Which breed is best for my family?

[StepupTimneh]

I am a 13 year old girl with a 9 year old and a 7 year old sister, and parents. Our family would like a dog that has these qualities:

No Shedding
Medium size (around 30 pounds)
intelligent
friendly
obedient

Also, we have a parrot, so we would prefer a breed that is not likely to attack him. My mom doesn't want a big dog and my dad doesn't want a small dog. We were thinking of getting either a schnoodle or a Portoguese Water Dog.

Any suggestions?

[Dax]

I would say a beagle. They are low shedding but still a dog that a man can be proud to walk down the street.

[RiverKayleesMuM]

Originally Posted by DaxAriel's Toy

I would say a beagle. They are low shedding but still a dog that a man can be proud to walk down the street.

I just have to say beagles shed a TON! I have been around many and in about two seconds of petting you have fur all over.

[Blaze]

Maybe a miniature Poodle?

[Dax]

The ones I met don't shed nearly as bad as my rottie (maybe it's a volume thing lol)

[Moo]

I would go the poodle route as well.

Although INTELLIGENCE and OBEDIENCE are two different things. INTELLIGENCE, is deductive skills to me. My Kirby is intelligent. By watching he learns how to open doors and cupboards. He knows that I can't leave the house without my keys; and that if we turn left twice, and drive for about 3 minutes, we are going to agility. Sometimes, I wish he wasn't so. lol. OBEDIENCE is just how interested they are in you, rather than another object or sound... Kirby is usually obedient, except around agility equipment. Then there is trainability... also another story for me....

Friendliness should be maintained by training.

[Louis999]

Maybe a Bichon Frise, they are like poodles but they are a bit plumper. it's not a masculine dog though lol. You could go for a West Highland White Terrier, they are not too girlish so your dad wouldn't mind and they shed very little.

Good luck! Sorry about the size of the pictures.
Here is a bichon frise


Here is a Westie

[StepupTimneh]

Those are some good suggestions, I'll talk to my dad about them.
But, if he doesn't agree, what do you think we should get between a Portoguese Water Dog and a schnoodle?

[whimzikal]

I'm not against mixed breeds...infact that's all I have intentionally!
We can't have a shedding dog. (My osn who is about your age is allergic)
One of our dogs is a SCHNOODLE (Giant not the normal little guys)
Be sure to visit the pup before getting it to 'test' the non shed thing.

[Faith]

i don't have a suggestion for a specific breed - just that i would suggest adopting an young/adult dog. that way you know for sure how large they will be (your mom won't have to worry about them getting too big) and you can start testing their personality by visiting them at the pound or local humane society and get some feedback from the people working there on what they think about their behavior and intelligence.

plus, some of them are already crate trained and/or housebroken so it can be less work for everyone once they come home with you. puppies are ALOT of work, just something to keep in mind.