What sort of dog do I want????

[PetraDelphiki]

So, dd is wearing me down with the nagging for a dog...neither dh or I have ever had one!

Ideally (if I lived in the country and had a dog sled) I'd have a husky...but that's not a option.

We have a good sized house with a safe garden. Easy access to a huge park for walking, but I drive a mini! I'm a SAHM but we do go on pretty regular holidays.

I think we would want a small (not miniature) dog, intelligent and easy to train, good with children, unlikely to chew the place to bits. Easy to groom would be nice!

So what breeds should I start to vaguely consider?

I'm not sure just because neither of us have ever had a dog before! I really must sort out my borrowmydoggy registration!

And yes, will avoid puppy farms (cousin is a vet so will be able to help me check them out!)

Spaniels or terriers would be a good match...

Dd does adore spaniels...but also is potty about friends Maltese...

We have a terrier pup and she is exactly what I wanted in a dog and more. She is gentle and calm, has bucket loads of sass but is desperate to please, she learns fast and loves the children. She does not shed and doesn't smell bad either. She hasn't chewed my house up and she loves whatever exercise she gets.
I think we got very lucky but I also think that it's because I did a lot of research and it took me a few years to find a litter that I was happy with. We have put a lot of work into her early training and it is paying off.
My advice is to take your time get to know the breeds for a lot more than looks. Find out what the worst thing about the breed you choose is and then decide if you could cope if your dog had that trait. For us it was the high prey drive in terriers - this means that they can be difficult off lead and hard to train on recal, especially if there is a squirrel in the vicinity .

I was going to say a Border Terrier too, perfect dogs all round.

Havense? Bigger than a Maltese but still small. They're healthier. Can shear the coat.

Papillon/ Continental Toy Spaniel? About the size of a Maltese. Very intelligent and trainable dogs. Very good companion dogs with their own people. Sweet but fast and
very playful when young.

A Shiba Inu is husky like but you need to research just with any breed you will look at and also better if you're experienced with dogs as they can be difficult to train.
They're easy to groom and the coat repels dirt.

What sort of look of dog do you like? I would look through some small breeds and see what breed would fit well into your family and a breed that you and your daughter like the look of. Think about how much time you can spend walking the dog and also look at the health of the dog breeds! Don't get a too small breed or one that can not breathe properly.

Just about a 'pomsky' for others to see, you have no indication on how those dogs would turn out. A pomeranian can be very hyper or calm and a husky needs a lot of exercise. Such a small dog crossed with a big dog is highly irresponsible. The hair would be insane, the dog could be big like the husky and anywhere in between. Chances of hip defects would be high.Genetics would be so unpredictable and not understood. It's terrible what some people breed.

I second a Border (photos of Scrabble attached).

Always been good with children, picks things up quickly, hasn't done any major chewing damage!

But keep in mind the activity level. They do need a good hour zooming about most days (ideally more), and would be a bad fit if you couldn't do this - winter sees me standing in freezing, muddy fields whilst S. thinks it's brilliant.

If you're getting one for your DD, don't. If you all really want one, then think about what you'd do all the times you're out of the house for more than 4/5 hours and holidays etc.
Also, don't listen to you DH. Men have this idiotic view about dogs, as if they should be penis extensions, I.e, big and manly! Don't listen to him, small and convenient could be much better for you, esp as your DD is used to that sort of size. My 6' 2" brother (single dad with daughter) has a small bichon frisé that he got 8 years ago. She will walk for hours if they want, and regularly do, is non-shedding and is a really fabulous dog.

I know you said you don't want a toy dog but my chihuahua is amazing. He's fantastic with my dd and loves all children, he regularly goes into her preschool for a cuddle from all of the kids which he loves. I know chi's have a reputation of being yappy but I've always treated mine like a normal dog from day dot to avoid small dog syndrome and it's worked.

Also he doesn't need much walking but loves his big long muddy walks at weekends, this also helps when I go away because elderly family members don't mind having him because he doesn't need big long walks, also very cheap to feed him a premium food.

Thankfully dh not likely to want a big dog!

bagel you are right about not getting a dog just for dd...I would certainly have to be sure first! I'm planning on joining borriwmydoggy and meeting as many different breeds as possible before we decide!

Plus I'm not rushing into anything - we are far to busy for the next few months to give a dog the attention it deserves. Nothing is happening until I'm sure we are home most of every weekend for a few months!

Sounds very sensible 👍

You could always look after one of your friends dogs for a weekend/week if they ever go away. That'll give you an idea of what it entails.

Are you happy about costs: food, treats, lead/collar/bed, vet, boosters, flea/worming treatments, grooming, kennels, dog walker if needed, insurance (a must). It can add up and is ongoing.

Costs are thankfully not an issue...

We have a mini schnauzer pup. Not the breed I would have chosen from a selfish perspective, but was a considered decision for our family circumstances and gave not regretted it a bit. She is friendly, affectionate, calm, great with kids. Recall is a work in progress but we're getting there. They have a reputation for being stubborn and barky, but so far so good. Would definitely recommend them.

We have a border terrier. He'll be 2yrs old in April.

Like you, I was confused about what breed to get. After lots of thinking, researching etc I contacted a border terrier club and asked if I could come and meet a room full of borders! They were very welcoming and the whole family got to cuddle, and ask about the breed. I found a breeder through them. I had to wait 8 months though!

Borders are ace family dogs. However, I second miniature schnauzers too. They're lush.

Godstopper you're border is LUSH! I love how they smile

*your not you're.