Wheaten Terrier

Lesley and I watched a Dogs 101 episode the other day that featured the Wheaten Terrier. It was voted the No. 1 apartment dog in America and apparently is one of the most popular dogs in New York City for that reason. They also said it's a perfect dog for a couple because it's a "fluffy" dog for a girl and a pretty cool dog for a guy.

Wheaton Terrier: Fluffy+Awesome=Winner

Size: 30-45 lbs
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Grooming: Frequent combing
Shedding: Not a big shedder

Pros
Happy and playful
Puppy attitude throughout life
Seldom bark without reason
Great apartment dog

Cons
Doesn't do well with heat
Needs to be combed fairly regularly

What do you guys think? It looks like a pretty good dog. Leave your opinion in the comments and please vote on the poll on the right.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/softcoatedwheatenterrier.htm

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

In defense of the Boston

I feel that Brian is letting his own opinions ruin the objectivity of this highly credible blog. Not only did he post an un-cute picture of the Boston, he let it be know that he does not like them at all.

To combat this bad PR I ask you to scroll down and look at how cute my cousins' dog Shea (like the stadium) is:

SO CUTE!

Boston Terrier

One of our neighbors had a Boston Terrier when I was a kid. It kind of annoyed the hell out of me, so I have negative feelings when it comes to the dog. However, multiple people have sworn we should look into getting one and that they are the best dog ever. This blog is all about being fair and open minded, so I'll put it out there for the crowd to decide.

Boston Terrier - This guy looks mad at someone

Size: 10-25 lbs
Life expectancy: 15 years
Grooming: Occasional brushing and washing
Shedding: Average shedder

Pros
Very intelligent dog
Playful and affectionate
Friendly with strangers

Cons
Can be high strung if not exercised enough
Can sometimes be a barker

Looks like a lot of the descriptions for dogs, especially terriers, we've seen so far. A lot of you have expressed strong opinions already about the Boston Terrier. Let us know some more, if you can, in the comments, and as always, please vote in the poll to the right.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bostonterrier.htm

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

Beagle

Everyone seems to have a beagle. Maybe that makes them a little boring. Or maybe that's because they're great dogs. They are definitely cute. A lot of people have suggested beagles mixed with a variety of dogs, and maybe that's the answer too (but definitely not the puggle). The beagle also has more of a howl than a bark ... not sure if that's a positive or a negative.

Beagle - Stop howling at the moon!

Size: 20-25 lbs 
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Grooming: Occasional brushing and washing
Shedding: Average shedder

Pros
Happy dogs, constantly wagging their tails
Social dogs who deal well with strangers and other animals

Cons
Really need to exercise to remain calm
Have minds of their own
Will get away if let of leash outside due to tracking instincts

Seems like this dog could be a little under-exercised in our situation. That might make them a little annoying. The site I looked at said they would do OK in an apartment as long as they get enough exercise. What do you think? Leave a comment and please vote on the poll on the right.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/beagle.htm

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

Calling on you, readers

We're coming down the home stretch on the blog. I think we'll put a couple more breeds up so we can narrow it down to eight dogs we really like. Then we'll pit them head to head in some sort of bracket of death - or just a regular bracket, I haven't decided yet.

So we need your help. What dogs do you still want to see on the blog? What have we missed? By now, you should have a pretty good idea what we're looking for and what we're concerned about, so please help us out.

Leave some comments below or e-mail me at brian.tahmosh@gmail.com with your suggestions, and we'll see how many we can get up there before everyone gets bored and goes home.

West Highland Terrier (Westie)

The westie is a little on the small and girly side, but I wanted to give it a chance. He's pretty fluffy and has almost a whispy mustache. They also always seem to be smiling. Maybe that's just their look, or maybe they're just always having fun.

Westie - Getting into shenanigans

Size: 15-25 lbs 
Life expectancy: 15 years
Grooming: Easy to groom. Twice per year, with brushing
Shedding: Little to no shedding

Pros
Easy to train
Loves companionship
Will do OK without a yard

Cons
Likes to dig and bark

The barking could be an issue if it's really an obsessive trait. I don't know if it's that bad though. I also wonder if it's too girly looking. That's what you're all here for though. Let us know in the comments and please vote in the poll, as always.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/westhighland.htm

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

Lakeland Terrier

The Lakeland terrier is a pretty cool, kind of fluffy, dog. He might be a little small based on what I read, but most of the people commenting seem to think these size estimates are a little on the small side - bulldogs appear to be much bigger than what was listed.

Lakeland terrier - kind of fluffy, pretty fun

Size: 15-20 lbs 
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Grooming: Groom 2-3 times per year
Shedding: Little to no shedding

Pros
Lively and cheerful
Quick learning dog (except with housebreaking)
Good for apartment life

Cons
May be a barker
Difficult to housebreak

The site I looked at says this is a good apartment dog, but that it's very active indoors. I'd worry about the barking, but does anyone have more info? I would love to hear from you in the comments. And as always, please vote in the poll on the right.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/lakelandterrier.htm

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

Old English Sheepdog

OK, I'm not sure this one's for us either, but Lesley loves the fluffiness, so I had to give it a shot. It actually looks like a pretty decent apartment dog, from what I'm reading, despite its size. Maybe I should be more open minded.

English Sheepdog - I can't see you

Size: 60-100 lbs 
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Grooming: Constant brushing and grooming
Shedding: Slight shedding

Pros
Fluffy
Fun loving dog that's easy going and acts like a puppy for years
Herds people by bumping into them (that's just funny)
Easy to train

Cons
Really big for our apartment
Lots of work to take care of that coat

It actually sounds like a great dog, and a great companion to have. However, I'm concerned about the size and I'm not sure I can keep up with all that brushing work. What do you think? Let us know in the comments and please vote in the poll on the right.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/oldenglishsheepdog.htm
http://www.akc.org/breeds/old_english_sheepdog/

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

Standard Schnauzer

The schnauzer is an interesting dog. My neighbors had a couple of them when I was little and I remember them being pretty cool. There's also the miniature and giant schnauzer, but I think the standard should be about our size. Maybe you have a different opinion though.

Schnauzer - Your beard is good

Size: 30-45 lbs 
Life expectancy: 15 years
Grooming: Clipping from time to time
Shedding: Little to none

Pros
Lively and affectionate like a terrier
Smart and easy to train

Cons
Need a lot of exercise to be happy
Very active indoors (could be annoying to neighbors)
May be prone to tumors (my neighbor's dog died from this)

Not sure the personality is right for us, but it is kind of cool. Maybe there are similar dogs out there that might be better suited for us. Let us know in the poll on the right and in the comments.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/standardschnauzer.htm
http://www.akc.org/breeds/standard_schnauzer/

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

French Bulldog

Since the blog so far has been all about my personal favorites, it's time to give one of Lesley's picks a chance. The French Bulldog can be kind of cute, but I think it's a little on the girly side. I think the brown version is much better than the black version, but it's still not my favorite. Maybe your comments will sway my opinion.

French bulldog - check out those ears

Size: 20-30 lbs 
Life expectancy: 10-12 years 
Grooming: Brush when necessary 
Shedding: Average

Pros
Enthusiastic and lively but not yappy or loud
Bright personality and play well with other dogs and humans
Neat, not messy dog
Hunts mice (good if we still lived in Boston)

Cons
May drool or slobber (sometimes)
Many health problems, including joint diseases
High-maintenance with the vet (expensive)

Is it too girly looking? Are those health costs really that big a deal? Let us know what you think in the comments, and please vote in the poll on the right.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/frenchbulldog.htm
http://www.akc.org/breeds/french_bulldog/

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

English Bulldog

The bulldog is another fan favorite. He was certainly one of the leaders before the blog started, so I'm interested to see if everyone agrees. There's a lot to like about the bulldog, but Lesley has some concerns. She's worried about the drooling and that maybe they get a little too big sometimes. Maybe you all can help ease those.

Bulldog - He looks pretty tired

Size: 40-55 lbs 
Life expectancy: 8 years 
Grooming: Occasional brushing and bathing 
Shedding: Average

Pros
Affectionate and gentle dog, despite its appearance
Seeks out human attention and affection
Good apartment dog, will chill out as they get older

Cons
Can be stubborn and try to dominate humans
Snore, drool and are messy eaters
Low life expectancy, some breathing problems

I'm a fan of the bulldog, but there are definitely concerns. Is the drooling really that bad? How easy are they to control? I know some of you have had bulldogs before, so let us know what your experience has been like. And please cast your vote in the poll on the right side.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bulldog.htm
http://www.akc.org/breeds/bulldog/

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Lindsey tipped us off to this ridiculously cute video of a corgi puppy, so we have to include it on the blog. There are some serious positives and negatives to the corgi. We're hoping you can help us figure out if one outweighs the other.

Corgi - "I can't jump up there with these tiny legs"

Size: 25-30 lbs 
Life expectancy: 12-15 years 
Grooming: Easy to groom
Shedding: Twice a year

Pros
Did I mention this video?
Loyal and intelligent dog, easy to train
Herds people

Cons
Herds people (by nipping at their heels)
Barks a lot
Needs a decent amount of exercise

The barking may be a serious concern, but they really are cute. Anyone have experience with corgis before? Let us know in the comments, and please vote in the poll on the right.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/pembrokecorgi.htm
http://www.akc.org/breeds/pembroke_welsh_corgi/

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

Skye Terrier

Frank gave me the heads up on this one. Said it's similar to the Glen of Imaal in appearance and temperament. At first glance that seems pretty accurate, and considering the Glen is pretty hard to find, it might be a good alternative. Not everyone loved the Glen though, so I'm interested to hear what you all think of this guy.

Skye Terrier - Fluffy, bordering on shaggy

Size: 25-40 lbs 
Life expectancy: 12-15 years 
Grooming: Can keep coat long or short. Long requires frequent brushing.
Shedding: Average

Pros
Good-natured, affectionate dog. Happy and loves attention.
Socialize well with people and animals and do well with noises and sights
Very good apartment dog. Does well inside.
Generally healthy breed with few major health concerns.

Cons
If owners are meek, can become stubborn and bark obsessively (pretty standard of all small dogs)

Seems like a pretty good dog and pretty good for our situation. Let us know what you think though, and be sure to vote in the poll on the right side.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/skyeterrier.htm
http://www.akc.org/breeds/skye_terrier

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

Shiba Inu

This is one of Lesley's favorite dogs. The Shiba Inu might be a little too active for an apartment, but most Web sites say they'd do OK in one. We'd just have to make sure to take him/her to the dog park to run around from time to time.

Shiba Inu - He just wants to play

Size: 15-25 lbs 
Life expectancy: 12-15 years 
Grooming: Comb and brush when necessary 
Shedding: Seasonally heavy shedder

Pros
Easy to train and easy to housebreak
Don't bark very much
Not a demanding dog, will adapt to your exercise habits

Cons
Can be reserved with strangers
Can be hard to control off a leash

Looks like a pretty cute dog, and hopefully it will do well in an apartment. Like I said, Lesley's a big fan. Are you? Let us know in the comments, and please vote in the poll on the right.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/shiba.htm
http://www.akc.org/breeds/shiba_inu/

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

Basset Hound

Next up, is a bit of a fan favorite from preliminary discussions. The Basset Hound seems like an ideal dog for apartment living, as they are pretty laid-back, lazy dogs. Please give us some feedback in the comments if you've heard otherwise.

Basset Hound - look at that face!

Size: 45-65 lbs 
Life expectancy: 10-12 years 
Grooming: Comb and brush when necessary 
Shedding: Frequent


Pros
Peaceful, laid-back dog that will relax with you
Very friendly, never vicious dogs
Very good apartment dog

Cons
Hard to control outside if they get off a leash because they follow scents and don't listen
Have to feed two small meals instead of one because prone to bloat
Sheds a lot

Let us know what you think in the comments below. And be sure to vote in the poll on the right side.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bassethound.htm
http://www.akc.org/breeds/basset_hound/

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

Glen of Imaal Terrier

I found this dog a few weeks ago. Had never heard of it before but it seems pretty cool. Not sure if they're easy or hard to find from breeders, but let me know what you think about it.

Glen of Imaal Terrier

Size: 34-36 lbs 
Life expectancy: 13-14 years
Grooming: Usually twice per year
Shedding: Little to none

Pros
Mellow and gentle. Mild-mannered and calm indoors.
Playful, especially outdoors
Will bark if it detects danger, but rarely without a good reason
Generally less excited than other terriers

Cons
Can have problems if underexercised
Can become stubborn if owners are too meek or passive

Let us know what you think in the comments below. And be sure to vote in the poll on the right side.

Sources: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/glenimaalterrier.htm
http://www.akc.org/breeds/glen_of_imaal_terrier/

***If you would like to recommend another dog, please leave a comment below***

Starting Point

Lesley and I live in a one-bedroom apartment in Old Town Alexandria. That kind of puts a limit on how big a dog we can get. It wouldn't really be fair to put a German Shepherd in an apartment without a yard. So here's what we have in mind:

Size
I've always had small dogs as a kid. My parents currently have a dachshund, but I'd be willing to go a little bigger than that. I'd classify it as small-to-medium sized, probably from 25-45 pounds.

Temperment
We will be taking the dog on walks and to the dog park down the street, but we definitely need a dog that isn't hyperactive. We don't want the dog to go crazy if it's not constantly exercised (like our neighbor's dog above us, which is very annoying). It would also be best if it's not a dog that barks constantly, since we don't want to become the jerks of the building with the annoying dog.

Coat
Lesley is a little more partial to a "fluffy" dog, but I wouldn't consider this a deal breaker either way.

Anything else?
Before we start listing some suggestions, let us know if you think we should consider any other major factors while picking a dog. This will help us come up with the best list going forward.

Please leave some comments with some dogs you think could fit into what we're looking for. Or if you have any more questions that might help with the search.

Brian and Lesley are getting a puppy

Thanks for stopping by "Crowdsourcing a puppy." Here's what you're getting yourself into.

Lesley and I live in an apartment in Old Town Alexandria, and we are going to get our first dog by the end of the summer. I've had dogs all my life, but this is Lesley's first real pet - sorry, but guinea pigs do not count.

About the blog
We're asking you - our friends, family and random Internet strangers (sounds creepy) - to help us pick the perfect dog. We'll give you some starting points and some general specifications to follow, but we're open to any and all suggestions.

The idea is we will post a picture of a dog we have in mind, then list some pros and cons I've found from the Internet about the breed. We would love for you to post comments after the entry with your thoughts - whether or not you like the dog, hate the dog, or think some of the information we have is not accurate. Trust me, if you know a dog is a real terror and the Internet doesn't tell us that, WE WANT TO KNOW.

We'll also list periodic polls on the side so we can start to narrow down the list as the weeks go by.

In my next post I'll list some specifications we have in mind - size, behavior, etc. - but like I said before, nothing is set in stone. If you think we should get a golden retriever instead of a bulldog, tell us why. Maybe your dog will be the one we pick.

If you want to contribute a "guest post" with a dog we haven't considered, just shoot me an e-mail at brian.tahmosh@gmail.com and I will gladly give you access to the blog.

Thanks in advance for your help, and we look forward to reading all your recommendations and seeing your votes on the polls.