Dog adoption....with a cat and a four year old

[McDougal]

Do you think it's possible?

We've only got as far as looking online so far but can't seem to find any dog that are good with both children and cats.

DD is four and we've had cats since she was born so can't imagine having any problems with her. The cat is two, very placid but not sure he's ever encountered a dog on his adventures.

Can anyone give any advice as to what breed of dog to go for in this situation and (pushing it now) where we might find one?

Nothing too big and we'll walk it twice a day with the evening walk being the long one. If that's enough - I haven't had a dog for 17 years!

[Rightpivotturn]

It's perfectly possible, but I think you are going to have to be realistic in that your requirements will mean that the pool of available dogs will be smaller and you are therefore likely to need to search harder and longer. If you have a look at the other thread currently running about adoption, there are loads of useful suggestions on there with links to rescues who'll be able to help you.

[McDougal]

Thanks Right. Whoops, I'll have a look!

[Hoppinggreen]

It might be possible but after several disappointments we ended up buying a puppy.
Maybe our criteria were too narrow but we did try

[Wolfiefan]

I would look to rescues that foster. That way they will know if the dog is suitable for you. Black Retriever x or ELGR

[McDougal]

We've arranged to visit a shelter next week. Apparently all of the smaller shelters in the area work with this one so if we can't find a dog suitable there, they might be able to point us in the direction of one that can.

Hopping, that's what we were thinking but we'd so much prefer getting a rescue dog. Fingers crossed we get somewhere next week.

Thanks Wolfie. The place we're going to next week does as far as we know. It's good that they'll know a little more about the dogs and what home will suit them.

[Sassyk]

I'm in the same boat with 3 cats and a child of the same age. I'm going through a smaller rescue who I know well and I am fostering the dog first to ensure we/he fit well together. If it doesn't work out he can go to another home but if it does we've had a chance to get to know him before we commit long term. He hasn't arrived yet so I can't say yet if it has been a success but I am hopeful we have been as careful as we can. I didn't want a puppy as I felt an older dog would be a better known quantity. The dog is also currently living in a home so won't have come straight from kennels.

Fingers crossed!

[McDougal]

I hope it works out for you, Sassy.

I'm keeping everything crossed that we find a dog we can bring into the family!

[sahbear]

We'd have ideally chosen a rescue but after a lot of looking, and I was also walking the dogs at the local rescue, we were nowhere near finding a suitable dog. I have 2 children under 10, a cat, and extended family with lots of other dogs.
I needed a dog that was good with cats, other dogs and children. There really weren't any I felt confident with after months of looking.
We got a puppy. She's great but does chase the cat, although the cat still has the upper hand and access to areas of the house (upstairs and the sofa) which the puppy can't go.
It has worked for us, but I am sad we couldn't home a homeless dog.

[BagelGoesWalking]

Heathlands
Help Pozega Dogs
Black Retriever x Rescue
Balkan Underdogs
Pro Dogs Direct

Look at smaller rescues who use foster families. Ask them to cat test. Get on their FB groups and post there, as they're usually much more up to date than websites. Also, more popular family friendly dogs often never reach the website as they're snapped up by existing supporters or friends of.

Ava is a 6 year old looking for home - Ignores cats and very good with kids apparently (in photos) www.facebook.com/PozegaDogsAdoptionPage/

[McDougal]

Thanks for that, Bagel. I think I'll see how it goes on Thursday at the shelter but definitely get on those sites if it doesn't work out.

Sah, I think we might be in the same position but going to wait and see how it goes at the shelter before making any decisions.