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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Small size dog for us?

86 replies

NewToDogOwnership · 25/08/2023 20:18

I have no idea about dogs. I was brought up with cats.

DD is 9 and has SN and a medical issue. She loves animals, especially dogs. Just DD and I at home

We’re moving soon and she’s asked for a dog, backed up by her physio and paediatrician who both think it’ll be great for her. Won’t be getting it until we’ve lived there at least 6 months and sorted out our routine so this is just research.

However rules they’ve suggested:

  • Small in size (ideally under 15kg)
  • Not going to pull on lead
  • Easy to train
  • Happy to be let off lead (as running alongside the dog or playing fetch etc is great for DD)

Other things to consider:

  • Need only a 15-20 minute walk twice a day (but will have a longer walk of 2-3 hours in the country side every other weekend when DD is with her dad)
  • Also needs to be quite relaxed and laid back when home – happy to sit and be stroked and sang to
  • Can be left for a couple of hours once a week when I go to the office - i'll literally be out the house 10am-2pm but have a family member who'd check on the dog at about 12.30 and let them in the garden
  • Get on with other dogs as I have family members with dogs
  • Get on with other visitors as we often have physio or podiatry visit us during school holidays – the dog is allowed to join in with these exercises as long as it’s friendly
  • Need to be suitable for first time dog owners as I’ve never had a dog

Not important:

  • Doesn’t have to play fetch just needs to be able to be off lead and either walk/run beside us
  • Doesn’t need to be fluffy just needs to have character

Breeds I don’t like

  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Chihuahua

DD wants a dog she can stroke and sing to and can teach a few tricks to, she really likes West Highland Terriers and I like Yorkshire Terriers, would either of these be suitable?

As I said very new to dog ownership. We want something that’ll make us both laugh and will happily greet us both.

OP posts:
earboop · 26/08/2023 08:42

I have two high energy dogs and one low energy - we don't have a set and fixed walking schedule we just make sure it happens. I think lots of posters have tried to illustrate the difficulties of having a dog particularly while it is a puppy. But if you are consistent and kind you end up with a treasured new family member.

I don't know re the right breed but don't be too put off - it is hard and you will have to do a lot of work while they are a puppy. But if you have the time energy and commitment it works

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 26/08/2023 08:45

What about an Italian greyhound? All the joys a greyhound, but in miniature.

Valerie23 · 26/08/2023 08:45

Dogs are not playthings.

The exercise is insufficient.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 26/08/2023 08:52

He never pees or poops in the house from what I can tell (maybe he does but person doesn't tell me). He literally sits down in his bed after greeting guests or walks around with his owner. Doesn't seem unhappy but I've never had dogs so wouldn't know what being unhappy meant.

So where does it go to the toilet if they don't have a garden and the owner only takes it out once a day? Confused

Do you really think that sounds like a happy life for a living dog? Limited access to fresh air, no outside stimulation, no chance to run and feel the grass on their paws or roll in the fields?

Of course it follows it's owner around everywhere - it's bored shitless and has nothing else to do!

tabulahrasa · 26/08/2023 12:10

I wasn’t being facetious suggesting a Siamese cat btw - it was a genuine suggestion.

They’re like having a little dog that doesn’t need walks and you can just leave like you would any other cat.

But, mine played fetch, liked nothing better than to be carried round the house with me, she’d perch in my shoulder all day if I let her, I taught her a few tricks, had better recall to her name than most dogs, she’d come on occasional dog walks with me, loved a wee trip in the car... and from the research I did before getting her and talking to other owners after she was pretty typical - they’re way more interactive and people orientated that most cats.

So if it’s general pet companionship that they think would help your DD then honestly, it’s worth considering. It’s only if it’s the getting out and about aspect that they were thinking that it wouldn’t work as well, I’m very sure you could harness train one and walk it, but that’s obviously not quite the same as having to walk a dog.

Floralnomad · 26/08/2023 12:22

I actually agree with @tabulahrasa why not suggest a Siamese or 2 , my son has Siamese and they are fabulous and the most interactive cats we’ve ever had . Also does your daughter do horse riding as that is something that is very good for children with disabilities and horses are the best listeners and great for confidence building .

Valerie23 · 26/08/2023 12:32

Op, listen to @tabulahrasa she knows what she's talking about. I came across her circa 2005 on the eBay boards and she is very knowledgeable.

tabulahrasa · 26/08/2023 12:35

They’re the ideal cat for people who would like a dog but either are out too much or can’t do the walking a dog needs. IMO anyway.

XelaM · 26/08/2023 14:13

NewToDogOwnership · 26/08/2023 07:42

Thanks everyone have told DD no.

I had imagined I'd have to train it even if I went for an older rescue. I have a garden at new place, not large but not tiny, has some grass, a path etc. I imagined planting some nice smelling plants along one side and DD setting up treasure hunts for it.

I was planning to get a dog door/flap and to train the dog to use it.

I never had an age in mind, youngish but not necessarily a puppy.

I imagined with 15-20 minutes twice a day walking, plus DD playing in the garden doing reasure hunts or dancing etc It'd be fine. Probably naive of me.

Some days it'd be more as DD has activities I don't need to go inside to drop off so I could drive the dog to the activity with me - if they like that car that is - have a walk around outside while DD is inside, and then drive DD and the dog home, so that'd be 45minutes to an hour as her activities are usually 45-60 mins. That'd be 2-3 times a week.

The other walk I imagined would be in ,my lunch break, which is 30 minutes, and I need to eat in that time to. Can't take a dog on school run as DD does breakfast club and school is a 5 min walk.

I planned for off lead walks everyday if the dog could do it. I can't do more regular countryside walks as DD can't manage it, so she'd

I also wfh 3days a week so I imagined the dog to be with me, in a bed or under my desk while I worked, following me to the bathroom and into the kitchen, getting underfoot and me jokingly telling it off.

It'd be left for 4 hours once a week, but not straight away. I get I can't plan for a dog to be over summer hols though.

But I was naive, obviously. Which is fine. I won't be getting a dog. Many of my family have dogs and don't walk them for anywhere near 2 hours a day or do anything with them, one person I know doesn't even have a garden - dog is really happy, sleeps when in the house and just potters at home, has 1 10 minute walk round the block a day or sometimes not at all if its tipping it down.

We had a cat and DD was uninterested in her, she slept most of the time and just didn't do much - when she died DD was sad of course but hasn't asked for another. I'm allergic to Rabbits so thats a no go as well.

DD doesn't meltdown, she shuts down, so she stops eating, she stops talking, she stops doing things. A dog was intended to help her come out of those moments, so they don't last hours.

But we're here and I've been throughly talked out of it. I will probably never get another pet now. Too much hardwork.

Don't let Mumsnet talk you out of having a dog. Now that you have explained the set up, it sounds fine to me.

NewDogOwner · 26/08/2023 14:56

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 25/08/2023 22:20

I would also as my final point, point out that dogs often pick “favourites” my two dogs quite like me but ADORE my OH, if he’s in they ignore me, it could well be that the dog is really indifferent to your DD and prefers not to be around her and seeks out other family members. If that would be a disaster don’t get a dog. As it’s really not unlikely at all that a dog doesn’t enjoy being around a child

This is an important point. We got a dog because DH and DD really wanted one. I'm the one who feeds and walks it so he has chosen me as his person. DD gets upset when she wants to play with him if he ignores her and follows me from room to room. To form a bond with a dog, a person may need to do more than just play with it.

QueenOfToast · 26/08/2023 17:30

You could consider borrowing a dog from a neighbour. You help them out with some dog walks and dog care but without all the burden of ownership. It would give you a better idea of whether having a full time dog would suit your lifestyle.

www.borrowmydoggy.com/

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