Looking For Some Advise On Right Type Of Dog

[ashaflynn]

A Cavalier would be perfect for your family and home situation. Cav's are absolutely superb with kids and will play and engage with them as much as the kids want. They are gentle and sweet natured and are a nice sized smaller dog - not too big or too small. They also love nothing more than having a comfy lap or lounge to curl up on after playtime's over and will lavish love and attention on everyone in the household. Cav's are also very gentle natured with small animals and as long as you get a young'ish dog they will accept the Pigs as family members (obviously with a little training) and the Pigs will live happy, stress free and long lives with a Cav around the place.

Grooming would be a medium task with a Cav and a good brush out, possibly twice a week, would be required. In between toes check will need to be done regularly with the grass seeds in your yard ... but that would go with any breed you get anyway - but the Cav's have hairier feet than short coated breeds. (no reason clipping out the hair between the pads and toes can't be done though to make the job easier!) The other thing with Cav's is keeping the ears as clean as possible to avoid ear infections/issues. Dogs with the long, heavy drop type ears are prone to problems if ears are not maintained.

I have recommended Cav's to a number of families over the years, specifically those with children, and they've all been absolutely stoked with their dogs - commenting on how easy they are to housetrain, how great they are with the kids, how loving and gentle they are etc etc.

Only one thing to keep in mind ... if you do consider a Cav make sure you research the breeders and ensure they are doing all appropriate health tests on their dogs - most are these days but best to be certain.

[aussielover]

Another option would be a Labrador!

Either a older lab that is settled down (there are plenty in rescue!), or a puppy from a good breeder that will be able to pick the temperament for you.

My 2 boys are both from guide dog lines and they are incredibly calm for labs. Coat is not high level maintenance, though they do shed quite a bit (less with lots of brushing) A few hours of exercise a day (which Im sure they will get with all the kids!!) and a lab will make a great dog!

I prefer bigger dogs around small kids because they are a lot less breakable (the dogs I mean ) Our dogs are bomb proof so that even when my 5 year old nephew decided it would be funny to smack on of them with a pillow, they just lay there and ignored it.

Plus most labs I know would have no idea what to do with a guinea pig besides lick it

My lab is scared of guinea pigs and kittens lol.

I had some 3 week old foster kittens and she just let the kittens crawl all over her while she lay on her back (I think they thought she was their mum!).

The RIGHT lab could be perfect for you, but you do need to get a very gentle natured one, not a psycho boisterous one. A good breeder can help you there.

All of my dog's brothers are very "energetic" to put it nicely (even though they are in experienced homes), where as my puppy (the only female in the litter) is extremely calm and laid back, which I think is just her natural personality, nothing to do with training etc.

She is a very easy dog, and is also a lot of fun, loves going to parks, shops etc but is not over-the-top in excitement.

Labs are very smart and will quickly learn what is expected of them and of course, generally love other dogs and kids (given the right socialisation).

ETA: Guide dogs prefers smaller labs as they tend to fit into public situations (like transport, restuarants etc) better. So smaller sized ones do exist.

(my girl is very tall though).

Edited December 14, 2010 by aussielover

[Guest Tess32]

Sorry, just read your last post. I think it sounds like a Staffy and fix something up for the guinea pigs - or give them away. What about a hutch off the ground?

Advising people to give up their pets so they can get another, charming.

[adogisforlife]

Thank you for ALL your replys, you have all helped to give us lots to think about and research to make up a list of what type of breeds would suit our family

The guinea Pigs are staying, I could never give them away, the kids love them to bits, they have proven to be a great little pet for the kids.

[Monah]

I like cavs too and I know the ear probs were mentioned but I'm just mentioning it again as even here in Hervey Bay, ear infections are a hugely common problem with drop eared dogs (inc, one of my own ) and the expense and care can be pretty ongoing.... They are a lovely breed though, but it's just something to keep in mind.

I'm a guinea pig lover myself.xx

[poodlefan]

Thank you for ALL your replys, you have all helped to give us lots to think about and research to make up a list of what type of breeds would suit our family

The guinea Pigs are staying, I could never give them away, the kids love them to bits, they have proven to be a great little pet for the kids.

No matter what sort of dog you get, I'd have two gates/doors between the dog and the guinea pigs at all times. Kids can forget and you need built in safety measures.

[Ons]

and if you do decide to get a cavalier - and they are absolutely awesome dogs - some of them surprisingly do have high prey drive so make the guinea pig enclosure a fortress. My little Poppy Cavalier RIP was the sleepiest quietest dog until she saw a bird in a cage or thought that there was a mouse in the house even embarrassed me thoroughly at a friend's place trying to find one and yes there was one (we were living in the country not unclean houses!)

I think the dog you do get is going to be very lucky!

[Monah]

Thank you for ALL your replys, you have all helped to give us lots to think about and research to make up a list of what type of breeds would suit our family

The guinea Pigs are staying, I could never give them away, the kids love them to bits, they have proven to be a great little pet for the kids.

No matter what sort of dog you get, I'd have two gates/doors between the dog and the guinea pigs at all times. Kids can forget and you need built in safety measures.

very well said. better safe than sorry at all times.