Breed Recommendations Please

[Kavik]

Pugs shed pretty bad too.

"Robust" makes me think of a Swedish Vallhund, but I'm not 100% sure of their exercise requirements.

I think a SV would be perfect. Exercise requirements--they're apparently happy on 30 minutes a day with play time as well but they can go for longer. They're not particularly heavy shedders and you're right, they're very robust dogs.

A Swedish Vallhund is definitely too big for a 10 year old to carry

[Dju]

Pugs shed pretty bad too.

"Robust" makes me think of a Swedish Vallhund, but I'm not 100% sure of their exercise requirements.

I think a SV would be perfect. Exercise requirements--they're apparently happy on 30 minutes a day with play time as well but they can go for longer. They're not particularly heavy shedders and you're right, they're very robust dogs.

A Swedish Vallhund is definitely too big for a 10 year old to carry ;)

Not while it's a puppy!!! :D Besides, most of the girly dogs I know like chihuahuas and poms and stuff would prefer to walk alongside their owner, not be carried.

[~Shepherd~]

What about a Whippet.

Lovely clean indoors dog for a child to have.

Way too strong for a 10 year old to walk though I reckon Oakway.. Probably a bit big for one to carry too.

My (just) 5 year old walks our Whippet when she has her weekend exploring walk with Dad. Dad walks the WGSD and the 5 year old has control of the Whippet unless they are walking along a very busy road or in an area where there may be off-lead dogs. The dog has be trained to heel and not leave the side of whoever is walking her and has been trained to ignore passing dogs. She gets dressed up, plays flat out with the WGSD who is also a bitch and is as gentle as a lamb with my baby and toddler. She has experienced 2 newborns. She is undersized as a Whippet, but not much. My only complaint is that she hogs the wall heater or ducts in the family room.

Edited October 5, 2010 by Chewbacca

[Dogsfevr]

What will happen if the Boxer has a dislike to said pup?? What is there plan then ??

[poodlefan]

My (just) 5 year old walks our Whippet when she has her weekend exploring walk with Dad. Dad walks the WGSD and the 5 year old has control of the Whippet unless they are walking along a very busy road or in an area where there may be off-lead dogs. The dog has be trained to heel and not leave the side of whoever is walking her and has been trained to ignore passing dogs. She gets dressed up, plays flat out with the WGSD who is also a bitch and is as gentle as a lamb with my baby and toddler. She has experienced 2 newborns. She is undersized as a Whippet, but not much. My only complaint is that she hogs the wall heater or ducts in the family room.

And if the Whippet got spooked or decided it wanted away, lets not kid ourselves about a five year old's chances of remaining on her feet with the lead in her hand Chewie. What your child does under the supervision of an adult in a low risk environment is one thing but in terms of serious on lead control, there simply wouldn't be any if the dog meant business.

I thought this wasn't a purebred Whippet anyway but a mix with a smaller breed?

[YOLO]

Definitely would NOT recommend a Basenji.

Boston Terrier would seem to tick most of the boxes, but I’ve never seen them advertised.

My favourite of all small breeds is the West Highland Terrier. I think a Westie would fit the bill, except their coat does require moderate grooming and the occasional trim.

Not sure about moulting?? A 10 year old would probably enjoy grooming a Westie…

[Monah]

Pugs shed pretty bad too.

"Robust" makes me think of a Swedish Vallhund, but I'm not 100% sure of their exercise requirements.

I have heard they are VERY active and require a lot of mental and physical exercise.

It is quite hard to think of a dog that is robust but can be carried around by a 10 year old! Esepcially a short haired one!

Maybe a toy/mini poodle but I;m not really sure how you would classify the coat- it doesn't shed as much but is still high maintenance.

mini schnauzer

lakeland terrier

Boston terrier

West highland

I too would not allow a 10yr old to walk a dog. I've had Lakelands, I don't think a child could walk them.

Stubborn too :D although really fantastic kids dogs They also would not take kindly to being picked up and treated like less than a BIG DOG. they are feisty and very very busy, and love to be a DOG. like most terriers....... ;)

although they do have that 'cute fluffy look', DONT BELIEVE IT!!! underneath they are a huge dog in a small body! ;)

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Definitely not many of the breeds already mentioned. I'd be looking at cutting down on the shedding types for one thing, it's just more work that you don't need!

I'd pick a wiry terrier and having owned a Lakeland - I wouldn't go there. I'd be looking at a Cairn or a Welsh Terrier, I've met excellent examples of both breeds living with children and mixing with other dogs.

The other thing I would say is that a puppy of any breed is hard work!

I would also worry about the Boxer situation as well and def would not leave a child to be responsible for a dog in any way, especially not walking though.

Edited October 5, 2010 by dogmad

[aussielover]

Pugs shed pretty bad too.

"Robust" makes me think of a Swedish Vallhund, but I'm not 100% sure of their exercise requirements.

I have heard they are VERY active and require a lot of mental and physical exercise.

It is quite hard to think of a dog that is robust but can be carried around by a 10 year old! Esepcially a short haired one!

Maybe a toy/mini poodle but I;m not really sure how you would classify the coat- it doesn't shed as much but is still high maintenance.

mini schnauzer

lakeland terrier

Boston terrier

West highland

I too would not allow a 10yr old to walk a dog. I've had Lakelands, I don't think a child could walk them.

Stubborn too ;) although really fantastic kids dogs They also would not take kindly to being picked up and treated like less than a BIG DOG. they are feisty and very very busy, and love to be a DOG. like most terriers....... ;)

although they do have that 'cute fluffy look', DONT BELIEVE IT!!! underneath they are a huge dog in a small body!

Really? but they are quite small aren't they? There is one in our puppy class, it is tiny! It is however, very very cheeky and naughty :D

It would not walk on a lead for a few weeks there which i though was quite cute (i'm sure i wouldn't think that if it was my dog though) and generally seemed to ignore the owners requests LOL

[BMAK]

they should be looking for a dog that is

1) suitable for the boxers temp

2) a dog the "whole family" can handle

3) not a dog suited for the 10yr wants (i was asking for a dog since i could walk boy no way in hell i could train, correct, disiplen feed the dog i would give up even now im struggling to totally furfill ever need to my dogs and im young, its going to be the parents doing all of that!!! get her a bunny or something that doesnt need the 24/7 interaction and work.

if they are going to get a family dog a wire haired type would be easily groomed.

alot of the small terriers would be suitable not keen on the westies though(sorry to those that are responsible owners of that breed) but i know ones that have been in the wrong hands and end up really bad.

french bulldog

scotty

Tibetan Spaniel lovely dog

border terrier (WH)

Dachshund (WireHaired)

cairn terrier (WH)

lakeland terrier seems lovely

cocker spaniel (needs grooming)

Schipperke

[happyfoot]

they should be looking for a dog that is

1) suitable for the boxers temp

2) a dog the "whole family" can handle

3) not a dog suited for the 10yr wants (i was asking for a dog since i could walk boy no way in hell i could train, correct, disiplen feed the dog i would give up even now im struggling to totally furfill ever need to my dogs and im young, its going to be the parents doing all of that!!! get her a bunny or something that doesnt need the 24/7 interaction and work.

if they are going to get a family dog a wire haired type would be easily groomed.

alot of the small terriers would be suitable not keen on the westies though(sorry to those that are responsible owners of that breed) but i know ones that have been in the wrong hands and end up really bad.

french bulldog

scotty

Tibetan Spaniel lovely dog

border terrier (WH)

Dachshund (WireHaired)

cairn terrier (WH)

lakeland terrier seems lovely

cocker spaniel (needs grooming)

Schipperke

I would fully recommend a Chinese Crested Powder Puff, you can have these dogs clipped and the hair NEVER sheds and is exellent with any form of skin allergy. They are great with kids but are very robust, our boy loves his 6 other big doggy friends he thinks he is 10 foot and bullet proof. They are a good size for a child to manage and are not to strong, our boy has a great nature and is excellent with puppies.

Good luck to your friend

[RiverStar-Aura]

I'd throw the Australian Terrier into the mix because they're great family dogs and are amazing with young children. My family bought Poochie when my youngest brother was about 5 and we'd had an Aussie before her too when my oldest brothers were newborns.

They'd stand up to the boxer too as they're quite tough little dogs!

As for grooming, they don't really require much and they love company so you can't really go wrong.

I hope the family really thinks this decision through because buying a dog purely because the 10 year old wants something she can carry around and sleep with at night isn't really the right reason to be getting a dog IMHO. If that's all she wants buy her a toy dog; many toy shops have numerous breeds to select from.

But good luck to the family anyway; hope everything all goes well!

[t-time]

I'd would definitely recommend a Tibetan Spaniel.

Friends of mine got into Tibbies purely because that was the breed their 9 yr old girl decided on

They shed but not as bad as true short coats like Pugs, small enough to take to bed, get walked by a 9 yr old, easy for a 9 yr old to groom and learn the responsibilities of dog ownership, certainly will get on with an older dog like a Boxer and sturdy enough not to get "broken" by said dog.

I can't think of another breed that would be better under the circumstances

[WreckitWhippet]

There's always the what-if's when it comes to the existing dog accepting a new puppy into the home. I wouldn't suggest a Westie or Cairn but rather a Norwich or a Norfolk. They are happy, robust little Terriers, there would most likely be a wait for one.

I have reservations about letting kids hold the leads of dogs anywhere that is not fully fenced but the call was for breed suggestion.

[chellz]

What will happen if the Boxer has a dislike to said pup?? What is there plan then ??

thats not the OP's question, its none of our buisness.. they have dogs before they are no stupid.. im sure they will let the boxer meet the puppy before it comes home..

Sorry if it sounds rude but i just hate when people force their opinion on others and think they know best! They know whats right for their family so no need for silly questions and answer the OP's question or dont answer at all!! This is not a stab at you but everyone who thinks they have a right and know whats best for other peoples situation

Edited October 5, 2010 by chellz

[WreckitWhippet]

What will happen if the Boxer has a dislike to said pup?? What is there plan then ??

well I can see your point. The exisiting dog may not accept a new puppy into the home and I can see the potential for issues to arise if one sleeps on the bed, is carried around by the child and is the one taken on walks etc.

[Cosmolo]

I wouldn't rule out a well bred Jack Russell terrier. They are not little maniacs that need copious amounts of exercise- provided they are from a good breeder who matches pups carefully. My rough coat JRT doesn't shed as much as my other short coat dogs, although he does still shed a bit.

I would suggest discussing the older dogs 'issues' with the breeder of any pup so they can choose a pup more likely to get along with the older dog too.

[indigirl]

Thanks for all the breed suggestions. I have discussed with them how best to introduce a puppy to thier boxer. Their boxer is currently at my house asleep in the loungeroom, and my 8 dogs are all indoors atm as its raining. All the dogs are asleep and Boxer hasnt so much as growled at any of my dogs (there is a toddler gate between the boxer and the other dogs), so perhaps ive overstated the agression issue. I just know when she was younger she would growl and stand over my two bitches at times. I understand some ppl's concerns about a 10yr old walking a dog etc, but again thats not my choice. I jsut want to point them in the right direction breed wise.

[poodlefan]

Thanks for all the breed suggestions. I have discussed with them how best to introduce a puppy to thier boxer. Their boxer is currently at my house asleep in the loungeroom, and my 8 dogs are all indoors atm as its raining. All the dogs are asleep and Boxer hasnt so much as growled at any of my dogs (there is a toddler gate between the boxer and the other dogs), so perhaps ive overstated the agression issue. I just know when she was younger she would growl and stand over my two bitches at times. I understand some ppl's concerns about a 10yr old walking a dog etc, but again thats not my choice. I jsut want to point them in the right direction breed wise.

On her own territory, you might well get different behaviour. To be on the safe side, a male pup would be a very good idea.

[indigirl]

Thanks for all the breed suggestions. I have discussed with them how best to introduce a puppy to thier boxer. Their boxer is currently at my house asleep in the loungeroom, and my 8 dogs are all indoors atm as its raining. All the dogs are asleep and Boxer hasnt so much as growled at any of my dogs (there is a toddler gate between the boxer and the other dogs), so perhaps ive overstated the agression issue. I just know when she was younger she would growl and stand over my two bitches at times. I understand some ppl's concerns about a 10yr old walking a dog etc, but again thats not my choice. I jsut want to point them in the right direction breed wise.

On her own territory, you might well get different behaviour. To be on the safe side, a male pup would be a very good idea.

I agree! Also very careful introductions. But you know what they say.. you can lead a horse to water etc..