Yet Another Suggest A Breed Thread

[Sandra777]

Why do people say 'NOT THIS, NOT THAT', Why don't some remember the simple "It's the dog its self, not the breed".

But to a large degree it IS the breed not just the dog itself. That is one of the reasons there are different breeds - because people manipulated the breeding of dogs to create different characteristics.

Some are placid and have virtually no aggression eg the Cavalier

Some are extremely active and need to have "their job" - eg a Border Collie

Not all breeds suit all circumstances. Yes I agree that not all individuals within that breed will have the same temperament, drive, energy levels etc, but if you want a placid dog with no prey drive you would have more luck finding one within the CKCS breed than you would within virtually any terrier breed (just as an example).

[Purdie]

Here is another breed selector .This and the one i posted earlier will give you some suggestions i hope it helps.

http://www.k9country...erl/dogBreed.pl

[Zug Zug]

Sorry it's just that all the breeds I can think of as being great with young kids are either small, or need lots of exercise.

For example an English Springer Spaniel. I think these dogs are great for families, and such a nice size. And they look great and suit people who like the look of 'real dog' type dogs.

But they do need a fair bit of exercise, so considering one of these dogs would mean making a decision to change their expectations re how much time they will spend with the dog.

I can understand why they would currently be thinking the dog would only come inside while the little girl is napping. I would hope, though, that over time and with the right dog they would come around to allowing some (supervised) interaction.

The other dog that is coming to my mind is a Boston Terrier - but I don't see them as a breed that would sleep alone outside.

I hope they are able to sort something out, and reach a compromise re the inside/outside thing and finding some time to dedicate to training the dog. I have to say that with a toddler and a new baby coming sometime soon, this will take a real commitment on their part because they will be tired. So I really do think they need to think hard before making a decision re whether now is the right time. It certainly can work if they're keen and willing to make adjustments, but if they are not wanting to make those compromises then perhaps deep down they are not ready for this step just yet.

[Rilla-My-Rilla]

Sorry it's just that all the breeds I can think of as being great with young kids are either small, or need lots of exercise.

For example an English Springer Spaniel. I think these dogs are great for families, and such a nice size. And they look great and suit people who like the look of 'real dog' type dogs.

But they do need a fair bit of exercise, so considering one of these dogs would mean making a decision to change their expectations re how much time they will spend with the dog.

I can understand why they would currently be thinking the dog would only come inside while the little girl is napping. I would hope, though, that over time and with the right dog they would come around to allowing some (supervised) interaction.

The other dog that is coming to my mind is a Boston Terrier - but I don't see them as a breed that would sleep alone outside.

I hope they are able to sort something out, and reach a compromise re the inside/outside thing and finding some time to dedicate to training the dog. I have to say that with a toddler and a new baby coming sometime soon, this will take a real commitment on their part because they will be tired. So I really do think they need to think hard before making a decision re whether now is the right time. It certainly can work if they're keen and willing to make adjustments, but if they are not wanting to make those compromises then perhaps deep down they are not ready for this step just yet.

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[Weasels]

I spoke to her. She and her daughter spend about 3 hours playing in the backyard everyday, slightly less in bad weather. She is happy for the dog to come inside while her daughter is napping, which is 2 hours in the middle of the day. Add to that walks and time her partner will spend outside after work and on weekends and it should get about 6 hours of company a day. They are also thinking about getting a second dog at some stage to keep the first one company.

Interesting, this is probably more attention than my (working breed) dogs get during the week but people are still talking as though the dog is going to be neglected.

My childhood dog (an ACDxkelpie) slept outside and was put outside while everyone was out, but was allowed inside on a sheepskin rug when people were home. If they have an area inside they could close off with baby gates but let the dog near people would this be acceptable? I think being in close proximity to their family, even without being right next to them, would make the dog happier :)

[Alyosha]

I don't think it's the outside living that could be challenging here, it's the solitary time. Many breeds are not good at being alone for extended periods, and like some have pointed out, those that are may be more indifferent to humans anyway.

My dogs live outside and don't suffer for it. They do come inside sometimes, it's an important part of learning manners etc and they like it. But it isn't necessarily every day - some days they are happier playing in the mud! But they have a settled pack routine and each other for company as well. Plus they don't like being warm so in winter time so prefer to be outside! I'm not about to turn heaters off to accommodate them! :D

I think the recommendations of older dogs are a great idea, and well worth considering. I know how hard it seems to miss that puppy bit, but puppies and toddlers are often a hair raising mix, toddlers are easily knocked over and bumped heads can be serious in the wrong circumstances (like on concrete!).

Breeds like Labs and Goldens are renowned as being great with kids, but can be boisterous pups. An older dog gives you that element of predictability that fits much better with little kids.

I would say no to Beagle or anything else pack-oriented like that as they will be noisy and destructive when alone. Possibly breeds in the Gundog or Working dog groups? German or Belgian Shepherd, Smooth Collie, Springer Spaniel (Welsh or English), Field Spaniel; Flatcoat, Labrador or Golden Retriever, German Wirehaired Pointer etc.

But again I would recommend considering an older dog that is a known quantity. Add to that knowledge of it's exercise needs and you could do very well! Getting a 40-60 minute brisk walk in daily is a great way to stay fit enough to keep up with toddlers!! :)

The other consideration with a mostly outside dog is coat. While short and smooth may be appealing for a variety of reasons, slightly more coat can be very important in cold and even in hot weather.

Edited February 19, 2012 by Alyosha

[Salukifan]

Why do people say 'NOT THIS, NOT THAT', Why don't some remember the simple "It's the dog its self, not the breed".

Simple - because it's not true, ESPECIALLY if you are choosing a pup, not an adult dog.

We developed dog breeds to improve the likelihood of certain characteristics in a dog.

Many people seem to think that those characteristics are mostly physical and that all dogs are similar but in different gift wrapping.

NOTHING could be further than the truth and I have lost track of the number of people who've lived to regret a choice of dog based on looks, a movie's inaccurate portrayal of a dog or other lack of knowledge.

We also manipulated and selected for degrees of independence, people focus, bite inhibiition and bite threshold. Those last two are particularly important in a family dog.

A dog with a high degree of trainability usually has a high degree of people focus (and need for) people.

Some of us aren't interested in recommending a dog that will merely survive in this situation. I'd like to to see the family (who've done better than picking a cute pup from a pet shop or the trading post) with a really good match.

Socialisation and training can take you so far but you cannot undo the characteristics that are genetically hard wired into a dog... as people keep finding out the hard way.

If you want a dog that gets on famously with kids, you need genetics, and socialisation and training and TIME with those children.

The pounds are full of adolescent pups (often working mixes) that ended up there because they chased, jumped on and even nipped young kids because every time they went in the backyard, an understimulated pup went mad with excitement.

And as for a Husky in a family with a baby on the way? Not a breed I"d recommend unless it was to a family committed to that breed in particular and not wanting a more generic 'family' dog.

Yes, there are always exceptional dogs. But the odds of finding something outside what the breed has been developed for aren't fabulous. This family will not end up the the same kind of dog, regardless of what breed they pick.

Edited February 19, 2012 by Telida Whippets

[persephone]

I don't think it's the outside living that could be challenging here, it's the solitary time. Many breeds are not good at being alone for extended periods, and like some have pointed out, those that are may be more indifferent to humans anyway.

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yes.

..so, two dogs?

P'raps not, with the demands of a toddler, and then a new baby .... time for walking/training two dogs may be hard to find ....

[Alyosha]

I wasn't implying two dogs were better - far from it. I was simply demonstrating that the time this dog may spend alone each day may be more of a defining factor in choosing a breed than whether it is indoors for x amount of hours each day.

[Pockets]

What about adopting a greyhound? They are generally laid back, dont require huge amount of exercise and from what I have seen very gentle :)

Plus they get te good feeling of rescuing a dog in need and the fostered can usually match the dog to your needs/lifestyle

I dont understand the negativity to people and dogs being outside? It's not the end of the world, it may not be what you want in a dog, but everyone is different :)

I am glad to see your friends are doing their research and getting some ideas :) better than impulse buying and then having a thread about rehoming a problem dog :)

[Alyosha]

Most greyhound adoption groups won't adopt to outdoor only homes as Greys are sensitive to the cold.

With good kennelling and attention to rugging it can be done.

[Salukifan]

I dont understand the negativity to people and dogs being outside? It's not the end of the world, it may not be what you want in a dog, but everyone is different :)

For some dogs it is. Some breeds are physically unsuited to the extremes of weather in this country. Personally I'm at a loss to figure out how people can shut themselves in doors in air conditioning on really hot days and expect a dog to get buy comfortably with a bowl of tepid water.

That aside, for a dog that's going to live with children, a couple of hours exposure a day, especially when the child and dog will need to be separated for the child to play unsupervised (which will come), then its difficult to raise a dog to bond well with kids and treat them as just part of every day life., particularly as a pup.

Dogs are social animals - and some dog breeds more so than others. Deprive them of a pack and some dogs don't cope. Or at least they don't thrive. I have only to listen to the dogs that bark their heads off in this neighbourhood to know that. The expression "barking mad" didn't come out of nowhere.

Edited February 19, 2012 by Telida Whippets

[persephone]

for a dog that's going to live with children, a couple of hours exposure a day, especially when the child and dog will need to be separated for the child to play unsupervised (which will come), then its difficult to raise a dog to bond well with kids and treat them as just part of every day life., particularly as a pup.

yep .. the 'novelty factor' is still much in play .

I dont understand the negativity to people and dogs being outside?

I have outside dogs - have no problem with outside dogs - provided they are of a temperament to cope, have company, plenty of things to do, and enough physical and mental stimulation to have them settled and satisfied.

[Pockets]

And this is why the OP is asking for breed suggestions, taking all these things into account so her friends do not get a breed that is not suited :) isn't that the sort of thing that should be promoted, praising the thought process and research :)

[Bjelkier]

And this is why the OP is asking for breed suggestions, taking all these things into account so her friends do not get a breed that is not suited :) isn't that the sort of thing that should be promoted, praising the thought process and research :)

I think people are helping, they are saying that there are a lot of breeds that might not be suited to this living situation.

Maybe the OP friend needs to look at the situation they are in and make the wiser choice to either change what they are willing to offer a dog as a family or not get one until they can provide a more fitting home.

Edited February 19, 2012 by Bjelkier

[Salukifan]

And this is why the OP is asking for breed suggestions, taking all these things into account so her friends do not get a breed that is not suited :) isn't that the sort of thing that should be promoted, praising the thought process and research :)

And folk are doing their best, and the OP's friend is already reconsidering the "only outside" stipulation.

What folk are doing in this thread is no different to what breeders of many breeds would do. And believe me, there are plenty of breeders of people focused, easily trained breeds that won't sell to outside family homes and/or that would have hard questions about how much time a family with a new baby and a toddler will really have to devote to a dog that spends most of its time in the backyard.

[Simply Grand]

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Edited February 19, 2012 by Saxonpup

[Simply Grand]

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Edited February 19, 2012 by Saxonpup

[Simply Grand]

And yes, there is a lot if concern for the dog in these posts, but also for the family! A puppy is stressful and hard work, a dog with behavioral problems is super stressful and tiring! As is a toddler, let alone another baby. The focus on finding an appropriate dog to get, and when, is for the benefit of all involved.