HelloI am thinking about...

Question
Hello

I am thinking about getting a puppy later this year but cant decide on a breed. I would like a dog thats farly small and certintly no bigger then knee height and one that will get along with my bicon/shiz-tuz x and one that is eaily house-broken and canbe tought a few basic commands.

Answer
Hi there,

Congratulations on deciding to get a puppy!

It's important to consider your older dog's temperament when picking out a new dog or puppy. In canine society much more emphasis is placed on "pack standing" than on size.

If your current dog has a dominate personality, you wouldn't want to bring another dominate dog into your home, not without expecting there to be fights, as each dog will constantly be trying to assert it's dominance on the other. Instead look for a submissive dog as your second dog. If your current dog is submissive, then it doesn't matter whether or not a new dog is dominate or submissive, since your dog probably won't be challenging it.

Any dog, large or small should taught basic commands, a really good idea is to enroll the puppy in a "Puppy Kindergarten" class, where the puppy will not only be introduced to basic commands, but will get socialized with other dogs and people... a part of training that you really don't want to over look. Training takes commitment, patience and consistency.

Housebreaking is a big issue for little dogs. They're known to be harder to housetrain than their larger cousins. You must be gentle, patient and consistent, rewarding him when he does the right thing in the right place.
That said, here are some small breeds you might want to consider, they are said to be easier to housetrain:

Border Terrier
Boston Terrier
Cairn Terrier
English Toy Spaniel
French Bulldog
Havanese
Japanese Chin
Miniature Poodle
Miniature Schnauzer
Norwich Terrier
Pug
Shetland Sheepdog
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Tibetan Spaniel
Welsh Corgi
West Highland White Terrier

Here is an article about picking a puppy out by it's temperament.  Go to:
http://www.boerboel.co.za/temperament.html

Here's two articles about introducing a puppy to an older dog that you might find helpful:
http://www.newfdogclub.org/Pubs/nkh/kkh_docs/hkkh_33_intro_dogs.htm
http://www.amrottclub.org/dog2.htm

Here is a dog breed selector for you to try out. Answer the  questions, and it will suggest the right breed for your lifestyle. Go to:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

I hope I've been a help. I hope you find the puppy of your dreams!

-Patti