I know the Rat Terrier and I think most rescues groups "foster care" the dogs and make sure they are resocialized before you adopt them. If they have any issues, they tell you before you take it. Most, turn out to be perfect dogs once they recover from the stupid humans that had them.

We rescued Maggie from a puppy mill, cost us $125 but she had parasites. The vet bill was about $300. She is as much a part of the family as a child would be.

 

I understand your dilemma.

The reason we have small dogs is we have a small yard. The RT and the Chi don't do much, but the mini Dachshunds are players. One loves to track and chase squirrels. Very entertaining.

 

Jack Russels are great dogs and theyre very athletic and playful

i personally have a rat terrier and hes been a good dog, although i think he was the runt cus hes only like 4 pounds.
none the less hes very loving and loyal

we also have an austrailan shepherd and theyre amazing dogs, probably the smartest ive ever seen and love to show off haha..theyre a lil on the bigger side tho, about knee high

 

Austrailan Sheperds are Awesome! I had one a few years back. But she was too much for us to handle, so we got rid of her after she bit my Great uncle on his ankl!

 

I have had two standard size dachshunds in the past and I have two at the same time currently. I really love em and they are certainly playful but also very loving. Here is a pic of the old one


I highly suggest getting one, they are great dogs, plus they are just the right size to come up next to you under your truck while doing work

 

^^^ha funny story actually...we used to have two, a male and a female, but we think the female was a little inbred or something cus she just wasnt really right so we had her put down...

moral of the story always get your dogs from a GOOD breeder and insist on paperwork

 

^^^ Very true, all of the dachshunds we have had were from authorized breeders with paperwork. Some dogs are cheap for a reason.

 

My next dog is going to be a Papillon. They are the cutest dogs and from all I've read, highly energetic and very intelligent. Maybe a little smaller than what you're looking for, about 8-11" is the breed standard but if you're not showing it, you can find them bigger.

 

how high can daschunds jump? i think a miniature daschund would be the ***** to have around. the 2 big things i want the dog to be able to do is ride in the fj down trails and enjoy it and be able to jump up onto furniture and beds

 

Beagle. Contrary to popular belief, they are VERY intelligent, just stubborn. Breed standard is 13-15" tall. We have two now. They love car rides, love people, run around like maniacs outside and jump right up on the couch and bed. Inside, afeter all the exercise, they relax. Although, they get kicked off the couch. The female jumps into the bed and gets right under the covers. The male is usually on top of the covers. Make no mistake, ANY dog is going to be a bed hog if they are allowed to sleep with you. Plus who can say no to a beagle

 

X2 my family is big on the australian shepards but when I went looking for one we found an english border collie and he's great

 

how heavy is your beagle? i was just looking at beagles and miniature beagles

 

It might be a bit too big for ya, but Labs are SUCH good dogs. Super smart, loyal to the utmost degree, very cute, full of energy....they're just a great dog! There's a reason so many people have 'em these days.

Give your local shelter a good look first. It's sad to think some of those good animals will never find a home.

 

Honestly, I have no clue. I let my "better half" deal with the vet, she has more patience with people than me. I would guess around 22lbs or so for the female. She is about a year and 2 months now. The male is only like 5 or 6 months and he is getting up there. Had to be around 17lbs now. With beagles it is really a matter of controlling their food intake HEAVILY. They can easily become overweight. Most beagles are chow hounds and will eat anything and everything they can. Our female is picky, the male is not. But their food is regulated and treats are factored in to their daily intake.

If you go beagle, stick with a normal. The miniature beagles have a lot of health issues IIRC.

 

Whatever you do DO NOT pick a dog because thats the type of dog you always wanted or because it looks cool. You need to do some research first. You need to find a dog that will fit not only your lifestyle but one in which you be able to fit his lifestyle. If your just gonna sit around the house all day and not do jack sh@t, then a lab, boxer, or any other high energy breeds that need 3 hours + of exercise a day aren't gonna cut it. Your only short changing them and they will in turn destroy your house because of boredom. On the other hand don't get a Baset Hound if you plan on going on marathon runs with him everyday, you'll kill him! Every dog is not the same, they all require different needs. If those needs aren't met properly, thats what couses "bad" dogs.

Its a process of elimination, find out what you want to do with your dog, and that will determine what type of dog suits your lifestyle. In the end you will both be happier!

Now having said that, I'll put my 2 cents in. I wanted a dog that didn't need a lot of exercise, that was gentle, got along with kids, got along with other dogs, wasn't too big, wasn't too small, wasn't agressive, didn't bark, was low maintenance, didn't need a lot of space and had a fun personality. After doing some research it came down to one breed and its been perfect match since, English Bulldog. He's the best! The only drawback, they cost about $2,000 but are well worth it. If somebody tries to sell you won for less, thats a red flag. Awesome dogs, they're just love to hang out! Check them out.