What is a good beginner dog?

my friend wants to adopt her first dog ever. She is a small person who is not very strong so like a big strong dog like a lab (that will pull her arms off on walks) would not be a good idea I think.What is a good beginner dog?
Jack Russel's are perfect for small people or people who want small dogs. They're full of energy, yet will be very obedient w/ training and tend to be tough little dogs. They are great for families and kids and are moderately to pretty easy to house train.








Also any kind of mutt or crossbreed is great for beginners because they get all the traits from it's breeds and they are loyal and tend to be more obedient than most purebreds. Go to the pound, pet store, and ask their opinion and see what they have, they're very helpful.What is a good beginner dog?
Need more info.


How much room does she have? Does she live on a ranch, or does she have a small apartment?


Does she prefer a long haired dog, short haired dog? Is she prepared to have the dog groomed once a month for $40 a visit?


I can tell you that cockapoos are very hard to potty train.........so she probably won't want that. The person who suggested an Italian Greyhound......that's probably not the best bet either as they EASILY break their legs and she'd need to be home with it all day.


Beagles are great, so are Pomeranians, Cairn Terriers, Jack Russells, Rat Terriers.......... but again, this all depends on the amount of grooming she wants to have done.


My personal suggestion is to go to an animal shelter and find an unwanted dog that she bonds with and adopt it.
I suggest renting from the library, or buying a dog breed book. It goes through the size, care, and temperments of the breed. Of course it's generalized, you can find exceptions with any breed.





Looking through it, you or she might be able to find a dog that would suit her lifestyle the best. That's what's most important.





Just because a dog is big doesnt mean you should shy away from it. If she gets it young enough they can be trained to NOT pull when on the leash. :)
A havanese would be a perfect fit for your friend. They come in many colors, are very intelligent and are willing and want to please their owners. I will put in a few links of pictures of the adorable dogs and there breed standard which is posted from the american kennel club. They average at 8 pounds. Probably the smartest little dog you will ever meet and the most adorable! hope this helps:





here are some links to pictures:





http://www.bichon.de/havanese/havanese3.鈥?/a>





http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images8/Hava鈥?/a>





here is the breed standard:





General Appearance


The Havanese is a small sturdy dog of immense charm. He is slightly longer than tall, and covered with a profuse mantle of untrimmed long, silky, wavy hair. His plumed tail is carried loosely curled over his rump. A native of Cuba, he has evolved over the centuries from the pampered lap-dog of the aristocracy into what he is today - the quintessential family pet of a people living on a small tropical island. His duties traditionally have been those of companion, watchdog, child's playmate and herder of the family poultry flock. His presentation in the show ring should reflect his function - always in excellent condition but never so elaborately coifed as to preclude an impromptu romp in the leaves, as his character is essentially playful rather than decorative.








While historically always a toy dog and therefore never overly large or coarse, he does not appear so fragile as to make him unsuitable as a child's pet. His unique coat reflects centuries in the tropics, and protects against heat. It is remarkably soft and light in texture, profuse without being harsh or woolly. Likewise, the furnishings of the head are believed to protect the eyes from the harsh tropical sun, and have traditionally never been gathered in a topknot for this reason.





In both structure and gait, the Havanese is not easily mistaken for any other breed. His characteristic topline, rising slightly from withers to rump is a result of moderate angulation both fore and aft combined with a typically short upper arm. The resulting springy gait is flashy rather than far-reaching and unique to the breed. The overall impression of the dog on the move is one of agility rather than excessive ability to cover ground. These characteristics of temperament, structure and gait contribute in large part to the character of the breed, and are essential to type.





Size, Proportion and Substance


The height range is from 8陆 to 11陆 inches, with the ideal being between 9 and 10陆 inches, measured at the withers, and is slightly less than the length from point of shoulder to point of buttocks, creating a rectangular outline rather than a square one. The Havanese is a sturdy little dog, and should never appear fragile. A coarse dog with excessive bone is likewise contrary to type and therefore equally undesirable. The minimum height ranges set forth in the description above shall not apply to dogs and bitches under twelve months of age. Disqualification: Height at withers under 8陆 inches or over 11陆 inches, except that the minimum height ranges set forth in the description above shall not apply to dogs or bitches under twelve months of age.





Head


The expression is soft and intelligent, mischievous rather than cute. The eyes are dark brown, large, almond-shaped, and set rather widely apart. Dark eyes are preferred irrespective of coat color, although the chocolate colored dog may have somewhat lighter eyes. The pigment on the eyerims is complete, solid black for all colors except for the chocolate dog which has complete solid, dark chocolate pigment. No other dilution of pigment is acceptable. Ears are of medium length; the leather, when extended, reaches halfway to the nose. They are set high on the skull, slightly above the endpoint of the zygomatic arch, and are broad at the base, showing a distinct fold. When the dog is alert, the ears lift at the base, producing an unbroken shallow arc from the outer edge of each ear across the backskull. The backskull is broad and slightly rounded. The stop is moderate. Length of muzzle is slightly less than length of back skull measured from stop to point of occiput and the planes are level. The nose is broad and squarish, fitting a full and rectangular muzzle, with no indication of snipiness. The pigment on the nose and lips is complete, solid black for all colors except for the chocolate dog which has complete solid, dark chocolate brown pigment. No other dilution of pigment is acceptable. A scissors bite is ideal. Full complement of incisors preferred. Disqualifications: Complete absence of black (or chocolate in the chocolate dog) pigmentation on the eyerims, nose or lips.





Neck, Topline, and Body


The neck is of moderate length, in balance with the height and length of the dog. It carries a slight arch and blends smoothly into the shoulders. The topline is straight but not level, rising slightly from withers to rump. There is no indication of a roach back. The body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks, is slightly longer than the height at the withers. This length comes from the ribcage and not from the short, well-muscled loin. The chest is deep, rather broad in front, and reaches the elbow. The ribs are well sprung. There is a moderate tuck-up. The tail is high-set and plumed with long, silky hair. It arcs forward over the back, but neither lies flat on the back nor is tightly curled. On the move the tail is carried loosely curled over the rump. The long plume of the hair may fall straight forward or to either side of the body. The tail may not be docked.





Forequarters


Shoulder layback is moderate, lying not more than 40 degrees off vertical. Extreme shoulder layback will negatively affect proper gait, and should be faulted. The tops of the shoulder blades lie in at the withers, allowing the neck to merge smoothly into the back. The upper arm is relatively short, but there is sufficient angle between the shoulder and upper arm to set the legs well under the body with a pronounced forechest. The elbows turn neither in nor out, and are tight to the body. Forelegs are well-boned and straight when viewed from any angle. The distance from the foot to the elbow is equal to the distance from elbow to withers. The pasterns are short, strong and flexible, very slightly sloping. Dewclaws may be removed. The feet are round, with well arched toes, and turn neither in nor out. Pads and nails may be black, white, pink, or a combination of these colors. Chocolate dogs may also have brown pads and nails.





Hindquarters


The hind legs are well-boned and muscular through the thigh, with moderate angulation. The hocks are short and turn neither in nor out. In normal stance, the hind legs are parallel to each other from hock to heel and all the joints are in line when viewed from the rear. The rear assembly, in which the rump is slightly higher than the withers, contributes to the breed's unique, springy gait. Dewclaws should be removed. The hind feet fall slightly behind a perpendicular line from point of buttock when viewed from the side. Hind feet have well arched toes and turn neither in nor out. Pads and nails may be black, white, pink or a combination of these colors. Chocolate dogs may also have brown pads and nails.





Coat


The coat is double, but without the harsh standoff guard hair and woolly undercoat usually associated with double coats. Rather, it is soft and light in texture throughout, though the outer coat carries slightly more weight. The long hair is abundant and, ideally, wavy. An ideal coat will not be so profuse nor overly long as to obscure the natural lines of the dog. Puppies may have a shorter coat. A single, flat coat or an excessively curly coat are equally contrary to type and should be faulted. Disqualifications: A coarse, wiry coat. An atypical short coat on an adult dog (atypical would be smooth, flat coat with, or without furnishings.)





Color


All colors are acceptable, singly or in any combination. No preference is given to one color over another. The skin may be freckled or parti-colored.





Gait


The Havanese gait is lively, elegant, resilient, and unique, contributing greatly to the breed's overall essential typiness. The characteristic ';spring'; is caused by the strong rear drive combined with a ';flashy'; front action effected by the short upper arm. While a truly typey dog is incapable of exaggerated reach and drive, the action does not appear stilted or hackneyed. The slightly higher rear may cause a correctly built specimen to show a flash of pad coming and going. The front legs reach forwardfreely. There is good extension in the rear and no tendency toward sickle hocks. The topline holds under movement, neither flattening nor roaching. Head carriage is typically high, even on the move.





Temperament


Playful and alert. The Havanese is both trainable and intelligent with a sweet, non-quarrelsome disposition.





Presentation


The dog should be shown as naturally as is consistent with good grooming. He may be shown either brushed or corded. His coat should be clean and well conditioned. In mature specimens, the length of the coat may cause it to fall to either side down the back but it should not appear to be artificially parted. The long, untrimmed head furnishings may fall forward over the eyes, naturally and gracefully to either side of the skull, or be held in two small braids beginning above the outer corner of the eyes, secured with plain elastic bands. (No ribbons or bows are permitted.) Corded coats will naturally separate into wavy sections in young dogs and will in time develop into cords. Adult corded dogs will be completely covered with a full coat of tassle-like cords. In either coat, minimal trimming of the hair at the inside corner of the eye is allowed for hygienic purposes only, not an attempt to resculpt the planes of the head. Minimal trimming around the anal and genital areas, for hygienic purposes only, is permissible but should not be noticeable on presentation. The hair on the feet and between the pads should be neatly trimmed for the express purpose of a tidy presentation. Any other trimming or sculpting of the coat is to be severely penalized as to preclude placement. Because correct gait is essential to breed type, the Havanese is presented at natural speed on a loose lead.





Faults


The foregoing description is that of the ideal Havanese. Any deviation from the above described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation keeping in mind the importance of the contribution of the various features toward the ';original purpose of the breed.';





Disqualification


Height at withers under 8陆 or over 11陆 inches except that the minimum height range shall not apply to dogs or bitches under twelve months of age.


Complete absence of black ( or chocolate in the chocolate dog) pigmentation on the eyerims, nose or lips.


Coarse, wiry coat.


An atypical short coat on an adult. (Atypical refers to a smooth, flat coat with, or without furnishings.)
An all American with hound in it!!!! They are lazy type dogs till on a track Small feet means small dog or mediumft means medium size. No terrriors, Corkies or lab mixed
Any ol pup from the pound.


I have 2 previously abused dogs here and they are great pets. We love each other so much I cant believe what a difference they have made in my life. I still remember the first time I gave my little poodle a piece of steak. He acted like he he couldnt believe what was happening. After he hopped up and licked my face for the first time.


Sigh


TRY to rescue an abused dog who needs a good home. You wont be sorry
It depends on how much time and money she can put into the dog... Some dogs require alot of exercise, some need to be groomed at least monthly, and some have lots of health problems. She should research all the breeds she's considering before she buys one. One of the biggest mistakes people make with dogs is choosing a breed that doesn't suit them.
I would suggest a chihuahua. They are cute, loyal, and easy to care for.


http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbvi鈥?/a>


http://www.driftwoodminis.com/images/chi鈥?/a>


http://www.dogpage.us/images/1595430822.鈥?/a>
A Hot Dog =]
Money can't buy exercise, grooming or love. I suggest a medium sized mutt from the shelter. There is no better reward than being able to adopt a homeless dog from the shelter. They are friendly and have all been temperament tested.





http://www.petfinder.com is an excellent website to find dogs in shelters in your area. Just type in which breed you want and your zip code.





Just so you can tell your friend; a Labrador is only a strong dog on the lead if it is not properly trained. Any large/strong breed can be easy for a small person to walk, she just needs to spend time in training.





You say your friend is ';rich';. How much time does she spend shopping, going out, dating, staying away, holidaying etc.? Her dog will need at minimum 40 minutes of walking on and off lead each day. He will need grooming at minimum once per week. He needs time, love and attention. If she spends lots of time going out, how will she be able to housebreak the dog (if a puppy) or train him?
hot dog
Pick a friendly dog that isn't too jumpy or a lot of maitenance...a couple of good breeds would be something like a beagle, dauchund, or an italian greyhound. Have her go to the local shelter and they'll help her pick out one that is suitable for her.
when choosing your new family member, remeber that it will be with you for about 15 years.what is your lifestyle? laid back, outdoors? What kind of yard/ fencing do you have?


How much poo are you wiling to clean up?


Dont rush into a decision and dont go into what I call ';puppy lala land'; dont buy because ';awww its soooo cute.';


research yourself, and what you will be doing with your new family member. Then research the breed.


For first time owners, sometimes you may want to start with an older dog that is allready house broke and calm.


good luck and congrats!