Breed recommendations

[JamieHalverson]

Some of you will remember we recently brought home a little female OEB for a few days to see is she would fit into our family. Unfortunately she did not, but we are now really starting to look at adding another dog. My daughter will be 9 in a couple of months and this will be "her" dog. That's in quotes because I understand how that sounds and don't want to be lumped in with those people who get their kids a puppy for Christmas...

But, for all intents and purposes, it will be her dog. She will be taking it to obedience classes, a summer camp for kids and their dogs, and choosing a sport to train as well.

Now, we love our bullies in this house, but I don't want to get her a huge dog. I'm looking at about 50 lbs at the outside, she wants a "little" dog, but I really just can't do toys... And I'm not too interested in a border collie or aussie... I know I said this was her dog, but we all have to agree

I want something that's going to be a bit more biddable and willing to work than what we typically see in our mastiffs, I don't want too difficult to train or she will get frustrated. This will likely be a young rescue or possibly a breeder re home, but we are not buying a puppy this time around. I want to find a young dog with a solid temperament to get her started.

Other than the toys, she LOVES Chows. She just saw a t.v. show about them and then saw one at the training center and she really wants one. I don't know much about them, but I don't think they are typically an easy to train breed, thoughts on Chows?

I'm kind of thinking a little pit or pit X, a Frenchie, the right Bulldog... oh, or she wants a Pomeranian... I.just.can't.

 

[scorning]

Our "little" dog is a female Doberman, she is only 59lbs and very light boned. She is excellent with my boyfriend's kids and very biddable, but she was a senior rescue and dog reactive. They are also prone to expensive health problems.If I was going to get a smaller dog, I would think about getting a Corgi, they seem to have a lot of drive to work and fun personalities. My barn hunt trainer has Shibas that she has titled in like everything, which has raised my interest in them too.

 

[JamieHalverson]

There's a Corgi in our nosework class. He does REALLY love to work! Maybe I'll look at Shibas, I've always thought they were nice dogs, and they have the look that my kiddo likes, which is apparently fluffy. A nice size, too. I wonder what their energy level is like.

 

[Joao M]

Hi Jamie
I like Shibas also but they are not very to train. Very strong minded. I don´t know if they would qualify as "biddable". Chow Chow are even more complicated to train and require experience. Would be good for you but not primarily for your girl
Have you considered a Staffie? I know it is not "fluffy" but could be a good choice
Among the "fluffy" with some size there are some Portuguese breeds that could be recommended but I don´t know if you would find them easily in the US, much less in a shelter. Among these, I believe a Portuguese Water Dog would be perfect for your daughter (but please without the poodle shave).

 

[Joao M]

ETA: 1st sentence should say" They are not very easy to train"

 

[TricAP]

I would caution against a chow in a multi-dog household. I've only known 3 and both had severe dog aggression issues and insane prey drive. One was my great uncles dog that he raised as a pup in the same house with a miniature poodle, well one day they came home from church to find pieces of poodle all over the house. No warning or any previous signs of aggression to the other dog until that point.

The other 2 belonged to neighbors in SoCal, liter mates that constantly fought each other and tried to attack their boxer when he slept, who was a drug enforcement dog with the Port of San Diego. They got out one day and got onto the school playground and started chasing a kindergarten class at recess and 3 children were bitten. Animal Control didn't even give the family a change to get them back after that.

Labs are always a good first dog for kids to learn on, eager to please and very patient/adaptable with mistakes in training for a first timer. So glad to hear your daughter is showing an interest already in training. There is so many good life skills this can teach.

 

[JamieHalverson]

Jaoa, a Staffy or Staffy X is pretty high on our list. My dog Yogi is a Staffy/Mastiff X. There are lots out there, that's for sure, and they tend to be so people oriented! My friend actually has 2 Portuguese Water dogs now, and has shown them for years in conformation. They are nice dogs, but for some reason, I just don't care for them very much...

TricAP, thanks for the Chow insight. I had a lot of hesitation on that one. Like I said, I don't know too much about them, but had the perception they can be difficult and "iffy" to manage.

 

[Hector]

Don't get a chow lol. What about a heeler?

 

[Hector]

Also consider a german pinscher.

 

[JamieHalverson]

Also consider a german pinscher.

Ooh, those are nice. And so pretty. See, there's so many breeds out there that I wouldn't have even known to consider.

 

[JamieHalverson]

Also consider a german pinscher.

What do you know about min pins? I feel like they might be a little snippy and less forgiving, but I've always kind of liked them... not many German Pinschers in rescue or even many breeders, but there's quite a few min pins.

 

[Iulicris88]

Frenchies are the best. Small, not the most energetic of dogs, easy to train and quite laid back. Plus, how can you resist that face?

 

[tmricciuto]

Best dog I had was a Shar-Pei/Queensland heeler. She would do anything we said just to hear us call her a good girl.

 

[JamieHalverson]

Frenchies are the best. Small, not the most energetic of dogs, easy to train and quite laid back. Plus, how can you resist that face?

They are on my list, too!!! I met a couple really nice ones at the Barn Hunt event we went to a couple weeks ago. They are just the right size and the perfect little bully faces! I feel like what I've seen is that they have the bit of stubbornness that bully's do, but not quite to the extent of some others. Definitely willing to work, but not spastic and hyper. I do really like them and there are some actually around. One of the ones I met was a rescue from the French Bulldog Rescue Network.

 

[Hector]

What do you know about min pins? I feel like they might be a little snippy and less forgiving, but I've always kind of liked them... not many German Pinschers in rescue or even many breeders, but there's quite a few min pins.

I know nothing about them. I have met a few that are quite snippy and reactive actually, but I have met old ones that are quite sweet. I was looking at german pinschers and found a breeder near me. They all seem stable, fairly drivey and easy to train. I have spoken to the breeder via facebook. I follow her page and really like her dogs. She actively involves her dog in dog sports/activities. Her name is Lorraine Shore if you are interested.

 

[JamieHalverson]

I'll check her out... I found a breeder in WA that has an 8 mos old male available, already started on obed. Might be worth looking into.

 

[DennasMom]

What about a staffy/lab mix? I'd bet there are a few of those in the shelters...
I'd also stay away from Chows... I don't think they have much patience in their genetics...

I'm very interested in the responses to this one, on a personal level... since our cat passed, we're thinking of adding a companion for Denna... I'm thinking a senior dog (more energetic breed, but older, so more laid back??) I liked a cocker spaniel that had just lost her elder male owner to cancer, but DH isn't too thrilled with that one... I think we'll be going the frenchie/pug route (my DH grew up with a pug mix, "Chewtoy" was his name. LOL) ... but... it's still a work-in-progress here.

 

[karennj]

I would not do a chow or a min pin. I have not had great experience with either working at a vet's office. My aunt has always had pins and I have not liked one of them. They are either really snippy with a attitude or completely neurotic. A doberman would be a good family dog. Labs of course are great but the shedding is out of control and some of them can be non-stop energy. I am sure you could find a awesome rescue pit. Soooooo many in shelters. If you want something a little less intimidating my first dog was a springer and he was the perfect size, gentle but hearty, and very eager to please. I LOVE corgi's they are tough little dogs!

 

[JamieHalverson]

I would not do a chow or a min pin. I have not had great experience with either working at a vet's office. My aunt has always had pins and I have not liked one of them. They are either really snippy with a attitude or completely neurotic. A doberman would be a good family dog. Labs of course are great but the shedding is out of control and some of them can be non-stop energy. I am sure you could find a awesome rescue pit. Soooooo many in shelters. If you want something a little less intimidating my first dog was a springer and he was the perfect size, gentle but hearty, and very eager to please. I LOVE corgi's they are tough little dogs!

I would love a doberman, but I think that's getting to be a lot bigger than what we are looking for for Simone. If I was going to get something as big as that, I'd probably just get a Rottweiler. I love pits, and we do have an application in with A Rotta Love Plus, a local Rottweiler and Pit Bull rescue. They just don't have the right dog for us right now, hopefully they'll find one! But in the meantime, we are considering pretty much everything. My BF thinks we are getting an English Bulldog or an OEB, but I don't think he gets to pick this time Simone has to have the final say on a good match.

I'm really liking the german pinschers, they are a nice size and from what I've been reading have a really nice temperament and work ethic, without being as reactive or hyper as a min pin. But they sure are not falling out of the sky like these pit bulls... it's a shame they are a dime a dozen, but it does make finding a good one fairly easy if that's what you are looking for.

 

[Wilsy]

I would go with a french bulldog. Very cute with a happy disposition. Definitely not a chow. Although they are apparently good with their own family and very loyal they can be very difficult to train and many are dog aggressive. There are two near us which are both highly dog aggressive, they can't go close to other dogs and are never off lead.