We want to get a dog...

[MoJo]

If shedding is an issue then the poodle, schnauzer, or Bichon Frise are all good choices. They all have hair not fur so they don't shed but do need regular grooming. Having owned a toy poodle and now own a schnauzer I can say these are two great breeds that are loyal and protective of their humans. Believe it or not, if you want a dog for early warning the Chihuahua is probably the best followed by the mini Dachshund.

My motto is: "Never mind the dog, beware of the owner."

[randomoutburst]

My hubby's family has Corgis and they have AWFUL gas. Worst part is, they're silent so you only know when you realize the dog has been skulking around, you smell it, look at the dog, and the dog smiles and wags its tail. I swear they do it near us on purpose!

My hubby and I both wear black for work and have black/brown furniture so the GSD's shedding really isn't practical. Everything else about them is nice but we don't need a sizeable dog to defend our things - that's what our guns are for. We want a dog protective and alert enough to bark when something is amiss, with the deep bark to persuade would-be burglars from entering.

I think the Standard Schnauzer is so far the one my hubby and I like best...on paper anyway. Intelligent, needs firm training, energetic, medium-sized, a family dog when properly socialized...of course we will continue to look at other breeds but this one lands on the list of ones to check out in person and seriously consider as an addition to the family.

MoJo - Not considering the Chihuahua or Dachshund because of their small size and yippy bark. I simply don't like the way poodles look and had a bad experience with both my grandmother's and my neighbor's poodles in middle school (they both bit me). I do think the Schnauzer is my favorite at this point, though. :)

[marksiwel]

If shedding is an issue then the poodle, schnauzer, or Bichon Frise are all good choices. They all have hair not fur so they don't shed but do need regular grooming. Having owned a toy poodle and now own a schnauzer I can say these are two great breeds that are loyal and protective of their humans. Believe it or not, if you want a dog for early warning the Chihuahua is probably the best followed by the mini Dachshund.

My motto is: "Never mind the dog, beware of the owner."

All Dogs Shed. Period.

[Outbreaker]

I worked in Vet Medicine for over 12 years. If you want to know what dog to get as an alarm system....ask a Vet and almost all will say.

Best guard dog? Miniature Schnauzer if a mouse farts within 1 mile you will know it. (exageration)

Only thing better that that.....is 2 of them.

[Charles L. Cotton]

My favorite dog was a female Pug we had for 11 years. She's was great, but she shed more than two Labs! We now have 3 miniature Schnauzers and there is never a single dog hair in our home; not one, not ever. So perhaps MOST dogs shed, but not all.

Chas.

[marksiwel]

Charles I hate to disagree with you because I respect you , but I'm a professional Groomer with nearly a decade under my belt. All dogs shed, even if its just a tiny bit.
http://www.opulentpet.com/all-dogs-shed" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.trainpetdog.com/dog-shedding.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Its like Caffeine Free Coffee, its still got Caffeine in it.

[The Annoyed Man]

Rhodesian Ridgeback - intelligent, loyal, very kid-friendly and very protective.

You beat me to it. I had one 37 years ago. It was one of the best dogs I've ever had.

[budroux2w]

Akitas while probably too big for what you are looking for are easy to take care of. They potty train VERY quickly and with a quick daily brushing are easy to keep the shedding down. They are a family dog first and last. Infact in their native land of Japan they are often regarded as baby sitters. They also don't bark unless they have to and it's not a bark you want to hear.

For one in your size range GSDs can be good dogs but take a lot of time as they are full of energy. Our year and a half old GSD can go for a mile long jog and hardly bat an eye.

[marksiwel]

Akitas while probably too big for what you are looking for are easy to take care of. They potty train VERY quickly and with a quick daily brushing are easy to keep the shedding down. They are a family dog first and last. Infact in their native land of Japan they are often regarded as baby sitters. They also don't bark unless they have to and it's not a bark you want to hear.

For one in your size range GSDs can be good dogs but take a lot of time as they are full of energy. Our year and a half old GSD can go for a mile long jog and hardly bat an eye.

they are also used to hunt BEARS!

[MojoTexas]

I have a lab/golden mix, and although she sheds a lot, she's the perfect dog for us. She's incredibly gentle and tolerant of my son, who is almost 2, and she has a deep bark that has that "big dog" sound, which she only uses when someone is at the door. However, she's never shown any real signs of aggression...she's just an "early warning" system that lets us know if someone comes around. I guarantee that a burglar would think twice about entering my home if they rang the doorbell to see if anyone was home.

Boxers are also good dogs...very smart and loyal, and less shedding than a lab or German Shepherd. If I were to get another dog that was NOT a lab or lab mix, it would probably be a boxer.

[budroux2w]

Akitas while probably too big for what you are looking for are easy to take care of. They potty train VERY quickly and with a quick daily brushing are easy to keep the shedding down. They are a family dog first and last. Infact in their native land of Japan they are often regarded as baby sitters. They also don't bark unless they have to and it's not a bark you want to hear.

For one in your size range GSDs can be good dogs but take a lot of time as they are full of energy. Our year and a half old GSD can go for a mile long jog and hardly bat an eye.

they are also used to hunt BEARS!

haha yes they are. We had one and he was the most gentil and sweetest dog... Unless we didn't tell him you were okay.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Charles I hate to disagree with you because I respect you , but I'm a professional Groomer with nearly a decade under my belt. All dogs shed, even if its just a tiny bit.
http://www.opulentpet.com/all-dogs-shed" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.trainpetdog.com/dog-shedding.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Its like Caffeine Free Coffee, its still got Caffeine in it.

All I can say is we have 3 and there's not a hair anywhere in the house, including the near-white carpet.

Chas.

[KFP]

We considered a Vizsla before getting our Lab, it might be worth a look for you.

[chabouk]

All hair-bearing creatures, including humans, shed hair that is continually replaced. Okay, some of us hit a point in life where we shed faster than we replace, but that's a different topic...

"Non-shedding" breeds have a hair cycle that's more like humans. They don't put on thicker coats and then shed it due to seasonal changes.

Schnauzers are prone to skin problems, which means lots of dander and scratching. That's not a problem if you have solid floors, or follow a very thorough vacuuming regimen. We've switched to all tile and hardwood, and plan to never have carpet again. Even though we kept a clean house, pulling up the old carpet was an absolutely disgusting process. You have no idea what's down there.

[TLynnHughes]

All hair-bearing creatures, including humans, shed hair that is continually replaced. Okay, some of us hit a point in life where we shed faster than we replace, but that's a different topic...

"Non-shedding" breeds have a hair cycle that's more like humans. They don't put on thicker coats and then shed it due to seasonal changes.

Schnauzers are prone to skin problems, which means lots of dander and scratching. That's not a problem if you have solid floors, or follow a very thorough vacuuming regimen. We've switched to all tile and hardwood, and plan to never have carpet again. Even though we kept a clean house, pulling up the old carpet was an absolutely disgusting process. You have no idea what's down there.

Thanks Chabouk. I was trying to think of a way to make this exact comment make sense. I lose a hair every now and then, but I don't consider myself to be shedding. I'm sure that must be how it is for Schnauzers. Appreciate the explanation.

Random...pics please when you finalize the adoption.

T.