calliecritturs
Posted : 10/16/2012 10:59:53 AM
Just a thot for you -- aside from the fact your mom lives in a manufactured home, you need to be mindful of how much she can physically handle.
We are limited at this point to dogs not more than 30 pounds because it's all *I* can LIFT. Meaning -- not necessarily now, but in 5+ years what if the dog hurts its back, or is too weak and has to be *carried* into the vet.
David and I made the decision long ago that we would never want a dog's care to suffer because David wasn't home to bring the dog to the vet **now** and it was left to me. So we have to keep the size to something I can physically handle and get down the ramp out back or the 4 large steps otherwise.
Also -- how about shedding and coat? If your Mom is used to a shih tzu -- which doesn't shed much, she may want something with less grooming but make sure she considers coat. I'd love to suggest a pug (cos they can be funny as heck) but they shed worse than any dog I've ever had in my life.
If you want something in writing to go over with her -- the ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs has, in the back of each AKC "division" section pictures of mixes -- like what would a bassett/beagle mix look like? Basically so you can go to a rescue and have some clue what that mix really might be.
Also -- there are one page descriptions of each breed which can be truly helpful. It gives you a heads up on temperament, as well as breed-related health issues.
But I gotta give a HUGE second to what Jackie says about adopting from a rescue. For someone who isn't prepared to deal with a dog with "issues" going thru a rescue can be a better option because the dog will have been with a family who should be able to give you some decent information.
Get her to think out loud to you what she really wants, and couple that with the weather where she lives. If someone loved to walk a LOT in Florida, again I wouldn't tell them a pug because they get too over-heated WAY too fast.
On the other paw, I will likely never volunteer to take a hound of any sort in the future. I love Luna dearly, but the constant vocalizing makes me insane. You never have to wonder how she feels on any particular subject cos she's GONNA tell you -- long and in great detail (oh the whining, and the constant "commenting" on every single thing in her life??? sheesh!!)
If I could clone Charlie I could honestly about offer him as one of the most perfect dogs I've ever loved.
But despite the heat sensitivity, I can imagine there will be another pug in our future someday. Zillions of them in rescue and each one is a character.
Hopefully this will be fun for your Mom.