Help me choose a dog . . . About This Page:

[DopeyGirl]

. . . that is cute, good with cats AND kids, doesn't shed too badly or need a lot of professional type grooming . . . and normally weighs 30 pounds or less.

We've been looking at getting a dog for a while now . . . even moreso now that a house around the corner was broken into last weekend and I feel the need for an attack dog. The owner of the house we are renting FINALLY came back to us with an approval for a "pet" . . . we asked her specifically if she minded us getting a medium sized DOG. Today's "deal" for getting a dog was:

"I am approving a pet in the house, no larger than 30 pounds. A pet addendum for the lease will need to be completed stating that pets are allowed as well as a refundable $300 pet deposit paid. No cats please."

SO . . . my dilemma is to find a smaller dog (I wanted either a lab or a small boxer mix --- I am more of a big dog type of girl, ya know?) that will fit into her pet weight requirement. THEN I need for her to remember that we already have a completed pet addendum . . . and ONE paid deposit (we were told at move in that if we had more pets, we wouldn't have to pay a full deposit for the subsequent pet.) AND I need to remind her that she already approved our cats to live here with us. Hopefully when she remembers that she approved the cats, she doesn't rescind her approval for a dog.

This "getting a dog" thing is becoming rather difficult!

Our shelters around here are FULL of pit bulls, but not too many smaller dogs. What small dogs they do have are either 10-12 years old (and may not last much longer) and/or they are not being adopted to families with children.

I kind of want a Jack Russell Terrier, but am afraid that we won't be able to give it nearly as much attention as it would need (because JRTs usually need a bit more attention that other breeds). Another breed I really would like is a beagle . . . and our SPCA has a young one that needs a home! Not sure how good they are with kids though . . .

Any recommendations?

[joyjoy]

I was with ya till you got to the under 30 lbs part. If you could go a little larger, I completely recommend a Boxer. They are excellent with kids and other pets, low maintenance grooming and have very even, sweet personalities. They do fart, however. Good luck!

[my2girls]

Beagles are great with kids. Not a good choice for a watch dog, and they bark all the time. I can't help you much as we have a Yorkie. Moose is only 14 lbs, but is an awesome watch dog. Protects the kids and I like crazy. Although, if someone broke into the house, he probably lick him to death.

[Chrissi]

A spaniel of some kind might be perfect for you. They have a big bark in a small body and while short-haired spaniels are hard to find, grooming them is easy enough if you keep them shaved short most of the time. (We shaved our spaniels when I was a kid.) GREAT with kids. We had three of them when I was a tween. (Licorice, Squirt, and Pooch. )

Cocker Spaniel males top out around 30 - 35 lbs. English Springer Spaniel females run between 30 - 40 lbs. A spaniel rescue can help you find an adult spaniel small enough to suit your landlord.

[RobinKay6573]

Go with a terrier. They can be a bit of a handful sometimes but most terriers are very loving. If you don't want alot of shedding don't get a Jack! OMG! They shed like MAD. Have you looked into rescue? Check out petfinder.com there are a TON of homeless animals on there that are looking to be adopted. I know you don't want a dog that needs alot of grooming but Scotties are a very nice little dog. Their cousin the Westie is also a nice little breed. Bichon Frise are also a very nice breed of dog. I have pet sat for a couple and they are little clowns. Have you looked into a French bulldog or a Boston Bull (terrier)? THey are also nice little dogs (Bostons are a bit high energy though). Pugs are great but I hear they are a bit difficult to potty train. Any of those short haired breeds are going to shed though.

Check out petfinder though....that is how I found Belle!!

[JoanW]

Well darn that 30 lb limit. We have a black lab that thinks he's 30 lbs. But he's 100 lbs. And he farts too. Like a human. But he loooooves everyone. Barks fairly loud too. And then farts from the excitement.

We also have a Cairn Terrier. She thinks she weighs 100 lbs and only weighs 12. Very cute, very cuddly. Does like to take the stuffed animals out of Rachel's room and make them her "children". Till she eats their eyes. Barks ferociously. She does not shed much. We do shave her in the warm months to keep her fur from getting all tangly. She doesn't fart much, just burps, which smell like farts.

[joyjoy]

Sarah, you know what's happening. Everybody is recommending THEIR dog. I think that's so cute. I love it that we all love our puppies so much.

[DopeyGirl]

Originally Posted by joyjoy

Sarah, you know what's happening. Everybody is recommending THEIR dog. I think that's so cute. I love it that we all love our puppies so much.

At least it is a recommedation with EXPERIENCE though.

I just mentioned the beagle to DH and showed him a picture and all he said is "Dumb as a box of rocks." But . .. but . . . he's CUTE. http://www.vbspca.org/vbspcaed/PetLi...fm?PetID=71393


He's a bit more partial to this one, because he likes Corgis . . . and this one is HALF of one : Petfinder PetNotes

[ariel14]

We have a yellow lab just like Joan´s-minus the farting part tho! But we also have a cocker spaniel and he is great with kids, no shedding and is a good puppy. I don´t know about the protection part as mine is only a few months old!
Keep us posted!

[momtolexi]

You lost my recommendation after the 30 lb. too. We have a yellow lab, Prince, and he is the best dog ever and I was so not a dog person before getting him. He is absolutely perfect with our 3 year old, but his bark would scare any robber (until they called him over and then maybe he would lick them to death).

Good luck with your decision and let us know how it goes.

[Tigger1221]

I have a beagle and she is great with kids. She is very loveable too. If your looking for a guard dog though A beagle won't help much, but they will alert you to possible intruders. How about a Boston Terrier or French Bull dog. Also you can try Pet finder.com they have lots of pets posted that are available for adoption.

Good luck with your decision!

[Momof4gr8boys]

I have a recommendation of what NOT to get! Don't get an Australian Shepherd. My Dad passed away and we took his Aussie... till he bit Ty (age 1- 1/2) for the third time. Plus he shedded soooo bad. My Black Lab and German Shepherd are great...too bad about the 30 lb rule. My co-worker has a beagle and says he is wonderful w/kids. They do bark a lot though.

[Joanne929]

We have a mutt - she's got some springer spaniel in her (she's that size, colored like one, B&W) she has short hair (but does shed some) and is a good watchdog (although, she was a terrible pain to "house train" - another story). I wouldn't give her away (but she won't be replaced either!).

Anyways, what about a "cock-a-poo"? My friend has 2 - they're right around 30 lbs (they have long legs but don't look big), are good with the kids, seem to bark when "appropriate" . . . . and they're cute!

Or, a spaniel of some sort.
Good luck!!!! keep us posted on your decision.

[KimM]

We're pitt bull owners and that breed is obviously too big! However, I just wanted to warn you against a JRT, as we planned to adopt one about a year ago to add to our menagerie. We were informed by the foster parent of said dog (who has been raising JRTs for many years) that their hunting/ratting instincts can be quite intense and some have been known to harass or injure (in some cases, kill) cats and other small pets. We have three cats and were concerned and decided not to adopt the dog. I did some research on the internet to confirm all of this. You mentioned you had cats, so thought I should share...

[Angileyze1]

Ok I can be impartial. I own a cat & no dogs (can't have one in an apt) Get the cocker spaniel. All the rules would be covered and they are great with kids & people. Very good natured and they love to play too.