[dobiegirl]

Hello, I am new here and I love this board. I have always loved dogs and have owned doberman pinschers in the past but currently have no pets. I have a three year old daughter and when she is older I want to get her a puppy. I don't really know anything about smaller breeds but I am looking for a smaller dog to keep in the house. I want a breed excellent with kids, intelligent, trainable, very loving and friendly with a laid back personality. I thought about a Maltese but they seem kind of delicate and some say not good for younger children. Boston Terriers look promising. I've heard they are very loving and playful, intelligent and trainable. But I have heard they are very very active. I want an active, playful dog but not one that is so spastic that it won't be still enough for me to hold or pet it or one that keeps me awake all night. French Bulldogs are very cute but I've heard they are hard to train, especially housetrain. Can anyone recommend a breed for my needs? I would rather get another Doberman (they are the best) but it isn't very pratical because a large dog is harder to keep inside. My husband does not want a dog inside at all but I don't want a dog if it is going to be outside. So a smaller dog would be more acceptable for an inside pet. Minimal shedding and grooming is also preferred. Thanks. I will accept emails also. apabbott@otelco.net

[choklitbean]

You might try looking into the Miniature Australian Shepherds. They're active and require exercise but are quiet in the house if you expect them to be. They're excedingly intelligent and tend to adore children. They make good watch dogs without being yappy (but they require training as pups to be quiet). They are a herding breed so look into them carefully before deciding but, I've found them to be big dogs in small packages.

I'm not talking about the Mini North American Shepherds, they are an off shoot of the mini Aussie. I don't know a lot about them but I'm told that they aren't as intelligent and don't have as good a temperament with kids.

[geminiluna]

Hi again DobieGirl (I responded to your other post about keeping dogs outside). Here's a weblink for a dog breed decision guide on Purina.com. It's kind of long, but you might be able to cut and paste. If it doesn't work, go to www.purina.com. Choose dogs from the top menu buttons. Choose puppies from the following menus. When the page opens, look up in the top left area. There will be an almost unnoticeable link that says "breed selector" under the picture of the puppy. It's a pretty comprehensive survey of your preferences -- including size and grooming, etc. I would have suggested a Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog), but then you mentioned minimal grooming. Good luck and let us know what you're considering!!

http://www10.activebuyersguide.com/a...ID=5&RefID=105

[jsanderssr]

Hi,

I've all but decided on a Boston Terrier as a pet when I retire. Live in a condo so the size is right and all I've read in the literature led me to beleive that they are not nearly as active as the other Terriers. Some of the material says that they are happy with the owner's lefe style, active or happy sitting on the sofa as dictated by the owner's habits.

Is this correct? Have owned many dogs, primatily large breeds and had a large fenced yard with extra property for serious hunting or rambling. Like the Boston because its size is practical, they're not delicate, and appear to have a good disposition.

Would appreciate any feedback on whether my assumtions are right or wrong.

Thanks!

James Sanders
Baton Rouge, LA

[dobiegirl]

I'm not an expert in this particular breed. I've only started researching Bostons recently and I've nearly decided to go back to owning another doberman pinscher. My dad has told me that his father raised boston terriers when he was just a kid. He says they are so playful, sweet and loving. Of course, he has never owned one himself so he has no personal experience. I found a really good boston terrier forum. I joined there and everyone is so friendly and helpful. I've never owned any small breeds but if I did go with a small breed than it would most certainly be a boston. Here is the link to the boston forum. It stays very busy and if you post a request you are sure to get several responses.
http://bostonterrier.org/board/

[Rottnbelle]

Great choice. Bostons are notoriously good with all ages of humanity. I think if I had to do it over again I would start with Bostons! Sorry, to my rotten kids. Not because I do not love my breed, but many others do not and it gets to be a little wearing working against the common perceptions. I guess I'd like a little easier day at the vet's office, at training, at a show, on the street.

Good luck.

Lynn, Jugendliebe Rottweilers
Moderator, "The Dog House" and its forums
Breeder of Oz the Amazing", who is owned and loved by Dawn Fillips
Inga at Westminster

[DobeHugR]

Hi there,
My best friend had a Boston named Suzywhen we were growing up, We dressed that dog in bonnets and baby clothes & did the whole stroller thing.. She loved kids & was very forgiving.

With any breed look for one you can "Prove" that the bloodlines have been raised with kids,
don't take the word of the breeder.

I would go to Dog shows & talk with people about the personality of the different bloodlines, You can learn a lot from a dogs aunts, cousins & siblings.

We all have good & bad genetics & with kids its not worth the risk of accidentally getting a dog that does not have a proven history of patience with children.

I think its great you are doing research first.

Deb

[jsanderssr]

Thanks for the help with the Bostons, and the website is great!!

James

[fishkid]

You might want to try getting a staffordshire terrier. They love children, are very protective and brilliant guard dogs. They love nothing more than playing games and getting a scratch behind the ear. You'll find it would probably follow your child around like a shadow and is generally a very loving pet.

[Rottnbelle]

There is a great resource in the AKC website. It gives you some information about every breed. Visit it at www.akc.org.
Lynn, Jugendliebe Rottweilers
Moderator, "The Dog House" and its forums
Breeder of Oz the Amazing", who is owned and loved by Dawn Fillips
Inga at Westminster
Puppy Gazette

[JKKsEuroDobermans]

Why not get another dobe female if she will be 5 that is fine. My youngest was 3 when we got our fist dobe.we got her because the vet said 1 recommended with kids 4 years in a row. s long as they are well bred and well socalized as with any breed they will be fine. My females let my kids get right in the puppy box with their newborn pups no problem.we have 4 dobes now.and 3 kids i even take my females into school for show and tell.

[Rottnbelle]

You hit it right on the head. Socialization is the key to any happy addition.

Lynn, Jugendliebe Rottweilers
Moderator, "The Dog House" and its forums
Breeder of Oz the Amazing", who is owned and loved by Dawn Fillips
Inga at Westminster
Puppy Gazette