Which small breed would you recommend for a family with a three year old child?

[10000Fireflies]

What would you recommend? I've been looking into getting a dog for our family, particularly my three year old son for some time now. We're quite short on space, so it really needs to be a small breed, which doesn't need too much exercising, but likes very lively, affectionate, small children and doesn't need to much grooming (so a smooth, short coat preferably. bald even!) and would be ok being left at home alone during the day.

For a long time I really liked the idea of a smooth miniature dachshund, but I'm a bit worried about them having a weak back? Or have I misunderstood that bit?

My son absolutely adores a friend's Pug. They enjoy a bit of a tumble and chase together and the dog seems completely safe with him. However, I've been told they can be unbelievable high maintenance and I don't need that along with a high maintenance son!

What would you suggest? I once saw a tiny, smooth haired dog which looked like it was clockwork and I completely fell in love with it. Wonder now if it was a Chihauhau. Not sure if they can cope with kids though? Quite like the 'unique' looks of Chinese Cresteds too.

Hope you can help. I'm feeling very, very sad and need something to look forward to. Last night we had to put my gorgeous cat to sleep which was a horrendous shock, and it's helping me deal with the grief looking forward to having a new family member. I've never owned a dog before but it seems the right move for us now. Seeing DS talking to other animals I think he'd really benefit from a little friend and a dog might just be that bit better for us all at this stage. Am definitely willing to adopt an older dog and a mixed breed could be ok too. I'm trying to narrow down choices at the moment and when I've done that will be looking into breeders and adoption charities. Hope you can help!

for your poor cat.

We have a two year old and three rescue dogs, one of which is a puppy, well she's twelve months old now). It's been great for us, so long as you pick your breed carefully and are realistic with your expectations that it will be hard work at first then I don't see that it would be a problem. I've always had dogs, as many as six at a time, but having the three hellbeasts with a toddler is nowhere near as chaotic as I'd thought it might be.

Our dogs are all very calm and incredibly gentle around DS, they have never barged him, bowled him over, nipped or mouthed him or pawed him, they lie down when he enters the room so that he can reach their ears for ear rubs. DS adores our dogs and they worship him, they will go and bring him toys when he's having a tantrum to try to appease him.
Our dogs are not generally thought of as easy breeds to have (we have two adult caucasian ovcharkas and a fila brasiliero pup) and they were all about to be pts, so all have ishoos, but they've never chewed anything they shouldn't or done anything too evil.

We don't ever leave DS unsupervised with them bar one time when we had intruders and I didn't know if they were armed, that time I left ddog1 guarding DS whilst I took the other two dogs with me, DH on the other side of the ranch at the time (we live in South America).

Sorry, I digress.

I'm sorry about your cat And sorry you are feeling

We've recently adopted a long-haired daschund and I wouldn't have said daschunds are an ideal breed for 3 yr olds. My dd is 12 yrs and found him quite difficult to cope with in the early days (he's settled down hugely now though).

Of course, it all depends on the individual temperament of the animal, and we were very lucky with ours, but daschunds, in general, are always 'on alert', not very relaxed, can be sensitive, and are very smell and prey driven with not great recall as a rule. Some can be real barkers as well (and some can be a bit grumpy and nippy). As I say, it depends on the individual animals, but I don't think a three year old and a daschund would be a good combo. I personally would wait until my dc were nine or older.

And if you adopt, it is even more of a gamble, because you may not know the animal's complete history.

Personally I would get something with a bit of poodle, or a bichon, or a smooth haired whippet (but not sure how latter would respond to excitable dc). Something very placid.

I know this sounds mad, but have you thought of getting a pair of guinea pigs (sows?) which you and your dc could pet and stroke (after letting them settle in quietly for the first few weeks) and then think of getting a dog later on (or at least you could take your time over the choice)?

Gps make terrific pets, they have lovely, strong personalities (and unlike rabbits) like being handled if treated gently from the beginning. They are also quite vocal and happy beasts!! They do need to be cleaned out very regularly - and I think you get the best relationship with them if they live indoors - but they are not as much work as a dog.

Nothing like a fat furry gp friend curling up on your lap of an evening

Good luck with making your choice!

Themother- wow they are huge breeds!

Agree that you can be lucky when you adopt an animal Toughasoldboots (we were! ) and
and a good place to look is on the notice board atf a vet's surgery.

But only need to view some of the threads on Mnset in 'the doghouse' to see some difficult struggles going on too.

Just urging caution.

Sometimes an older, more settled dog who has had a good home, and knows the ropes can be a much better choice for a family with young/lively dcs.

sorry - pressed 'post' too soon

meant to say, but an older dog who has been mistreated in the past can have guarding issues over food or act unpredictably around dc (as can any dog in fact)

Op needs to consider it carefully that is all

Doesn't fit your minimal grooming criterion but we have a mini long haired dachshund (3 actually!) and they are the most fabulous pets ever. They are much calmer than the smooth haired dachsies as they were bred with spaniels to get the coat and they are lovely cuddly biddable dogs.

We have two small children (a three and a half year old girl and a nearly 2 year old girl) and the dogs are fabulous with them.

They will walk for as long as you want but are equally happy with short walks. They are small enough to use a cat flap so if you need to pop out then they can still go outside for a run around on a patio or in the garden. They sleep a lot so can be left for a few hours without being too much trouble in the house. They do like companions though so if you were planning to leave the dog a lot I'd recommend actually having two of them. They adore cuddles and will sit on me or next to me for hours if I'm at home.

Obviously there are possible back problems with dachshunds but these are not so prevalent in the minis and are in fact due to the material in the discs in their spine getting sticky and harder so the discs don't work so well rather than because they have long backs, although obviously if the dog has a bad disc then having a longer back will make it more likely that damage could occur. Any reputable breeder will tell you how to pick them up and handle them.

There is, however, quite a high demand for mini long haireds so it can be tricky to get one if you don't have a history with the breed.

[apologies for brief hijack]

Daschsdandpup I am dashing off to school meeting now but would you mind pls if I pm'd you tomorrow? We have adopted lh daschund and would appreciate some (brief) advice and was very interested to read what you posted about history of breed.

Thank you everyone. Firstly for the sympathies about our poor dear puss cat and secondly for the really useful information about different breeds?? and some positive stories about small children and dogs!

Havering between different breeds, but will have a good look into them all. Am happy to adopt if that is an option. Just doing initial research.

Very interesting to hear what you say about MLHD??s, Dachshundpup. Will have another look at them as that sounds quite diff from the KC description of the breed. We had two cats, so maybe we should have two dogs?! Please could you give me some idea of how much you spend a year on them?

Whatever you do don't get two dogs at the same time.

It's completely different from having two cats.

Two dogs means twice the work, twice the training and often they have to be walked separately at the beginning. They will very likely bond with each other over the owner and can become quite difficult to deal with.

And from a money aspect, just the insurance (life time) for my dog cost me over £40 a month. Everything for a dog is much more expensive that for cats - also used to have 2 cats.

Another vote for a Westie. Ours is absolutely brilliant with my 3 and 1 year olds. We had him before the DCs and he was very much my baby (and still referred to as the DCs brother ) and he adapted to their arrivals beautifully.
He is a gentle dog, would never ever jump up on them or bother them in any way and the only time I have ever seen him growl or go at another dog was when it looked like it was threatening my DCs. He is a great little guard dog in the house too as he will only bark if there is a genuine reason, foxes in the garden or something, but he doesn't miss a thing. Love him!

Unicorn our Westies could be brothers!

Gosh, £40 is quite a bargain for insurance. My pedigrees cost £75 a month each!

My GPs had Westies. Heard she was lovely. Was succeeded by v yappy terrier though which put me off completely. Might have been yappy as GPs were stone deaf!

We have a shih Tzu who is adorable and loves a play with our daughter, like being chased etc. we also have a Lhaso apso too, completely different dogs, she's like a cat, just sleeps and wants to be loved, she would happily sit on your knee all day!! Both are apparently hypoallergenic, how true that is I don't know but they don't malt.

Well it's actually just over £48 Fireflies.

Pleased I'm doing well. It's a lifetime one. She's also pedigree and 4 years old.

I have a Shih Tzu pup and he's gorgeous, but not as wonderfully tolerant as the Staffies we had when growing up. Amazing dogs. One thing I would say is PLEASE be wary of breed generalisations; I got a Shih Tzu based on these, thinking that they all would be cuddly and affectionate little laps dogs. Well, ours doesn't like cuddles or sitting on our laps, and is quite possibly the most serious wee dog you could ever meet! I had also heard that Shih Tzu males are more affectionate and the females more aloof, but again, I'd have my doubts about this too!