Family dogs?

ambro

So, it's hardly our family's first time owning a dog, but most of the dog's we've gotten were.. spontaneous, let's just say. They've all been mutts, and either brought to us or gotten in a shelter. Our last dog, Rocky, was an akita mix, and unfortunately too intelligent and headstrong for us as a family. My mom's pregnant and due in Feb, and then I have a 3 year old sister. My grandmother lives with us, and then there's me. I'm 18. So as you can see, our family tends to be hectic. My stepdad, grandma and I aren't home that often, whereas my mom's home all the time with my sister, and will be with my soon-to-be brother.

The big "problem" with Rocky was that he could get out of our fence by digging under. Our family knows obedience and how to teach a dog not to pee inside and the likes, but retraining an Akita to not do what he wants? Yeah. We can give a dog all the exercise he needs if he can stay in our yard, we live on 5 acres and have a large backyard fenced in, but he has to stay in the fence. We live on a pretty busy road. My mom isn't able to take the dogs on walks too much, and the same goes for the rest of my family, but he can come out and go in as much as he likes.

So what I'm here for is advice from somebody that isn't a webpage on dog breeds. I've done endless "searches" and questionares on what breed best suits my family, but of course 3 webpages will tell you different things. The most important "criteria" to my family are pretty usual;

• A medium-sized breed. The akita was a little too big for our smaller kids to be around.
• A good child-friendly dog. I know dogs can be socialized to be good with children, but some just aren't happy with kids.
• Smart. Well, obedient. My stepdad wanted an Australian Shepherd because they're so smart, but we don't want an akita-smart dog. He knew how to open a baby gate with his teeth!
• An average shedder. We all know dogs lose hair, but the less to clean, the better. A double coat is hard to work with, you know?
• Cat-friendly. Again, I realize this comes along with training, but some herding breeds like to herd and some sport/terrier dogs like to eat smaller animals.

English bulldogs seem to come up in most of the "searches" I do, as well as Border terriers, Cav. King Charles Spaniels, and Golden Retrievers. Bulldogs make me nervous with all of the health issues they can come with, and my stepdad said the retrievers are "too big" for his liking.

Are there any options I've overlooked? Any suggestions you can give me? We plan on getting the dog after the baby is born, we realize it doesn't need unecessary stress.

I'd just love to say, I love Papillons. I want one, so bad. However, I'd never bring such a delicate pretty dog into my crazy house.

Meghan&Pedro

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are GREAT for families with kids.

They are very mentally sound spaniels - they don't seem to have the same 'quirks' as the cockers and the springers, and aren't as high energy as the brittany's.

They are a great small-to-medium sized dog ( can't be hurt by a child as easily as a toy, but small enough to be easy to house)

I love the cavaliers.

Another route that you could go would be a flat coated retriever, a labrador retriever, or a golden retriever. (I would not go for a curly coated as they are quite smart, and sensative, needing more obedience, the chesapeake's are nice, and good with cats in the home, but definatly like to get THEIR way and are not for newer dog owners, and the nova scotia duck tollers tend to be more wary of strangers, and are almost TOO smart for a retriever.

I choose the retriever group for you because they are a group of dogs that have been bred over and over again to work WITH people - not independantly. This, in turn means that in general they are not overly independant dogs. They want to please you, and be with you. They also can be couch potato's at home, but always up for whatever you throw at them.

All dogs should go to puppy obedience for early socialization and training - even if your family 'knows obedience' to make sure you have a well rounded animal that will be people and dog/animal friendly - especially if in adulthood it'll be rare that they really get out and about with strange people and pets - when the situation does arise you don't want it to be a bad one.

All of the dogs I've listed also need lots of exercise.

That doesn't just mean turning them out in your backyard and letting them do what they want, when they want. They will all need MENTAL STIMULATION which can come for going for a walk, going to the dog park, maybe joining a fun agility or flyball group in your area - any dog that lives a boring lifetsyle (especially without praciticing NILIF) will develop bad habits such as digging under the fence to take themselves out for a walk.

A dog is a big commitment - you want to make sure that you pick a dog that is suited to you, but you also want to decide if you should have a dog, and if your family really has TIME for a dog.

There's nothing wrong with waiting for things to settle down before getting a puppy - with a new child on the way and grandparents in the house - and you at the age where you'll be moving out soon - that's a lot on everyones plate. You don't want to get a dog that you don't have time for. You can always put it on hold

skelaki

You might want to consider a Sheltie. But, in truth, with your current hectic family situation it might be better all around if you waited to get a dog. You have a 3 year old in the house and one on the way. You, at 18, won't be living at home too much longer,at least on a regular basis. If I was you, I'd wait at least a couple years and spend that time researching breeds, going to shows and talking to breeders.

A good starting point, if you answer the questions honestly, is the breed selector at k9 country.

blackrose

Hmmmm....another breed that comes to mind is a Corgi. Wonderful dogs, and very smart! They are also on the smaller side, although they are "big" dogs. As long as you give them lots of mental challenges and play lots of fetch, it should be fine without lots of walks, but walking is always appriciated for a Corgi!

pupskersandhutch

labs,labs,LABS!!!!!! LABS are great friendly loyal dogs I grew up with one and I was unfortunaltey a obnoxious little girl that would tug on our dog's ears. They are easy to train and overall great friendly dogs. The only down fall is you need to train them to not jump up on people( that's with most large dogs) my fiance's brother's and sisters are about the same age and Xena our dog likes to jump up on the little ones but you must train her to socialize properly.
To be honest I would AVOID smaller dogs smaller dogs (to me) seem to be more tempramental. If your worried about your hectic household I would probably HOLD off getting a dog. Dogs are just like children and need the love and proper attention. I don't mean to sound rude I just know how the cookie crumbles famlies will get a dog and think it's cool and then after they neglect the dog and that's probably why your other dog was not properly trained ( no offense) you can't blame a breed for not cooperating you have to teach the dog and stick with it. It's like saying a child that is a certain race won't cooperate because of it's race that would be absurd .

I really don't mean to come off as a brat unfortunatley I probably did . I'm only a year older than you why don't you take it upon yourself to train the dog your self whatever breed you decide on and train the dog yourself. I find that you are a very smart person to investigate before getting another dog that would fit better to your household.

Good Luck (hope you still like me after my comment )

Love Megs

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Keno's Mom

Except for being bad shedders, labs fit your "ideal" the best. We got a rescued lab and she's great with kids of all ages - from baby to older. Very patient with them.

But they do need a good walk or run several times a week. They go thru a "teen" stage of being stubborn/challanging from 6-14 months old - usually that time most labs wind up at the shelter for not being controllable. If you are patient and keep working with them, they become very good dogs. They are smart and can be taught a lot of commands/tricks.

Shedding can be taken care of by a few times a week curry brushing

ambro

Well, with all of these replies, Im pretty sure I'm just going to give up on looking anyways, but thanks. I'm totally turned off at this point.

Keno's Mom

I get the feeling you are looking for the "perfect" dog that fits all your requirements but doesn't have any drawbacks.

Sorry but you won't find one - at least not a living one. Maybe you just are not cut out to be a pet owner...which is ok

ambro

Who said I wasn't tolerating character flaws?

Keno's Mom

Because of your statement of being "turned off now" - why? What's the problem? We gave you answers and you acted like you wanted a perfect dog but no drawbacks.

So why your statement?

the_gopher

I wouldn't recomend flat coated retrievers. They are fantastic dogs, but very intelligent and need LOTS of mental as well as physical stimulation. They tend to be over zealous and therefore need lots of training to not knock over small children in their zeal. They do not fully mature until 3 years of age or so training needs to be ongoing and varied to keep them interested and focused.

Ace Of Hearts

Basenji, Corgi, Beagle, Boxer, Dauchsund, and Border Collies come into my mind. I know, quite a few chioces. But they are all very loyal, nice, and fun to be around. All of them are fairly well without having any grooming, other than the Border Collie who might need it once in a while. All these breeds are very smart, and that's what makes them fun. Go out and play with any of these dogs for even half an hour and they'll be happy. But once again the Border Collies are a little more, oh, "energetic" you might say. but still, these are all excellent chioces in my opinion.

pupskersandhutch

unfortunatley there is no perfect NOTHING didn't your mother teach you "Patience is a virtue". Dogs aren't just born and know everything were you? cause i know I wasn't. The Point is you WILL with any pet have to train it . Get a trantula they are easy pets and you don't have to touch them and you only have to clean their poo like every so months ( usually they clean up their own poo).

Well you can always get a cat ! they are cute (but not as cute as dogs )


Love Megs

P.s. if you find that perfect pet please Pm me I want one!!!!!

Keno's Mom

Do not even consider a Border Collie unless you give them a job to do or lots of attention. They are very intelligent and are not good dogs to just sit around the house. They get bored quickly and will get into trouble.

I love them, but they are too high maintenance for me (as far as activity). We have one lab - that's enough activity for me - she's a quick learner, loves agility and ball throwing. A BC would be 10 times the amount of energy.

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