What is the best small dog breed to get with a home with a timid cat?

We just lost our dalmatian of 11 years and we are considering a new dog for our house, but we need a breed that is tolerant of cats. Can anyone suggest a good breed?

Homer the Dalmatian at home

Homer getting antsy coz we hid his toy!

Kiki On Her Way Home

This was just me heading to my parents house. Fun Sing A Long!!! Look at the pretty mountain! Laugh at my dog!

My dog on the way home from the kennels

She had just been collected from the kennels, after having been in them for ten days while we were in spain – and she was making all this noise! btw the girl in the video isnt me ^_^

Pooches in Pictures; How Hollywood Influences the Dogs We Bring Home

No actor wants to share the stage with a dog, for he will undoubtedly be upstaged. Itâ??s all but impossible to watch a dog movie without falling head over heels into puppy love. Consider Mom, the warm-hearted Border Collie from the 1995 blockbuster Babe. There was nary a dry eye in the theater as she watched her pups sold. Disneyâ??s 101 Dalmations left an audience crying (as Cruella), â??I want those puppies!â? Even television commercials tug at our heart-strings. Dinky started a Chihuahua craze the world over as the spokes-dog for Taco Bell, while Spuds Mackenzie ushered in a new generation of Budweiser Beer drinkers. There is no doubt about it; the media has great influence over pet popularity, particularly those of the canine persuasion. In itself, this isnâ??t a terrible thing, but when it comes to choosing a pet for your family, Hollywood can spell disaster!

Just imagine a couple going to a movie featuring a cute child. On screen the child is humorous, attractive, and clever. It never gets into trouble, except when it is funny. Imagine the couple falling in love with this on-screen child, going so far as deciding to have a baby of their own, without taking any of the complications of child-rearing into consideration. They donâ??t expect to have any troubles with their childâ??they naturally expect it to resemble the child from the movie.

Sound ridiculous?

Now imagine that same couple six months after their baby is born. They are now trying to find a family to adopt their child. It takes up too much room, and they canâ??t leave it home by itself while they work all day. They had no idea how much money it cost to feed and diaper it, not to mention the doctor bills! The baby demands too much attention, and over all, they canâ??t take anymore crying.

This same scenario happens over and over again every time Hollywood releases a dog movie. Donâ??t get me wrong, I love a good dog movie as much as the next canine enthusiast, but there are good reasons Sandi Dreimel of TheDogInformant.com sites this as one of the four worst reasons for getting a dog.

The next time you think about bringing home Rin-tin-tin remember: Dogs are great stars, and often several dogs share one role. Nine different dogs have played the part of Lassie since it first premiered in 1943. These dogs are trained by experts for years before they are accepted on the set. Special tricks and effects can give animals human-like qualities. But real pets are only tooâ?¦real, and individuals end up disappointed when the pet they purchased doesnâ??t behave like their screen counterpart. Disappointment quickly turns to annoyance and sometimes can even become abuse.

Besides expert training, many Hollywood dogs require extensive care. Frequently films will feature rare and exotic breeds that are difficult to care for. Take our little talking tacquito friend. Chihuahuas, while smart and affectionate, need careful socialization to keep them from becoming suspicious of strangers, jealous, and even aggressive! Their tiny frames, while adorable, make them vulnerable to injuries. All of these traits make Chihuahuas an unsuitable companion for children, but these arenâ??t traits generally advertised on Taco Bellâ??s commercials. However they should definitely be taken into consideration before bringing home Tacoâ??s twin.

At times Hollywood has actually created a breed boom with a movie. Unfortunately this instant popularity can attract the wrong crowd. There are irresponsible breeders out there who are more interested in making money than careful breeding. Their negligence can result in animals of poor health, bad temperament, and inferior structure. Sadly these breeders are everywhere. It may take a little research to buy a purebred, something impulse buyers, like those influenced by the latest Hollywood trend are unlikely to do.

What happens to these pooches when people become bored or disillusioned with them? Too often yesterdayâ??s fads become a burden on shelters and rescue groups struggling to place forsaken pets. Roughly 60% of animals in shelters are eventually euthanized. So, before you go looking for that Lassie look-alike, remember that choosing a pet is a lifestyle choice, not a fashion statement. Think through your decision, realizing that dogs require time, money, and a lifetime commitment. (Most dogs live between 10 and 15 years.) If your child has her heart set on Pongoâ??s stunt double, consider buying her the DVD, or better yet, a stuffed animal. And if you do decide to get a dog, make sure you read up on its breed, spend time with it, talk to real dog owners, and set realistic expectations for yourself and your new pet. Thereâ??s a reason dogs are known as manâ??s best friend. But as with people, choose your friends with care!

Top 7 Dog Breeds: Get Home Your Companion

Dogs are considered to be a man’s best companion. And they are available in different forms. So from the widely available types of dog breeds you can choose upon the companion of your life.

The different types of dog breeds are:

1. Affenpinscher: This dog breed is very alert, friendly and intelligent. They are very easy to train and like all dogs they are very loyal. Unlike most of the pets, they are quite tolerant towards the other pets. They are 9-11.5 inches in height and weigh around 7-8 lbs. Generally they are available in black color, but are also available in tan and brown color. They have coarse and swirling fur. This dog breed a little extra exercising, so taking him on quick short walks at least three times a day is necessary.

2. American Bulldog: It is the most athletic and powerful dog of all the breeds. They have a sturdy bone frame and the muscles are also quite very strong. Because of this they are strong, alert, fearless and have great endurance. In this specie, the male and the female have distinct heights. The height of a general male is 22-28” and the female is 20-26”. Their weight also differs. A typical male weighs around 70-120 lbs and the female is 60-100 lbs. They are available in a wide range of colors, from white to brown, from tan to red. These dogs have good memory therefore can retain the training given to them. They can become very aggressive at times. They need to exercise properly to stay active.

3. Australian Shepherd: This is a breed of very loyal and alert dog. They are a little shy among the strangers. But they are very easy to train and are intelligent. The males are 20-23” inches long and weigh 50-65 lbs whereas the females are 18-21” and weigh 40-55 lbs. They come mostly in red, black colors with white marks. This breed of dog needs a lot of exercising.

4. Boxer: These dogs are very playful and fun loving. They are patient and friendly. They are the only types of dogs who can express their emotions through their twinkling eyes. They are even friendly towards the other animals. The males weigh around 65-80 lbs and are 22.5-25” tall. Their female counterparts are 50-65 lbs and are 21-23.3” tall. They are mostly available in fawn color. They need a rough exercising routine to stay fit.

5. Dalmation: They are most well behaved and polite of all the dogs. They are very sociable. This friendly breed of dog is born pure white but in the later stages of their life they develop black spots on their body. They weigh something between 40-60 lbs and are 19-23” tall.

6. German Shepherd: They are very noble in character and appearance. It is one of the most courageous dogs and have considerably good senses. The males are 24-26” tall whereas the females are 22-24”. Both of them weigh 75-95 lbs. They usually come in black or Grey color with some brown marks. They are a regular exercising lover.

7. Pomeranian: They are the tiniest but the bravest of the dogs. It is one of the excellent watchdogs. They are very easy to train and can retain everything that is taught to them. They are 3-7 lbs in weight and are 8-11” tall. These dogs are available in almost all tangible colors.

Knowing your type of dog, you can get home your companion now.