Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To REALLY want another dog - a small one?

66 replies

spudulika · 30/08/2011 23:53

Got an adorable labrador, who's 7. I'm at home during the day and feel I could open my heart to another one, but don't want another big, stinky, sheddy, fill up the boot of the car with her body, and cover everything with mud dog. I want a small, neat one who won't make the house even more disgusting than it is at the moment.

DH is putting his size 9's down. He's got an problem with small dogs. Anything smaller than a labrador he sneers at. He calls them 'rat dogs'. Sad

Now I admit that big dogs are lovely in many ways. Our labrador is a good, cuddly armful of dog. And small dogs do YAP, which isn't good. But - well I just want one. I really, really do.

And I think our labrador would enjoy the company during walks especially.

So - AIBU?

OP posts:
Cheeseandharps · 30/08/2011 23:57

YANBU. Not all small dogs are yappy. We've got a rescue terrier cross, who looks odd but doesn't smell. I'm biased, I adore terriers, but if you want a good 'rat dog', then a Staffie or Patterdale would be ideal.

wotabouttheworkers · 30/08/2011 23:57

Am not a dog person... You do have a dog already whom you doubtless love despite shedding hair, mud etc. Presumably you also love your DH. If he doesn't want a 'rat dog' would he be happier with a medium sized one? If you have another dog, would you go on wanting more and more? Is it impossible for you to be happy with just one dog?

Original poster
spudulika · 31/08/2011 00:00

wot - no, I might want even more. End up like one of those weird families social workers complain about. You know, the ones who have a house full of dysfunctional and semi-continent dogs......

Shock
OP posts:
worraliberty · 31/08/2011 00:03

I was never a lover of small dogs and I used to think they yapped too.

Then about 8yrs ago my nextdoor neighbour 'dog-sat' (for his niece) the most gorgeous wire haired terrier I've ever seen. He was white with one brown ear and a brown patch on his back.

When I asked what breed he was, he said 'he's a Jack Russell Terrier'. I was gobsmacked because to me, JR's are small yappy little things...but this one was bigger than a JR and looked nothing like one. He also had a deep growl and a big bark.

Anyway, 2 months later my neighbour knocked and said his niece had to re-home him and would I like him? (I'd mentioned we were looking for a rescue)

So 8yrs on and his Lordship is laying at my feet and farting like a goodun. He is very much a "stinky, sheddy, fill up the boot of the car with his body, and cover everything with mud dog"....just a smaller one Hmm Grin

BerryMojito · 31/08/2011 00:15

Have always had big dogs - GSD, lab, collie x, etc. Current wolf is a fox hound x.

My daughter desperately wanted a small dog and I looked at getting a mini dasch until my kennel lady pointed out how unsociable they can be. Had a look around and ended up with a chihuahua/jr and I adore him! He is totally a dog who runs through the woods, chases balls etc but is also a cuddle monster who sleeps on my lap. Am now a total small dog convert! As long as they are the right kind of small dog... :)

worraliberty · 31/08/2011 00:17

Lol I saw a chihuahua puppy the other day

It had a coat on with "Bulldog in training" written on the back Grin

LordOfTheFlies · 31/08/2011 00:18

spudulika when your DH calls them rat-dogs does he mean dogs that catch rats or dogs that look like a rat on a string?

Some of the little ones are really sparky in temperament, like your JRTs.
My DS likes to guess what 'job' a dog was originally bred for (like dalmations were carriage dogs).

He asked me why pugs were bred-and do you know what?I've no idea.Wink

Original poster
spudulika · 31/08/2011 00:25

Oh - he means a dog that looks like a rat!

My fantasy dog is a JR X shih tzu or a border terrier X shih tzu (friend had one which was so, so sweet and funny). Though have seen an ad tonight for a JR X Bichon Friese which is.... so, so lovely.

OP posts:
Vallhala · 31/08/2011 00:28

Hmmm... I can see both sides. I love all dogs but have a preference for larger ones, owning 2 GSDs and a Lab.

It's essential that ALL adults in the household are fully in agreement over having a dog/type of dog - rescue sees so much heartache and so many unwanted dogs coming through its doors when all folk aren't, hence that's one of their first questions to potential adopters and one of the reasons why they insist on meeting all the family.

So.... a compromise?

A medium sized dog such as a Spaniel or a crossbreed, a Staffie or somesuch?

Or how about a bigger dog which sheds very little hair, is angelic on a lead, elegant and graceful, gentle and biddable, friendly and easy to handle and after a couple of fairly short daily walks is content to lie on his back on the sofa with his legs in the air?

You could do a lot worse than a Greyhound as a compromise y'know. :)

RedOnion · 31/08/2011 00:30

Not all small breed dogs are yappy "rats". A Westie is a lovely addition to a family who already has an established dog.

Please rescue though. Don't buy. There are lots of absolutely adorable smaller dogs in rescue, many cross breeds of course, but you can find one that fits your family situation perfectly. JR x breeds are often lovely, again with the westies, cairn terriers, perhaps a small cocker spaniel, maybe a mongrel x breed.

RedOnion · 31/08/2011 00:32

An older border collie would fit in well with a middle aged lab. Presuming you rescue then it will have been tested for herding etc. and would enjoy some long walks with your lab and slonking in front of the fire Grin

RedOnion · 31/08/2011 00:34

Whilst running the risk of over posting, greyhounds are wonderful dogs. Not to everyones taste I agree but there are many greyhound rescues overrun with beautiful dogs who want nothing more than a couple of gentle walks and a comfy bed. Don't be fooled by their status as "racing" dogs. Would that satisfy your DH? They are big!

LineRunner · 31/08/2011 00:36

Every dog, no matter how small, is an intelligent and emotional creature in its own right.

worraliberty · 31/08/2011 00:38

Every dog, no matter how small, is an intelligent and emotional creature in its own right

My dog's as thick as shit and smells like it too but I wouldn't be without him Grin

Original poster
spudulika · 31/08/2011 00:38

Not enthusiastic about rescue - I want a puppy because I have a 6 year old with ASD who is very.... ahem...... 'hands on' with dogs. My mum has always had rescue dogs who I've worried about. Nice dogs but not trustworthy around children.

Staffies I love, but DH is worried about them around our youngest.

That said, I've just seen this picture and am smitten:

dog

Though this dog is also adorable:

dog

OP posts:
hephaestus · 31/08/2011 00:38

I was about to suggest a greyhound! Large but non-smelly and unobtrusive. Require 20 mins exercise per day and a very comfy bed (preferably yours), nothing more. Will refuse to go out in rain or mud.

Original poster
spudulika · 31/08/2011 00:40

The other issue is car space. I'm the sort of person who tends to take my dog out with me if I'm visiting family/camping/having days out. Not sure if we could fit two big dogs in the car plus all the camping gear.

OP posts:
hephaestus · 31/08/2011 00:40

How much?!

RedOnion · 31/08/2011 00:40

Will have to respectfully leave thread before I get into all about people buying animals whilst similar animals are being (kind words) "put to sleep" in rescue.

Enjoy the purchased designer animal, do spare no thought for similar perfect animal for your family being killed because it doesn't fit.

worraliberty · 31/08/2011 00:43

Not all rescue dogs come without a history you know.

People use the word 'rescue' when often they mean 're-home'....just like my dog.

He lived with my nextdoor neighbour's niece since he was born and and came to me at 18 months old.

He'd grown up in a house with 3 small children and loved them to bits...but due to the family breaking down and a women's refuge that wouldn't take pets, he had to be re-homed.

RedOnion · 31/08/2011 00:43

I did mis-use the word "rescue" as Worra has rightly pointed out.

RedOnion · 31/08/2011 00:45

However, I will maintain until my dieing day, that there is absolutely no reason for people who say that they are "dog lovers" to then go out and purchase an animal.

worraliberty · 31/08/2011 00:45

Not just you RedOnion I call him a 'rescue' as well because it's easier than explaining Smile

My dog before him was also a 're-home'...he was a 7yr old Lab/Doberman cross who lived with an old couple who had to go into sheltered accomodation...again the dog wasn't welcome.

Vallhala · 31/08/2011 00:46

spud, I'm an independent rescuer who also volunteers hands on for a small private all breed rescue. A VERY reputable one which more than fullfills all the requirements of a decent rescue.

Two things - one - you can adopt puppies from rescue. I can point you in the right direction for that. Two - please read this, which will allay your fears about rescue and tell you how to identify a decent one. Again, I can point you in the right direction if you're in the UK or Ireland.

hephaestus · 31/08/2011 00:47

My completely known history, fostered in the home, tested with animals/people/children/everyday situations purebred dog from a rescue that will rehome to people with young kids, who work etc., who will take him back if it all goes wrong at any point up until the day he dies, was £180.

This Rescue has many of the kind of dog you are describing, including pups.