DizzyDog

Have you considered making your own raw food mix? I've found buying human-quality meat and veges can be cheaper than pre-made dog food. Whole free-range chickens cost $8/kg at Coles, which I think is about the same price as Big Dog chicken patties per kg. Chicken peices like necks and legs can be $4/kg. There are lots of resources online that have suggestions for a homemade BARF diet. I read this book many years ago but I think you could get the same sort of information/advice for free online. https://www.amazon.com.au/Raw-Dog-Food-Make-Easy-ebook/dp/B002RL92M2/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1560850564&refinements=p_27%3ACarina+Beth+Macdonald&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=Carina+Beth+Macdonald Or you could try https://vetsallnatural.com.au/ + meat <they have puppy mixes

I'm getting ads in my Facebook newsfeed for Scratch dog food. Its Australian made, grain-free and based on Kangaroo and bean protein. Does anyone have any opinions or experience with his food? https://www.scratchpetfood.com.au/grain-free-dog-food/

Are there any upcoming shows where I would be likely to see a few havanese dogs? Will there be any Havanese breeders at the Dog Lover's show?

Thank you for the comments. I am kind of being swayed towards a havanese. I am hoping to make my kids responsible for most of the dog activities including feeding, walking, training, playing. I have a velcro dog -all the room by my feet is spoken for. We are also planning to get chickens within the next few years - would a havanese be a better mix with chickens than a mini schnauzer or would either be okay? Also, I see the Royal Melbourne Show is coming up. Am I reading the timetable correctly - would I need to go to the Monday to see the schnauzers and Tuesday to see havanese? Are breeders okay being approached for breed information at this show?

I would like to get a small dog that would be suitable for two primary school-aged children. Ideally it will be their shared companion and they will do training and hopefully most of the brushing too. I will probably keep the dog clipped in a short pet-clip. We already have a dog - a standard poodle who likes the kids, but is clearly my dog. She doesn't really cuddle up to the kids and is too strong for them to walk her safely on-leash. Also, my poodle takes up too much room to be a snuggle-up on the bed companion. So, our most desired features: small, affectionate, relaxed, not too frail to live with a cheerfully bouncy poodle, easy to train, non-shedding. Would either a havanese or a miniature schnauzer be a good fit? Would you suggest something else? (We don't want a miniature poodle, one poodle is enough.)