[tara2289]

Hi, this is my first post on the forum!!....My names tara, I am looking into getting a miniature schnauzer within the next few months however I want to do all possible research before I set my mind to it. I originally started looking at morkies but decided I wanted something a little more tough! (Totally different dogs I know)! With everything I have seen I read they are energetic, alert, loving, loyal and a tad stubborn. My boyfriend and I do a lot of fishing and hiking and are outdoors alot when the weathers nice so were looking for a dog that will walk with us without a leash, throw a stick in the lake and the dog goes for a swim etc. I need a small dog and really am not a huge fan of poodles. I also need something that works with us allergy suffers as myself! Any suggestions, warnings or tips?

[cigwyllt]

I don't know anything about Schnauzers - although they are lovely looking dogs, especially the big ones - but Jack Russells really enjoy the outdoor life. They do perhaps need more training than others as the hunting instinct can be strong but if trained well the dog would thrive on your lifestyle. Interestingly people tend to find that the rough or broken coated dogs are much less likely to trigger allergy problems than the smooth coated. But if your allergies are severe I suppose you would be better with a non shedding breed.

Another big dog in a small body that loves water would be a spaniel - I don't how their hair is with allergies however.

By the way, what on earth is a "Morkie"? I've never heard of them!

[Yogi]

By the way, what on earth is a "Morkie"? I've never heard of them![/QUOTE]

I think that is what they call a Maltese/Yorkshire Terrier mix.

[DoggieVogue]

I think a spaniel could also be a great fit for what you're looking for. They tend to be easy to train, eager to please, and love the outdoors! But if they are too big for what you want, a mini schnauzer may be the route to go. I haven't had much experiences with them though so I can't offer any good insight. But I'm sure someone else has some!

[CorkyMax]

A few links just for you!--: http://www.i-love-dogs.com/forums/al...uzer-dogs.html

Top Dog Breeds for Apartment Life
Be sure to scroll all the way down as ads interrupt the info in the middle, etc.
This is an interesting thread in this forum about a schnauzer/poodle mix with a pic---even though you are not crazy about poodles (May change your mind): Stella the Schnoodle!!!!!

Here is a quote/part of a post made by a member a while back: But the breed I have are miniature schnauzers, they do not shed, always smell good, and have personalities beyond belief. They would be the perfect dog if it were not for there like to bark at any thing approching our home. And do not forget when to get a dog that do not shed, you must contend with grooming and the extra bucks it will cost you!
Here is another post done earlier on this subject: The difference between shedding and non-shedding breeds is this: shedding breeds grow hair to a certain length, after which it falls out and new hair comes in, usually twice a year. How long & how thick the coat grows, and how much will be shed, depends on the particular breed.Non-shedding breeds have hair that just grows and grows, exactly like the hair on a human head, and just like humans the hair can be cut regularly or left to grow into a spectacular flowing coat. The upside is no hair in the house, on your clothes, or in the air. The downside is that the hair needs regular care, just like yours, which can be time-consuming or expensive, otherwise it will get long and matted. If grooming isn't your favorite hobby, it's perfectly fine to keep the dog's coat short. If you're not fussy about giving your dog a fancy cut, it's fairly easy to do this yourself.Whether the dog has a shedding or non-shedding coat is an inherited, genetic trait, so pure-bred dogs are reliably one or the other. With cross-bred dogs you can never be sure. A lot of people now are mixing shedding and non-shedding breeds hoping to get puppies with the characteristics of a shedding breed, without the shedding. Beware of breeders that advertize "non-shedding" cross-breeds if they won't give you a guarantee, because, unless the dog is a little older, you can't be sure which genes it inherited from its parents.

Another link to a thread in this forum on allergies and dogs: http://www.i-love-dogs.com/forums/al...ergic-dog.html

http://www.i-love-dogs.com/forums/al...e-help-me.html

[Todd]

So you are asking if this type of dog is best for you??