patrick.net

Hi guys,

In the market for a dog for our family (with 2yr old daughter).

Unfortunately we don't have the accommodations at this time for a big dog so looking for something small, less than 15lbs

My wife is set on a Yorkshire Terrier because it's small, cute, and doesn't shed, but I'm on the fence.

Our family has had Labrador and Cocker Spaniel in the past. The lab was great but too big for us now and the Spaniel was a crazed lunatic so we'd never do that again.

We need it to be good with kids, intelligent, and hopefully not bark all flippin day long lol.

I'm wondering what recommendations you guys have?

BayArea says

My wife is set on a Yorkshire Terrier because it's small, cute, and doesn't shed, but I'm on the fence.

It is so dependant on both the dog and the owners how things work out. I've seen perfectly fine dogs terminally screwed up by bad owners or just totally wrong situations like a border collie in a small apartment.

Yorkies are not really a great idea for small children. I've had family members with them and they are not an easy breed. Read up on them before you get too committed.

I'm not a small dog person so I don't have any to recommend. I've had great luck with rescue aussie's over the years, but they are a tough dog to train plus they need tons of exercise and lots of space. Not a problem for ne, I just pile the dog into the car to the ski area/beach or go hiking for hours, but it is for most people.

Pugs, but they shed a lot. We used to have a blue couch and it drove me nuts. Now we have a beige couch, wood floors, and brownish carpeting in the bedrooms and I don't really notice the shedding until I vacumn.

There's no more affectionate human companion. They get along with all humans. If you have a toddler and buy a pug puppy, the puppy will view the toddler as its pack leader. They will however insist on sleeping with you and they snore loud. I think its cute, but light sleepers should not apply.

Lots of pug rescues in California if thats the way you wanted to go. If you are on facebook follow pug nation rescue of Los Angeles and The Pug Queen(Izabella St. James)

My vote, no dog. Please don't get something smaller than 15lbs though. if you have to have a dog, Cockapoo or goldendoodle are good options. No shedding yet still small enough. I have one of each.

And no. Those aren't mine. Google image. Pretty close though. Good, smart dogs. Anything under 15lbs is not a dog and is a rat, nasty rat. Please don't get a rat.

BayArea says

not bark all flippin day long

That's a priority.

Some breeds bark more than others, especially if isolated or otherwise stressed. Wolves don't bark, and seldom make much noise at all; barking is a 'feature' deliberately produced by selective breeding. You can read about the quietest dog breeds.

Training and isolation seem to be major factors too. If you leave a dog alone all day, stress and nuisance barking might become more likely than if you leave two dogs together. OTOH, boarding kennels can be terrible, and dogs can go deaf from all the barking as other dogs abandoned in cages can become very stressed. Also, if you reward barking, it becomes much more likely.

WookieMan says

Please don't get something smaller than 15lbs though. if you have to have a dog, Cockapoo or goldendoodle are good options. No shedding yet still small enough. I have one of each.

Great advice. I also like the welsh terriers too.

We have a Chiweenie. Terrifically cute, energetic and loving, about 10-15 lbs, loves to be on a lap and snuggling.
Downsides: very hard to housebreak, has a ringing bark she exercises whenever someone knocks, sheds small hairs, chews stuff up (might be just a puppy phase since she's 1yo).

A Bichonpoo wonderful hypoallergenic dogs with hair instead of fur. But that also means constant grooming unless you want a Rasta dog.

I recommend buying a carpet cleaner.

2y.o. is too young to deal with a new puppy. Wait 3-4 years.

anonymous says

Yorkies while cute and all are fragile and can be easily hurt, same with any other small breed.

That was my in laws experiences with yorkies. They get hurt very easily, more so than many other small breeds. It would be hard to keep a 2 yo from being too rough with a yorkie. That can a problem with any puppy depending on the 2yo.

After my wife and I shopped around for a few months, we came to our senses and decided to hold off on getting a dog.

My folks and her folks both have dogs. That's enough exposure for our daughter for now.

small poodle...they dont shed and are smart and friendly. Two dogs are better so they have someone to play with.

how much poop are you willing to pick up?

don't get one if you can't.

WookieMan says

My vote, no dog.

BayArea says

After my wife and I shopped around for a few months, we came to our senses and decided to hold off on getting a dog.

You made the right decision my friend. I originally forgot to chime in on traveling, if you happen to like that sort of thing even with a kid. We do a a couple one week vacation trips per year and boarding the dogs for those two trips damn near costs us what a vacation costs us before kids. If you have family that's cool watching animals that's fine, but even then burdening other people with your pets has a guilt factor to it. Our boarding cost alone per year are about $1,400 to $2,200 depending on the year. So it's either guilt or we send our dogs to a kennel for a week. Oh who am I kidding, both scenarios are high on the guilt factor.

Also, if you plan on having a 2nd or 3rd or you know 4th child, don't get the dog ever. You'll feel guilty about not giving the dog attention. Not good for stress levels even though you know you're giving the dog the best life possible. Unless you're the type that likes to go for a walk in the morning and afternoon, everyday, with the dog and not the kids. Dogs are awesome animals, but life with children and dogs is a balancing act. If I had a do over in life, I think you know the decision... No kids ;)

Get a mixed breed from a shelter.
Best dog I ever had was abandoned on the side of a dirt road.

Everyone else has a dog,"I have to have one too!" but it won't make one special.
Does life give you enough time to deal with a pet? They change everything.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/198100/dogs-in-the-united-states-since-2000/

When me and sibling got older,w e got the dog bug and pretty much forced the parents to get us dogs. We had Pomeranians and Labradors. Loved the labs, the poms -bark, bark, bark, but were fun.

I believe cocker spaniels are nuts, labs and golden for the most part are good with kids, though a good walk every day does wonders. My parents are old school and made us take responsibility for all things related to dogs.

I always wanted a rough collie-mostly because of Lassie-I might end up getting one. I have space , lets see.

HEY YOU says

Does life give you enough time to deal with a pet? They change everything.

That it does. But you know what? Having a dog is one of the greatest pleasures of life. They become part of your family, part of your life, and you can never let go.
We have even cancelled trips at times out of concern for our loyal family pet.
I have read countless articles about how dogs increase the lifespan of heart patients etc etc etc.

BayArea says

After my wife and I shopped around for a few months, we came to our senses and decided to hold off on getting a dog.

Probably was a good choice. Puppies are a TON of work, ask me how I know, my new pup turned 5 months yesterday:



Wifey and I had Date Night last night, we spent it at the doggie hospital waiting for poochie to get x-rayed and examined for possible poisoning for something he ate outside. After giving him a IV for fluids because of dehydration from puking, diarrhea and major salivating, he came home and I'm $600. poorer.

Oh yeah, puppies are so much fun!!!!

Sniper says

Wifey and I had Date Night last night, we spent it at the doggie hospital waiting for poochie to get x-rayed and examined for possible poisoning for something he ate outside. After giving him a IV for fluids because of dehydration from puking, diarrhea and major salivating, he came home and I'm $600. poorer.

Oh yeah, puppies are so much fun!!!!

He he he. Naughty poochie was still worth worth it.
We are planning another dog, but not a puppy. Too many coyotes in the area, and I don't think we could handle the destruction of their teething issues. Large 2 year old, hopefully a rescue, would be ideal for where we moved to last year. North San Diego County.

WTF is with you old folks getting dogs in your latter years? Fucking getting puppies when you're capable of dropping at any moment? I'm saying that sarcastically, so don't get your rectum in a knot.

I have two dogs, love them to death, but I don't think we'll be getting dogs again. We love travel too much and we already feel guilty sending them to the kennel when we travel. And we don't generally like to travel where it's easy to bring dogs. My folks (in their 60's) got a puppy a couple years back. They love it. I don't get it. I've got two kids under 10, so my focus definitely is not on my dogs unfortunately. Although they're very well cared for.

WookieMan says

WTF is with you old folks getting dogs in your latter years? Fucking getting puppies when you're capable of dropping at any moment? I'm saying that sarcastically, so don't get your rectum in a knot.

I have two dogs, love them to death, but I don't think we'll be getting dogs again. We love travel too much and we already feel guilty sending them to the kennel when we travel. And we don't generally like to travel where it's easy to bring dogs. My folks (in their 60's) got a puppy a couple years back. They love it. I don't get it. I've got two kids under 10, so my focus definitely is not on my dogs unfortunately. Although they're very well cared for.

We have the travel issue to. We hate leaving the dog at the vets(kennel) but she got sick every time we left her at Petsmart(Pet hotel with scheduled playtime). She has never gotten sick at the vets, and we trust the vet completely if she did.

I'm anticipating heavy travel in retirement...so we have to find someone who we can leave her with.

Mutts are smarter and healthier. In general.

Fucking White Male says

I'm anticipating heavy travel in retirement...so we have to find someone who we can leave her with.

That was another big decision, not having an anchor here if we wanted to go away. But I have a son and a daughter that live nearby, guess who's dog sitting if we go away?

just_passing_through says

Mutts are smarter and healthier. In general.

Farmers have known this forever. Applies to all species.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosis

Patrick says

Applies to all species.

Women too?

I would say wait a few years until about 4-5 and a small mutt or a beagle. I have a beagle and he's about 30lbs and not fat tho.

Sniper says

Fucking White Male says

I'm anticipating heavy travel in retirement...so we have to find someone who we can leave her with.

That was another big decision, not having an anchor here if we wanted to go away. But I have a son and a daughter that live nearby, guess who's dog sitting if we go away?

Try....."Rover.com" It's the Airbnb for dogs. I have used them, and been pretty happy.

Strategist says

Try....."Rover.com" It's the Airbnb for dogs. I have used them, and been pretty happy.

I wouldn't do that and leave him with an unknown person. I'm making a major investment in this little dude in time, training, socialization. I have really high expectations for him and some big goals, he better live up to them.

I've been thinking about getting a RV and take him along. I just haven't figured out how to drive the RV to Barbados and Aruba yet????

komputodo says

small poodle...they dont shed and are smart and friendly.

I second that vote. I have a miniature poodle (not a toy poodle), they are big enough (15 lbs), they don't shed, VERY smart. Mine doesn't bark like crazy (when he does bark it really means there's something I'd better look at. They live 12 - 15 years or more. I vote for the poodle.

I recommend getting a cat instead.

zzyzzx says

I recommend getting a cat instead.

You need to remove yourself from this thread, immediately. ;)

Sniper says

I've been thinking about getting a RV and take him along. I just haven't figured out how to drive the RV to Barbados and Aruba yet????

That type of RV is called "sailboat".

KimJongUn says

Sniper says

I've been thinking about getting a RV and take him along. I just haven't figured out how to drive the RV to Barbados and Aruba yet????

That type of RV is called "sailboat".

He already has a boat.

Patrick says

just_passing_through says

Mutts are smarter and healthier. In general.

Farmers have known this forever. Applies to all species.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosis

"Not all outcrosses result in heterosis. For example, when a hybrid inherits traits from its parents that are not fully compatible, fitness can be reduced. This is a form of outbreeding depression."

Strategist says

KimJongUn says

Sniper says

I've been thinking about getting a RV and take him along. I just haven't figured out how to drive the RV to Barbados and Aruba yet????

That type of RV is called "sailboat".

He already has a boat.

He's all set then.

I recommend no dog. Interact with people more. Dogs will just tie you down and fuck your stuff up.

Gentle Reader,

I own a pitbull. He is getting along in years, and has developed diabetes, gone blind, and lost weight. Still, my wife loves this dog. He has protected her two occasions when I was away at work, and been an amazing watchdog and protector of our house at night. He scared a man who was in our garage one day apparently trying to steal one of my motorcycles. The guy took one look at Jo-Jo coming at him and ran like hell. Reported attempt to the Police. Nada.
Jo-Jo is brave, gentle, and active! Do not get one if you can't deal with how much physical activity they need.

Regards,
Roidy

Sniper says

Oh come on, if you're going to get a dog, get a real dog, not one of these "purse" dogs. Real men get big dogs, old retired grey hair ladies get poodles.

Not what I'd call "purse dogs". One of mine weighs 16lbs and the fatter male weighs 21lbs.