What's a great family dog breed?

Question

We're a family of 4, with kids aged 4 and 8. We're looking for family dog recomendations. We've had a beagle mix before, but now have fencing issues in our community. So looking for a non-wandering dog! We would prefer something small to medium size, and minimal grooming, in other words no visits to a groomer! We'd be happy to have a breed we can groom at home. We also have two cats. (No terriers then?) Sorry, no labs or goldens either, too big for our taste. If a mixed breed, what kind of mix? Opinions appreciated!

Answer 1

Australian Shepard - will play for ever with the kids and as a herding breed will want to stay with them (About 18-20 inches at shoulder, 40-50 lbs)

Same for Welsh Corgis, Shetland Sheepdogs T hey are smaller in height and Shelties are less in weight than Aussies

I grew up with Boston Terriers - great dogs for kids.

With the Aussies and Shelties just run a brush over them once a week or so - good thing for the kids to be responsible for doing.

I've never sent a dog to the groomer in my life - with 43 years now in dogs.

Go to the AKC website and look at the list of breeds - you can read about each breed in detail.

Look for a mixed breed that had part of one of the breedes you favor.
On each breed page on the AKC website, there are links to the Breed Club and to the Breed Rescue. Breed Rescue could b an excellent source for an adult dog so you don't have to deal with the puppy raising issues.

If you can't build a fence, try an inground electric fecne or an instant install electric fence. You can find them on the websie for Drs Foster & Smith - a reliable pet supply company.

Answer 2

There are so many! I have a maltese/shih tsu mix and she's great. I call her Teflon Dog because she's alway clean. Grooming is simple and she loves it. I just cut her hair about once every 2 months, maybe a little brushing now and then. You'd think she was getting a massage when I cut her hair. Her eyes close and she's just in heaven for the attention. If she could purr, she would!

I've also had miniature schnauzers and they have lovely temperments. They're also easy to groom. Being a single homeowner, I learn how to do things myself whenever possible and grooming is very simple.

I prefer a non-shedding dog. It makes it much MUCH nicer not to have dog hairs all over the house and my clothing.

Don't forget to check local shelters and rescue agencies. There are so many dogs who'd love a good loving home. Try www.petfinder.org.
Good luck!!

Answer 3

I know you said no labs but if you have small children you really ought to reconsider. They are big but they are so gentle. My little one can climb all over them and pull their tails and they are so tolerant. Also grooming is no problem at all. I brsuh them once a week and anly bathe them a couple times a year. They are so awesome and souldn't even consider another breed. The only thing you must keep in mind is that if you get a pup they are going to be very high energy and destructive until they are almost 2 years old. If you get a shelter dog many of them have been neglected and have no manners so you need to be prepared to spend time with them to train them. Also you must not keep them outside all the time away from the family. Dogs are pack animals and do not do well if you keep them isolated. They need to be around the family if you expect them to behave around other people.

Answer 4

firstly, great age for the kids to get a dog. Of course I was ready to recommend labs and goldens, but yoiu want a smaller breed. I have a Shepard cross, she is medium size and excellent with kids. I suggest a mix breed, but you are never sure on how big it may get unless you know the parentage. Whatever you decide, I do recommend a puppy, they are a lot of work but really worth the effort as a family dog, with the kids growing up with it. The nicer the people owners are, the nicer dog you will have, I really believe that. My youngest was 2 when we got our pup, it was like having two toddlers! Good luck!

Answer 5

You say no Terriers, but a Staffie Bull Terrier may fit the bill, short haired so no grooming, their breed standard says must be good with children. As for the cats, if you get the dog as a puppy, after a few taps on the nose from the cats the pup will learn to leave them alone.

Answer 6

TI personally would go with the Chinese Crested Dog. It got it's name from the Mongolian Emperors of China who collected these rare dogs to decorate their palaces. Chinese merchants helped to spread this breed throughout the world by taking them on their ships. It's thought that they were handy rat killers, and not having hair they did not carry fleas! The Chinese Crested is much older than the merchant ships of China though. Small hairless dogs roamed the African dessert for thousands of year before being "discovered". It is thought that the Chinese Crested bred with a Chihuahua to produce the toy Mexican Hairless. Hair growth on the Chinese Crested varies greatly but is commonly known by the full silky main of hair on the head- the crest, the tail- or plume, and the feet- or socks. My personal opinion on why this hair pattern emerged is simple. Days on the African deserts get to unbearable temperatures, while nights become cold, even frigid! This hair pattern protects the dogs extremities susceptible to frostbite, but prevents the dog from overheating in the hot sun. They resemble tiny ponies in both appearance and gait. The coated variety, called the Powderpuff, can be born in the same litter as the hairless and has a full fluffy coat. The only notable difference between the two is in dentition. Hairless dogs have primitive, or tusk teeth that do not have a full root system. Often the hairless are born with missing or malformed teeth. This is not considered a fault and is normal for the hairless variety of the breed. Chinese Crested Dogs are very people oriented, both to family and strangers. Nicknamed the "clown dog", they will do what it takes to get plenty of attention. Many times people get these dogs because they are unusual or rare but don't really have the time to spend with them. They keep them crated, or allow them to wander and entertain themselves. Which of course they will do! Just not in the constructive way one would hope. They will always find new and unusual way to capture your attention. They are the most personable, comical, elegant, and intelligent dogs I have ever met. BUT they will let you know when they are not pleased or are feeling ignored.
They are also wonderful for those with allergies. Email me if you want to see pics of my joe dirt.

Answer 7

with cats and dogs its wise that you have the cats first, now when you bring home your new puppy he will grow up thinking cats are his buddies, not enemies.
sorry to hear you don't want a lab, ours was a mixed breed, the dad was a black lab and mother was a small shepherd. our girl weighed about 55 lb. bathing and grooming done at home.
labs are great family pets.....................
labs are the best family dogs. ours got along famously with our cat, who was already part of the family.
our dog was 2 years old when our first grandchild came along. four years old when the second grandchild showed up. shad would lay on the floor and let our grandbabies chew on her tail, pull her ears, grab hair by the handful and she never made any show of annoyance or anger, or fear. we caught our grandson one day pulling the dog's tongue and shad just sat there and let him. you could take the food out from under the dog's nose and she wouldn't make any movement of aggression. she was protective of the children as well.................
you should take a second look at labs...........they aren't all huge animals.
whatever you choose, if you treat it well it will be a great companion for all of you. good luck

Answer 8

the breed that really comes t o mind would be something like a standard poodle...yeah, they need to be groomed but you could not ask for better dogs for a family. They will adapt to most any environment and if kept short, will require little maint. over a month's time. Once a month to a good groomer will be all that you'll need! Greatest dogs ever! No shedding, allergies or temperment problems...easily trained and they aim to please!

Answer 9

a collie mix would be ideal. they are incredibly intellegent, very loyal and love kids. They tend to treat kids as thier responsiblity and take care of them. My collie mix would not let the kids cross the road if there was a car coming- I hear that's normal for them. They are not to big, they are easy care (though depending on the mix some grooming may be required). I hope this helps you. By the way, we have some of the same standards in our community and we have a collie mix.

Answer 10

its too bad that you dont want a lab..in my experience they are the most lovable mild tempered dogs ive ever known. the kids can climb on and over this big dumb dog and play rough with him without hurting him...in contrast i also have a 3 month old male yorkie and its working out very well...it follows me around and so far has been easy to train...it doesnt bark unless it needs something..and is also well tempered...as for cats...he doesnt bother my cat at all because hes smaller than it....but the cat does sometimes go after him...also, all dogs tend to wander...the best thing you can do for that is to neuter it