Need suggestions on a "nice" breed of dog for kids (guys version of a Bischon Frishe)

[mom2boys]

DH & I have decided that the boys might actually be ready for a pet. (The cat is only visiting.)
Does anyone have any suggestions on a nice breed of dog that :

-would get along with two active 7 & 8 year old boys
-isn't too large to be an inside dog
-doesn't shed too much
-has a nice temperment
-is relatively easy to train (including house training)

Two of their cousins have Bischons - nice dogs but little white fluff balls aren't "manly" enough for DH's boys.

Or should we just get a short haired cat.

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, we have an English Springer Spaniel which meets all of your requirements except the shedding part. The good thing I will say about how they shed is that it rolls into little tumbleweeds which are easier to pick up than a million little separate pieces of hair. Of course, the little tumbleweeds do tend to "tumble" out from under couches, bureaus etc at the most inopportune times !

 

[Ranatra]

A friend of mine has 2 Pugs, they are great dogs, and my cousin has a Boxer, she is a beauty also and not too big.
Then there is always the Cocker Spaniel.
As far as shedding, the Bichon and poodle (which is what I have) do not shed at all. But since your DH doesn't lwant a Bichon, you might have to settle for a little shedding.
Good Luck on your choice!

 

[DocRafiki]

repeating myself... just go pick one out at a shelter

 

[mom2boys]

Doc - we probably will get one from the shelter. Just need to have some ideas first - otherwise I'll bring the whole place home & DH will send me to live at the shelter.

 

[jan/cape]

What about a Corgi?

 

[mom2boys]

never heard of a corgi - what are they like?

 

[jan/cape]

Short legs big ears that stick up and pretty darn cute! the ones I have come in contact with are loves

 

[disfanatiks]

Two of their cousins have Bischons - nice dogs but little white fluff balls aren't "manly" enough for DH's boys.

But they sure are cute...

How about a Jack Russell Terrier? My parents have one and they love to run and play...My parents adopted their dog from JR Rescue.

 

[Kallison]

What Doc said. We got our 11 month old lab there, already potty trained and mostly through the chewing stage. He has become the best dog ever! Help save a doggie life!! Mutts make the best pets also.

 

[DocRafiki]

Yea! I'm so glad!

I just noticed from your other post that it's their first pet. Are cats in the running? They're a much better first pet since they're not nearly as high-maintenance. That whole having-to-go-outside-every-few-hours thing is a real bummer (not that I don't LOVE my dogs!)

Talk to someone at the shelter who has worked there for a while. They're really good at recognizing different traits in breeds as well as individuals. Don't be scared off by anything with pit, rottie, or doberman in them... they are very sweet if treated well -- just gotta watch out for prior treatment when adopting from a shelter (more likely to bite if they have anxieties). Of course, Rotties shed. Pits are bred here like crazy, so I know lots of them. Nearly everything in the shelter here has either pit or chow in it (I'm not a fan of chows).

Just have to throw in my token boxer advertisement, as long as you're not going to a breeder... Anything with boxer in it is almost guaranteed to be sweet, and boxers LOVE kids (and don't shed or smell much). I've known quite a few pit-boxers that I have just loved. They vary greatly in size from about 40-90#.

 

[jsmith]

get a rescue beagle-they can be a pain when they are a puppy but when grow are awesome-friendly, playful, loving,loyal and long lived. And they have the coolest bark

 

[Rajah]

Jack Russel Terrier is what I thought of, too.

 

[jan/cape]

Jack Russel Terriers are very cute, but aren't they 'busy'?

 

[CookieGVB]

Jack Russells are very cute, but can be very independent and stubborn - you really need to be on your toes to be a step ahead of them.

If you want a non-shedding dog, you're going to have to pick a Bichon, poodle, or one of a few terrier breeds - can't think of any others that don't shed.

Good luck in your search - hope you get to rescue an adult dog from a shelter!

 

[bsnyder]

I'll throw in my .02!

We got a Bichon puppy in January. The main reason we picked this breed was because oldest DS has very severe allergies to pet dander. DH grew up with labs and he thought this was a totally "sissy" dog. Currently, his parents have a yellow lab, one brother has a black lab, and the other brother has a boxer.

Well, Gibson may look like a little "sissy" dog, but he thinks he's a lab! We were at DH's parents' beach place over Memorial Day weekend, and had all 4 dogs there, and Gibson kept up with those big dogs with no problem. He was jumping off the dock into the canal with them! There's nothing funnier looking than a soaking wet Bichon covered with mud!

DH gets on his bike and Gibson runs on the leash beside him, just like a "big" dog. He plays with his "cousin" dogs until he wears them out and they go hide from him, for a little peace and quiet. Yet, he's not a "hyper" yappy little dog.

I'll also put in a plug for boxers. My BIL's dog is the best behaved dog I've ever seen. This breed seems to have a natural inclination to want to please their owners.

 

[clutter]

Guy version of bichon = cockapoo

Well, I wasn't looking for a guy version, just didn't want white. Clara's got a great temperment, listens well, doesn't shed and thinks that all children, dogs and cats were placed on this earth for HER amusement. Poos come in sizes from 10 to 60 pounds - Clara will be around 30 -- big enough for a dog hug, small enough to pick up if I need to.

Did I mention she doesn't shed?

 

[disykat]

I agree that it's good to rescue a dog, but after trying for a year to find a non-shedding dog (we also have allergies) under 30 pounds we gave up. We have a Miniature Schnauzer and she does great with my 7 and 9 year old boys.

 

[Planogirl]

I grew up with a few Collie/Shepherd mixes that were super dogs. They were protective and gentle yet very eager to play and smart as can be too. Retrievers are nice dogs too.

 

[mamajoan]

I vote for the Cockapoo... Great dogs, usually every shelter has one waiting for a new owner...
Um, I like our Scotties, but they can be little devils when pups... regular puppy stuff tho.