Need advise on choosing a dog breed

[chabs]

Our family has always had labradors (we have one now). We would like to add a "sister" to our family and are looking into a smaller breed, but I am unsure what to pick. We were thinking a shih tzu or lhasa apso or maybe even a king charles cavalier spaniel but I don't have a lot of experience with these breeds. I want to make sure that the breed is kid friendly (my kids are older) and are relatively easy to train. Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[Tinkmom75]

We have a Shih Tzu/Maltese mix. He is mostly very loving and friendly. He did hide with a bone one time and the kids went to pull him out. Well he didn't like that and snipped at them. They both got in trouble (dog and kid). We have a lab mix that he gets along fine with, but he would pick a fight with any other dog especially bigger ones so I have to keep an eye on that. He is very affectionate and sleeps with my older son. They do have to be groomed often. We keep his fur cut short.

 

[pixiewings71]

We have a mini doxie, she's a sweetheart and very affectionate. She sleeps with her Mommy every night, she's DD9s dog, when DD was gone for the summer she slept with DBF and I. She is very sweet, gets along great with our dog and our cats but she likes to bark and she tends to pee when she gets excited. That doesn't bother us so much, unless she's on the couch. lol

 

[OffKilterMom]

Hi,
Due to allergies, we have a very loving/loveable Bichon Frise. I'm really more of a lab kind of girl (especially being from Newfoundland and Labrador!) but our kids' sinuses couldn't take it! Anyway she's a little delight! VERY friendly, Loves to play with the big guys at the dog park. Very easy to train. However, with her curly hair and no shedding, it's a trip to the groomer every 6-8 weeks...that adds up.

Have fun adding to your crew! Kim

 

[maidenfairy]

I love my pugs. We got our first 6 years ago and I just love the breed. Small yet sturdy and they just want to be your friend. I highly recommend them.

 

[natnelliesmom]

Go to your local Humane Society with your family and current dog. You can talk to the worker there and find the perfect dog to fit in your home.

Adopting a shelter dog is often a great way to add an additional dog. Their temperament is known and it's much easier for your current dog to adjust to a new friend that's a bit older and won't be chewing on his tail!
-Sarah

 

[yakkin' yeti]

Beagles are very kid-friendly. Ours was trustworthy with babies, kittens, rabbits, and pet rats. He was gentle and affectionate with all of them.

Easy to train, however, is another matter. Beagles' noses tend to get them in trouble.

Good luck! In addition to adopting from a shelter, which is a wonderful idea, many breeds also have rescue groups.

 

[California Jenn]

Maltese-poodle mixes are very kid-friendly and sturdy little dogs. They also get along well with other dogs.

 

[MNdisneymom]

A happy Cavalier mom right here....I have had Gus since he was seven weeks old--he is twelve years old right now. He loves everybody he meets (kids or adults, doesn't matter), loves to snuggle on the couch, loves being outside...sure, he's slowed down a little over the years, but he still likes to chase after the occasional squirrel. And he *almost* got a walleye for lunch at our cabin this summer (I had taken it off the hook, it fell onto the dock before I could toss it back in the water...Gus was puttering around on the beach and I didn't think he noticed...boy, I've never seen an old dog move so fast)

My own personal homily to the breed aside, I've met many other Cavalier owners over the year. All of the cavs have been great dogs. I've never heard of any that were nippy, or poorly mannered, or anything like that.

I've also heard of them being cross-bred to poodles (cavapoos? or something like that...) if you're concerned about the shedding. Personally, as long as Gus is groomed regularly, it's not a problem for me.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[ireland_nicole]

Another extremely happy mom of 2 Cavalier furbabies; they are the most wonderful, happy, funny, affectionate, good natured dogs I have ever had; They are fantastic with my kids who have special needs, and want nothing more than to be with you. Not the absolute brightest crayons in the box, but very willing to please, and that makes them pretty easy to train.

 

[LWatson]

We adopted a Jack Russell Terrier b4 we had kids. Boy did we not know what we were getting into. We love our Jack very much though. We actually at one point had 2 of them (Jack and Jimmy) but 2 became WAY too much (esp w/ 2 kids). If you arent ready for a very hyper dog avoid Jack Russell Terriers. They do calm down w/ age, but it takes about 7years.

 

[peemagg]

Poodles are wonderful family dogs! They aren't frou frou either. They are just happy being with the family.

 

[maraki527]

We have an English Bulldog named Louie (after King Louie from the Jungle Book) and he is awesome with our 10 month old.

 

[maraki527]

We have an English Bulldog named Louie (after King Louie from the Jungle Book) and he is awesome with our 10 month old.

 

[Jdougherty]

I would not suggest a doxie with young childern. I second the shelter dog suggestion and the beagle.

Beagle are great dogs, they can be trained but that requires food motivation to override the other "smells". I grew up with and now have a beagle, they are great family dogs. They can handle other pets and small childern with no issue if worked with.

Another option is breed rescues, they often have a list of dogs in foster home that need perminent homes.

Other breed suggestions depend on the dynamics of your house hold. Age of other pets, childern, work schedule ect.

If you have small childern I would not suggest a terrior breed, I would go with a hunting breed or working dog breed, or even some non working dog breeds.

If you PM me I'll answer more questions

 

[locolala]

Sheltie! Shetland Sheepdogs are incredible with kids, very easy to train because they're very bright, and they're small, about 25 lbs or so. They look like little collies, but they're actually an older breed! I love my sheltie, dunno what I'd do without him!

 

[locolala]

Oh, and honestly I wouldn't go with a beagle. They're loud and have a huge tendency to roam. All the beagles I've met were escape artists, barked/bayed almost constantly, and were not too bright.

 

[boettj]

I would add another breed to your list, Havense. We have a lab and a Havanese. They get along great together. The Havanese is part of the Bichon Frise family. Here is a link to more information, http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/havanese.htm. Our Havanese, while still an inside dog, loves to go out and play with our lab.



Good luck.

 

[3happydancers]

We have an English Bulldog named Louie (after King Louie from the Jungle Book) and he is awesome with our 10 month old.

I have to second the vote for an English Bulldog. Ours is now 5 years old, absolutely great with children, loves to be loved, great temperment, and extremely smart.

You can go online and look up the different breeds recommended. Read up on their behavior and temperment. We did and found the English Bulldog to be the right choice for us. You can also speak to your vet. They are a great sourced of information.

Good luck!

 

[Shannon G]

We recently adopted a puggle - a pug / beagle mix. She is wonderful!!! We adopted her at just over a year old, from a family whose son had severe allergies, so they could not have pets in the house any longer. She is very loving with everyone, and sees other animals (cats and dogs) as playmates. Surprisely (since she's half beagle) she very seldom barks - only when she's playing. I had her with me at DD's soccer practice over the weekend, and someone walked by with 2 dogs who immediately started barking at Bella - she just sat there and looked at them, as if wondering why they were making all that noise! She's very docile and submissive - she just wants to be friends with everyone. I think she definitely has the pug personality more than the beagle. But, the beagle in her gives her a more elongated snout, so she's less prone to the breathing problems pugs can have.