Family pooch suggestions
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Good, that's the size I was thinking. It's so sad though, looking through the petfinder dogs in Ontario and seeing so many pits that could fit in this persons family (even good with cats) that I can't recommend because of the stupid ban 
Prock, would you be willing to put a jacket on your dog in the winter? Smooth coated dogs (I have found several that are good for you) don't handle cold too well but a jacket would help and if you keep the dog active while outside you should be good.
ETA: would you take the dog to the groomer or do you want a dog whose coat does not need to be clipped?
Prock, would you be willing to put a jacket on your dog in the winter? Smooth coated dogs (I have found several that are good for you) don't handle cold too well but a jacket would help and if you keep the dog active while outside you should be good.
ETA: would you take the dog to the groomer or do you want a dog whose coat does not need to be clipped?
Good, that's the size I was thinking. It's so sad though, looking through the petfinder dogs in Ontario and seeing so many pits that could fit in this persons family (even good with cats) that I can't recommend because of the stupid ban
When I saw the list of what the OP is looking for in a dog, the first thing I thought was APBT, because there are a lot of them out there who are perfectly fine with cats and small animals. The farther away you are from the southern U.S. the more likely it seems you are to find "cold" APBTs.
So true, and so appreciated!
(As for a doggy sweater, I'm not sure that's something I'm too keen on.)
In any event, all the advice and input is so much appreciated. After reading some articles and watching some videos about clicktraining I feel much more confident that there's hope in training whatever dog what I end up with. This makes me much more comfortable with the idea of a shelter/rescue dog.
I'm going to continue my research by reading some of the books suggested. This decision isn't likely going to be made for at least a couple months.
Again, thank you so much to everyone for all the helpful and informative replies!
(As for a doggy sweater, I'm not sure that's something I'm too keen on.)
In any event, all the advice and input is so much appreciated. After reading some articles and watching some videos about clicktraining I feel much more confident that there's hope in training whatever dog what I end up with. This makes me much more comfortable with the idea of a shelter/rescue dog.
I'm going to continue my research by reading some of the books suggested. This decision isn't likely going to be made for at least a couple months.
Again, thank you so much to everyone for all the helpful and informative replies!
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An adult rescue boxer might be a good choice, though may need a sweatshirt or less time outside in the cold.
I'd just search petfinder. And I'd definately recommend an older dog. Why?
Not all puppies can be trained to not chase cats or bark a lot. You can control it, but you can't tell what strong instincts are going to come out when a pup hits puberty. With an adult, you know what you're getting. Plus, there are so many adult dogs in need of homes. Especially with kids...it's possible to go through the nippy stage and the stealing things stage, but it's much easier to get an adult who isn't going to try and yank the kids clothes off or chew up their action figures.
A lab (with regular brushing), a poodle, a boxer (with some thought to temperature), or any mix of these would be great.
A beagle would be good but not offleash...to be honest though, I don't recommend any dog offleash in an unfenced area.
I'd just search petfinder. And I'd definately recommend an older dog. Why?
Not all puppies can be trained to not chase cats or bark a lot. You can control it, but you can't tell what strong instincts are going to come out when a pup hits puberty. With an adult, you know what you're getting. Plus, there are so many adult dogs in need of homes. Especially with kids...it's possible to go through the nippy stage and the stealing things stage, but it's much easier to get an adult who isn't going to try and yank the kids clothes off or chew up their action figures.
A lab (with regular brushing), a poodle, a boxer (with some thought to temperature), or any mix of these would be great.
A beagle would be good but not offleash...to be honest though, I don't recommend any dog offleash in an unfenced area.
I don't know it it was mentioned as I speed-read most of the thread, but I noticed you were considering a cocker spaniel. Unless they're remarkably different from cavaliers, you will get hair on your furniture and clothes. I do not wear much black clothes anymore because I get white dog hair on any dark clothes in seconds, all year round but twice a year more than usual. That is from a dog that gets fed high quality food, washed every couple of weeks and brushed just about daily. Just something to consider if you do not want dog hair everywhere. English cockers are great dogs if you happen to find a good reputable breeder and can overlook the hair issue though. (Can't say anything about the American cocker as I have never met any.)
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Why not? If it's cold where you live like it's cold where I live, it's pretty hard to watch a smooth coated, short haired dog shiver when outside. But they still need walks. The coat or sweater doesn't have to be fu fu as shown with that red one. It can be very masculine, in fact. My dogs are not the fu fu type. They're mountain dogs. LOL.
The Chihuahuas have faux sheep skin coats which are reversable...one side is faux suede and the other is sheep fleece...the kind ranchers in Montana wear out on the range when they're on their horses, hunkered down against the wind and the below zero temps. It even has two pockets on either side to put something valuable in. I got these coats at Petsmart I think....not very expensive.
The one I had for Lyric, my Doberman was a "leather" bomber jacket with tan colored fleece lining. Ya can't get more macho than that. LOL. I wouldn't be caught dead with my dogs wearing some frilly little teddy thing, no matter if I am a girl.
He also wore a snood....a long tubular, black cozy hat thing that covered his ears which were at risk for frost bite. It came down on his neck. The coat, he sort of out grew, but it cut the chill down. And here he is in all his manly splendor:
And Chulita modeling the matching coat she and Jose` both wear when it's very cold. Jose` doesn't need one as much as Chuli as his own coat is thicker. Plus, he gets pee on his coat sometimes.....an anatomical issue.
And the reverse:
If you live where it's cold and you have a dog with very short, thin hair, I hope you'd do like you would for yourself when it's cold. I mean, you wouldn't go out in the snow stark nakid would you? With just a few sprigs of hair here and there? Rfffffff!
The Chihuahuas have faux sheep skin coats which are reversable...one side is faux suede and the other is sheep fleece...the kind ranchers in Montana wear out on the range when they're on their horses, hunkered down against the wind and the below zero temps. It even has two pockets on either side to put something valuable in. I got these coats at Petsmart I think....not very expensive.
The one I had for Lyric, my Doberman was a "leather" bomber jacket with tan colored fleece lining. Ya can't get more macho than that. LOL. I wouldn't be caught dead with my dogs wearing some frilly little teddy thing, no matter if I am a girl.
He also wore a snood....a long tubular, black cozy hat thing that covered his ears which were at risk for frost bite. It came down on his neck. The coat, he sort of out grew, but it cut the chill down. And here he is in all his manly splendor:
And Chulita modeling the matching coat she and Jose` both wear when it's very cold. Jose` doesn't need one as much as Chuli as his own coat is thicker. Plus, he gets pee on his coat sometimes.....an anatomical issue.
And the reverse:
If you live where it's cold and you have a dog with very short, thin hair, I hope you'd do like you would for yourself when it's cold. I mean, you wouldn't go out in the snow stark nakid would you? With just a few sprigs of hair here and there? Rfffffff!
HEY!! I said boxer first! Just kidding!! I did think a Boxer would be a great choice for their family, however I was concerned because he said he wanted a dog that could be outside some in winter. The coat thing was a good idea but personally I don't really want to have to put a coat on a dog either. NOT that they aren't cute and all! LOL
So you did, Kim . . . sorry I missed that
Not a lot of dogs are going to be close coated and low shedding AND able to stand a lot of cold.
Not a lot of dogs are going to be close coated and low shedding AND able to stand a lot of cold.
I like the boxer idea.
Seriously though they match your criteria pretty well especially if you go with an adult (puppies are good too but they're... insane). They're great family dogs (my mom does daycare so it's super important that our dogs are good with kids); not very vocal, at most they just give a warning bark when someone is at the door; the off-leash thing needs to be trained but they have an endless supply of energy, so they'll be up for a game of fetch or a jog whenever you want them to be; and I would consider them medium size dogs, especially females.
They don't handle extreme heat or cold too well... but I live in Minnesota and I would imagine the weather in Canada is pretty similar, and I've never had an issue with the temperatures. Outdoor activity may have to be limited in the winter and maybe a little bit depending on how hot it is in the summer, but they're not so sensitive that they need to be shut indoors if it's a little hot or chilly out.
And there's absolutely no worry of them looking like a foo-foo dog haha.
Seriously though they match your criteria pretty well especially if you go with an adult (puppies are good too but they're... insane). They're great family dogs (my mom does daycare so it's super important that our dogs are good with kids); not very vocal, at most they just give a warning bark when someone is at the door; the off-leash thing needs to be trained but they have an endless supply of energy, so they'll be up for a game of fetch or a jog whenever you want them to be; and I would consider them medium size dogs, especially females.
They don't handle extreme heat or cold too well... but I live in Minnesota and I would imagine the weather in Canada is pretty similar, and I've never had an issue with the temperatures. Outdoor activity may have to be limited in the winter and maybe a little bit depending on how hot it is in the summer, but they're not so sensitive that they need to be shut indoors if it's a little hot or chilly out.
And there's absolutely no worry of them looking like a foo-foo dog haha.
I didn't see if this was mentioned yet, but I thought I'd throw this in since the OP said that he wanted a jogging partner. If you get a pup, the safe thing to do for the dog's joints is to wait until the dog is at least 18 months to jog with it. The impact of jogging can talk a toll on growing bones. So, if you want an immediate jogging buddy, you may want to go with an adult.
Honestly, if I were in you situation, I would look for a lab from a breed rescue. Since being good with kids is a requirement, rescue group dogs have typically lived in foster homes, often with children, so the rescue is goin to have a good idea of how the dog is going to be with kids, cats, other dogs, how barky it is, etc.
Honestly, if I were in you situation, I would look for a lab from a breed rescue. Since being good with kids is a requirement, rescue group dogs have typically lived in foster homes, often with children, so the rescue is goin to have a good idea of how the dog is going to be with kids, cats, other dogs, how barky it is, etc.