the overall standpoint I cannot imagine a better breed - a smart and sweet companion.
So I suppose if I were to offer advice, if I could I would tell you to consider tick exposure as a factor but not THE factor.
-------------------- enjoy the day.
-jmb Posts: 208 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2008
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Geneal
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I have 6 rescued dogs.
Everything from a 100lb mix breed to a chihuahua/weenie dog mix.
Hairless isn't better for ticks.
I use advantix on my dogs.
However, occasionally still find ticks on them.
I do check them regularly.
Keep them out of tall grass and the woods too.
Actually, I am the only one who has had a tick on them lately.
I recommend a shelter dog too.
I will never buy a dog. I prefer to "rescue" them.
Or sometimes I think that they "rescued" me.
Hugs,
Geneal
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randibear
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i love labradors. they are the friendliest and most gentle dogs i know.
however they are LARGE. randi weighed 78 pounds but was the biggest baby you ever saw. ok, she was seriously spoiled. no, i mean rotten type spoiled.
if she didn't get her way she pouted. honestly, she would go sit in the corner and stare at the wall and if we spoke to her she would look around her shoulder and glare at us and then go back to staring in the corner. it was absolutely hysterical.
ah, i can imagine what children of mine would have been like. just like her. oh geez....
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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David95928
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Pugs are good indoor dogs who are generally extremely affectionate. They have an average lifespan of 13-15 years so you get to keep them a while. Use frontline to avoid ticks. They aren't much for running around in the weeds.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Any dog with short hair and a light color will be a good choice for tick spotting. i have an australian cattledog mix with short red fur.
I treat him with frontline every month and check him after being outside every day ( I pull ticks off of him weekly in summer). I've also had him vaccinated for Lyme.
Posts: 41 | From astoria, new york | Registered: Feb 2010
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