[beantmt]

Okay, first of all I would like to apologize; I am sure you all get questions like this all the time. For several months I have been Googling, reading about dog breeds, and trying those online tools that try to determine which dog breed is best for one's family. I still haven't found a breed that would be a good match for us and us a good match for it. Hopefully I can get some better input here, from those who are more knowledgeable about dog breeds, but maybe there just isn't a good match?

Here is the situation: I have wanted a dog for a long time. I had a couple growing up (I am now 26), but I have never actually been the primary trainer/caregiver. We are moving into our first house this summer--until now we have lived in condos--so I think it might be a good time for us to purchase a dog. I have a one year-old daughter who absolutely loves dogs. She loves them in person, on tv, and in books. She has been around large dogs and small dogs. There are a few complications, however. My wife is pretty allergic to dogs. Her skin itches and she gets stuffy nose when she's in a house with dogs. My parents have a Maltese/Poodle mix that doesn't shed at all and it doesn't seem to help. If we do get a dog it will need to be an outside/garage dog. However, I am definitely willing to spend time with the dog outside and take it on a daily run. I am sure my daughter will also spend a lot of time with it. In other words, we are not keeping it outside because we don't want to spend time with it, but we might need a dog that is a little more independent than some.

I live in Utah so the climate is cold (subzero) in the winter and hot (100+) in the summer. Our yard will be fairly small (we are on a .15 acre lot that is all grass), but I am planning on putting a fence up so the dog can roam freely. We will be close to neighbors so non-stop barking and excessive night-barking would be bad.

We like to spend time outdoors, but we don't do it that often. I would love a dog that I could take fly fishing and camping with me without a leash, but it is not completely necessary; I don't mind using a leash. A family guard dog or a dog that kills mice (I've heard some terriers will do that?) would also be nice.

Can anyone think of a breed that might be a good match for us, or should I give up?

By the way, the breed I have been considering most is an Anatolian Shepherd dog, but I have made a few things that have made be nervous, specifically excessive digging, barking at night, and possible needing an electric fence (which my daughter might not appreciate very much ). I guess there might not be a 100% match, maybe we need to just go with the best match and work on any rough edges with some training...?

Thanks and sorry for the long first post

[petstar]

Honestly...considering your wife's allergies, your inability to keep the dog indoor and extremity of temperatures, I think you should pass on owning a dog.

Most outdoor dogs will bark and dig. Roaming "freely" in a yard does not provide enough adequate mental and physical stimulation and I can't pin point a single breed that would be happy living outdoors, that won't bark at night, that can handle below freezing temperatures and would be a good dog for someone with serious allergies.

[Patt]

Originally Posted by beantmt

Can anyone think of a breed that might be a good match for us, or should I give up?

There is NO breed that will fit your strict requirements. Please give up on the idea of having a dog or for that matter any animal.

[Kotone]

I agree, with the weather and allergies it'd be very hard for you to have a dog. I don't have allergies, so I don't really know about them, but maybe there's some medicine that your wife could take that could eliminate the "outside dog only" problem?

[beantmt]

Originally Posted by Kotone

...maybe there's some medicine that your wife could take that could eliminate the "outside dog only" problem?

Thanks that would be worth looking into.

Thanks Kotone and petstar for the helpful feedback.

[jesirose]

I am allergic to animals and I have 8 of them. Claritin helps. But mostly I just live with it. Claritin wouldn't help with itchy skin.

However, it sounds like a dog wouldn't be the best fit for your family. That weather sounds insane, and most dogs that spend that much time outside will dig and bark out of boredom.

[beantmt]

About the weather.. I was just talking about the extremes... normal low temperatures in the winter is about 20 degrees and normal high temperatures in the summer is about 90.

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxcli...nav_undeclared

Just to clarify.

[Spicy1_VV]

If the dog is outside but you and your daughter play with the dog won't that bother your wifes allergies?

Anatolian Shepherd I don't think would be good. You are right because they might be inclined to bark, but more so the digging. They can dig right out of a fence. They can dig horribly, just as Kangals and Akbash will. They can be outdoors and will survive quite well but they normally have a flock. Without a job they will become bored and do some naughty things, including the barking. Digging they sometimes just do, since they live outdoors in the flock they will often dig dens for themselves. There was one Kangal which dug a huge underground dig under this big old tree. I'm not sure such a large, independent breed would be good for a first time owner, especially without having a job and much attention to devote to this type of breed.

Don't you hate those temps like that! Drives me nuts, can't wait to move to warmer climate.

I'm really not sure about a breed for you. Have you ever worked/trained dogs when you were growing up? Like caring for the family dogs. I know some kids are totally not involved but others were and would know a lot when they are ready to get their own. Would you be willing to take obedience classes? Do some regular training? Do a few daily walks? Devote lots of time to the dog? An Alano Espanol might suit your needs but I'd still worry if you could provide whats needed. (nothing personal just don't know you or your plans) Working breeds might not do well being a pet only dog with most owners. Whether Anatolian, Alano or another breed. They just need to burn energy and keep their mind busy. If you would be willing to work the dog you get and/or provide them lots of exercise and training then an Alano Espanol might work for you. Did your family have large, powerful, or dominant dogs? Did you get to interact and be involved with them?

[beantmt]

Originally Posted by Spicy1_VV

If the dog is outside but you and your daughter play with the dog won't that bother your wifes allergies?

Probably, but my wife is willing to deal with the allergies to an extent. She can even play with dogs if she washes off afterwards. She just doesn't want it to be all over all the time in her home.

Originally Posted by Spicy1_VV

Anatolian Shepherd I don't think would be good...

That makes a lot of sense, thanks.

Originally Posted by Spicy1_VV

Don't you hate those temps like that! Drives me nuts, can't wait to move to warmer climate.

Uhg, yes. We just moved from a higher elevation to the Wasatch front, so at least the temperatures are at least a little more moderate now.

Originally Posted by Spicy1_VV

I'm really not sure about a breed for you. Have you ever worked/trained dogs when you were growing up? Like caring for the family dogs.

Yes, I have been around and cared for dogs quite a bit. I am very interested in learning to train dogs well. I also have relatives who train dogs professionally from whom I can get advice.

Originally Posted by Spicy1_VV

Would you be willing to take obedience classes? Do some regular training? Do a few daily walks?

Yes, yes, and yes . I don't think I made this clear enough in my first post. I am very willing to take time, effort, and money to properly raise and care for a dog. But like I said, I will probably want a dog that is more independent than most, just because of the circumstances. Also, we will have a smaller yard. I would love to take it running for a mile or so every day. My wife would also be able to take it on her walks.

Originally Posted by Spicy1_VV

Devote lots of time to the dog?

I don't want a dog that needs constant attention, but I'm definitely not looking to invest in a dog just to neglect it.

Originally Posted by Spicy1_VV

An Alano Espanol might suit your needs...

Thanks, I will read about it. I'd never heard of that one.

Originally Posted by Spicy1_VV

Did your family have large, powerful, or dominant dogs? Did you get to interact and be involved with them?

Not really, my family adopted an adult black lab once, it had a lot of bad habbits and was very hard to deal with. I was a teenager at the time and had a lot more "important" things to do

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond.

[petstar]

Originally Posted by Patt

There is NO breed that will fit your strict requirements. Please give up on the idea of having a dog or for that matter any animal.

I don't necessarily agree that you should give up on owning any animal. I understand your desire to own a dog but felt I should be honest with you and say that i don't think your circumstances are conducive of a good home for a dog. However, if your wife isn't allergic to other animals, perhaps you could consider having a different species indoors.

I agree with the idea of finding a medicine...or what about you and your daughter finding time to volunteer at your local shelter? (That way you could both get some experience, have fun with some needy animals and not worry about making your wife ill every time she goes out to your garage or backyard.)

I'm also concerned about the prospect of a nearly first time dog owner adopting a large, independent breed. Generally more experience is recommended before owning such dogs (Particularly one that will be confined to the backyard, or segregated away from his family).

Good luck to you!

[FilleBelle]

petstar said just what I wanted to. I second that post!

[Spicy1_VV]

Hmmm small yard, I know Alano Espanol usually needs a big yard/field to run in and be happy. I've read this and heard it from their owners. Those who don't have a huge space for them to run will take them out to large enclosed areas though. I know some Dogo Argentino owners which also do this. If they don't have acres themselves they find a nice, large fenced area where they're dog can run and burn energy.

[Dogstar]

I would recommend spending some time with your wife at someone who breeds POODLES- not poodle mixes-'s house and see if that works for her. I'd also try the other 'hypoallergenic' breeds- greyhounds and PWDs tops among them. (Greyhounds shed but are less dandery than many other breeds.) If it doesn't? I'd skip the dog. It's not fair to have a dog that lives outside without a real job for YOU that keeps you out there most of the time, and given that you *don't* live on a farm, I don't think that's the case. One of the no/low dander breeds, limiting the dog's access to certain parts of the house, and a medication that your wife can tolerate are going to be the way to go if you want to own a dog.

You also might look at the 'doglike' cat breeds- the Siberian (check out Petconnection.com/blog for some info and pictures), Bengals, Siamese- and see if any of them might suit. No, it's not quite like having a dog- but it's still having a pet. That might be a better match.

[tcasby]

You should determine if your wife is allergic to dander or saliva. If is dander see how she does with known purebred hypoallergenic dogs like poodles, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, Portuguese Water Dogs, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoallergenic_dog_breeds

Many of the hypoallergenic dogs have hair instead of fur and can be clipped short in the summer (not too short as sunburn is an issue especially at altitude).

Many people find Zyrtec effective for dog allergies, and it is now available over the counter.

[melgrj7]

I'm allergic to dogs and cats, have two of each. I have found that I come to tolerate my own animals fine for the most part. But when I am around animals I don't live with is when my allergies get bad. My own animals only bother me on occasion, generally when they are shedding. I take claratin when its bother me. It helps. A purebred poodle may work for you, and they come in many sizes They are very smart dogs and can be fun to train. Perhaps you can contact a rescue and see if they will let you foster one for a little while and see how your wife's allergies are over time. Oh, and regular grooming helps a lot!