Breed Recommendations for my sister

[corgipower]

I would agree with the idea of getting an adult. Something at least 3 years old and preferably closer to 5.

I've been told beagles are usually very good with kids, but I don't have any first hand knowledge on that. They also can be quite vocal. I think probably going to a rescue and adopting would be ideal for them. It's most likely going to be a matter of individual personality rather than breed traits that are important.

 

[Bailey08]

I would agree with the idea of getting an adult. Something at least 3 years old and preferably closer to 5.

I've been told beagles are usually very good with kids, but I don't have any first hand knowledge on that. They also can be quite vocal. I think probably going to a rescue and adopting would be ideal for them. It's most likely going to be a matter of individual personality rather than breed traits that are important.

My brother has a beagle and she's in love with my niece (who is not yet 2) and vice versa. Of course, the dog is a total attention wh0re and not picky about the source -- and the baby just thinks the dog is fascinating. (Thus, all of the other dogs, including mine, avoid her, lol.)

Also, I don't remember the last time I brushed Bailey. I never do. He doesn't have long hair and he isn't a big shedder so I don't know why I would, lol.

 

[Doggie07]

I do not know, I would not recommend any dog. Especially not a puppy

I don't understand this message. If you don't recommend a dog, then why did you post?

Maybe I'm misunderstanding somewhere.

 

[jrvl]

Boston terrier!!

They aren't barkers, don't shed much since they only have a topcoat, therefore don't require much grooming, excellent with children....

 

[MandyPug]

Boston terrier!!

They aren't barkers, don't shed much since they only have a topcoat, therefore don't require much grooming, excellent with children....

Bostons need more than one or two 15-30 minute walks a day and need fairly good rules and boundaries set. Not a first time dog owners kind of dog. They need a ton of mental and physical stimulation, they are after all terriers.

 

[Brattina88]

I was going to suggest beagle, too. Most are great with kids they just adore the attention. I've heard that they can be vocal, but the ones I've had experience with (fosters and friends dogs) were not

But I would not suggest a beagle puppy. Contacting a rescue (and there are TONS of beagles in rescue) would be so ideal in situations like this They would be able to direct you to one that fits your needs (or in this case, you're sisters needs) good with kids, not very vocal, etc etc

But with the limited exercise you posted... I think 5+ years old would be best. If they're willing to up the exercise (& training) they could go younger, but tired dogs are good dogs. Dogs who don't get enough exercise become bored, and bored dogs tend to get destructive or resort to other "nuisance" behaviors.

I sortof agree with Jess... my first impression from reading the OP is they really don't sound like they have a lot of time for a dog... Now, if they're willing to do a little more than that then okay, but I'd hate to put a dog (or especially a puppy!) in a situation that would likely set the dog up to fail


ETA: The cavs I've known have actually been pretty active!! And need more exercise / grooming that the OP's wants. I've fostered cav/cocker mixes, too and I'd say they don't sound like a "good" match. Going to a groomer every 6 weeks or not, long haired breeds need to be brushed.

 

[JessLough]

I sortof agree with Jess... my first impression from reading the OP is they really don't sound like they have a lot of time for a dog... Now, if they're willing to do a little more than that then okay, but I'd hate to put a dog (or especially a puppy!) in a situation that would likely set the dog up to fail

^ they should get a fish for the amount of work they want to do. MAYBE a hamster.

 

[WireyDog]

This is Pixel she is an Italian greyhound. If I attempted to brush my Italian greyhound's every two weeks or two years I suspect they would become peeved with me. I feed raw we live in the south of Mexico. They never shed. They are always sleek and shiny. I give them a bath maybe once a year if they have gotten muddy outside or something. The idea the every dog must be brushed every day is hilarious. As is the idea that they must be walked more than an hour a day.

I have studied dog cognition at the most famous dog cognition lab in the United States. I can assure you that a dog that is not kept in a create all day does not need four hours of exercise. That is ludicrous. See Pixel there? With her fine muscular physique? She gets one walk a day that is half an hour tops. She spends most of the day snoozing but she also likes to play fetch in the court yard and have a good romp around the apartment. She's a totally happy dog. She's never been brushed. She gets one half an hour walk a day.


Those of you who do spend eight hours a day walking your dog and six hours grooming him/her are great dog parents and I'm sure your furry ones adore you, but you don't NEED to do it.

A dachshund isn't a great idea for a four year old child because (and I hope I don't upset the dachshund people or the terrier people here) although they are classified as hounds by the AKC they are bred from a number of terrier types. Terrier are a bad idea for children because they were *bred* to be reactive, to fight and kill, small prey. Terriers would be a bad idea for this family because most of them are high energy (and the time this family wishes to devote to exercise wouldn't do) they become "boredom barkers" when they aren't given an opportunity to play that energy off. If it's a terrier I would avoid it in this particular situation and that means that I would *not* got with rescue dog since so many of them are terrier mixes.

I would suggest the following breed for this family:

Whippet (very short hair that doesn't need brushing, low tendency to bark, affinity for children not as fragile as the Italian greyhound. I would caution that whippets like to run and cannot do so off lead so a fenced area is crucial 85% pass the ATTS)


Also: the right toy poodle or Welsh corgi, an adult Italian Greyhound

 

[Doggie07]

I talked to sis. For those of you who are curious, here's a tiny update:

The money situation is taking shape. She and her husband will know real soon whether or not they'll be able to afford a dog.

Now, can I ask something?

Let's say she perfered a puppy or a younger dog. What adjustments would she need to make to her ideal plan?

She says she'd be willing to do more, but would like to know how much more she'd need to do for a puppy.

I showed her to a nearby shelter. She took a fancy to a beagle puppy mix. She loves the coloring and patterns.

And if anyone has some good links for beginner dog owners or potential beginner dog owners, feel free to post and I'll email the links to her.

 

[milos_mommy]

A puppy means you really can't leave it alone for more than 2-3 hours in the beginning while housebreaking. In an apartment, that means taking the puppy outdoors every 2-3 hours. Even in the rain, or the snow, or at 4 am. It means you need to be prepared to deal with any behavior problems that can (and WILL arise). Separation anxiety, excessive barking, chewing, mouthiness, jumping, etc. This may mean hiring a costly training, especially if she's an inexperienced owner. She needs to know that a puppy will mouth, climb on, claw at, and knock over her child, even a small puppy. It means you need to supervise the puppy or keep it in a crate or puppy proof area ALL the time. This is difficult to do if you're also trying to watch a toddler going in another direction.

Based on the amount of work you originally posted she's willing to do, I really wouldn't recommend she get a dog. If she's willing to put in a little bit more work, I think an adult dog would be fine. She needs to let whoever she gets the dog from (preferably a rescue with a dog placed in a foster home, so she knows what she's getting) what she wants in a dog. It doesn't sound like she needs a puppy right now.

Another consideration is if she'll have the money for emergency expenses. If the puppy chews something it shouldn't, has a blockage, and needs a $1000+ surgery, will she able to afford that?

 

[Romy]

Would she possibly be open to fostering for a rescue? Maybe if they get some low key adults in that need a foster home, that would be a good way for her to get some dog experience without a lifelong commitment before finding out that in the long term, she isn't able to keep up with exercise and training demands.

She might even find the perfect dog for her family that way.

 

[Whisper]

For a puppy she'd need to be available to take it out for potty breaks, and to set the puppy up for success with it, such as breaks after meal times, naps, etc., and at least every couple hours. I know pups (including Millie) that take very little time to potty train and can hold it a lot longer than other puppies, but that's not the norm. She'd need to be ready for dealing with chewing, barking, separation anxiety, and other behaviors puppies often exhibit. Basic training at minimum, lots of time socializing the puppy to all types of people, objects, and other dogs.

I really do not recommend she get a puppy. If she's willing to put in some more time with grooming and exercise, an adult dog would be best.

For everyone who kept saying they don't groom their dogs often, well, I don't brush my dogs all that often either. The difference is I think most of us are *willing* to brush our dogs more than every couple weeks if needed.

Would she possibly be open to fostering for a rescue? Maybe if they get some low key adults in that need a foster home, that would be a good way for her to get some dog experience without a lifelong commitment before finding out that in the long term, she isn't able to keep up with exercise and training demands.

She might even find the perfect dog for her family that way.

That's a great idea.

 

[CaliTerp07]

Let's say she perfered a puppy or a younger dog. What adjustments would she need to make to her ideal plan?

She says she'd be willing to do more, but would like to know how much more she'd need to do for a puppy.

I think the problem is that it's really hard to know how much more would be required. She could bring home a lazy, snooze in the sunshine dog who exercises itself running around the backyard (unlikely, but possible). Or, she could bring home a dog who can't even sit still until it's run off zoomies for an hour. That's why people are recommending an adult from rescue--there will be a much better chance that she will get a dog who has a manageable energy level for her.

If you bring home a puppy, you have to be willing to adapt your life to what the puppy needs. Some house train easily. Others have accidents for months. Some learn sit/stay/down quickly, others require weeks and months of repetition and patience. Some need minimal exercise, others need tons. You don't really know what it will take until you have the puppy home.

 

[Georgygirl]

Bostons need more than one or two 15-30 minute walks a day and need fairly good rules and boundaries set. Not a first time dog owners kind of dog. They need a ton of mental and physical stimulation, they are after all terriers.

I disagree. If she looked for an adult boston from a rescue I think it would be very possible to find a dog that would work well for her situation. I would definitely not go with a puppy.

 

[Michiyo-Fir]

I don't really agree that Bostons are not first time owner's type of dog as well. I know tons and tons of first time Boston owners and as long as they get their exercise, usually run/walk/fetch 1-2 hrs a day with some training, they are very sweet, lovable, friendly dogs.

 

[Doggie07]

I have some good news and bad news.

The bad news is sis isn't going to be thinking about a dog for a while. They're moving.

The good news is when she does start thinking about a dog again, it won't be restricted to just a small breed or maybe it won't.

Okay, me and sis thank you guys for all your suggestions and advice.

 

[SailenAero]

Well I would say that taking a fancy to a dog based on coloration is a terrible idea. Find an older rescue or shelter dog or talk to a reputable breeder about an older dog they have for adoption.

If they for sure want a puppy, someone needs to be available to the puppy 24/7 for the first few months.

Dogs need exercise every day. 15 mins. Is not enough. Larger breeds typically need more room to roam.

For good easy to understand info on all different dog breeds with requirement breakdowns, check out Dogs 101. It's a show on animal planet. You can also find it on the animal planet website.

Please please please do not let her pick a dog because she likes the way it looks. There is so much more to it than that.

 

[Whisper]

I have some good news and bad news.

The bad news is sis isn't going to be thinking about a dog for a while. They're moving.

The good news is when she does start thinking about a dog again, it won't be restricted to just a small breed or maybe it won't.

Okay, me and sis thank you guys for all your suggestions and advice.

I know this will sound cold, but I think maybe that's not bad news. It will give her time for deciding what she wants from a dog, and more time to think about all the things having a dog (especially a puppy) requires.

My best wishes for her and I hope the move is as least stressful as possible.

 

[Doggie07]

I know this will sound cold, but I think maybe that's not bad news. It will give her time for deciding what she wants from a dog, and more time to think about all the things having a dog (especially a puppy) requires.

My best wishes for her and I hope the move is as least stressful as possible.

Yeah, I understand and I'm sure she does too.

The move is a mess. They got evicted for something that isn't really their fault. But, that's the way life goes.

She and I appreciate it. Thank you.