I have heared the King Charles Cavalier Spaniels are good dogs. However I would go to your local animal shelter and see what one is the best fit for your famly. What may be great for one, may not be for yours. Also it may help if you make a list of the type of dog you want and try to find one that best fits that. Best of luck!

thanks, i will.... im hoping not to have to pay too much for the dog... how much are shots usually? my friend spent $400 on them... do they really need them all?? 

luvpink1494 says ...

thanks, i will.... im hoping not to have to pay too much for the dog... how much are shots usually? my friend spent $400 on them... do they really need them all?? 

The cost for shots are a wide range, some pay about 400 and some don't. I pay about less than 100 where we go. I honestly think for the best deals look into small town country vets, sure it may be quite a drive out there, but it is well worth your buck!  However, look everywhere! Also I forgot to mention, try and steer clear of pet stores that sell puppies in their store on a daily basis. Reason being is that chances are they come from a puppy mill. However, if it is like a once a month adoption day held there, then you are ok!. Also if you buy from a breeder, be very weary about who you buy from because again it could be a puppy mill. ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS!! Like about the parents health and ask for a tour. If you get there and the place is overly filthy (there is the whole thing about dirty dogs, I mean if the place does not look in anyway sanitary.) that can be a sign that it is not a good place to buy from.  Look at the conditions of the other dogs too. I would also like to suggest that you try and make a deal that you take the dog for like a thirty day trial period to get it checked by a vet and to see if it fits with your family before you pay. Most breeders have no problem with that. In saying that ask for a copy of both parents health record, make sure they have not been overly sick in their past. I would stick with registered breeders if you are going to go that avenue, to many irresponsible breeders in this world!

Theres actually a type of dog that doesn't bark.... I think it's a Basenji but I'm not sure. If you're looking for a purebred, try a bulldog or some other nonworking dog. also, theres a list of all AKC registrable breeds at akc.org (it can definetely help)

Honestly though, I'd go to the local shelter and adopt a dog that seemed to be quiet and about the good size/hair/requirements for you. Besides, you'd be saving an animal's life! :)

As for the vaccines, only the rabies vaccine is 100% essential (i live in houston, TX so the law might change depending on where you live) But it might be a good idea to look for free programs near your area. For example, there's a clinic in houston that caters to people who don't have the money to spend thousands on their animals (they still charge though) Everytime we take our dog to the vet its usually only around $100, including all her shots, heartworm prevention and consultation. Because we live in the age of the internet, its a good idea to look for reduced-price animal clinics in your area. Also, some clinics/animal hospitals have payment options

Summary: Look for a vet before looking for a dog.

luvpink1494 says ...

LaurenM1009 says ...

luvpink1494 says ...

thanks, i will.... im hoping not to have to pay too much for the dog... how much are shots usually? my friend spent $400 on them... do they really need them all?? 

The cost for shots are a wide range, some pay about 400 and some don't. I pay about less than 100 where we go. I honestly think for the best deals look into small town country vets, sure it may be quite a drive out there, but it is well worth your buck!  However, look everywhere! Also I forgot to mention, try and steer clear of pet stores that sell puppies in their store on a daily basis. Reason being is that chances are they come from a puppy mill. However, if it is like a once a month adoption day held there, then you are ok!. Also if you buy from a breeder, be very weary about who you buy from because again it could be a puppy mill. ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS!! Like about the parents health and ask for a tour. If you get there and the place is overly filthy (there is the whole thing about dirty dogs, I mean if the place does not look in anyway sanitary.) that can be a sign that it is not a good place to buy from.  Look at the conditions of the other dogs too. I would also like to suggest that you try and make a deal that you take the dog for like a thirty day trial period to get it checked by a vet and to see if it fits with your family before you pay. Most breeders have no problem with that. In saying that ask for a copy of both parents health record, make sure they have not been overly sick in their past. I would stick with registered breeders if you are going to go that avenue, to many irresponsible breeders in this world!

 

 

what's a puppy mill and why are they bad?

A puppy mill is pretty much a fairly unsanitary place where dogs are constanly inhumainly bred. the condititions are filthy and how the dogs are treated is worse. the 'parents' are constanly bred. Once the mom is pregnant and has her young and they are weaned, the breeder breeds her again. Doing this has multiple health affects both on mom and puppies. It expands the mom uterious a lot and the mom is very malnurished. Also the puppies are cramed into cages. Plus with all the breeding, the puppies get sick and die offen at a young age, causing the owner grief and usualy a fairly large vet bill.