dd2 wants a dog, dp doesn't want a smelly dog, ds wants a cat. Suggestions?

[fryalot]

Thread title says it all really, dd2 wants a dog, we are quite happy to get her a dog, but dp can't stand doggy smell.

Is there a breed of dog that is gentle and good with kids, easy to train, doesn't need huge amounts of exercise, won't eat us out of house and home (and slippers) and... most of all... doesn't smell

If dd2 is allowed a dog, we will probably get ds a cat - we know where we are with cats as we've always had one, so when thinking about all the above dog criteria, we will need it to get along with cats as well.

Any suggestions?

tia

ime (as a former vet nurse)all dogs smell to some extent - plus they all shed hair (to some extent) - so if this really is an issue please don't get a dog.

It's always a bad idea to bring a dog in if the whole household is not in favour as at some point all dogs will create some kind of problem and you need everybody on side or it can be very stressful.

thank you both

Bella - I was thinking that someone would say what you did. Hoping they wouldn't, but suspecting they probably would.

Oh well... a goldfish it is

Gala, IME poodles stink - especially older ones, but then I don't like them much in general

Op, I am not sure that there is a dog that fits your needs exactly, it is a pretty restrictive list and it does not sound like compromise is an option? Dogs smell of dog and puppies smell of puppy - it is stronger and (IMO) worse than an adult dog smell!

Oh sorry, tis you Squonk - must read before posting! Hi!

Sorry, squonk, but I have seen it happen.

Cats are totally different - little independent low-maintenance beings, unlike dogs!

Get another cat!

I love my dog.
He is well behaved, great with kids, perfect in every way.

But he has skin allergies and he STINKS.
Special food and drugs help manage it but at a cost of over £1000 per year. If he was anything less than the perfect dog otherwise there is no way we'd keep forking out this kind of money.

Unless you are prepared for things like this...get a rabbit.

Thanks guys, I thought as much, but you know what it's like, you can't make any kind of decision without checking with mumsnet first

KCIAM - there is a meet up thread here which you might be interested in

Oh thanks Squonk, I will give it a looksie!

My cat's an Asian/Burmese cross and acts very much like a little dog at times - she's loyal to her owners (and doesn't like strangers) follows us around, loves playing and cuddles.

Since getting her I've heard this is a characteristic of these types of cat - might be an option?