Since we have so many pet lovers in the forum, I thought it would be a good idea to ask you all what sort of dog you would recommend. We just lost our second hamster. "Fluffy" jumped to his death the night before last off our balcony (landing on the wooden floor below). My youngest forgot to latch the cage and he escaped. The first hamster suffocated on his own bedding. I'm ready for a pet with a little more substantial intelligence (or maybe the fact that our pets keep committing suicide is a sign?). The kids are pretty upset about the hamster (my nine year old discovered him first, on the floor).

I think it's time for a dog. Should I rescue a mutt, or is there some sort of pure-bread that is particularly good with kids? I have young boys...the oldest is nine, the youngest six. I don't want the dog to be too big (we move a lot) or a heavy shedder. Any suggestions on what to look for? Thanks, all!

I am having the same questions proposed to me by my kids- we have a big dog- but, he really only listens to me- though he loves the kids- he just isn't the kind that can sit in thier laps. Well he could, if you count my lap and both of thiers.

IT is very hard to find a small dog at the pound. They go fast. I suggest that way anyway- pure breed small dogs have some serious genetic issues sometimes- it is now hard to find a cocker spanial without the rage issues, and on and on. Way too many puppy mills produced those dogs for too long, so long, that even the best breeders end up with those puppy mill dogs in thier line ups, and all the hassles that come with them, not to mention the fact that they are EXPENSIVE crapshoots too- you can get a bad dog from a reputable dealer very easily now, and if you have to have it put down or give it back- it is pretty hard on your kids.

Another thing that is going down these days might interest you, and they seem to have less health problems, though still a bit expensive- the "designer" breeds. The Jack-Russel/bull terrier, the Jack-russell/American Pit (I have some friends with these, they are very popular here, and they are sweet, loving dogs, with some of the hyper removed- and they are small- I know it says "pit" in the name- but they have nearly nothing in common with them, even in the looks department)

I have another friend with a very cool dog- a "puggle"- a cross between a beagle and a pug. Not as run-away crazy or dig crazy as the beagle, and none of the sinus problems of the pugs. Great dog, very smart, very loving to the kids. Perfect family dog from my observations.

Then, there is the best family dog of all time- but bigger. The Golden retriever or chocolate/Golden labs. If you get a pure breed from a working dog kennel, they usually have almost unusually healthy and smart dogs, due to what they are used for- hunting. Got to get them as puppies, once they bond with the kids and you, they are the best dogs on the planets- that is why they are so frequently "helper" dogs for the disabled. They are just super-tuned into thier families needs.

Mix breeds seem to have fewer genetic and chronic medical issues, which saves emotional and monetary problems down the road. If you are set on a pure-bred dog, I would suggest a minuture schnauzer. About 20 pounds adult weight, very little to no shedding and a great personality. I don't know how well they do around small children, so that would be one of the reasons to either get a puppy and raise the puppy around the children, or visit the dog before adopting with the entire family to gauge how the dog, and the kids will interact. I think more than one visit would be appropriate.

Like I said, mix breeds seem to have fewer medical issues and many times will have a better temperment. I personally have three dogs, one a pure bred Lab. He and I are the best of friends, and he has done very well around small children. Our Lab/Husky mix is very tolerant as well, but if he gets cranky, he can snip, which leads to other problems, but he is getting kind of old, so that has a lot to do with his temperment. Our third dog is a Jack Russel/Rat Terrier mix. He has a lot of fun with small children, but he is a handful. All three of these dogs shed more than what you sound like you would like.

Adopting from an animal shelter is the best way to get a dog, in my opinion. There will always be someone to buy from a breeder or a pet store, but the ones at the shelter don't always get the opportunity to find a good home. I think dogs know when they have been adopted that they are getting a better life, at least it seems they do.

I've had a big lab-mix mutt (pound), a long-haired Chihuahua (found), a Jack Russell (bought from a breeder) and a rat terrier/Jack mix (we think) (found). All good dogs, all different. The big dog just buried us in hair, and we won't go through that again. The Chihuahua was very clean, loving, and more durable than you would think - but was a little nippy with young children. (Their eyes stick out a little, and kids are fascinated by that.) Plus, they usually latch onto one person. The Jack has been fantastic. Loves kids, playful, even tempered, clean, and has lasted 14 years and counting. It's a wire-hair, so she gets a regular haircut, and the fur is soft underneath. The rat terrier mix is a good dog, too, but still young enough to be a handful. I wouldn't suggest a Jack or a RT if there are any squirrels visible from your windows, because the barking can be a problem. Plus, if they get loose, they will follow that squirrel anywhere, any distance....

One nice thing about Jacks - the breed hasn't been around too long, so there aren't many breed-specific problems yet. They have some minor knee issues, but it's nothing we have had to address, just a slight annoyance for the dog. With the lab mix, we had some hip dysplasia, plus he tore knee ligaments (very common), which cost us a few thousand. The Chihuahua had some dental problems late in life (common for them) and needed some teeth pulled.

If hair is a big issue, people seem to love their poodle mixes, because they hold onto their hair real well. My neighbor had a schnoodle (schnauzer-poodle), and that was a great dog - and you never saw a loose hair in her house.

I have gotten very used to having a little dog in my lap as soon as I sit down. I'd go out and get another Jack tomorrow, if my wife wasn't so good at collecting strays. But you probably won't find them at the pound. Good luck whatever you decide. And may I also recommend the Hoover Steam Vac to go with your new puppy?

I had to chuckle at this. My JR/RT is the energizer bunny. If he is in the back yard, and sees a squirrle in a tree, he will bark at that tree, even if the squirrle sneaks off. He would stand there and bark until the squirrle came down if I allowed it. He also has gotten out of the yard a few times and he only runs uphill. I have yet to chase after him downhill! You are right, he would run until he collapsed if we allowed it. He is, afterall, the energizer bunny! This is one dog that definately needs regular excersize of you value your sanity at all.

First I think you need counseling to get you past the grief and guilt you clearly feel about your pets decision to end their lives rather than live with you

A rescue dog is a good way to go plus if it commits suicide you can always blame his prior home!

We have a dog named Jack. Jack is a Pointer/Dalmatian mix so he's stupid as a rock and hyper as and ADD kid on NyQuil. He's also a great dog. My daughter is 3 and she can take food from his bowl while he's eating, ride him, pull his tail and then push her forearm down his throat to "feed" him and Jack won't so much as whimper. When she and my son were outside and some deer showed up Jack scared the deer off coming back with a tuft of hair in his mouth. He wasn't having any of that.

The key to any dog that isn't just a "bad" breed is to be with the dog. Rules, rules, rules. You start the dog off in a small pen and increase the area as the dog behaves better and better. You are basically raising a child, just at a greatly accelerated pace (and no diapers.) You have to put in the time with the dog. As long as you have the time to spend with the dog you should be OK. Otherwise seriously consider a cat. They don't really need or want your time. They want your food and your scritches.

Worst case scenario is you could play The Cure and leave Susan Sontag poems around the house and hope the dog gets the hint like the hamsters did.

I'd suggest that you spend a little time thinking about what characteristics you want in a dog. What you have here is a good start, but I think you need a few more factors to consider. Two primary things to consider are how active a dog you want, and second (related) is whether it will be inside all the time, or out in the yard. Different breeds have different personalities, and a little research should help you find one that matches your families.

For the kids, I have found that most dogs, if well socialized, are good with kids. Bigger dogs tend to be better--I think they have more of the 'pack' mentality, and generally treat your kids accordingly. We have had dogs that were just getting abused by the children of the family (pulling on ears, kicking, biting)...that wouldn't even growl back--they would just try to extricate themselves from the situation. Little dogs tend to be more defensive, IMHO, and are more likely to bite back. Statistics back this up...you are more likely to be bitten by one of the little yapper dogs than you are any of the dogs generally portrayed as 'vicious'--in fact, the lists are almost upside down from what you would think.

As to mutts vs. pure-breds, we have always had mutts or strays, and have had excellent luck. Mixed breeds tend to have fewer health issues, but any dog from the pound is also more likely to come with its own set of issues to start off with (fleas, kennel cough, etc). We got a new dog last year from the pound, and she's an absoute joy, but I spent as much curing her of these things as I would have on getting a pure bred from an established kennel where none of these issues would have occurred. If you do go the pound route, you can tell a lot by observing the dogs for a while. If they're yapping a lot there, expect that to continue. If they are submissive and don't stand up for themselves then...they'll probably be 'cowed' their whole life. We got the dog we did because of what we observed from watching her...she wasn't yapping all the time, but she wasn't just sitting in a corner either. She was smaller than the other dogs, and they tried to push her around, but after a while she stood up and let them know she wasn't going to take it anymore. Also, when we were playing with her, she would nip a bit at us, but never bite (nipping is normal play for cats or dogs), and when we told her to stop, she did. So, she seemed intelligent and obedient...which is how she turned out to be. It didn't hurt that she was cute as heck, too!

First of all I'm very sorry about the loss of your hamster! One of my good friend's hamsters just died too. But she has a dog which I'm totally in love with! Her dog is a Cavalier- which is similar to the English Springer Spaniel. They are about medium sized and great with traveling. My advice is to get it as a puppy, so that you can train it and it adapts well. My friend takes her dog to agility lessons, in which her dog excells in. They are a very polite breed- if you will, but they know how to have fun! They're also adorable. I think you and your family would really enjoy one.

Sorry to hear about your loss, Mrs. P.

My wife and I find ourselves contemplating a similar question, albeit with a little lead time. Our Brittany Spaniel was just diagnosed with cancer, so the clock is ticking. While she is a good dog, it was inevitable for us to think about what dog we might get once she passes. Basically we've narrowed it down to likely rescuing one from the shelter, but trying to get a breed a little smaller than a spaniel. Our other dog is a beagle/basset mix and has the perfect temperament and size (for us).

If you're willing to rescue a mutt from the shelter, I think that's awesome. Mutt's often make fantastic dogs. If you have a shelter that lets you test interactions with your other animals, that can help a ton in avoiding future problems.

Good luck!

Sorry about the loss of your hamster. I had a hermit crab with the same suicidal problems once.

I am a big believer in rescuing dogs, whether it's from the pound or a purebred rescue. Yes you usually only find mixed breeds at the pound but as has been said, mixed breeds are often much healthier than purebreds who have been bred less for overall health and more for a particular trait or conformation.

I have a rescued greyhound at home and for us, she is the perfect dog. My DH wanted a dog that wouldn't shed, smell, bark or was too big. I wanted... a dog. Any dog. Someone fun. Someone not too high-maintenance. Someone a bit peculiar looking. We initially thought of whippets as that was more in our size range but the wait for a rescued whippet is quite long. And they are more energtic than I really want to be. Enter the greyhound. We got a girl and a smaller one at that. She gets crazy and zooms around the hosue for about 10 min a day; alternatively w take her to the dogpark or beach where she runs for about 10 min. She lazes around the couch the rest of the day. Very mellow. Very passive. very good with kids above a toddler age (I have no epxerience with toddlers so can';t comment on that). She mostly wants to be at home with her family and that's about it.

Most greyhound rescue groups will interview you and your family about what you want in a dog and will try to place the right dog in your home. Because these dogs have been working for a while, ther trainers/handlers have a good idea about personality and such. Some groups are better than others. If you, or anyone here, ever decides a greyhound might be the right breed for you, I can get you in touch with the right folks.

ETA: My first dog was a husky we got at about age 3 (his age) b/c his owner had to move. I was about 14 at the time; my sister was 10. He wa an absolute doll with us, even when we tried to aggravate him. Our second dog was a corgi, whom we had since a puppy. He was unique and intelligent and a real *** NOTICE: THIS WORD IS AGAINST THE RULES. FAILURE TO REMOVE IT WILL RESULT IN A STRIKE. ***-starter. We all loved him to death but he would not be a good dog for a family with small kids. MY experience has been that smaller dogs tend to pick fights with young kids because they are continually testing pack dynamics and kids are an easy target.

Y'all probably know this but I've got two rescue dogs... one smaller (chihuahua and jack russell mix) and a lab mix that's about 47-50lbs. Both shed like it's nobody's business. We have a joke about vaccuming the couch before I sit down in black slacks. I seriously have grabbed the "shark" (it's like a dust buster) and sucked up hair. The little dog is white y'all...

That being said, my in-laws inherited a miniature poodle. While I think they're the fruitiest looking dogs in the world, this is the 2nd they've had. I didn't know the first, but this guy doesn't shed and is pretty bright. I think some of them bark a ton, but this guy isn't too bad. From what I know they don't bite and he's small enough to pick up and go. I doubt you'll find a poodle in a shelter, but it might fit your shedding, etc issues.

Good Luck.

Well Mrs P. I love dogs too. I could give you advice, but of course it would just be my opinion. My mom right now is breeding long haired chiwawas, unlike their shorter haired cousins they are not territorial or snippy, and would be great with children. They are very sweet, and good lap dogs.

One of my personal favorite smaller dogs however are Chinese Pugs. They are very mild mannered, they are not overly hyper, aggressive, or territorial so they would be good with children as well. I like the way they look too, very different. Some say they are so ugly they are cute, lol.

Mutts are obviously your cheaper alternative, and how good they would be with kids probably depends on the mix.

I would strongly recommend one of these dogs.......



This is Abigail Adams, my bestest friend in her usual position on my lap.


Aquilla

Hey, a Chinese Pug. How cute

I strongly suggest a rescue dog, whether purebred or mutt. There are many, many good dogs out there looking for a good home. Consider activity level and the size of the pet you want. If you want a mellow dog, a hyper Dalmation or any of the herding breeds would be a bad choice. Whatever you decide, please PLEASE do NOT buy a dog from a pet store or a "breeder" on the 'net - these are the most common avenues for puppy mill dogs. Also, I can't recommend strongly enough that you rescue an adult dog rather than a puppy. Everyone loves puppies; after all, they're cute and adorable, but they are also a lot of work. It's much easier to know what sort of personality the dog has when you adopt an adult (and they're usually housebroken!).

I recommend Petfinders.com, as the organizations that post animals there are rescue groups (that's where I found my sweetie-pie Remy). Also, don't be put off by the stringent requirements of the agencies - it's a pain in the patoot, but worth it to save a dog that might otherwise be euthanized.

Good luck with your new furry family member!

So Mrs. P - did you ever get a dog, or what?