[UKdolphin]

I need some good advice. I have been a cat owner for a long time and having spent some time with friends dogs would like to take that big step of getting a puppy. I have just started working from home and want a small companion to share my day. I have 3 cats , five year old boy who is ASD, two teenagers and a husband. I want a small/toy breed . Any ideas??

 

[HollowHeaven]

I think first you need to decide how much time you have/are willing to devote to daily exercise, training and play to a dog. What are your grooming requirements? Will you be looking to travel? How active are you?
How into a dog are your family members? It's better if everyone is on board with having and caring for a dog.

 

[Willowy]

Also, how small of a dog were you thinking of? A child on the autism spectrum may not understand how to act around a dog, and small dogs are very fragile. I knew a Toy Poodle who broke her leg bouncing off the couch with the kids.

 

[Amaryllis]

Yeah, toy breeds and small children don't mix, especially a child on the spectrum. You want something sturdier. Even a beagle at the upper size limit, ~30 lbs, would be as small as I'd go.

Having said that, I think you should find an adult dog at a shelter or rescue. Find one that's known to be good with cats and kids. Puppies are an insane amount of work and you risk getting a puppy that grows up to be a fearful dog, which would be bad in your household.