Aphrael Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Hi there I have a nearly 4yr old Staffordshire Bull Terrier (spoilt rotten) and 2 little girls (1 and 2 and a half) and I'm thinking about getting another dog. I would like a smaller dog than the Stafford but not sure which breed would best suit my family. We dont have a big backyard so I'm more interested in the smaller breeds. Any suggestions? PS Sorry if this is in the wrong section but I couldn't find a better place for it. Cheers, Beck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pug Hugger Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 I guess the first thing you should think of is this a good time to introduce a new dog to your family? Your children are both young and a small puppy and small children do not necessarily go well together. If your children were say five years older it would be easier to recommend a hardy small dog. Puppies are a lot of work and need training so they do not jump up on your littlies. Added to that I do not think many breeders would feel comfortable with selling you a puppy because your children are so young. That said a quieter, older rescue dog may be ideal and there are many rescue people here who could point you in the right direction - but judged solely on the info you provided I would not recommend a puppy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aphrael Posted March 23, 2008 Author Share Posted March 23, 2008 Thanks for your reply and I will take your advice on board. Cheers, Beck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Monster Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Do you have any preferences on short or long coat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Just a few questions: Will your dog be inside or outside ? How much grooming can you do ? Will your dog be trained any further than puppy school ? How much exercise will your dog receive ? This will help everyone give you some suitable suggestions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 My first question would be how much interation with other dogs does your current dog have(this has nothing to do with breed but ability to live in harmony)?? What are you hoping the second dog will give the family that your staffy at present cant?/ Where does the staffy live at present & would the routine change if a second dog came home??? I now we all say our dogs are spoilt but there is well trained,respectful its a dog spoilt or then there is treated like a child,not like a dog with no manners spoilt?? How do your children interact with your staffy?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Personally, with kids that young I think you've got enough on your plate, wait till the 2nd one starts walking .... I'd wait until the kids were 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Having an 8 week old pup is a bit like having another baby around. I'd go for an older dog- if only a few months older. If breed isn't an issue, perhaps look thru the sites for a rescue dog? The usual advice is to get a dog of the opposite sex, with both desexed, to help reduce the likelihood of them fighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aphrael Posted March 23, 2008 Author Share Posted March 23, 2008 (edited) Yikes, so many q's lol. Here goes. Do you have any preferences on short or long coat? No Will your dog be inside or outside ? Both, in and out during the day and inside at night. How much grooming can you do ? As much as needed, currently my dog is low maintenance and I've never owned a long haired dog before. Will your dog be trained any further than puppy school ? Never used puppy school and have a very well trained dog anyway. How much exercise will your dog receive ? More once we get the park around the corner and my second is better at walking. How much interaction with other dogs does your current dog have(this has nothing to do with breed but ability to live in harmony)?? None atm, we used to visit this lovely off leash area at Nudgee but moved far away and haven't found another nice one since. He always got along well with the other dogs when we went. What are you hoping the second dog will give the family that your staffy at present cant? Nothing really, I think my dog would like the company and I know my girls would enjoy having another animal to share the house with. Where does the staffy live at present & would the routine change if a second dog came home??? My dog sleeps on the floor in my room or on the couch, is inside as well as outside during the day too. And no, his routine would not change. How do your children interact with your staffy?? My eldest loves to play with him, my youngest likes his ears. The usual advice is to get a dog of the opposite sex, with both desexed, to help reduce the likelihood of them fighting. Thanks for that, I wasn't aware of that before. Hope this can help shed some light. Cheers, Beck PS. My second already walks Edited March 23, 2008 by Aphrael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 (edited) Maybe do a bit of research on the following breeds and see if they will suit you: Minauture Schnauzer Cavalier King Charles Spaniel King Charles Spaniel Pug Any of the long haired breeds I prefer to see 6 weekly preofessional grooming so if you are prepared for that plus weekly brushing youself then great. All dogs however, should have a good brush at least weekly to remove any loose hairs etc. Also, just keep in mind it will take quite a bit of time to toilet train and socialise puppy etc so you will be a busy beever for a while Good luck in finding a new addition ;) Edited March 23, 2008 by BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 I agree with the others in considering an older dog rather than a puppy. I would probably think of another terrier. Staffies are pretty rough when they play so you would want a dog who can put up with rough play times. If you go to DOL home page you can then click onto mature dogs and rescue dogs. Something there may suit you or you can check out this link http://petrescue.com.au/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aphrael Posted March 23, 2008 Author Share Posted March 23, 2008 Thanks for your replies. The Miniature Schnauzer looks like a good family dog, not sure what my DH would say tho. There's a nice female dog on Petrescue but would have to ask my DH before looking into it further. Cheers, Beck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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