This is an if we decide we need to go ahead and bring in another dog. In this I mention a bit about us and our lifestyle. I mention our other dogs personality. And some breeds that have been recommended for us.
My wife has contact at our local shelter, her contact runs it. And she said even though we have a baby if we were ever ready to adopt again she would let us adopt. They don't have a child age limit but They do it on a case by case basis. My wife volunteers there and they know us. If we do bring in a new dog, I'd have to bring in a young puppy. I don't think our current dog would accept an adult dog into her pack. But she is very nurturing toward puppies. She just does better with dogs she has known from when they were pups.
A little about us:
We have the best dog in the world, she is a 2 year old Terrier mix. We have had since we adopted her at 12 weeks of age. She is an amazing dog. Obedient, eager to please, well behaved. Good with dogs and most cats. Great with kids.
She is the perfect apartment dog, she doesn't bark much unless she thinks something is up. She is very active when outdoors but inside she is a real couch potato. Pretty much lays around and watches tv and plays with her toys. She is very calm and gentle by nature. So that is her personality.
We do currently live in an apartment. They are pretty lenient about dogs here, we have Pit Bulls living here even. But in order to own a Pit Bull, Doberman, or anything like that. You have to have special permission from the landlord.
We are pretty active on the go people. We take our dogs out with us a lot. Being that we are in an apartment we make sure plenty of exercise opportunities are given. We even take our dog with us when we travel. We have a baby, currently 4 months old. If we brought in another dog it would be later this year.
You may say, you don't want the stress of a baby and a puppy. But compared to the stress I've been under the last year or so with a very sick dog, and being pregnant with a high risk pregnancy, and taking care of a newborn and a sick dog.
Training a puppy and taking care of a baby will be a breath of fresh air. I'm a stay at home mom by the way so the dog would barely be left home alone, and if we did leave there will still be our other dog here. Any more info you need, just ask.
This is a list of breeds that have been suggested to us, obviously we are open to a mix because we want to rescue. No small dogs, done with small dogs. We would prefer a dog that is not prone to being real loud and barky as well. Dogs bark, but some dogs seem to be incessant barkers.
Here are the breeds that we like that were suggested to us:
German Shepherd
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Really like this one but would need landlords permission, told they are fantastic with kids)
Siberian Husky
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Shiba Inu
Bluetick Coonhound (though I am aware hounds can be vocal)
Doberman Pinshcer (Has been recommended highly to us by several people but would have to get landlords permission)
American Bulldog (Have to get landlords permission)
Manchester Terrier (smaller dog but I love them)
Golden Retriever (I like them, spouse isn't too crazy about them.)
Weimeraner
GreyHound
Austrailan Cattle Dog (Hear they are good dogs, but not always good with children)
Smooth Coated Collie
Border Collie
Great Pyrenese (love them but not to crazy about the shedding)
These are just different breeds we have been told about and looked into. We know they are very different dogs with different needs. Wife prefers Terriers and Bully breeds. The short coat does best with her allergies. She has a harder time with dogs with longer coats. But she loves dogs and she has always wanted a Husky, not real practical though I guess. So a Terrier or Bully Breed or short coated dog would be most practical for her.
Any suggestions?
No dogs smaller than 30lbs please.
Thanks
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Recommended Answer:All of the herding breeds are known to be nippy with children, however if trained properly, the odds can be reduced. Further, dogs like Borders, Cattle Dogs, and Weimeraners, require TONS of exercise. Way more than a game of fetch a day, or a couple of walks. They will run your household and drive you crazy if you don't give them a job to do like herding, agility, or obedience.
That said, it looks like you have a great list and endless options, especially since you're willing to get a mixed-breed. Don't rule out an older dog (even a year or so). They're still puppies, really, and it's likely that if the introduction is done correctly (the shelter can help you with that) your current dog will be just fine with it.
I'd like to add one more to your list: Great Dane
They are wonderful, amazing dogs. They don't shed much, they're not small, they're great with children and small dogs, and they don't require a ton of exercise. (As a matter of fact, they're giant couch potatoes.)
Take your time, visit the shelters, and talk to breeders and see what they recommend, (even though you're not buying from them a responsible breeder will be more than happy to advise you on whether their breed is right for you).
Bottom line, it's your decision.
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- I have had two baby german sheapards since i was 11 (im now 15) and if you raise them right they can be the most laid back dogs. since there used for Police dogs there easy to train (sit come rollover ETC.) there very playful and great around children. but i recommend getting one when there less than 3 months old because you want to train them at a young age. Hope this helps!!!
- go with the american bulldog or the bull terrier both great dogs. O and we have an american bulldog Weimeraner mix and she is one of the best dogs we have ever had so keep your eye out lol
- I have an AmStaff and he is super with everyone---especially children. A specific breed is not a guarantee of behavior though. Just find a dog that fits. We can't tell you what you want. Only you know that. But shelters are full to bursting with American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire bull terriers and mixes...so I would say if you get a shelter animal you are hard pressed to find one that isn't a cross of one of those. lol.
- I have a Norwegian Elkhound and I really like it. Mine is huge because I think we fed it to much. The dog is very territorial and bonds to family, but you have to get them while they are puppies because they like sticking with one family. This dog can also bark loud. I live in the country.
Some of the dogs you listed like the outdoors. The smooth coated collie is a herding dog, so I do not think that is very practical for an apartment. Go with the German Shepherd.
- I would have to go with a german shepard. But get on at a young age so that the dog and baby can grow together. They are very protective and listen very well
- First of all, I'd recommend making the decision first and then going to the shelter to visit with dogs. Find one that is a potential match for your family and then have the whole family, your existing dog too if allowed, visit with the new, potential pack-mate. Trying to narrow down to one breed when you're looking to adopt from a shelter makes the search a little more difficult, so be prepared to be very patient.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is an outstanding dog! Very good with children. As are several of the other dog's on your list.
Not sure about your experience with Shiba Inus, but my recent personal experience has been displays of agression. I visited with several at local shelters before getting my pup and each one growled, barked and charged the kennel gate. I chalked that up to just the shelter environment and whatever they may have experienced in their lives. But then I met a couple of them in my apartment complex and they bark from a distance as soon as they see me and my dog and others in the area. They exhibit very aggressive behavior and cannot be socialized with the other dogs in our dog park. One of them actually came over and snapped at and bit my dog on the muzzle. I hold that against the owner as he should have known his dog's behavioral pattern. Anyway, I always liked the look of the Shiba Inu, but recent experience would make me shy away from one.
Love Weimaraners, Golden Retrievers and Great Pyranees (but be sure you know how large he's going to get and what sort of environment they do best in - temperature and humidity). Another dog to consider is the Bernese Mountain Dog. Very large, sociable, great with children, but again large and be aware of environmental concerns.
- I definitely don't recommend a siberian husky their are beutiful dogs but are very stubborn dogs when it comes to training.
German shepherds are fantastic. They make a great family pet they are also a bit stubborn when puppies but are very inteligent as well as labradors. (Chocolate labs I'm not to fond of their whinny dogs and also are very hard headed.)
Collies are wonderful family dogs. Active but good.
Greyhounds are good dogs too, not recommended with smaller dogs (depending on their history if it is a retired greyhound from the tracks)
Weimeraner are good. In cases I've seen its best to get them young.
Most of the other dogs listed aren't common in a shelter.
I would recommend:
Rottweiler
German Shepherd
Labrador Retiever (yellow or black)
Doberman Pinsher
Mastiff
Great Dane
Good luck with you search.
- If you live in an apartment i wouldn't suggest a collie type, they require a lot of attention and excercise which with a new baby you might not be able to give. same with weimerarner, they are hunting dogs so need loads of exercise and stimulation.
German shepherds i love this breed. are great with kids (i have one with a 4 year old and he can be a bugger with her) but is size an issue? also they shed alot.
staffordshire bull terriers, great with kids, great personality, but again need alot of exercise.
retriever and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, very clever dogs, they are more 'chilled out' than some of the other breeds you mention. need to make sure as the baby grows up they get too many scraps as prone to weight gain.
Grey hound, i love this breed too, they only need one or two good walks a day, or if you can get a field or park to let loose even better, then they love nothing more than to cuddle somewhere warm. so would fit into your current dogs lifestyle brilliantly. and short coated so better for allergies. not sure how they are with kids but a friend of mine has a couple of whippets and two young kids.
another breed that i love, although it is small but its brilliant with kids is a cavielier king charles spaniel. they don't shed really badly, are quite calm but active outdoors. i grew up with one and she never once showed any aggression and we used to dress her up and everything.
any i've not mentioned i have to experience of so can't comment. hope it helps though.
- Most of the dogs you mentioned shed a lot. Why don't you want a small dog? We have a Shitzu and he is a very good dog. They were bred originally for Chinese emperors because they would rather sit next to you or on your lap. they are very smart and good watchdogs.
I had 2 Schnauzers, they don't shed either and are a good dog, but they tend to want to make a break for it if you leave a door opened. One of our Schnauzers used to look at you and say "out" when he wanted to go out and instead of scratching on the door to get back in, he would actually knock. Sounded like a human knocking on the door. Highly intelligent. I'd have to say the smartest dogs we ever had.
We had a German Sheppard. They are very protective of the family and not so friendly with strangers. They shed really bad, but would lay down their life to protect you.
We also had a couple Poodles. They come in 3 sizes and don't shed, very smart.
A lot of short haired dogs shed too. Those short hairs in your throat are rough. That is what I always look for,, a dog that dont shed.
- My choice would be the greyhound from an adoption program.. Not a puppy.. These dogs are very adaptable and do well in apartments. A reputable adoption program will match the dog to your circumstance, allow a meet and greet for the dogs to ensure their compatability. They are a clean gentle quiet intelligent dog who are couch potatoes. They love a daily walk but do not require hours of exercise. They drop little hair, have very little 'doggy' odour and are simply the most delightful dog. Most are good with children. We have two and our kids were only small at the time and we have never had a problem. and we cannot imagine our home without them.
