what dog to get?

Question
Hi my name is Alyssa,
i'm 13 mum and dad said i can get a dog for my 14th birthday. i dont know what breed to get i want some thing small/medium not much grooming good with kids can cope inside and out can live with a big or small backyard, good with other animals easy to train
just that sort of stuff
thanx lots
Alyssa

Answer
Hi Alyssa,

It's great that you'll be getting a dog for your birthday! I can't think of a better gift!

Dogs are all individuals, so they come with all kinds of personalities and temperaments, just like people. Even within a given breed, there can be big differences in temperament. There are many dogs who are not "breed standard" and do not live up to descriptions of what to expect. There are plenty aggressive Golden Retrievers, and lots of Pit Bull Terriers that are big goofy couch potatoes.

You can't go by the breed description alone, that's why it's important to meet the dog before you adopt him or her. It's also a big help to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group that has evaluated the dog's temperament, so you can get a larger picture of what the dog is like. Many times when you adopt from a shelter or rescue group the dog has already been spayed or neutered, is up to date on it's vaccines, and may well be house trained already.

Besides the many breeds of dog, there are also mixed breeds to consider. Mixed breed dogs are every bit as lovable and trainable as their pure bred cousins, they are just descended from more than one known breed. The good things about mixed breed dogs are, they are usually less expensive than a purebred, and they're usually healthier too.

Any dog is going to need daily exercise. If you have a back yard that's good, but a dog that's just let outside in the backyard everyday is going to become bored with that in short order, and not get the exercise it requires. Dogs needs at least one good leash walk (more if possible!) each day, as well as active play. When a dog does not receive enough exercise, it can develop some major behavioral issues, such as chewing on furniture, barking non-stop, and other destructive behavior, plus it can get fat, which is unhealthy for a dog.
How much exercise is enough depends on your dog's age, breed, and health. A 10-month old puppy is going to need more than a five-year old adult.

Breeds of dogs that are a small to medium size, don't require a lot of grooming, and are generally good with kids are:

Australian Terrier
Basset Hound
Beagle
Bichon Frise
Boston Terrier
Cocker Spaniel
Cairn Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Dachshund
Japanese Spaniel (Chin)
Norfolk Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Poodle (Miniature or Standard size)
Pug
West Highland White Terrier
Whippet

You can read more about each of these breeds of dog here:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/purebred.htm

A really good web site to browse adoptable dogs of all ages and breeds is:
http://www.petfinder.com
Use the "search for a pet" feature on the left side of the PetFinder home page. It goes by your zip code.

You can read up on what to expect when you first get your dog. A dog is a sensitive intelligent animal, and needs a little time to adjust to living with you. It will help if you know a little of what to expect in those first few days or weeks, read more here:

http://www.paw-rescue.org/dog_guide.php

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/bringing_your_new_dog_home.htm...

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck, and have a happy 14th birthday!

Patti