boyfriend wants a small dog(5-15lbs), I want a med/lar dog(40-60lbs) which is better?

Question

We live in a small 2 bedroom house. it does have a fenced yard about 1/2 an acre but 3/4 is cement. Im currently 7 months Prego and my dog a Pit bull (that he wouldnt let live with us and was at my parents house) died 2 days before xmas. Now i want a dog so bad i dream about having one. I want a med/large dog like the one i had before not necisarily a pit bull (not a lab or retriever tho). He REFUSES! He will only let me have a Tiny/small sized dog like a chihuahua, says they dont make as big of a mess and it would be safer around the baby. Whats your opinon?

We live in a small 2 bedroom house. it does have a fenced yard about 1/2 an acre but 3/4 is cement. Im currently 7 months Prego and my dog a Pit bull (that he wouldnt let live with us and was at my parents house) died 2 days before xmas. Now i want a dog so bad i dream about having one. I want a med/large dog like the one i had before not necisarily a pit bull (not a lab or retriever tho). He REFUSES! He will only let me have a Tiny/small sized dog like a chihuahua, says they dont make as big of a mess and it would be safer around the baby. Whats your opinon and Why?

oops I just ment *Why?*

Answer 1

Smaller dogs would fit more comfortably into a smaller household and as you said a limited amount of space is required. Find a comprimise though. Get something inbetween that a child can play with and not hurt but won't be viscious when he/she prods it.

Answer 2

I have 5 children and 3 dogs. My dogs range in sizes from Chihuahua to Pit Bull. You need to think of your animal as another child. Esp if it is a puppy. Look into the different breeds of dogs and find which kind will not need a large area in the house and will not be an aggressor. Some dogs can not handle sharing there time with the new baby or other children. You will not want a dog that needs to have more attention then the children. Yorkie are a good small dog, yet protective over a child, that do not require alot of space. A Basset Hound is a lovable dog and usually does not snap at children when crawled or pulled on. Chihuahuas can be very snappy and temper mental. This is not good with small children that want to play and pull and tug on things. Also getting a dog of the opposite sex of the child helps the bonding process.

Answer 3

Around a baby any dog can be dangerous, regardless of size. A small dog can still lay on the baby's face and suffocate it, or bite off fingers, etc... So the best thing to do, in my opinion, is to research temperments and dispositions and choose a dog well known for doing well with children.

You also have to consider that the baby will only be a baby for a little more than a year. After that, the dog becomes a toy. Pulling tails, ears, lips, etc...these are fun things to toddlers. A big dog is better able to handle the abuse without aggression. A small dog will likely attack the child in self defense.

My personal pick would be a medium to large dog, known to do well with kids, with an easy going disposition. That is, sadly, the one you said you didn;t want. A Lab.

I have young kids and a Dobermann. I have to settle him down sometimes cuz he likes to play a lot. But one thing is assured. No one will, in any manner, harm my kids while that dog is around. Food for thought...

Answer 4

I think you need to wait till you have your child. Sometimes that can be enough to handle. And then when you are comfortable with the overwhelming responsibility of parenting, get a dog.

Compromise and better yet, let your child grow past the "wobbly" point and then as a toddler your child can pick the dog. If you get a med/lg sized dog now, I think it will be a bad idea. I know its not what you want to hear but having a child is an extreme life stressor, why do you want to add fuel to the fire?

Answer 5

Your living arrangements sound like a smaller dog would be more appropriate, especially with a baby on the way. Look at different types of dogs that may not be quite as small as a chihuahua, but not as large as your pit. Sorry for the loss of your pet. Best wishes.

Answer 6

If you have a well trained dog I don't think it matters big or small. Some small dogs are not good around small children though, just because some like an Italian Greyhound have legs that break easy and toddlers do not understand sometimes how to be extra gentle. Bigger dogs do have bigger messes to clean in the yard !

Answer 7

Both are great and you have enough room for either. Who will clean up? Do you want companionship or protection? Do you want a dog good for the kid? You will need to resolve these questions. Some little dogs can be snippy around kids. If you like the terrier personality of the Pit try a Cairn a smaller dog with big attitude.

http://www.cairnterrier.org/meet/

Answer 8

Not a chihuahua. They arent good with children sometimes. I would go with a mellow 10-15 pound dog like a Shitzu or Bishon. Definitely NOT a big dog that could kill your child easily if it wanted to. Big dogs are not happy ibn small houses or apts and they arent happy in small yards. Big dogs are work dogsthat jneed A LOT Of exercise and open spaces. Dont be cruel by cooping a big dog in a small house/yard.

Answer 9

Chihuahua's aren't that great around babies. Keep in mind too that the dog will get very confused around the baby., He will just be settling in and then a nother big change will come around. I recommend waiting until after the baby is born.

My dog (Retriever) has the best temperment in the world and still acted funny with our new baby.

Answer 10

I have a small maltese puppy and is oh so cute. I would prefer a small dog because it is just so sweet, big dogs are sweet too, but do not get as much attention because they are always outside. I prefer getting a small toy dog and taking care of it inside using wee wee pads. ( small dogs have sharp teeth ) make sure you train them around the house or you can't take care of it. If you take home a puppy, it will start teething so it will bite, please understand that, so you can buy it a little toy he can play with.