What breed of dog would be the most compatible for me and my family?

Question

I live with my parents and my dad is talking about gettting a dog. We have 2 cats- one is almost 14 and the other one is 7 years old. Dad's cat passed away in February of this year and he's been talking about getting a dog ever since. Dad talks about getting a Lab or a border collie, but I don't think either one of those dog breeds would be the most compatible with our 2 cats. Mom's 7 year old cat is very territorial of the back porch and attacks any animal that comes on or near it and my 14 year old cat runs whenever an animal comes in the house. Mom's alllergic to dog hair, so we can't have a longhaired breed dog. What kind of dog gets along well with cats, because Dad's starting to get serious about getting a dog?

Answer 1

I think you are absolutely right! Border Collies are high-intensity, high-drive working dogs. They require a LOT of exercise, and preferably a job to do or they can be insane to live with. We're talking at least two thirty minute STRENUOUS runs every day, not a casual 3 mph walk around the block. Many Border Collies end up in the pound because people can't deal with their herding instincts, car chasing and odd behavior (like guarding pots and pans!)

Labs can be very powerful and playful, and could easily hurt a cat without even meaning to. Plus they shed terribly and aren't good for people with allergies. I'm surprised your mom could tolerate cats if she really is allergic to dog hair - usually it's the other way around. Your mom should spend at least a few hours at the breeder's home to see if it bothers her.

With cats, you definitely shouldn't get a terrier!

I'd suggest going with an English Cocker Spaniel (NOT the American Cocker!) or an English Springer Spaniel or a Welsh Springer Spaniel or a Portugese Water dog or a Curly Coated Retriever or an Irish Water Spaniel. (Maybe even a Havanese or a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen - but I don't know any personally. You'd have to go to dog shows and check them out.) These are somewhat rare breeds - check out www.ack.org for breeders. The PWD, CCR and IWS look a bit like Standard poodles, but they're not as high energy. They're easy to train and don't shed much at all. The IWS and the PWD tend to be on the shy side, so make sure you get her out and socialize her while she's young. And because they don't shed, they're going to need more grooming than the average dog.

BEFORE you get a puppy, I'd also suggest reading some really good books on training. Try not to do it randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also! These are some of my favorites:
What All Good Dogs Should Know - Volhard
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan

Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.

Answer 2

Whatever you do DO NOT GET A BORDER COLLIE. Don't get me wrong, they are phenomenal dogs, but they are serious working dogs with an incredible herding instinct. They will make your resident cats miserable! They can nip as well (again, it's part of the herding instinct) and are no good with children. They are also so intelligent, they get bored easily and constantly need a job (or they will destroy your home). A Labrador Retriever is an all around wonderful breed. They make fantastic family dogs, have great temperaments and are known for doing fine with people, other dogs and cats. If your mom is allergic to dogs, however, hair length is really irrelevant. All dogs shed and most people are not allergic to the hair, they're allergic to the dander and the saliva. If you want a hypo-allergenic dog, get a poodle. Poodles don't have fur they have hair and are great for folks with allergies. They're smart dogs too and come in 3 sizes...toy, minature & standard. Good luck.

Answer 3

It still depends on other aspects of your lives. How many are willing to take the dog for LONG walks in ALL weather??? Do you like being active with the dog. Do you have a fenced in yard??
There are things other than cats that are the factors on which breed you should get. Make a list of your favorite breeds and research them to see what they require. The most common reason a dog doesn't work out is that people have unrealistic expectations of the dog and the dog then has to go. Do some research and you will find a breed that fits what you are looking for!!!!! Remember....even many shorthaired dogs can cause allergies to flare. It isn't the hair, it is the dander and even in a litter, there will be pups with more dander than others.

Answer 4

My experience is this: I presently have one 3 year old cat; three dogs (1.5yrs , 6 months (Bichon/poodle cross and 3 months). Before I got my 3yr old cat Mary, I had another cat Silly who DETESSED all animals (and passed away at 20yrs 1 year ago - lots of hissing during that time! First, the type of animal depends on the size you want - if you want a large animal that is friendly, 'manly' and fun - try a Golden Retriever/poodle mix, aka 'Goldie-Poo - takes the standard poodle and is extreme low shedding and non-allergetic. If you prefer a more medium sized dog, then go for the Mini-Goldie-Poo - same as above, but crossed with a mini-poodle, therefore, the weight is between 30 to 40lbs. I have heard great things of these dogs. Lastly, I swear by the Shi-poos - my two little guys are amazing, get along well with the cat (took time and patience though) and are extremely easy to train and are great lap dogs. My Bichon-poodle cross is also great, but a bit more active, and my 'piss off' an older cat. If you want more information, the following website has great information for dogs groups, specific breeds, and even poodle crosses and what fits best in all different types of families. Take your time, research and above all - do not expect the love or like between any cat or dog to happen overnight!
website:
http://www.petsandmore.ca/vbreedinfo2.html

Answer 5

A puppy or a shelter dog that has been screened. If you go with a new puppy make sure that whatever breed it is (or dominant breed if a mixed dog) doesn't have a high prey drive. Remember if the cats run that the dog will chase. If the cats stand their ground and swat the pup in the nose, the pup will learn to respect the cats' space. Also training, training, training and lots of socialization for any pup. They need to be good members of society.

Answer 6

I do agree that you should visit a local shelter and see if there is something there to suit your needs. The people there can help guide you to a dog that will fit your lifestyle. That's what they do, and they are pretty good at it.

I will say, however, that if you are specifically looking for a pure-bred, that your mom would appreciate a smaller, shorter-haired dog that doesn't have a regular shedding season. You're going to laugh, but Chihuahuas and Boston terriers can both be wonderful family dogs, as well as many other small breeds. And yes, they learn to love cats if raised with them. I'm not sure of the shedding habits of other small breeds, but I know there are others. Look for breeds that do not have long or even medium-length hair. And read carefully about the breed, and especially the breeder, before you bring one home. (You could always go with a hairless breed as well... )

Good luck to you, and I hope you find what you are looking for!

Answer 7

As far as behavior goes (ie: getting along with cats) It really depends on the dog, not so much the breed. There are specific breeds that tend to be more friendly in general, but that is no guarantee.
If your dad is looking for a older dog, it is best to find out as much information on the dog as possible from the previous owners. Wereas with a puppy, they generally have to be socialized by the owner.

If I were you, I would start with looking for short haired dogs, since your mom is allergic. Here is a site to help you out. http://www.akc.org/breeds/breeds_a.cfm

Then once you and your family have found some breeds you like, take the time to check out dogs in your local area. It's good to spend some time with each dog to get a feel for it's personality. Researching breeds and dog training information will be extremely helpful!

Good luck

Answer 8

A lab would be OK,get it as a baby so all will adjust living together happily in the house,A border collie is a nice dog but they really need to be kept busy they are herding dogs with a very strong drive so if you don't have the time and energy to work with these dogs it could be disastrous in the home,look on AKC.org there you will info. on all the breeds and you can decide which will be more suitable to your family.

Answer 9

The best thing to do is go to your local animal shelter or animal control facility. If you can, try to find one that collects information on pets that are turned in by their owners. That way, you can find a dog that may have already lived with cats. There are so many animals in shelters all over the world that need loving homes - go save one! I used to work in a shelter and I can tell you there is a different dog for every need, I know you will find one that will fit in with your family life. I got my dog from the shelter I used to work at and he's the best dog I've ever had.

Answer 10

unequivocally--a pit bull! before you count them out, consider this: i own two. they are great with cats, as well as other small animals and children. don't believe the stories you may have heard. our female nursed our cat when he was a kitten, though she had never had pups of her own. as long as you start with a pup and socialize it--that means getting it around as many people and other animals as you can--you will end up with a fantastic companion and protector. someone already pointed out that it's the dander, not the fur that sparks allergies. i have a severe allergy to dog dander, yet my pit bulls hardly ever bother my allergies. not to mention they hardly shed at all and don't require much in the way of grooming. a lot of people have suggested labs, but they have a tendency to get overweight without a lot or exercise and hip displaysia is a common malady to the breed. pit bulls have no inherent health problems and are one of the smartest dog breeds out there. they were bred specifically to be companions to people. and anyway, could you really take a dog seriously if it was called a "goldie-poo"? for god's sake! that's ridiculous. if you want a good dog, you can't go wrong with a pit bull.