on the verge of talking non dog loving dh into getting a dog

[cheesesarnie]

i was always brought up with dogs and always assumed id have a dog as a grown up(aparently i now am one).but dh was brought up the opposite-his dad hated dogs and dh isnt keen.hes not afraid but just doesnt like them.he has however recently softened his view and even admitted that with his new job working away he'd feel we were 'protected' having a dog.
help me convince him!what are more child friendly dogs?i dont want a big dog as i am small and wouldnt feel i could control it.our dc are 8.7 and 3.oh and we have 2 cats.

Shitzus and higland teriers are usually good with kids; jack russels and yorkies not so much.

If you get a puppy they will chew everything you own, and dig up your garden

highland

so would it be better to go for an older dog?would it get used to the dc?rather than a puppy that is always used to them from start?

When I met my DH, he already had a dog (female cocker spaniel). It sounds like I was brought up with a similar attitude towards dogs as your DH but I was scared of them to the extent where I would cross the road if someone was walking their dog towards me.

I soon realised that in order to be with DH, it was a question of love me, love my dog and gradually got nearer his dog and grew fond of her.

When DH and I moved in together, she came to live with us but didn't like being on her own (just because she'd always had another dog in the house that belonged to DH's housemate) so we got a second cocker spaniel as a puppy. That really converted me! I now wouldn't be without either of them.

We don't have any DC (well for another 5 weeks!) but when they have been around children there have been no problems as long as supervised. The younger one is a little jumpy and full of energy but eventually learns how to behave - normally within about half an hour of having a child visiting.

Sorry - this has been v long winded but I hope helpful.

yes very helpful!and congratulations in advance for your big day!

Thanks!

We've got lots of advice on how to help the dogs adjust - like wrapping the baby in a towel at the hospital and bringing it home for the dogs to smell so that they recognise the smell, but then taking it away again so they don't think the smell/baby belongs to them.

All quite simple but clever really!

Hope your DH comes round to the idea.

Cavalier Spaniel, Cavalier Spaniel, Cavalier Spaniel.

These are absolutely fabulous family dogs, utterly loveable, hugely loving, full of spark and energy, but NOT in need of much by way of exercise (they can walk for miles, but ours don't get taken out for walks more than once or twice a week at most, and are totally healthy and happy on that).

They have a good bark (for security purposes), but are not yappy.

The only downside to this breed is some health issues, regarding heart probs, but go to a good breeder (I can recommend one if you ask).

We now have 2 Cavvies, a 10 year-old, and a loopy 4 year-old we adopted 2 years ago. Before that I had my first cavvy, who used to come to work with me.
They really are dogs which will fit into your lifestyle, rather than you having to radically alter how you live to accommodate the dog.

As you can tell, I'm smitten, and wouldn't suggest any other breed with small children

clumsy-ive been recommended that breed before on here-was it you?they do sound perfect and look adorable!

a kccs is for sale in local paper-trying to convince dh to atleast look.but theres pugs too-awwwwwwwwwww.

got thinking though-im an adult.i dont need daddys permission.do i

hes coming round to idea more now.must be-female,not puppy but not too old.not too big-which is fine with me as am petite myself.

ooooh after doing petplanet questionnaire, these were dogs they said suitable-
Japanese Spitz 20
Tibetan Spaniel 19
Lhasa Apso 18
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 17
American Cocker Spaniel 15
Shih Tzu 14
Basset Fauve de Bretagne 12
Swedish Vallhund 11
German Spitz Mittel 11
German Spitz Klein 11

some ive never heard of.

tbh i wouldnt get a terrier as a first dog (or anything small and "cute")

little dogs often get complexes about their size and can be nippy.

If you want a pup, try to get a medium size cross breed pup from a rescue centre. We have two collie x heinz57s and they love kids, great on or off the lead, are gentle with older relatives but still make a real noise when someone comes to the door. Dont get a purebreed collie though as it may come from working stock and will not make a good pet.

from reading your list, its all pedigrees. Having been brought up with dogs (both at home and various close relatives) IME pedigrees have the worst personalities as the breeders follow breed standards rather than breeding for nature and as a pet. also they will cost upwards of £500

anyway, hope you do get to talk DH round. i cant imagine a dog-less home and both DC love our two loads

thanks,no i could never imagine a dogless home till i metand married dh.dd keeps saying 'when im older im going to have a dog' i tell her i said that!

rescue centres dont let you adopt a dog till your dc are certain age do they?

Maybe contact a rescue and ask them if that have anything small to medium size that is child and cat friendly.