OP, I don't have a recommendation, but wanted to ask that you not rule out shelters when looking for a particular breed. My sister got a purebred 2 year old shih tzu that was rescued from a puppy mill, so if you keep an eye out, you may actually be able to rescue a dog, too!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a particular reason that you are looking at buying a dog? If you are set on a breed for a particular reason then it might be worth it but it doesn't sound like you have your heart set on a particular breed. We adopted a lab mix puppy from a local animal rescue group who we got very young and has no temperament issues. You can get young puppies from rescues. I would encourage you to look at the particular breed rescues if you are set on a particular breed. They often get purebred puppies.

My dog plays with a very sweet Wheaton Terrier and two Portugese Water Dogs at the dog park and these dogs all seem to be sweet, friendly and well adjusted.

Recently, Jeff deleted responses that were not responsive to the question posed. OP doesn't need to have the availability of rescues pointed out. People who chime in to posts like this with "get a dog from the pound" are not responsive and should have their responses deleted.

Go away.

Anonymous wrote:We have a Wheaton who is now 8. He's been great---gentle with the kids, super smart, very loyal, hypoallergenic (NO shedding!!). The only downside (aside from grooming because of the fact that he doesn't shed his hair) is that we've had a terrible time with allergies. We've spent a lot on allergists, alternative medicine vets, all kinds of limited ingredient food, etc. Even so we've never really gotten things in control and it just keeps getting worse as he ages.

Our Wheaton was born in Ireland and we don't know much about his family history. Perhaps his extreme allergies are unique to his bloodline.

I posted before about our Wheaton (who is so loving and smart!) but she has bad allergies too! Reactions in the fall to the leaves and other foods and she has a gluten intolerance- not sure if this common or not.

My sister has a Wheaten who is a fantastic dog - we have a Goldendoodle, who I love, but my sister's dog is sweeter and easier.

All of the above in one dog. Go to a shelter.

Thanks to everyone! This is so helpful - keep the comments coming! Any input on PWDs being strong-willed?

PP here... W/ two SCWTs. Do NOT get a wheaten from a woman named Verneen in northern virginia. Puppy mill. She tried to tell us she was a co-breeder with someone in Iowa. Our oldest Wheaten is the male, and is a champion caliber Wheaten. Our breeder begged us to show him, but we were not up to the commitment. He is the epitome of breed standard. He is also a bit skittish, and can be intense. Our female is not quite breed standard, and is more laid back. Both came from good breeders. Our female from Carl McGill in Alexandria. Our only complaint is that her coat is extremely fine hair, while being extremely thick overall. She is a matted mess if she isn't kept closely clipped (not a good look) or regularly brushed and groomed.
If you want top of the line, best in show caliber SCWTs, Greentree Wheatens in NJ is it. This is where our male came from.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I know someone who has a wheaten and they said that they can NOT let go of the leash or the dog will run off. Apparently it is something the breed does. That would annoy me.

I'm the one with the Wheaten growing up. We never had that problem. We had an unfenced yard and he knew where the boundaries were and went unleashed in our yard with no problems. It may vary depending on the dog.

I own two SCWTs. One male, one female. This is not the case for us either. wheatens require diligent training for their first year of life, if not more. They are very smart, and will control you, and your house if you do not control them from the start. Undoing wheaten behaviors is very hard. Never let bad habits take root when thy re young.

I love the look of hairless Chinese Crested dogs.

We have a PWD. She is the most amazing dog. They do chew a lot for the first 6-8 months, but they mellow into dogs that are loyal and smart and sweet. They are also very clean. She sleeps on our white comforter every night and there is no hair on the bed. Since you don't have very young kids (who leave plastic toys on the floor to be chewed) I think a PWD would work for you.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I know someone who has a wheaten and they said that they can NOT let go of the leash or the dog will run off. Apparently it is something the breed does. That would annoy me.

I'm the one with the Wheaten growing up. We never had that problem. We had an unfenced yard and he knew where the boundaries were and went unleashed in our yard with no problems. It may vary depending on the dog.

OP, I know someone who has a wheaten and they said that they can NOT let go of the leash or the dog will run off. Apparently it is something the breed does. That would annoy me.

PP here - I mean, hopefully someone on here can recommend a good BREEDER, not a puppy mill!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a particular reason that you are looking at buying a dog? If you are set on a breed for a particular reason then it might be worth it but it doesn't sound like you have your heart set on a particular breed. We adopted a lab mix puppy from a local animal rescue group who we got very young and has no temperament issues. You can get young puppies from rescues. I would encourage you to look at the particular breed rescues if you are set on a particular breed. They often get purebred puppies.

My dog plays with a very sweet Wheaton Terrier and two Portugese Water Dogs at the dog park and these dogs all seem to be sweet, friendly and well adjusted.

Recently, Jeff deleted responses that were not responsive to the question posed. OP doesn't need to have the availability of rescues pointed out. People who chime in to posts like this with "get a dog from the pound" are not responsive and should have their responses deleted.

Are you literate? I think this is completely relevant.

Wheaten or PWD. PWD more likely to be a swimmer. Love them both and friends who have them have had great experiences. Cockers are smaller but those I've encountered are dumb, high-strung, or snappy w/kids. They also shed...not much, but then you still have to groom/trim them.

I grew up with standard poodles and they are hypoallergenic and a riot, so smart! You don't have to give them stupid-looking haircuts either. Grooming any non-shedder will be pricey but not having dog hair is SO worth it!! (I have a rescue lab now b/c DH fell in love with it, but next dog will be a non-shedder)

Also, any breed of purebred dog will often have genetic "issues" - pick your breeder carefully and read up on puppy mills. Maybe someone on here can recommend one. I am all in favor of mutts myself!