To still be pining for a dog, even though I have one?

[GravelyDoesIt]

I have always had big dogs, working dogs, clever, loyal, energetic ...

When DH and I got together I expressed my wish to get a German shepherd. He said no to dogs full stop. I nagged him for years and then all of a sudden he back tracked and said I could get a dog, as long as it was a small one. By this point I was desperate for a dog, no matter what breed so we looked into a few breeds and settled on a French bulldog.

He's now 8 months old. Lovely little thing, very funny and cute but I'm finding myself pining for a "real" dog.

Our dog doesn't seem able to learn things very well, as I said I'm used to intelligent dogs whereas with ours he's still nowhere near house trained at 8 months old. If I take him out for a walk he just stands there shivering. If I put a coat on him he stands there and won't move as he doesn't like the coat.

We took him to the coast a few weeks back, idea was that we'd let him have a run in the beach. When we got there he just stood and wouldn't move. He ended up having to carry him around (whilst watching the labradors and shepherds flying around chasing balls and waves etc). It was a waste of time.

Coming home from work last night I saw a young girl on the field near us playing fetch with a beautiful German shepherd. I could never do that with our dog.

I walk a lot in the country and I wanted a dog to take with me. Our dog is not the kind of dog you can take anywhere - all he wants to do is play with his toys and be carried everywhere.

Don't get me wrong, he's lovely and he's with us for life, I'd never want to rehome him and I accept that the mistake was mine totally - but AIBU to insist to DH that we get our dog a 'friend' in the shape of a German Shepherd?

[MsGameandWatch]

If I put a coat on him he stands there and won't move as he doesn't like the coat.

This made me . I had a dog a bit like that. He was very game in other ways though. I would struggle with the having to carry him everywhere thing. That's not like having a dog is it? It's like having a guinea pig or something.

Would your DH consider another small dog to go along with him? I have a Scottish terrier and he is the most feisty rambunctious boy ever, he's fab. A big dog in a small digs body. I would love a big dog too but in a flat so wouldn't be fair. You might find that a more out going dog would help your dog to be more confident and willing to give things a go.

[isupposeitsverynice]

No, yanbu. We recently acquired a gsd pup - I would have picked something slightly smaller but dh was desperate for a shepherd so I caved - now he's here I adore him beyond measure and can't even begin to imagine life without him. Having said that, I do still want a smaller dog that can actually sit on my lap as opposed to crushing my legs, so I totally get you here

[MothershipG]

There are lots of intelligent, active small dogs, I have to ask why you chose a French Bulldog? Did you do any research into the breed and their numerous health issues?

[Soubriquet]

What Mothership said

Why on earth pick a frenchie over something like a Jack Russell?

One is lazy and stubborn, the other is always active and very intelligent

[MsGameandWatch]

My friend has a French bulldog that you can't exercise enough! She's always on the go. I don't think it's fair to generalise like that really.

[thisisbloodyridiculous]

Yabu - there are SO many small dogs that are essentially big dogs in small packages with all the qualities you like. You were U to overlook these dogs in favour of getting a wholly unsuitable breed.

Also even if you get another dog that doesn't change your existing dog's temperament so you'll just have twice as much hassle as one dog will have different needs to the other. Barmy.

[HmmmHashtag]

YANBU I am lucky enough to have 2 'normal' dogs, and one 'ridiculous' dog. The 'ridiculous' one is perfect for snuggles but would rather die than go on a walk, and the 2 normal dogs would rather die than lounge around the house all day!

[BanjoStarz]

We have a French bulldog, it's at least as active (if not more so) than any of our other dogs.

I'm not sure I understand the stereotyping of frenchies as lazy...none of the ones I've met are!

How much work and training have you put into this one? Any dog can can be taught to walk around on a lead and fetch a ball..

[TheWitTank]

A frenchie does seem an unusual choice for someone wanting an active, working breed- a terrier would of been a better choice. Never mind now though, you love the dog and are committed which is great. Could you compromise and get another small breed, but a working small breed? I understand his reluctance to get a GS. They are pretty big, especially for someone not overly keen on dogs.

[RestlessTraveller]

Any dog can be taught to fetch a ball

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah

My Jack Russell says 'No'

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

Of course you can play fetch with a Frenchie! You need to train them to love games- things like that aren't instinctive to all dogs. Have a look at Zak George dog training videos on YouTube - I'm sure with the right training he can be the sort of dog you want

[dArtagnansCrumpet]

I'll swap you. We have a labrador puppy and he's seriously unhinged.

I'd love a small lovely quiet dog for a bit

[dArtagnansCrumpet]

Oh and he's not easy to train either. He's lovely but a massive pita.

[Soubriquet]

My Jack Russell used to say no too Restless

But he was a bit...special

He was an Irish rescue who I'm not sure of his background. He was never fully housetrained, had so many allergies he had bouts of colitis, hated walking as his paws used to get sore so needed a doggy buggy and any idea of fetch was looked at with disgust

He was an arse....but I still miss the little toerag. He was pts in 2013. He has doggy dementia