This week’s Works For Me Wednesday has a backwards theme! That means I can ask all of you a question about something that’s stumping me at the moment. It was difficult to narrow my questions down….but I finally decided to ask about the one thing that’s on our minds these days…. Puppies.
That’s right. After almost 9 years of being a cat-only family, we are ready to add a dog into the mix. I’ve always loved dogs….I just wanted to wait until we were sure we were settled before we introduced one. Plus, now that the kids are 2 and 4, they can help me take care of the pup as well as grow up with him or her….and that’s so special.
What you see here is a picture showing the dog I’ve always wanted. My top three breed favorites have always been in the terrier family: The Airedale, the Lakeland, and the Welsh. Now, I have no clue how easily found these puppies are…or even what type of temperments they possess (although I’ve heard they’re very energetic and inquisitive). As cute as I think these “oatmeal fur” dogs are, I know that this might not be the right choice for our family.
We really only have a couple of guidelines:
- The dog will be outside 80-90% of the time. We are setting up a nice fenced in area for him, and our yard is large enough for him to run around in when we’re outside with him. We also have a great neighborhood for walking.
- The dog must be good with children and strangers…overall well-mannered and good-natured.
- We want a medium-sized dog. Big enough to walk beside and roughhouse with, but not so big that we get knocked down. Anything Labrador-sized scares the kids….and frankly, me a little bit, too.
- The dog doesn’t have to be pure-bred. In fact, if it means more health problems and a shorter life span, it may not be the best option. We are fully ready & willing to go to the local rescue shelter.
SO. My question to you guys? What type of dog breeds/mixes would you recommend? Why did you choose your current family dog and what do you like/dislike about the breed/mix?
Thanks for dropping by…as well as your input! Go check out (and try to help solve) other backwards WFMW posts at We Are That Family!
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Holly (2 years ago)
We have a Boston Terrier, and my family has a long history with them. They are great family dogs, but unfortunately, it wouldn’t work for one to be an outside dog. So I can’t recommend it for you :/
Condo Blues (2 years ago)
All terrier breeds are very high energy dogs. Often just running around in the yard and walks in the neighborhood won’t give a terrier the exercise they need. If a dog gets bored, that’s when they start barking, chewing, and misbehaving. Also since you have small children, do you have time and energy to train a puppy? If not, consider adopting a dog. I adopted a 1 1/2 year old dog and it was great because we alredy knew his temperment and he can to us already house trained! You can still get a rescuse pure breed dog. My dog is a pure bred Pekingese. There are pure breed rescuses out there, your local animal shelter can help you find one. Or you can try adopting from a shelter, they temperment test the dogs and can help you find one the right size and personality to fit your family.
Kristy (2 years ago)
I have two dogs – Dakota, a 35-pound terrier mix, and Harvey, a 45-pound chocolate lab/border collie/australian shepherd mix. I found Dakota on Petfinder.com as a puppy, and Harvey I adopted when she was a year old from friends who could no longer keep her.
While I think breed characteristics can give you a guidelines, dogs can still behave out of character for their breeds. Both mine, though made up of high-energy breeds, are actually very low-energy.
My best tip is to try to adopt not from a shelter, but from a rescue group. Petfinder.com is a great place to look. You can even find breed-specific rescues, if you like. But a lot of these groups use foster homes for their dogs (I used to foster dogs myself), which means you can find out A LOT about the dog’s personality, how they react with kids, etc.
Fair warning, though – lots of people who work with rescue groups are fanatical about dogs and have very strict guidelines about placing them. Your statement that the dog will be outside 80-90% of the time might be misunderstood to mean that they’ll be left outside on their own all day and possibly all night. It would depend some on where you live, but many rescue groups would object to that.
Good luck!
Tonya (2 years ago)
We have boxers–4 of them. They are wonderful family dogs and get along great with our children and with each other. Even when they grow up they still act like puppies.
Donna (2 years ago)
We have 2 beagles outside that are wonderful! Very sweet, not too big, good natured. Love the children.
Inside we have 2 yorkies. Excellent breed. Smart! Loving and very good with the kids.
I would suggest a female above a male. Some say they are the same after having them ‘fixed’ but I strongly disagree. Female dogs are so much more tuned into emotions and what pleases their owners.
Also, teach the children to never let the puppy “mouth” or ‘chew’ on them, their hands, clothes, etc. They never need to think it is okay to touch the children with their teeth! :-)
Best wishes!
Leanne (2 years ago)
We always had Staffordshire bull terriers as kids (don’t know how easy you might come by one of these).
They have a beautiful temperment and we found that even for pure bred dogs (although not from a very long lineage) health issues weren’t a problem. They are fantastic with children, protective although not to a fault, happy to play and roughhouse, although quite docile and happy to just have their ear scratched and take a nap. They are better in pairs though.
LaDonna (2 years ago)
We don’t have a dog yet because my husband and I can’t agree on it being either an inside dog or an outside dog.
From what I’ve researched an outside dog needs a buddy. Dogs are pack animals and if not allowed inside to be near you they will become lonely. I know the only reason we haven’t gotten a dog yet is that I can’t stand the thought of it always being outside.
Sorry I’m not much help. I bet the kids will love having a dog to hang with =)
Sarah (2 years ago)
A Sheltie–they look like a smaller version of Lassie. We have two of them and they are great with my two and a half year old.
Kim H. (2 years ago)
I have two dogs – neither would work for your situation though… I have a Boston Terrier – GREAT family dog, but they don’t do well outside. I also have a lab/chow mix – she’s wonderful, and a bit on the small size for a lab – and another great temperment for families.
I’d suggest looking at like the AKC website or something at various breeds in your size range and see what works best for kids. What about a Collie or a Cocker Spaniel?
Sheila (2 years ago)
We have a Siberian Husky – beautiful, but don’t recommend, because she is a pain, and a lab. I have to tell you that everything they say about the lab being a great family dog has sure been true with ours. He has absolutly the best temperament. I think our smaller Husky is more likely to knock someone down than our lab, just because of her energy and excitement level. It seems like most smaller dogs bark a lot, and we personally just cannot stand that.
suzannah (2 years ago)
thanks for sharing sleep tips with me:)
we got our dog at a shelter and think she is a harrier–kind of a beagle/fox hound mix. she is WONDERFUL with kids, very friendly and athletic, and loves the outdoors.
she’s on the smaller end of medium. medium height, but on the skinny side. short hair so not too messy.
good luck finding the right fit!
Jeannette (2 years ago)
We were a cat only family too, but just got a puppy. We think she is a fox terrier mix. She likes to be with one of us. If I go upstairs for a moment, she follows, and then comes down with me. She doesn’t like to be left outside if we’re inside. She also is very inquisitive and when bored, is a fabulous escape artists. She is high energy. But lovable, exuberant, good with our 2 yr old and fun. Good luck with your search.
MB (2 years ago)
I suggest contacting a breeder (or finding someone who owns one) and visiting them, asking them questions. We were convinced we wanted a Welsh terrier until we went to a breeder in our area. Oh my word, they are FAR too high energy for me. There is no way I could own one. A friend of ours has a Airedale though and she’s lovely. I’ve always loved them too.
Another great dog is a Boxer. They are a nice size, good temperaments and great with kids.
Good luck!
weeble (2 years ago)
My suggestion is Golden Retriever. Their temperament is great and they are not too big (not as big as a lab). They love kids and are easy to train. The only downside is they need to be brushed regularly. Our golden died last year & I’d have another one in a heartbeat! Best dog ever!
Becky (2 years ago)
How exciting–you want to adopt a dog! We love dogs!
We have a 70-lb German Shepherd and a 15-lb Westie/Poo (1/2 purebred West Highland White Terrier; 1/2 purebred Poodle). They are “Mutt and Jeff,” but BEST of friends!
When I was a child, my family had a golden retriever for 15 years. So, taking into account, your situation, here’s my two cents worth:
German Shepherds can be territorial and protective of “their” family; but they are great family dogs! great outside dogs, easy to train because they want to please their owner and they want to “work” for you! (Pros and cons–bottom line, you’re probably not interested; we live in the inner city so she is a great dog to have around!)
Terriers are generally high-energy and often more difficult dogs to train. I have also known several terriers that were snippy with children, so it is important to know research the dogs’ temperament. My Westie has a 1/2 poodle side (& poodles are generally great with children!). He is great with kids–never snipped at or growled at anyone–except when he’s playing with the German Shepherd! However, he dug out of our custom-built stockade fence numerous times (and was captured by the orthodontist behind our house) until finally we installed an electric fence. We had tried everything else we could. :-( He is a fun, super-friendly, great w kids dog–but he has a mind of his own! and it is hard work to make him obey. He “regresses,” or obeys when he wants too, even in areas like house-training!! Good thing we love him so much!!
Our family’s golden retriever was a wonderful, outdoor family dog! LOVES kids, people–any people! loves to play fetch. Needs daily brushing though, and some can be quite large.
I have “dog-sat” for friends who have had 2 Shelties. They are wonderful dogs! Definitely on the smaller side, but with the big dog personality! Great with kids! Outdoor dogs, like a lot of action. Again, would need to be brushed daily. . . But I would definitely consider a Sheltie if I were in your shoes!
Hope some of this was useful to you! I wish you the best!
Sinéad (2 years ago)
We inherited a medium-sized Beagle – lovely temperament, great with kids (ours were 1 and 5 when BG arrived), happy inside and out, shorter hair so not messy, definitely believes he is part of our family. However, Beagles are led by their noses and need a fully-fenced section that can’t be tunneled out of. They’re also a bit excitable when on the lead – again, probably due to “the nose”!
What about a border collie? They are very smart and great with kids, too.
Good luck!