OT: DH wants to get a dog - what should we get?

[ColoradoLime]

Our DD has been REALLY putting on the pressure lately about getting a dog. I am not a dog person so I've never even considered the idea. Then yesterday DH said he overheard someone at work talking about a dog needing a home so he starting thinking about it seriously. And today he says he actually ready to go look!

If we do get a dog it will absolutely come from either a shelter or a rescue organization, so this is where I could use some input.

We live in a condo and although we live off a walking trail with a huge dog park just down the road, the dog would need to be primarily an inside dog. DD is 6 so I'm not looking for anything huge, but don't like tiny yippy dogs.

Our local shelter currently has some Dachshunds that are totally cute, but I know nothing about them. They also have some Australian Cattle Dogs, but I would think they would need lots of exercise, ie a yard. Our neighbor has a pug that DD just loves, but I think they are prone to health problems.

Thoughts? Which breeds should we consider?

 

[CookingMama]

If you have kids you probably won't want a doxie. They can get stepped on and dropped, fall off sofa etc.. and get seriously hurt. Doxies need regular walks too.
Cattle dog is a bad choice as they need a large yard and a lot of direction, training, not a dog for the novice dog family. They will do damage to your home if they dont get their needs met, IE eat a windowsill, chew through carpet.
I would look through my local rescue groups & shelter for a female mixed small breed that is past the puppy stage.
You also want to consider your budget and if you can afford regular grooming. If every 6 weeks you cant spend for a shave then skip Lhasa Apsos, long hair terriers, yorkies, poodle mixes etc..

 

[dyna]

Boston terriers, jack russel terriers, fox terriers & rat terriers all make great pets all come short haired with very very little grooming required. A bath every couple weeks an nail trimming about once a month all they need I always gave my bostons a bath in the bath tub then cleaned tub afterwards.

All come 20 lbs or less all adapt to being indoors most of the time in fact bostons can't survive outdoors. All are sturdy dogs good with kids all has a fairly long life with proper care which is food an water regularly, shots once a year an kept confined so they can't get out an get hurt or ran over.

We have switched to cats tho NO WALKING CAT or taking cat to park but we do have to scoop 3 times a day or more an clean out the box weekly an wash it an refill with liter over all tho I think I'll take the cat over a dog any day.

 

[RMulieri]

How about a Bichon Frise? They are very good with kids and they do not shed their hair everywhere. Dachshunds are wonderful dogs but...as a small dog they require freq. walks so they don't gain too much weight, they are quite prone to spine issues since they have such a long spine, and they get underfoot very very easily.

 

[Aliceacc]

We have a Labrador Retreiver. Labs are big dogs, but gentle and great with kids. I know my youngest climbed all over our dog when she was a puppy, and she took it cheefully.

 

[jenrein]

I was going to mention the pug, as I have one and he is the love of my life! (after my dh and kiddos of course!) But like you said they can have health problems. Ours is 5 years old and has had a tumor removed from his ear, has had a bone infection requiring severe meds and treatment, and is overweight and refuses to run because of his breathing issues. We have now put him on a diet plan, we were trying to not cut back and get more exercise out of him, but he just won't have it anymore.

Good luck in your search, you will get good advice here! Just post pics when you bring them home!

 

[susykt4]

I worked at a vet's office for years and while I personally love Australian Cattle Dogs, I wouldn't bring one into a home without a big yard or guaranteed tons of exercise. Most terriers are way too yappy for me. Puppies are almost as much work as newborn humans.

Another vote for a good, settled-down Lab or Lab mix!

 

[Stephres]

We have a miniature doxie and love him, he is really good with the kids, but I have read they can be snappy. We do take him on several walks a day and he still has trouble with housetraining. Before him, we had a beagle who was really great. Very patient with the kids and good natured, but not so smart. She never had accidents in the house and we could leave her all day without a problem. We took her on a couple of long walks a day.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We have a pug and a lhasa apso. No health issues with our pug, but they do shed wildly...so keep that in mind. Most small dogs come with their own possible health problems. Lhasa are known for hip dysplasia, but we haven't had that experience yet. I know somebody else said you should be prepared to shave a lhasa every 6 weeks...but we've had ours 8 or 9 years now and have never had that be the case. We might just be lucky, but our guy does not have his hair grow that fast and he is probably the easiest to maintain out of all the types of dogs we've owned over the years. Love that they don't shed either, cause I hate dog hair all over (still adapting to my ever shedding pug though). Neither of our dogs are barkers or yappers. Small dogs normally are underfoot though. Whatever dog you choose, make sure the breed is known to be kid friendly as some really aren't. I also agree with the PP that recommended Bichons. They are excellent dogs, very child friendly, don't shed, hypoallergenic and such good good dogs. There are two in our extended family and I am always tempted to try and take them home with us. Good luck in your search!

 

[dbmarie]

We have a lab/beagle mix that we got at the SPCA. She was 3 when we got her and she is great with the kids.

 

[DISNEYNV]

I know they are rather large but Golden Retrievers are great with kids. How about a mixed breed? Mutts are the best I would also recommend a Bichion Frise (ok I can't quite spell it correctly) but my DSDs family has two and she raves about them... Very kid friendly and hypoallergenic too.

I personally am a fan of the Austrailian Shepard but they do need lots of room to run and LOVE the outdoors... At least mine did DH does not like dogs so we are a cat household now, but DD keeps pestering for a dog. I do not think he will crack though. Good luck with your dog search. Whatever breed you decide on there is bound to be a rescue group for online!

 

[DISNEYNV]

I know they are rather large but Golden Retrievers are great with kids. How about a mixed breed? Mutts are the best I would also recommend a Bichion Frise (ok I can't quite spell it correctly) but my DSDs family has two and she raves about them... Very kid friendly and hypoallergenic too.

I personally am a fan of the Austrailian Shepard but they do need lots of room to run and LOVE the outdoors... At least mine did DH does not like dogs so we are a cat household now, but DD keeps pestering for a dog. I do not think he will crack though. Good luck with your dog search. Whatever breed you decide on there is bound to be a rescue group for online!

 

[KarenW]

We have a lab/beagle mix that we got at the SPCA. She was 3 when we got her and she is great with the kids.

We also have a lab/beagle mix (with a little chow thrown in) and she is the best dog we have ever had! She is perfect with the kids, a great watchdog, does not smell except when she rolls in something and is very smart. She doesnt shed much except when she blows her coat two or three times a year, but I know that some labs are bad shedders. The only annoying thing with her is that beagle nose - she will not go to the bathroom, no matter how bad she has to, until she finds the perfect spot (smell). It is actually kind of funny to watch sometimes as she scoots around the yard with her bottom and nose to the ground desperate to find the right spot. But when you are in a hurry it is not so cute!

 

[puffkin]

Beagles are GREAT especially with kids. They are not to big or too small and are the most loyal and friendly dogs. If you go through a rescue you can find one that is not prone to barking since that would probably be an issue where you live.

Beagles need moderate excercise and they don't really need to be groomed. Their size is just right. I think it would be a perfect fit for your family.

 

[Colinsmom]

Perhaps a rescued Greyhound? They are tall dogs but tend to be very quiet and cat-like around the house. Total couch potatoes, except they need a good (short) sprint about once a week. We have a greyhound-Golden retriever mix and I love the greyhound personality traits that she shows.

If you go with a Lab or a Golden, adopt an older dog (5yo and up) as the younger dogs still need a LOT of daily exercise. Even some of the older dogs are still pretty active (we've had both breeds).

Terriers tend to be very noisy, so not a good choice for condo living.

How about a Basset hound? They are solid and sturdy but tend to be pretty couch potato-y too. Any purebred will have tendencies for certain health issues, and even mutts will have their own (surprise) health issues.

A number of posters mentioned that certain breeds are "great with kids" but you need to keep in mind that not all dogs within that breed will exhibit those characteristics. It will depend on how they were raised and trained, and what kind of socialization they got with kids when they were younger. I've done Lab rescue for years and despite their reputation, we've had many Labs come through who really need to be placed in homes with only older children (12yo+). If you work with a reputable rescue group, they can help you find a dog that fits your family and lifestyle the best - it may take a little time and patience, but that's better than adopting and returning and dog that is a poor fit!

 

[mickeymaker2003]

We got a Beagle in October. We probably should have gotten his mommy instead to avoid the puppy phase. He is a chewer and has eaten several of my daughter's toys. He also jumps up on her and is almost as heavy as she is now (she is almost 2). An adult dog probably would have been a better choice for our family. On the plus side, we are hoping he will grow out of it

 

[pixiewings71]

Your DD is 6? When our DD turned 8 we got her a dog, we had just returned from visiting my family and my sister has a Mini Doxie, that's what DD said she was sure she wanted so we started the search. It wasn't hard really, our other dog was being watched by our friend and when I went to pick him up (he's a Shepherd mix) I mentioned DD wanting a mini Doxie, she said she knew someone who's dog just had puppies so she gave me her contact info and we called her up. We went over that evening to see the puppies as there was only 1 female left (Abbi had 6 pups, 3 of each and the owners were keeping 1 female and the stud fee from the neighbors dog was the other female) and DD wanted a female only. So we saw the pups and DD fell in love, we asked if we could come back over the weekend with DBF and we put a deposit on her that weekend. She wasn't quite old enough to come home with us then so we put half down and paid the other half a few weeks later when we picked her up. She's a good dog, she's stubborn but she's adorable!! She's potty trained (altho it was easy for us I know it's hard for some people to train them and she did end up ruining DDs carpets) and she is crate trained too. She sleeps in her box at night. She's a sweetie, very loving to us all but she knows that DD is her momma and she's never far from her side. Oh and she's definitely our Alpha dog.....LOL She rules the dogs and the cats. LOL

 

[RMulieri]

We got a Beagle in October. We probably should have gotten his mommy instead to avoid the puppy phase. He is a chewer and has eaten several of my daughter's toys. He also jumps up on her and is almost as heavy as she is now (she is almost 2). An adult dog probably would have been a better choice for our family. On the plus side, we are hoping he will grow out of it

Beagles are notorius for digging and chewing.The only way you will break him of the jumping up is obedience training( either get a book or take a class) Dogs will continue to jump up if they are not taught to do otherwise.I had a cocker Spaniel that we had the same problem and by the time she was a full grown dog her behavior was still that of a puppy and alot harder ( impossible ) to break her of it.

 

[kissy]

I second the bassett hound. We have one and she's the best dog ever! when my middle dd was a baby she would crawl on her, poke her in the eyeball, etc and our sophie never even snapped. Shes primarily an indoor dog and a real couch potatoe. I do have to warn you though that they can tend to get stinky.

 

[pixiedancr]

We have a dachshound. I will agree with what one previous poster said it depends on how the dog is raised and socialized. Our doxie is great with our children. He has only snapped at one person ever and that was a vet he didn't know that was playing with his bottom. The vet of course said the situation was very understandable. I had NO problem potty training him but I was home with him almost the whole day every day(we crate trained)...the people I know that have had problems with their doxies have paper trained or haven't been home with them the majority of the day. He is also a very good guard dog...he has a very loud bark and WILL bark until he knows that the person at the door is a safe person he has smelled.

Again though it just depends on the dog. Don't give up on the puppy they all have problems...read up on them and get a GOOD vet. Our Vet is great...any questions I have he has ideas and answers to help me out. Like my children and their doc I just call anytime during the day with a concern and he helps me out.

Good luck.