Which dog help please?

littlemisslauren

littlemisslauren

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Hi everyone
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I finish my degree early next year and my parents are going to get me a dog
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(I think they are just trying to soften the blow when my 13 year old Border Terrier eventually goes
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My OH and I have planned to move in together this time next summer and the new pooch would be coming with me (mum has warned me she is not going to have my dog chewing her house to ruins like my Border did as a pup).
I want a small dog as the house we will be moving into wont be huge! I posting on here for advice because obviously a dog is for life and i know little breeds can live a long time. In afew years my OH and I may want to start a family and I would want my children to grow up with dogs as I did.
A friend of mine had a baby recently and had to rehome her 2 gorgeous Jack Russels because she really couldnt trust one of them in the same room as the baby.

I was planning on getting a jack russel but my friends story has put me off
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my dogs are part of the family and cant imagine having to let them go.

Does any1 have any good / bad experience of new babies with small breed dogs?

My other fave atm would be to get another Border because mine is amazing
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I understand I am jumping the gun a bit with the 'I'm going to have babies' thing, but even if it doesnt happen with current OH children are part of my future, as are dogs.

Apologies if this doesnt read well! I've had my little border crawling all over me trying to get comfy
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I have a mini schnauzer which I adore
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They are a really good size, have bags of personality and they don't cast at all
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The only problem is that you do need to get them clipped every 6-8 weeks. This used to cost me £29 each time but now I clip her myself.
 
How about a cocker spaniel - ideal family dogs - house sized. Very happy little dogs and like any other dogs if the breeding is right loving happy temperaments
 
With a tiny in the house you need something very gentle - I love Henry (cocker) but he can be a bit excitable! He is gentle with children but I always keep him on the lead around them - he can get very excited and jump about and could easily knock a child over (although any dog could do that!). When excited he can also be a bit grabby, and I persoinally would wory about little fingers. He is a rescue though so I ca;t be sure of his background- the right one would be great and I'm only posting about one dog here. Just want to share my own experience.

We had a lab when we were little and he was a perfect family dog. My sister was only 2/3 when we got him, and they were best mates from the beginning. Somewhere we have pictures of the gruesome twosome, I will have to see if I can scan and post them next time I am at home. They are larger dogs, but we found one in a small three-bed semi quite manageable
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Thank you Hanandhen - I do want to hear negatives as well as positives!

I do adore Labs, and i think a bigger dog would make me feel safer in the house alone etc. ( im used to having a Rhodesian Ridgeback on guard!!)

oh goodness im going to end up with 5 dogs!
 
Well, like I said Henry is only one dog and one with an unknown background at that so the whole breed can't be judged by him! If I was having a baby (not that I'm planning to!) I would plan to keep him but I'd do it in the full knowedge of how he can be, the excitable wee so-and-so
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Barney the lab was great, he was never aggressive (we have so many photos of him being used as a pillow / climbing frame by goodness knows how many children!) but he did certainly protect us. He guarded the house when we were out (to the extent that he wouldn't let my best mate climb the fince as she always did when we were out), saved me from being attacked by another dog, and while being soft as butter had an intimidating enough bark to scare a copper once as well as countless innocent fishermen that he spotted 'lurking' (ie fishing) on the other bank of the canal
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I always felt totally safe with him about
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Pugs!!! Not sure you'll like that suggestion as you seem to like the more traditional dog. But they really are the best, and this is coming from someone who grew up with a dobermann!

The have the biggest personalities and are like mini clowns. They can be really active (as long as they're not over weight) mine will go for walks for a couple of hours. Or they will lay in bed with you all day and not whine to go out for walks.

I have had 3 pugs now and would never have any other breed. Everyone i know that has a pug, loves them and always ends up getting more!

When i first had Obbie (the black 3/4 pug x 1/4 boston terrier) i lived with my friend that had a 1 yr old and they got on fine, she loved throwing her dinner from her high chair for him and he loved clearing up the mess!

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Larger breeds tend to be less yappy (which might be a consideration if you have neighbours near by), less excitable and more laid back. An active small dog (i.e. one of the working breeds) can need as much exercise as a larger dog, so overall I think you are better off with a large breed. A lab, a goldie or a GSD would make a wonderful family dog.
 
Sessie - Your pugs are lovely and i would LOVE one of my own.. i do not love the price tag!

Everytime i watch Goks Fashion Fix my love of pugs is renewed!

I love terriers etc because they will get the mice from the stables (Whilst destroying my lovely banks...) and im petrified of mice!!
 
Oh yeah, Barney was hopeless at mousing, I remember sitting with him once in the utility room where he used to live, and watching a mouse run across the floor, into his feed bag, and then run off with a big lump of his food - and he just let it get on with it
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You are going to end up with 5 dogs, there's no escaping it
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I am aren't I? I will have no space for babies at this rate!!

I need to set a criteria!
1. Not a big dog (Lab max height)
2. Family dog
3. Loyal enough for me to feel safe! (I dont want something that runs and hides if it hears a noise!)
4. Something that could potentially catch the evil mice that seem to have moved into my stable!

Maybe this will cut down my numbers.... I hope.
 
Family dog wise you really can't beat a lab. Springer Spaniels have super natures too, although tend to be more hyper
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Even though the lab is obviously a bit bigger than you wanted they are pretty calm, and will just lie down quietly. I would trust my lab totally with my kids, my little girl loves nothing more than getting her on the lead and 'training' her
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The look of 'please help me' on the dogs face says it all, but I know she would never be nasty. The only thing is, if she does get wound up, she could easily knock a little person flying with one swoop of her tail, let alone her body!!!
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I am aren't I? I will have no space for babies at this rate!!

I need to set a criteria!
1. Not a big dog (Lab max height)
2. Family dog
3. Loyal enough for me to feel safe! (I dont want something that runs and hides if it hears a noise!)
4. Something that could potentially catch the evil mice that seem to have moved into my stable!

Maybe this will cut down my numbers.... I hope.

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you cant beat a lurcher!

they come in all shapes and sizes and are the most laid back loving/lovable and loyal dogs you can find! a bedlington x whippet would suit you down to the ground and make an awsome mouser!

have a look at the link below
http://www.lurcherlink.org/llink/forum/viewforum.php?f=4

cheers
hyperion
 
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Family dog wise you really can't beat a lab. Springer Spaniels have super natures too, although tend to be more hyper
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Even though the lab is obviously a bit bigger than you wanted they are pretty calm, and will just lie down quietly. I would trust my lab totally with my kids, my little girl loves nothing more than getting her on the lead and 'training' her
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The look of 'please help me' on the dogs face says it all, but I know she would never be nasty. The only thing is, if she does get wound up, she could easily knock a little person flying with one swoop of her tail, let alone her body!!!
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lol - that reminds me, we had cousins to stay once and since they didn't have a dog they were very excited about Barney, We set up a whole agility course in the garden and had the poor dog going round and round... eventually he snuck off and hid in his bed
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The look of resigned horror as they hunted him down and hauled him off for round two was a sight to see... but he never turned a hair bless him
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Pugs!!! Not sure you'll like that suggestion as you seem to like the more traditional dog. But they really are the best, and this is coming from someone who grew up with a dobermann!

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I can concur. We have a pug in our extended family, and he is superb with young children.

I'm also going to mention Boston terrier. Children and Bostons go together like a horse and carriage
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They always appear on "Best breeds for children" lists, and my Stella was the star hit at my nephew's 4th birthday party (30 kids in attendance). She has been around newborns, and allows totally strange kids on the street to pick her up for a cuddle.

Best thing: Bostons bark about once a fortnight, they shed only a tiny amount (Pugs are great, but they shed lots!), they will play ball forever, love to go on long walks, and they are incredibly intelligent. They are always in a sunny mood, and will tolerate A LOT from children.

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Vintage BTs--always a great family dog

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I would rescue. I'm just asking on here for advise / experiences with different breeds and children.
Alot of rescue places wont rehome with small children, and although there would be no problem for a couple of years when children do eventually come along there may be an issue.
 
Also the dog would go to my parents house during the day while OH and I are at work (Very big garden and mum only works in the morning) My dogs are old and quite grumpy. My Border can be a bit agro with new dogs so the idea was to get a puppy / young dog that my Border can get used to! (He is much nicer to puppies!)
 
You could still rescue and get a puppy. I'm not sure how many puppies you get in rescue in the UK, but there are scores of pups in rescue in the States. My sister-in-law's Border Collie/Basset pup was raised with children from the get-go, and the dog is a loving, wonderful girl.
 
I'm a huge Lab fan and thoroughly recommend them as family dogs. However, if you are looking for something any smaller then the gentlest breed of all is the Cavalier King Charles. Would you consider a greyhound - I know they are larger but they are also fabulously gentle dogs and great for families?
 
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I'm also going to mention Boston terrier. Children and Bostons go together like a horse and carriage
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They always appear on "Best breeds for children" lists, and my Stella was the star hit at my nephew's 4th birthday party (30 kids in attendance). She has been around newborns, and allows totally strange kids on the street to pick her up for a cuddle.

Best thing: Bostons bark about once a fortnight, they shed only a tiny amount (Pugs are great, but they shed lots!), they will play ball forever, love to go on long walks, and they are incredibly intelligent. They are always in a sunny mood, and will tolerate A LOT from children.

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If I was to get a Small Dog (and not a Spaniel
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) I would go for a BT based purely on Stella, she is fab. They seem like such HUGE characters in compact little packages.
I was going to suggest a BT or a Cavi, but they have already been suggested
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As others have said a Lab seems like a good idea.

However, I know this a little larger than what you have initially thought but what about a rescue greyhound?
 
a greyhound would be a good choice but old track dogs do tend to have a high chase instinct and will often want to eat the cat, pet rabbits ect!

having said that they can be broken to domestic pets and are amazingly gentle dogs with kids!

you will never ever be bored if you have a greyhound or a lurcher at home!

http://www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk/

can you tell im a bit bias yet?? lol

cheers
hyperion
 
My kids were flattened by a cavalier king charles that jumped up behind and knocked them over as they were learning to walk. They clung onto GSDs and greyhounds. A relative had to rehome her lab as it was too intrested in the baby and they dare not allow them together.
 
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My kids were flattened by a cavalier king charles that jumped up behind and knocked them over as they were learning to walk. They clung onto GSDs and greyhounds. A relative had to rehome her lab as it was too intrested in the baby and they dare not allow them together.

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Blimey you must have found THE cavalier which wasnt fabulously behaved with kids then
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As my mum/sister breed them I can assure you that any one from them would not be like that!

I must admit my greyhounds are not used to kids at all, never come into contact with them as a rule, but are fabulous with my niece and nephew - even Talisker, my old lurcher, tolerated my niece really well when she was younger and he was a funny little dog who had a LOT of behavioural hangups due to a lousy start in life
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Why not try a whippet instead of a greyhound? More the size you want, and plenty of them around in rescue too poor things
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Although my current greyhounds are both pretty small, so are no bigger than a lab
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Isnt Cala in your area? She would be able to find you something which would exactly match your requirements
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Or failing that, try www.grwe.com, I've had all of mine from them and cannot recommend them highly enough
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I got Sweep (my cocker) at the same time my youngest neice arrived. He was born 3 days before her and she spent years saying they were twins
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....anyway between my 3 neices and a nephew he has always had plenty of child interaction and has never once complained about the attention and has been subjected to assault courses, dog shows (child handler classes, most handsome boy and waggiest tail - although that should have been bottom!!
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) has had fingers up his nose, in his ears etc etc as well as putting up with them sitting in his bed!! My old spaniel prior to Sweep was rehomed as she was dangerous with children (allegedly) and when I got her my eldest neice was months old and again she put up with all sorts without a grumble (old owners should have got off their @rse and taken her for a walk more than once in a blue moon
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.....)

So cockers should be on your list as should Labs, Irish Setters and Whippets as they were the dogs we grew up with and never had problems - the whippet did bite the postie though.....
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