Stella is getting a brother!

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prose

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So, my husband has finally caved and we'll be getting a second dog some time in the next six months. I would like to get a rescue mix, he definitely doesn't, so there'll be lots of debate to follow, I'm sure.

Anyone have any ideas on what breed might be suitable for us?

We live in a 1300 sq. ft apartment, but have no garden. Stella is walked three times a day, with two of those walks being off leash at the park. She gets around two hours of exercise a day, more at the weekends.

We are avid runners, and once the dog is old enough, would like a jogging companion, but this isn't essential.

We have a lot of visitors, and the dog will be exposed to thousands of other dogs, tourists, people on skateboards, loud noises etc. so it can't be a nervy/overly protective sort, particularly as we have a cleaner/occasional handyman pop round to our apartment when we're not home. I also regularly take Stella into stores.

We wil be renting a beach house Oct-May, and then a weekend house elsewhere after that. As I work freelance, I intend to be there Thurs-Sun, with the pooches.

Thoughts?
 
Congratulations!!

Its so exciting getting a new one isn't it??

Well you know what im going to suggest.. LOL!!
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Get stella a nice Boxer friend, or another Boston?

I must admit i'm a complete Boxer convert now but since seeing photos of Stella i would love a little Boston in the future as well!
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Hi - I'm a newbie - sort of. Posted a couple of years ago ! I love the photos of Stella and we now have a Boston puppy - Tilly. She's 16 weeks and is a great little sister/playmate for our 13 year old Whippet. A strange combination I know ! Good luck with choosing Stella's sibling !
 
How exciting....I would go for a cute little whippet or whippet-x, they exercise forever and sleep forever, they make fantastic loving little pets...and once u have one u are hooked
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Failing that...go to the rescue and see what gets your attention
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maybe a lurcher
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Saffie x whippet
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sleeps in the house, charges around like crazy outside, follows me everywhere and doesnt like to be out of my sight for a moment, happily chase after you for miles while you jog and dogs homes are full of them.
Glad the nagging has finally won the OH over, he sounds like he is crazy about Stella anyway.
 
How about a French Bulldog ? - deeply affectionate, charming little dogs that would not take up too much room in your apartment and would be a great companion for Stella - the only thing you would need to watch would be over exercising during hot weather as they can then have breathing problems.
 
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How about a French Bulldog ? - deeply affectionate, charming little dogs that would not take up too much room in your apartment and would be a great companion for Stella - the only thing you would need to watch would be over exercising during hot weather as they can then have breathing problems.

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My husband adores Frenchies, and though I think they're extremely cute, I am more partial to Bostons.

Milor, seeing as you're quite the dog pro, how would a Border Terrier fare in an apartment situation? Bags of outdoor exercise isn't a problem, but I obviously can't have a dog that needs to have a garden because they're always on the go.

Labs, I love, but I'm still not convinced they're city dogs, and while I know that greyhounds/whippets have that lazy streak, I'm always put off by them not being great with recall. That is essential because a road is never too far away, even in the huge parks we have over here.

Salukis are my favourite breed of all, and one day, when I switch to rural life, I will have a couple of sighthounds at the helm of a nice doggie pack
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as long as you can ensure LOADS of excercise a border terrier should be fine - they have become hugely popular for very good reasons - a manageable size - happy temperament and easy to care for ( minimal grooming ) - makes them ideal pets - but their popularity does mean that they are a breed used by puppy farmers to make a quick buck so do your homework on the breeder before you buy (which I'm sure you would
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). Also make sure that he/she is well socialised with other dogs as they can have the terrier tendency to be a bit fiesty around their own kind !.
 
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as long as you can ensure LOADS of excercise a border terrier should be fine - they have become hugely popular for very good reasons - a manageable size - happy temperament and easy to care for ( minimal grooming ) - makes them ideal pets - but their popularity does mean that they are a breed used by puppy farmers to make a quick buck so do your homework on the breeder before you buy (which I'm sure you would
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). Also make sure that he/she is well socialised with other dogs as they can have the terrier tendency to be a bit fiesty around their own kind !.

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They are still rare over here, so are in the hands of good breeders who do all the the testing etc. As for exercise, my husband would love a morning running companion when the dog is full grown, and I work from home mostly so can guarantee lengthy park trips every day. Socialisation won't be a problem, either, being that we mingle with hundreds of different dogs every week.

Hmmm, sounds promising. Any other suggestions? (I did try one of those breed selector things, but was horrified when it suggested a Brittany and an English Foxhound
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.)
 
What about a Norfolk or Norwich terrier - quite small in size but bags of personality - or look at the Shetland Sheepdog - V easy to train - great at stuff like agility and very gentle, loyal and beautiful too ( but lots of shedding and grooming ). The different varieties of Dachsunds make good pets too - long haired ones tend to be more easy going than the others ( due to the introduction of Spaniel blood many moons ago) and the smooth can be a bit sharp with other dogs but the Wirehaired is great fun. Along the same lines - take a look at the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen - these are lively sociable and loving dogs who deserve to be more popular than they are - although they are a scent hound and can be stubborn to train ! The good old English or American cocker would make a good addition - avoid the show lines in the American unless you are prepared to put in hours of grooming though !.

If you like the look of Bostons and Frenchies then look at the Griffon Bruxellois or Petit Brabancon -lovely little characters that would get on great with Poppy- they are also V bright and easy to train ( and LOVE kids ) - finally take a look at the two smaler Tibetan breeds - the Tibetan Spaniel and Tibetan Terrier - the Spaniel is the easier going of the two - totally charming little dogs the terrier needs a bit more socialising to ensure that it is happy around other dogs - both have some coat care needs but not excessive ....phew ! ...hope that helps .
 
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What about a Norfolk or Norwich terrier - quite small in size but bags of personality - or look at the Shetland Sheepdog - V easy to train - great at stuff like agility and very gentle, loyal and beautiful too ( but lots of shedding and grooming ). The different varieties of Dachsunds make good pets too - long haired ones tend to be more easy going than the others ( due to the introduction of Spaniel blood many moons ago) and the smooth can be a bit sharp with other dogs but the Wirehaired is great fun. Along the same lines - take a look at the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen - these are lively sociable and loving dogs who deserve to be more popular than they are - although they are a scent hound and can be stubborn to train ! The good old English or American cocker would make a good addition - avoid the show lines in the American unless you are prepared to put in hours of grooming though !.

If you like the look of Bostons and Frenchies then look at the Griffon Bruxellois or Petit Brabancon -lovely little characters that would get on great with Poppy- they are also V bright and easy to train ( and LOVE kids ) - finally take a look at the two smaler Tibetan breeds - the Tibetan Spaniel and Tibetan Terrier - the Spaniel is the easier going of the two - totally charming little dogs the terrier needs a bit more socialising to ensure that it is happy around other dogs - both have some coat care needs but not excessive ....phew ! ...hope that helps .

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Lots to think about--thanks so much!

During our last "let's get a second dog" period (which was put on the backburner because of work/moving house) I had a Brussels Griffon breeder come to my house. She brought two pups, plus the mother. as she was dropping them at other homes in the city. The boy pup was a yapper, and the girl was so timid, which turned me off the breed. Since then, I've met lots of "perfect" Brussels, so maybe they'd be worth another look.

Shelties are lovely, but my husband can't have a Collie/Sheltie because he's sentimental about his childhood Collie and never replacing her.

Norwiches are adorable. I've liked them since I saw the film, "Best in Show"
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PBGVs are so nice, but are they terrible off leash like most hounds?

And funnily enough, Stella's boyfriend is a dachshund. He has a super personality although he takes no nonsense whatsoever from exuberant dogs. Aesthetically, I love the wiry ones, and know of a great wire-haired standard breeder within the tri-state area.

Anyway, here is Stella with the lovely George--the only one pup of the litter who wasn't black and tan
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"PBGVs are so nice, but are they terrible off leash like most hounds?" ......ummm well they can be a bit of a challenge to train a good recall
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LOVE that film 'Best in Show' ....I most definitely know folk just like that
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.....yeah Ok ..... I'M just like that LOL
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