for dog owners and experts: should i get big dog or little dog?

Question

my family and i are having a debate on whether we should get a large dog or small dog.
we are considering border collies for big and boston terriers for small dog.
i have 3 sisters and 2 little brothers, 3 and 6.
they are energetic and need a dog that can tolerate them.
my mom is all in for the boston terrier because
1.) they shed less
2.) they are less expensive to take care of.
i really need help!
i am really partial to the big dog.
and also...
do you see a lot of big families with small dogs?
i dont really.
i see a lot of large families with big dogs, do you?
i know big dogs might be less expensive,
but does it matter if the dog you want is the love of your life?
please help!
thanx!

Answer 1

Smaller dogs can be very nice pets, but are usually too delicate for small children to handle. They can get hurt easily, and may bite young children. Boston Terriers have a lot of energy and usually are more difficult to train. Border Collies are very nice dogs, but they are extremely smart and have extraordinarily high energy levels....this does not make them the best family pets. I would go for a medium-sized dog, perhaps a spaniel, retriever, or poodle mix. Check your local shelters for some really great options! Good luck!

Answer 2

By less expensive I hope you only mean to feed-Boston Terriers have heridity issues and all dogs can have medical issues come up so figure a vet for any dog will run you $500-$750 a year (that is shots, flea drops, heart worm pills, etc). And all dogs shed-some short haired dogs shed more! It depends on the type of coat not so much the hair length (but it will shed less than a BC). A good quality food and a fish oil or cod liver oil pill can help reduce shedding. But either way, daily brushing is your best weapon. And a good vacume.

It seems like you really want a BC. Do you know what that entails? BC are very high energy, most have something to do at all times, they are herding dogs so they will herd the family if bored (and that can mean a nip to the heel to move you). I would say that unless you are very commited to training and working with the dog to avoid a problem, a BC may not be the right dog for you. Also, a BC to most folks is a mid size dog as is the BT. Maybe, as a family, set down and look at the AKC webiste. Look at breeds, see what they were used for and the breed standards for size. I think you will see that there are many mid size dogs that are great for families.

Answer 3

I would definitely NOT recommend a border collie unless it was an older dog that had been evaluated by border collie experts and determined that it has a 'companion' level of energy. Places like this http://www.mwbcr.org/ evaluate a dog and can place it in a household appropriate for it's energy level. Regardless of how 'energetic' you feel your household is, this would generally only make a border collie insane. They need real solid work for several hours every day and are often noise sensitive so busy households are generally not a good idea. They have been bred to work all day long using their minds and bodies. Almost all families in america today do not provide the type of outlet these dogs need to get out the serious energy and drive these dogs have.
Border collies are also not a good idea for smaller kids in the house.
For households with children I prefer a larger dog (better if obtained as an adult rather than a puppy) because children can hurt small dogs without meaning to do so.
I would choose a lab or golden retriever for a big household. They are friendly, outgoing, energetic and ready for fun.
I would recommend getting an adult dog from petfinder.com to give a homeless dog a new life.

Answer 4

Due to the age of the your sisters and brothers i would advise a Border Collie because they are well behaved dogs and are very patient. They will be good with children and are less likely to snap like the Boston Terrier.
They do shed a little hair which is something you will always have to live with living with a dog. They do need a lot of exercise and attention when young to entertain them. But i would advise a bigger dog if you have the space and time.
I prefer a big dog which is what i have in my family, but both will love you and be loyal to the family.
Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Follow these ideas:

1) If you have a big backyard then I would get a Border-Collie.
2)If you have a small backyard then get the Boston-Terrier

I'm a dog expert I know all the dog breeds and I read all the Dog Care books.

Answer 6

NUMBER ONE: DON'T BUY, ADOPT!
boston terrier to border collie...that's a wildly big jump. You should contact a rescue and they will help you pick a dog you want. If you go to a breeder or a store, you are killing several pooches at a shelter.
Seriously, a rescue and shelter will be able to help you make an informed decision about a dog, they will also encourage a couple of 'play dates' to make sure your family and the pooch get a long.

Answer 7

It really depends on the your wants. Take a vote with the family. I had a little Pom. for 13 yrs and she was the best. She died from heart failure which they are prone to heart murmurs. Poms can be very temper mental and little yappers. I was very lucky with her though, she never barked and was the sweetest little dog to everybody. I now have a sheltie which is in the border collie family.She is a medium size dog. She is extremely loyal, big barker and demands lots of exercise. I do not believe that a big dog would be less expensive. They can all be costly since they need shots, proper food and grooming. I truly love the sheltie/collie breeds. They are a medium size dog and the best companions ever. Just keep in mind with whatever breed you choose that they are like our children and need lots of love and attention. Good luck!!

Answer 8

Go with the border collie! It'll have more energy for the boys and will be a great family pet!

And short haired dogs DO shed just as much as long haired dogs, so I wouldn't pick the boston for that reason.

Answer 9

I would start the potty training immediately. Really dogs do seem to suffer a great deal of pain after being spayed. I foster rescue dogs, and most do not seem to realize anything was done. The need to be kept calm, dry, and quiet for 7-10 days after surgery. The can begin potty training, and doing some basic obedience after a few days post op.

Answer 10

Instead of focusing on specific breeds, focus more on behavioral characteristics, personality, and time commitment that you're looking for.

Sit down with your entire family and make three lists:

1. Make up a list of requirements for the dog - behavior, temperament, space requirements, activity level, grooming time, training level, etc.

2. Make up a list of nice-to-haves - for me, this was gender and color among other things.

3. Make up a list of things you absolutely do not want.

Take all three of these lists to the local shelter and/or rescue and meet with an adoption coordinator to discuss what you want from a canine companion. Let the adoption coordinator pick several dogs that match your "ideal dog" template. Play with and socialize with them all, and let your heart choose the right one.