i want to get a puppy...but not sure what kind...have 2 cats already who rule the house...?

Question

i want a small-medium puppy...one that is small enough to be allowed to stay inside but not something that is going to require a lot of "maintenance". I have a couple of cats already who rule the house and are bigger than some small dogs (one is 15 lbs and the other is 12 lbs - both about 1 1/2 years old...) so I want a puppy that will actually get to be a little bigger than these 2 but not something that will be very "noisy" either...any suggestions for me? my husband gets back in about a month and i wanted to get it for him as a surprise...THANKS!!!

guess i should clarify a couple of things...
-the "noisy" thing...i can deal with a barker...but not a yapper...as in a little bitty thing that has a high pitched bark...i grew up with bigger dogs (boxers, pit bulls, white english, - pretty much all bulldogs - labs, chows) but since it would be inside with us a lot i'm wanting something small enough to NOT destroy the house
-low maintenance...i'm not looking for a "foo-foo" dog...i don't want something with really long hair that i would have to constantly brush

and yes, we are military...Thank you for your kind words : )

oh, and we both want a puppy...we are having Christmas and his birthday right after he gets back...so i'm on the look-out for a puppy for us...

Answer 1

Go to this link: http://www.petnet.com.au/selectadog.html
and fill out the questionnaire. It might help narrow your choices. We've always had cats and dogs and they have always become friends. We just recently lost our doggie companion of 12 years and are getting ready to adopt a lab pup. The cats will not be amused, but they'll adapt! As long as YOU adapt, your companions will follow. Don't expect it to be love at first sight, though. Any relationship takes time and effort, and this will be no exception. Good luck! Also, you said your husband gets back in a month -- is he in the military? If so, please tell him I said "Thank you for your service!" You might not want to choose a pet as a gift. It is an important family decision, because whatever pet you choose may be with you for up to 15 years! I suggest waiting and choosing a family dog together to ensure total satisfaction.

Answer 2

You haven't said anything about your lifestyle, your activity level, your home, etc. So, the answers you are going to get will be random guesses - be sure that you thoroughly research ANY advice given. The AKC website is a great place to start as they usually have breed flyers and links to the home breed clubs.

Also, don't forget to check your local shelters and rescue groups. Since you aren't sure what you want, there's no need for a purebred dog. Puppies come into shelters year round and 'older' puppies are also typically available.

As far as low 'maintenance' dogs, there is no such thing. A dog should not be acquired if you don't want to maintain it. This means not leaving it regularly for more than 5 hours. This means constant training. This means cleaning up after it. This means always being able to financially care for it, and $1000 emergencies.

As far as "noisy", dogs bark. If this is a concern, then you should wait to get a dog. Sure, some dogs like Basenjis don't "bark", but they do make noise. And many many small-medium dogs bark A LOT.

Let me reiterate: ******It's also not a great idea to get a pet as a 'surprise'. When your husband returns from wherever he is, let him help you pick one out. No reputable breeder would sell a pet as a 'surprise' for an adult. A good breeder wants to meet the entire family and get a feel for the home. Anyone who doesn't care that the pup is a surprise should be run from, as fast as possible. ******

I can't promise that the cats will adapt. Some tolerate cat friendly dogs, others won't. You don't want to overstress your cats or put them in any danger. If your cats are dog friendly, then you have to make sure to get a breed that typically has a low prey drive. Something like a Whippet or Saluki could be a horrible match as they are both sighthouds - dogs bred to hunt and chase small furry animals. Take this into SERIOUS consideration and thoroughly research the prey drive of ANY animal you want.

In short, wait until your husband returns and then pick out a dog together. Be sure you are ready to make a possible 15 year committment to the dog and do as much research as humanly possible. Good luck to you both. : )

Here are a few great links to help you out:

http://www.petfinder.com

http://dogplay.com/GettingDog/index.html

http://dogplay.com/GettingDog/checklist.html

http://www.pbrc.net/breeding3.html

Good luck to you.

Answer 3

First, I would go over this with your husband, its terrible to see dogs placed into a home and then returned. Unless you are SURE he wants a dog, don't get it.

Now if your sure:
Don't go with any prey driven dog such as a husky (husky breeds) and etc. I would recommend going to the local human society. (They have amazing dogs there that are wishing for a home.)

I would stay away from yippers like pappillions, mini. pins (they might be ok) and etc.

I would also shy from herding groups (welsh corgis, and etc.) They may herd your kittens and from what I can tell... they wont like that.

I would also suggest the english bull dog.
*Although the English Bulldogs appearance can be somewhat intimidating, it is among the gentlest of dogs. Just the same it will see off any intruder, and few would risk a close encounter with a dog brave enough to bait a bull. It is described as a very affectionate and dependable animal, gentle with children, but known for its courage and its excellent guarding abilities. Bulldogs are very much a peoples dog seeking out human attention and loving every bit it can get!! A lot of human attention is required for the breed's happiness.This breed is good with family pets, but some can be scrappy with strange dogs. When Bulldogs are young, they are full of energy, but slow down as they get older. They snore very loudly, and most have drool and slobber tendencies.
*The English Bulldog is good for apartment life. They are very inactive indoors and will do okay without a yard. This breed is an indoor dog. Bulldogs do best in temperate climates as the breed can chill easily in cold weather and have trouble cooling off in very hot weather.

The Shih-Tzu is also a good match:
*The Shih-Tzu is an alert and spunky little dog. Happy and hardy, endowed with loads of character. They are royally dignified, courageous and sometimes arrogant. This breed does well with polite, careful children. The gentle loyal Shih-Tzu makes friends easily and although obstinate can respond well to consistent patient training. A very alert watch dog, the Shih-Tzu likes to bark, but is usually quiet inside the house. They are stubborn and clever. Shihs can get snappish if they are surprised or peeved. Playful and lively, this affectionate little dog needs to be with people and are generally good with other pets. Some can be difficult to housebreak

To be honest with you, it is going to be hard work to find a smaller breed dog that wont bark. I wish you the best of luck!
Tierney

Answer 4

Great irony in that question. There are days that I look at my two and all I can see is open mouths and a stack of vet bills. Luckily they sense this and do something cute immediately. I think you got lucky with the toilet training, because cats aren't usually very motivated to do anything that YOU want them to. The only human words my cats have ever understood have to do with their food dishes and the door. "Out?" and "Eat?" are the extent of their vocabularies. I did have other cats, who have since gone to that great mouse-filled meadow in the sky, that knew the words "snackies, toy, treat, dinner and come on". Of the five extra words, three were about food again. I think to get satisfaction from your $700.00 cats you will have to be content with letting everyone know how much you paid for them and that you can afford to keep them in style. What are they paying you for rent? And what's the currency? We get about a half a mouse every two days. I haven't figured out how to turn that into cash yet. Maybe I could sell home-made mouse flambe.

Answer 5

Boston Terrier. Mine is great. Small enough to bring with but big enough your not afraid to break it. Gets along really well with my cat her brother. The cat is 8 years old so pretty much used to being an only child. Never barks. Rarely if we are playing. I wouldn't worry about the cats too much. They have claws and the puppy or dog will learn pretty quick.

Answer 6

English Bulldog. Very laid back, becomes very much family, will rule the cats without them knowing they are ruled.

Answer 7

We have a 6 month old cocker spanield for sale....and we have 4 cats at home and h just sleeps with them even lets them have his food he is very good with cats email me at [e-mail] for pictures

Answer 8

you have to get a Shih Tzu.. omg they are the cutest little dogs ever. i have one and she is eight years old. when they reach about one year old they are done growing. they don't get very big and stay small. i love my dog and she is so adorable. we by her sweaters and she is the best dog ever.

Answer 9

Maybe a shiba inu, dashhound, Australian terrier.