I am after some advice on how you know which breed is for you? I dearly want to show but I just do no know which breed to choose or indeed how to choose. I do know that I want a toy dog, or at least a small breed. Does anyone have any advice to offer please? How did you choose?

You need to think about the pros and cons of each breed... and whether you can deal with the cons.. also ask yourself

how much time do you have for excersise?
how much training are you willing to put in?
how long are you at home during the day?
Why do you want a toy dog? Is that a good reason?

there are lots more but cant think
good luck in choosing

Maybe go to 'discover dogs' or some shows and talk to some experienced people about a few breeds that you are interested in and decide that way

Discover dogs in on in london in a couple of weeks.  Worth a visit to talk to breeders/owners of any breed you like the look of and get more information.  From then you can research more into the breeds you like and visit afew shows where these breeds are scheduled.  and talk to more breeders and owners.  Find forums for the breeds and research as much as possible.  Def do visit Crufts in March aswell for more idea's.  It's not short process if you don't know what breed you want yet.

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2102

Have a look here - and Discover Dogs is the best place to start.

Me - I met dogs of certain breeds and fell in love was how it happened.

Think about - health, looks, temperament, exercise requirement, grooming requirements, fragility (some toys are very fragile and easily broken I believe), lifespan - and the Breed Clubs are another good place to find out more - they will often give you information by phone or produce little booklets about the breed, and if you narrow it down you can get breed specific books to learn more about them before deciding. Just a rough guide.

I had Border Collies and  a GSD when I went looking for a Pekingese, met my first Papillon
then and never did get my Peke, now have a house full of Papillons and Phalenes. LOL

Can only say the same as everyone else meet and speak to as many people as you can in
the different breeds at Discover Dogs etc.

Good luck with finding the right breed for you.

You need to look at your lifestyle, and what you want out of a dog.  A toy breed, even though the thing they have in common is being small, vary a lot between the breeds. 

Do you want an active dog (like the Miniature Pinscher) or a quieter more laid back dog (like the Peke- from what I have been told)

Do you want to spend a lot of time grooming (Poodle) or very little (min pin)

Do you want a terrier type, a lap type, or all around type dog (one that will cuddle with you, but is also independant)

BTW:  I said min pin a couple times, but I am not saying the min pin is the breed for you (although it could be) just that it is my breed, and I know quite a lot about them, so it was easier to use it as a reference.

I got myself a book on all breeds initally which covered how much exercise they need, if they are biddable, aloof, get on well with children, other animals etc.
You do need to be honest about what your lifestyle is like and what is important to you to have in a dog.
Some people love a dog which loves all humans, others prefer a dog which are initially aloof to strangers.
Some like their dog to be independent others don't.

I got myself a short list and then read up about the breeds.

Had it down to 2 breeds and then couldn't decide.

I decided that i couldn't cope with not having a Bernese and then that was it.
Went to shows, many of them for a long time. Meeting owners and breeders. I made a decision of what type i liked and then contacted that breeder, who luckily for me didn't live very far away so i was able to go to her home and meet all her dogs.
I waited 2yrs for my dog. Very glad i waited and very happy with him.
Though sometimes i think i have a Bernese who thinks he is a gundog - bless him..

I think you have to meet the breed and fall in love.

There is much to commend the 'sensible', research based method but you've also got to feel the attraction that will last for the dogs whole lifetime... bit like a marriage really

Toolz i totally agree with you there.

You could make an informed decision on a breed and then meet them and it may well be a no way hosay could i have one of those.

I personally think that Discover Dogs is a great place to visit and get hands on experience with the breeds.

> fragility (some toys are very fragile and easily broken I believe)

munrogirl is absoloutly right
i would never get a tiny toy poodle again (TTP) because one day she jumped out of my arms because of a loud noise as i was getting out of the car and fell and broke her neck.. 2 years old

never a toy breed again..

Aww that is so sad about your Poodle.

I knew from when I was little that I wanted my breed, more than any other

I you want to show you also need to consider the preperation required for the breed.Are you able/willing to bath/clip etc a dog such as an airedale,poodle etc or would a brush and go breed such as an elkhound  be more to your abilities.

Hadnt realised about Discover Dogs, will try and go along. I see that there is a show on this week too, maybe I should go along on toy day too? I would rather not have something which took too much preparing, dont mind a small amount.

Hi Agree with everyone else about going to Discover Dogs. Should also like to point out that not all small dogs are in the toy group. As for example Tibetan Spaniels are small dogs but they are in the utility group, coat wise they do not need much preparation before showing.
Regarding size, its all relative as I used to have BMDs and now have cardigan corgis which I consider a small breed, however other people would disagree.!!
It is worth reading the breed standards, but the best thing is to see the breeds in the flesh and talk to the owners.
Good luck .

> i would never get a tiny toy poodle again (TTP) because one day she jumped out of my arms because of a loud noise as i was getting out of the car and fell and broke her neck.. 2 years old
>

Oh my God, that's dreadful. One of ours did that to me once when the doorbell rang while I was holding him. Thankfully he was fine, but the five seconds after he jumped were the longest of my life. I'm so sorry.

I can't add a huge amount to what other people said, except to agree that it has to be a combination of head and heart. Don't let one rule over the other too much. There is no point having the breed that you love, if it really doesn't fit in with your lifestyle. That said, it isn't always wise to go for the "sensible" option if you end up with a dog that you're not passionate about.

We have wheaten terriers, which we first fell for because they look like cartoon dogs and are unbelievably cute. Then we met a few through breed days and breed club reps, and fell in love with their personalities (permanent puppies). They are a good size for us, not too small but not so big that we cannot carry them. Finally, the fact that they are non-shedding was an added bonus. No extra hoovering, but a lot of extra combing.

Once you have settled on a breed or two, I would contact the breed clubs and see if they have representatives in your area who are happy for you to visit them at home and see the dogs in their own environment. This is particularly useful for fairly unusual breeds and I am so glad we did it. It's probably less important if you go for a more popular breed as you probably have a better idea of how they will behave at home.

ditto i agree.
you should go to discover dogs and talk to people with the breeds you like to see if they are suitable for your lifestyle. This is what dd is about afterall.
and good luck with the showing.
xx

Go for a Labrador.

Now I know they're not actually a lap dog, but most of them think they are as they're always trying to get onto laps. Does that count?

We also have a Bichon and the trimming and brushing is never ending! Short coats are way easier to live with. (IMO anyway.)

Hi Hoobie

I'd definitely echo what the others have said about Discover Dogs - its a brilliant way to learn more about different breeds. I always go to DD at Crufts even though I have chosen the breed for me, I still love to learn about new breeds. You'll be able to get first hand experience at DD from experts so it's a must in my opinion,

There is a show on this week (Midland Counties I think - correct me if I'm wrong though ) and yes that is a very good idea too, go along, have a look at all the different breeds, I would watch the judging. Remember, the exhibitors at a show may not have much time to stop and chat as they will be preparing their dogs for the ring so DD is probably the best place to chat to breeders and experts.

If you don't want something that takes too much preparing then I would say go for a Cavalier - but then again I am biased

Despite saying that, my breed is Samoyeds and I 'inherited' my Cavalier & Alaskan Malamute when I got together with my OH. I used walk everyone's dogs in my village as a girl, and the two Sammies I walked were my favourites due to their wonderfully friendly personalities and Sammy smiles. It's true what everyone says about falling in love with your chosen breed - it just happens !!

I agree my OH wanted a Border I didnt I wanted a cuddly, fun dog and it turned out to be a cocker - he's beautiful, active and has the most soulful eyes, warms my feet and was and is my ideal. Discover dogs is a good bet but research further as well cause some dogs can be hyper small or large.

> bit like a marriage really

LOL!!!!

I picked yorkshire terriers because when i have been at shows etc, as we always had gsds you see, still do, and i fell in love wtih this breed, cocky, full of themselves, big dog in small body, bright eyed and (not bushy tailed but cute tailed!) and just love them from start to finish, only downside is the grooming side i would say and fairly tricky to house train. But my sparky outweighs all that and i wouldnt "SWAP" him for anything!!

> i would never get a tiny toy poodle again (TTP) because one day she jumped out of my arms because of a loud noise as i was getting out of the car and fell and broke her neck.. 2 years old
>
> never a toy breed again..

OMG thats so sad!! Poor thing!!! Bet that was dreadful!!

Sparky once jumped out of my arms but he very rarly goes in them, he hates being high up and carried! Thats the good thing with yorkies (well some of the personalitys obviously) as the ones i have arent really lap dogs like most people would suggest and like some i have seen, depends on personlity i think

discover dogs is a great idea, my bf and i were at crufts and he came away with a list of breeds he wants in the future lol.

do you have any other requirements appart from small? we could make some suggestions so you have an idea which stalls to start with. is small knee height and under? long coat or short coat? non shedding? ...

I don't mine a bit of grooming I would even be willing to learn to trim to an extent, nothing too much. think i will make a trip to the discover dogs

And if you want a smallish breed but are happy with some trimming, may I suggest you visit the Cavalier stand? They are a toy breed, only need a bit of trimming of feathering if you're not showing, and are very easy dogs for first time owners. In spite of 'that programme' if you saw it, if you buy from breeders who have tested their stock for hearts, eyes and scanned for SM, you have a good chance of a lovely happy healthy dog.

I have a friend that breeds and shows cavs and they are lovely dogs.

> cavs and they are lovely dogs

And very very pretty.....................................................................................................>>>>>

> I think you have to meet the breed and fall in love

Totally agree. I had never thought of having a dalmatian, I believed all the rubbish about then being thick and untrainable etc.
Then I met my first boy and I was smitten. I adore the breed every thing about them their stubborness, their loyalty, there gentleness, their love me love me coz i love you attitude. The ease in training them, providing they want to of course!!!They are big bouncy and fun to have around. Hey I even quite like the fact that all my clothes are individually stlyed. White hair in all the seam is so original. Who else get to wear white fur knickers !!

Dal owners always want to chat and share spot stories as well.
Then my second breed my friends had them all their lives and I loved their dogs but had never encountered any others when they had pups I just had to have one of those too

My cocker was shut in our back garden whilst OH and I were moving furniture he got onto the potting shed roof across the garage roof and jumped!! His jaw hit the deck as his front legs went, he got up shook his head and that was that.
Nevertheless we replaced the fence by the potting shed with a 2 meter one and next time shut him in the kitchen!! I tried to catch him but missed he was lucky........