Please help...So what dog would you suggest?

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vikkibeth

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Following on from my other thread about wire hair terriers......What I am truely looking for is a proper boys dog, one that wants to run round have fun with my 4 year old, can come out with us to the yard with my husky cross who is a bit of a lazy sod. My little boy wants a dog that will be his buddy, have same amount of energy as he does,wants to plat catch and fetch, go have an adventure but would also be happy to curl up on the bed with him when he goes to bed and be a dog I can trust as far as you can trust any dog... I know it sounds a lot and I was very lucky I had such a dog when I was little but he was a total mongrel and was just such a lucky find just would love that for him.
He needs to be a good size for a young boy growing up so not too big.

Open to any suggestions
 
My constant companion growing up was a GSD but I guess that would be too big for ya :D

Would you consider rescue? They often have pups and young dogs in.
What about a staffy?
Or jack russell?
A small scruffy lurcher?
 
A wire haired fox terrier. We have one and you just described her to a T :D. They are the traditional childs dog and now we have one I can see why.
 
I agree with a staffy, a well socialised staffy can make the most fab pet, my sisters little stodge bag of a staff is fab, his nature is second to none and he is well sturdy and up for ruff and tumble and he loves to be fussed and cuddled (he was a rescue) he is also fab with dogs, cats and horses.
Otherwise maybe a border terrier if you really want a scruffy little terrier type.
 
Cattle Dog of course, if he can man up to the challenge it will be his best mate for life:


picture.php

The Australian Cattle Dog is a compact, medium-sized, sturdy herding dog with a broad head and pricked ears. Its short coat comes in two unique color variations - red speckled and blue speckled.

Temperament

Few dog breeds can match the intellect of the Australian Cattle Dog. Sometimes too smart for its own good, this alert dog thrives on activity to keep things interesting. Brave and loyal, this breed demands plenty of daily attention from its master. Sometimes considered a one-person dog, the Australian Cattle Dog tends to bond strongly with its owner. Due to its natural instinct to nip at the heels of those it tries to herd, (Though I have found that if they are well trained this does not happen they are intelligent enough to know the difference) It goes on to say that due to this the Blue Heeler may not be the best choice for a family with small children. (but certainly my too are brilliant with kids, the local kids knock on the door in the summer asking to play with the boys and their Frisbee!!)

Care

The Australian Cattle Dog's short coat is very easy to maintain. Bathing should only be done when necessary minimal brushing is necessary. Due to the presence of an undercoat, this breed does shed seasonally. So, be prepared for extremely large amounts of shedding approximately twice a year.

Training

Obedience training is necessary to control this breed's natural herding and guarding instincts. Consistent training begun at an early age will help your Australian Cattle Dog learn that he does not necessarily need to herd family members. Left to his own devices, this dog will oftentimes chase things such as skateboards, bicycles and cars. This is a whip smart breed, very easily trained. Due to its high intellect, the Blue Heeler is also easily bored. Give your Australian Cattle Dog a job to do and he is happy. It is not uncommon to see this dog excel in the obedience ring. This breed also enjoys participating in herding and agility trials.

I did have a JRT as a kid but he was a pain, we could never find the little darling when we were late for tea he'd be off chasing something or half way down a hole somewhere, that dog got me into a world of trouble especially when he came home filthy, much as I loved him I wished we'd had a herder then!

I would go for a herding type or a spangle because of the obedience side of their character and they tend to be less dog aggressive if well trained from youth but perhaps more a show line than a worker as he is quite young
 
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Border Terrier!
I was 8 and my brother 6 when we got our first BT, he was (and still is) a grumpy bugger with the grown ups but never once put a foot wrong with us kids. He was brilliant with kids, if I babysat in my teens I took him along!

We got another BT last year (She is currently watching Meerkat manor!!), she is brill with kids too. She has met my God daughter weekly since we got her, GD shouts, pulls tails and is over enthusiastic with her pats but B just sits there and licks her.

BTs will just go all day but then a space on a bed / couch / by the fire is a must!
 
Rough Russells - we've had 3 and they have all been fantastic dogs. So kind with children and they love to chase balls.
 
Forgot to say, my 23year old OH is like a big kid. When we were deciding what dog to get (well I already knew but I let him think he had some input!) his only request was that the dog would play with him!
 
I am still amazed at the absolute opposite ends of the scale that Fox terriers are described on your other thread.
I would still, in my experience of them, advocate a Fox terrier. Apart from owning a FT X my step nan used to bred them, and i remember palying with all the puppies and parents as a child.
And as i stated in previous post, Bob gets on great with my 5 yr old nephew when he stays there.
TerriershowPytchleyJune2010007.jpg


I do appreciate that it is important to take advice from lots of different people with different experiences, but am just feeling a bit sorry for Bob and his breed at the bad reputation they seem to have!!
 
I've been lurking in this forum for a while and had to say something in this thread. I had a tibetan terrier growing up, apart from having no recall because I was too young to know how to teach him he was amazing! TTs are known for being the type of dog that just wants to do as much as you want to, when we took him for really long walks in the country and he would whizz around the whole way, but he was equally up for a lazy day with a couple of short walks if you wanted. and he was always there for a quiet cuddle on the sofa as well.

I used to love playing with him and when I got a boyf later in life, even tho Max was getting on a bit, he still loved playing tug-o-war and fetch with him. we kept him clipped and he looked very smart that way. Also in spite of Max's lack of recall TTs are very easily trained should you so wish, he was the sort of dog you could take out and walk around the streets with no lead, I never taught him he was just very smart and eager to please.

He was fantastic when my sister was born when he was 6, even though he'd never been around kids that young before. One day she even got her hand inside his ear and yanked on the hair inside it (!) and he just whimpered and backed off. Also my cousin about the same age as me had Max's brother and he was equally fantastic. I would definately consider one of them, they are so versatile.

If I had to mention a con, I would point out they don't like being left alone very much, some can develop seperation anxiety. Max wasn't too bad, never destructive just barked.

If I didn't know how incredible TTs are (me? biased?) then I would third the staffy, my friend has huge one and he is a lovely dog, very friendly.
 
I would definately go to a rescue and see what is available there, that way you dont restrict yourself to a breed and you can see which one your family gets on with best, You can normally take them for walks and get to spend time with it before you make a choice :)

If not i would always go for a Staff, fab family dog though beware the puppy stage!!! :D
 
You were describing our dog there.....he is a....

Staffy :D :D

He came from Battersea dogs home and they are fabulous at matching people to dogs
 
another one for a staffy. Ticks ALL the boxes (in particular the one about sleeping on the bed)...

and her Mi Lady is my evidence..

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/picture.php?albumid=1274&pictureid=8888

Should also say Staffie Welfare is brilliant at finding a staff to match - they are regionally based and I know the Guildford bunch (!), but there is also staffie rescue too. PM if you want any more info on staffie rescues in the south east.
 
Jack Russell voter :p not that I'm in any way biased :o :D lol

Mine have plenty of energy but are happy to sleep lots too and they put up with all amounts of tugging, hugging and general pestering from my OH's 4yr old. They'd never had any contact with small children until they were introduced to her (she was just turned 3 when they were) and have been fantastic with her.

165727_10150371817865324_762410323_16353046_7233271_n.jpg


A couple of numerous "squishes" lol

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So many different breeds thank you everyone, will be certainly looking into them all. Sadly my husband isn't very big staffie fan as around here they haven't got the best of names and will not be persuased :( and as it's his arm I have to twist not an option. I welcome any further ideas or advice as am not going to be running straight into buying anything and once the breed is chosen will be searching for the best breeder to meet the parents etc. As for rescue dogs all of our dogs have been rescue dogs prior have been rescue dogs and we have been so lucky so if anyone knows of any that are needing homes please tell me but must be pups. Again thank you so much everyone.
 
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