Do Carlins shed?
Yes.
They don't shed as badly as a Pug, but they do shed. I'd call
them a moderately shedding breed.
How active are they?
Moderately active; expect them to be more so as puppies.
Carlins are active enough to keep up on walks, but aren't
hyper.
They enjoy sitting on the couch and watching TV with their
people, but aren't clingy.
ALL of my Carlins love to destroy stuffed animals. They get a
kick out of pulling out the wads of stuffing and scattering it
far and wide!
Are they good with kids?
Is the child in question gentle and respectful towards dogs?
Carlins raised around children seem to do quite well with
kids, provided they're not teased or taunted.
Properly socializing any dog is key to a good relationship
with other people (no matter their age).
How about cats and other animals?
Again, socialization is vital to compatibility. All of my
puppies/dogs are raised with cats and get along
wonderfully.
That said, some of my dogs have a slightly higher prey drive
than I'd like. Prey animals such as rabbits and chickens may be
incompatible with some Carlins.
Do they do well in apartments?
Yes, provided they receive adequate training and exercise.
Carlins are smart and stubborn enough to try to run the
household. Being a good 'pack leader' is key to owning a Carlin.
I highly recommend obedience training such as Puppy
Kindergarten and following Nothing In Life Is Free (Google NILIF
for a complete explanation.)
How much do they weigh?
Weight varies greatly with my Carlins, due to a few different
factors. I work with several different lines of different sizes
and Carlins in general are not yet standardized in size as other
breeds are.
Carlins are a breed in development. Some day, they will be a
standard size. My goal is a standard 10-12 pound dog.
At the extreme ends of the scale, my dogs range from 8 to 30
pounds! Some litters will have both tiny dogs and larger ones.
If size is very, very important to you, I would advise choosing
a different breed or possibly a different breeder.
I also think it's important to mention that Carlins are
heavier than they look due to their bone density and muscular
stature.
Here's a picture of Seven, laying next to a standard
oil-filled electric heater. The outlet to the left of her is a
bit higher than typical, but not much.
Hopefully this will give some idea of adult size. She weighs
about 15 pounds.
