Discussion
My kids are desperate for a dog to look after and keep entertained. I have 2 girls and a boy. They all love dogs, but can be unnerved when approached by a dog, or overly hyperactive dogs! I owned a Rottweiler, and loved her, she was a very faithful dog, but I would love a more “easy” dog as back in the day I chose a Rottweiler “because she was scary”! (I trained her properly and she was very affectionate if a bit suspicious with strangers at first. She never bit anyone!)
The wife’s house is not the largest, maybe slightly smaller than average but we live on a very quiet “American style” estate, with very wide, and long, almost silent roads and lots of space. Therefore it is safe walking a dog here. Our garden is small.
Me and my wife are separated but on good terms. I visit a lot but the dog will be staying with them. We have a very busy family and the dog must be able to stay at least a few hours without self destructing. There is always at least one family member in the house so that won’t be a common problem. I’m more worried about having the time to walk the dog.
When I had my Rottie I was always able to keep the dog happy, by walking and playing. Now I am unsure about how to keep the dog entertained if I don’t have time to walk it daily. (I probably do)
We are considering adopting an adult dog, but also a puppy.
Needs:
- hypoallergenic
- small
- docile and quiet
- easy to train
- cute
After watching a lot of videos, I am certain I want a Shiba, they are such beautiful dogs... but I’m swaying to and fro about whether to get another dog
Any other breeds?
The wife’s house is not the largest, maybe slightly smaller than average but we live on a very quiet “American style” estate, with very wide, and long, almost silent roads and lots of space. Therefore it is safe walking a dog here. Our garden is small.
Me and my wife are separated but on good terms. I visit a lot but the dog will be staying with them. We have a very busy family and the dog must be able to stay at least a few hours without self destructing. There is always at least one family member in the house so that won’t be a common problem. I’m more worried about having the time to walk the dog.
When I had my Rottie I was always able to keep the dog happy, by walking and playing. Now I am unsure about how to keep the dog entertained if I don’t have time to walk it daily. (I probably do)
We are considering adopting an adult dog, but also a puppy.
Needs:
- hypoallergenic
- small
- docile and quiet
- easy to train
- cute
After watching a lot of videos, I am certain I want a Shiba, they are such beautiful dogs... but I’m swaying to and fro about whether to get another dog
Any other breeds?
A Welsh Terrier is a lovely dog, laid back for a terrier and they love people and children, non moulting too but not sure about non allergenic (not sure such a dog actually exists). I'm speaking from personal experience but understand this is typical of the breed.
I also have a Lakeland - great dogs as well but not good with kids or strangers and terrible for chasing.
I also have a Lakeland - great dogs as well but not good with kids or strangers and terrible for chasing.
I don't have any experience of them myself, but a poodle or bichon frise might meet your requirements (not sure about the docile and quiet bit).
From what I've heard, they're both very trainable.
My only concern would be you saying your children are unnerved by hyperactive dogs - I wouldn't have thought a puppy would be a good option at all if this is the case.
We have two whippets, and they are not particularly demanding in terms of exercise. They are quite adaptable, can manage on 2 x 30-40 minute walks per day, or much longer walks of several hours/miles.
Before committing, I would say you really do need to be sure you can provide the exercise any dog will need. For most dogs, that means 1 or 2 walks a day, every day. Otherwise, you're just asking for trouble in terms of boredom and destructive behaviour.
From what I've heard, they're both very trainable.
My only concern would be you saying your children are unnerved by hyperactive dogs - I wouldn't have thought a puppy would be a good option at all if this is the case.
We have two whippets, and they are not particularly demanding in terms of exercise. They are quite adaptable, can manage on 2 x 30-40 minute walks per day, or much longer walks of several hours/miles.
Before committing, I would say you really do need to be sure you can provide the exercise any dog will need. For most dogs, that means 1 or 2 walks a day, every day. Otherwise, you're just asking for trouble in terms of boredom and destructive behaviour.
I'm not sure there's one dog that meets all your criteria. You've described a plush toy dog perfectly!
Hypoallergenic is a bit of a spurious claim. All dogs produce dander, which is what folk react to. The amount of shedding can reduce how much dander ends up floating about the house, and this is about all you can control. If the dog is climbing all over the family and generally being great, chances are there's going to be runny noses. Does someone in the family actually have allergies, it is just a low maintenance coat that's required?
Non shedding terrier types are going to be fearless as per their utility, so are going to be work driven and reactive. So there goes docile and quiet, but totally happy learners.
A toy breed like a bischon or Lhasa can be a bit snooty and stubborn, and might not be the best student. But then again might fine!
I don't think you'll get any guaranteed match looking through breed descriptions. Individual dogs can differ so much that it can be unfair on them to expect them to meet really specific criteria. Taking a chance and hoping for the best can often lead to dogs getting re-homed in the short term when it doesn't live up to them for no fault of their own.
I'd suggest rating your above criteria by importance and allowing for a bit of flexibility because a whippet or a staff would be a good match in terms of temperament.
Hypoallergenic is a bit of a spurious claim. All dogs produce dander, which is what folk react to. The amount of shedding can reduce how much dander ends up floating about the house, and this is about all you can control. If the dog is climbing all over the family and generally being great, chances are there's going to be runny noses. Does someone in the family actually have allergies, it is just a low maintenance coat that's required?
Non shedding terrier types are going to be fearless as per their utility, so are going to be work driven and reactive. So there goes docile and quiet, but totally happy learners.
A toy breed like a bischon or Lhasa can be a bit snooty and stubborn, and might not be the best student. But then again might fine!
I don't think you'll get any guaranteed match looking through breed descriptions. Individual dogs can differ so much that it can be unfair on them to expect them to meet really specific criteria. Taking a chance and hoping for the best can often lead to dogs getting re-homed in the short term when it doesn't live up to them for no fault of their own.
I'd suggest rating your above criteria by importance and allowing for a bit of flexibility because a whippet or a staff would be a good match in terms of temperament.
Wrathalanche said:
I'm not sure there's one dog that meets all your criteria. You've described a plush toy dog perfectly!
Hypoallergenic is a bit of a spurious claim. All dogs produce dander, which is what folk react to. The amount of shedding can reduce how much dander ends up floating about the house, and this is about all you can control. If the dog is climbing all over the family and generally being great, chances are there's going to be runny noses. Does someone in the family actually have allergies, it is just a low maintenance coat that's required?
Non shedding terrier types are going to be fearless as per their utility, so are going to be work driven and reactive. So there goes docile and quiet, but totally happy learners.
A toy breed like a bischon or Lhasa can be a bit snooty and stubborn, and might not be the best student. But then again might fine!
I don't think you'll get any guaranteed match looking through breed descriptions. Individual dogs can differ so much that it can be unfair on them to expect them to meet really specific criteria. Taking a chance and hoping for the best can often lead to dogs getting re-homed in the short term when it doesn't live up to them for no fault of their own.
I'd suggest rating your above criteria by importance and allowing for a bit of flexibility because a whippet or a staff would be a good match in terms of temperament.
My youngest daughter is the allergic one, she gets reactions from cats and some excessively hairy dogs. She also has breathing difficulties (polips and asthma) but not severe.Hypoallergenic is a bit of a spurious claim. All dogs produce dander, which is what folk react to. The amount of shedding can reduce how much dander ends up floating about the house, and this is about all you can control. If the dog is climbing all over the family and generally being great, chances are there's going to be runny noses. Does someone in the family actually have allergies, it is just a low maintenance coat that's required?
Non shedding terrier types are going to be fearless as per their utility, so are going to be work driven and reactive. So there goes docile and quiet, but totally happy learners.
A toy breed like a bischon or Lhasa can be a bit snooty and stubborn, and might not be the best student. But then again might fine!
I don't think you'll get any guaranteed match looking through breed descriptions. Individual dogs can differ so much that it can be unfair on them to expect them to meet really specific criteria. Taking a chance and hoping for the best can often lead to dogs getting re-homed in the short term when it doesn't live up to them for no fault of their own.
I'd suggest rating your above criteria by importance and allowing for a bit of flexibility because a whippet or a staff would be a good match in terms of temperament.
How tall is a whippet?
I have a miniature schnauzer-patterdale cross. She's fantastic, a big personality in a small dog, easy to train, not a yappy type, minimal shedding, cute, fun and lively but equally happy curled up on the sofa with me. She's protective of me, my kids and the house but very friendly with everyone and docile with small children. The terrier instinct is strong and she's a Houdini but travels well - she fits in the footwell next to my partners feet (he's allergic to pet hair and fluff etc and is fine with her) and so far she's been to Spain, Italy, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Germany and Scotland and next week she's coming to Ireland with us. (I know you didn't mention travelling, but it's an added bonus for me as I left her in kennels once and I hated it, so now she comes too, if at all possible.)
Cockerpoo. They don't seem to shed hair, and while I don't think any dogs are truly hypoallergenic, cockerpoos are considered to be pretty safe in that respect. Very affectionate, good with kids, intelligent so need some mental stimulation. Women will flock to you when you take it for a walk.
Bloody expensive though.
Bloody expensive though.
I have a Greyhound and they very docile... unless they see a squirrel
Mine has 2x20min walks a day, the rest of the time she day dreams... probably about squirrels
The are plenty of retired racing greyhounds about... You can tell if they're ex racers as they have tattoos in their ears
https://foreverhoundstrust.org/
Mine has 2x20min walks a day, the rest of the time she day dreams... probably about squirrels
The are plenty of retired racing greyhounds about... You can tell if they're ex racers as they have tattoos in their ears
https://foreverhoundstrust.org/
Shiba?? not very good reports for a family unused to dogs. I would go for a lab to start with, but present rottie beats all so far. The post suggests you should pick an easy option, or make sure you are in charge of the pack 24/7 for the first year or two. Labs are such a good start, go there.
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