What kind of dog would you recommend?

Question

We have never owned a dog before so we need something fairly easy to care for. We have a ferret and a cat so it must be okay with animals. My brother is only four so it must be okay with children. My sister is a little bit allergic so we would prefer if it didn't shed much. And we would also prefer something a little bit smaller but thats optional. Can you help me find a puppy breed?

We wanted a kiniature pinscher but seeing as its a rodent chaser and we have a ferret, that was out of the question.

Answer 1

honestly, it sounds like you shouldn't have one right now. all dog temperments are different. one might be ok with other pets, etc, and one might not. as far as the allergies go, ALL dogs shed. it's the dander that people are allergic to, not the shedding. poodles are one of the few dogs that have hair, not fur, and are ok for people with allergies. BUT, you never know how they will react with a 4 year old, etc.

if the animal was abused, etc, it might not like ANY children, animals, etc.
take it from me, i have a mini-dach, and have never owned a dog before. he takes A LOT of caring! it costs a lot to raise a dog. money for vet, food, toys, meds, etc will all add up. puppies especially. who is going to feed it, walk it 6-7 times a day while it's potty-training, stay up with it at night, train it, etc? is someone home all the time? puppies can't be left alone for long periods of time.

i suggest that you and your parents think long and hard about it. i love mine with all my heart, but he takes a lot of work and money.

Answer 2

There are many things to consider when you begin the process of choosing a new dog to adopt into your pack. The most vital question -- what's my energy level, and is the new dog's energy level truly compatible with mine?
To help you make an informed selection, I've compiled some tips to help you answer this and other important questions.

Make an honest assessment of your personal energy level and lifestyle. This is key. Are you the sort of person who wakes up at 6 AM, goes for a run, and then gets straight to work? Or do you take a more relaxed approach to life? Be sure you take time to honestly reflect.
Do your research! Once you've identified your personal style, look for a dog with a similar energy level. Someone who enjoys hiking might do well with a larger, high-energy breed, whereas someone who prefers a leisurely stroll might be better matched with a calmer dog. With Internet resources, the information is right at your fingertips! Still, breed isn't everything. Every dog is born with its own energy level -- very high, high, medium, or low. Spend enough time with the dog you're thinking of adopting to observe its natural energy level.
Consider the source. It's a noble thing to select a dog from a rescue center, but keep in mind that many rescued or abandoned dogs are higher-energy dogs with issues. Someone who's unsure of themselves, who's never owned a dog before, or who has a laid-back, low-energy lifestyle might do better selecting a compatible dog from another source.
Take your time! Many people when choosing a dog simply visit a kennel, pet store, or rescue center and adopt the "cutest" dog on the spot. They make the choice using emotions alone, failing to consider the frustration that can come from an energy disparity between dog and human. This is a big decision, both for you and for the dog you will eventually adopt. Remember, the more times an adopted dog is returned to a shelter by owners who can't handle it, the more likely it is to eventually be destroyed. This sad fact makes your careful decision all the more important.
With these things in mind, I hope you'll be better prepared to form a powerful and healthy bond between yourself and your prospective companion. I'll leave you, as always, with a helpful Dog Behavior tip: dogs use constant energy to communicate

Answer 3

First of all- ignore tanya a. She is extremely wrong about mixed breeds- I would never buy from someone who purposefully breeds them but adopting one is a whole different story. My beagle mix was adopted a 1 year. He had been neglected, left outside with no food or water, then relinquished to animal control.

He is an amazing dog- and he did not deserve any of that treatment or the month he spent in the animal shelter. He is housebroken, listens to me fairly well for someone in his late-puppy stages. He is adorable and 21lb fully grown.

I know you want a little dog- but I think about 20lb is the littlest you should go. (mine is 21lb and still a lap dog- I can still carry him when I want to etc). With your brother being younger he might drop the puppy or pull it to hard etc- with the little ones that could mean broken bones, expensive surgery etc. I would also recommend adopting (try petfinder.com) and getting a 1-2 year old dog. They have the energy of a puppy but aren't as needy. They may also be housbroken at that age- and it's hard to housebreak a dog when you've got school work etc. Every month old the puppy is +1 is how often they'll need to go out. So a 8 week/2 month old needs to go every 3 hours. My dog gets let out every 4 hours most days, but once I had to leave him 9.5 hours and he was okay.

I don't think any dog can be trusted with a ferret. Does it stay in someone's room? Could you just keep the door closed at all times?

Minipins can be a bit hyper especially as pups- I wouldn't really recommend one. Someone else recommended dachshunds but you really have to be careful with their backs.Goldens, Labs, big dogs are always great. I would be really careful getting a poodle mix- the labradoodle for example. They are often bred by irresponsible people. If you find a poodle mix at the shelter then great. Also you never know if their hair will be more poodle or lab- so they are not hypoallergenic as they brag.

Overall, I am very happy with my beagle mix and would recommend one to anyone. He is GREAT with kids- I would have no problem leaving him alone with a 4 year old. He loves cats. But would definitely try to chase your ferret- but that's pretty much any dog's nature. Beagles are great family dogs, small but sturdy, the can bark alot if not well-trained- but mine's not bad. Goodluck :)

Answer 4

Norwegian Elk hounds are fun. They are a medium sized dog with plenty of hair, grey and black and white, with pointy ears, (very fuzzy) and are a household dog. Additionally they are fairly adorable. The cutest puppies ever for my part! Only crisis is that they shed particularly slightly and are tougher to seek out. Yet another good breed is the duck hound. They're also lovable and have golden longish fur and lovely snouts. They're just a little shorter than the elk hound. They are a bit of extra calm that some puppies. Both breeds are open to taking walks and runs. (also, if you happen to get a gold retriever, be certain to teach them early, but i guess that goes with all puppies particularly. Retrievers can get jumpy and hyperactive if no longer trained early sufficient. ) or you could purchase a canine e-book with fairly just right descriptions of the puppies and in finding the dog that fits you and your persona. Just right success with the canine searching and i hope this helps!

Answer 5

Ok with all the things you said it must be... i believe that a cavajion is for you. This dog is a mix between a cavalier king charles spaniel and a bijon. My neighbor has one and already it has made friends with the guinea pigs (which solves the rodents) the other dog (solves the animals) and does not shed at all. From expierence with this dog i know it does not shed at ALL. I hope i help and have fun.

Answer 6

Go to the local animal shelter and see what kind of dogs are there. You do have some very specific needs for a dog.

I really don't recommend most smaller dogs around 4-year-old children, because the children can get excitable. And most small dogs simply aren't made for that kind of rough-housing.

Now, you might consider a greyhound: Those are short-haired dogs that do need room to run. My nephew has one who was raised around cats, and she's very gentle for all that she likes to play. I don't notice her shedding much, when I go to visit.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Labradoodle (labrador cross standard poodle)

There are very much a family dog, getting along with children and other animals if introduced to them as a puppy. This breed is exceptionally good for anybody from severe to minor allergies to fur or animals as for one they do not ched much as long as are groomed (brushed) regularly (every couple of days) and they are just specially breed for people with allergys. They are the same size as a labrador with slightley curly and longer hair. They are the easiest breed to look after. However whatever breed you decide to get makesure it is from a reputable breeder with the puppy having full paper work.

Answer 8

A poodle sounds like a good dog for you all.
They are good with kids, problem is they do have the high mantanaince hair.
if no one had any allergies I would say go for a Golden retriever as they are the best kid friendly and pet friendly dogs out there and you cant go wrong with them.
Im slightly allergic to dog hair myself but I have no problems with my Goldens,
and I never have to worry that they will bite my young kids.
whichever breed you choose please do a research on that breed first.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/children.htm

Answer 9

Norwegian Elk hounds are exciting. they're a medium sized canine with a super number of hair, gray and black and white, with pointy ears, (very fuzzy) and are a relatives canine. additionally they are incredibly attractive. The cutest doggies ever in my view! in simple terms situation is they shed lots and are greater durable to locate. yet another stable breed is the duck hound. they're additionally cute and function golden longish fur and attractive snouts. they're a sprint shorter than the elk hound. they are somewhat greater calm that some canine. the two breeds are open to strolling and runs. (additionally, in case you get a gold retriever, be valuable to coach them early, yet i assume that is going with all canine incredibly. Retrievers can get jumpy and hyperactive if no longer knowledgeable early sufficient. ) or you ought to purchase a canine e book with incredibly stable descriptions of the canine and locate the canine that suits you and your character. stable success with the canine finding and that i'm hoping this enables!

Answer 10

You don't say anything about cost being an issue, so I would recommend a labradoodle. It's a lab poodle mix. So, if you get one from a breeder, it should have the temperment of a lab (friendly, good with kids), but not shed like a poodle. You should be able to exercise it fairly easy by playing catch, but you will have to get it groomed every once in a while.