My daughter is 7 and has wanted a “dog of my own” for some time now.
If we do get a dog, it won’t be until summer.
Here is the situation:
We have 2 Boston Terriers. One male, one female. The male is super mellow.
The female is the alpha dog of the two. Male is 4? Female 10? Both are rescues.
She wants a cute dog. Cute meaning purse dog cute. Doesn’t have to be a purse dog but something small.
She wants a dog that she can take to her Dad’s on her weekends there. He is totally cool with the idea.
She says Chihuahua, but it seems to me they are seriously yappy dogs.
So, I’d like suggestions so I can research the breed. She has no idea I am actually considering getting her one so in a worst case scenario, it can wait a year.
Website (click on your breed then the review). They seem to have something to sell, but they are good for telling you what’s good and bad about each breed. I imagine you’ll be looking at the tiny and small categories.
Chihuahuas are very yappy. They can also be aggressive and fragile. Not always the best combination with kids unless she is willing to be patient and treat it as a dog and not a living toy/friend.
I am a dog lover but I am definitely not a fan of yappy dogs, and I used to just assume that all small dogs were yappy.
However, several of my relatives have Shih Tzu and I have found that they are generally pretty good little dogs. They’ll yap a bit when someone’s at the front door, but they don’t go on and on for hours like my neighbors Min Pins, or my friend’s Pomeranians. Shih Tzu are very cute and usually pretty friendly. And they can be pretty smart–my sister’s little mix is quite intelligent and very well-trained. Their coats do require brushing and grooming on a regular basis, so take that into account.
My first thought for a small, cute family dog would be a miniature poodle or poodle mix - of course, I love poodles! I grew up with a toy poodle who was a magnificent dog (the only reason I don’t recommend a toy poodle is because they might be too fragile and get injured by the larger dogs in the house).
I now own a cocker spaniel/poodle mix who is an unbelievably sweet-natured, playful dog. Note that I got her from a SHELTER, not at a breeder - I strongly advise looking at the shelter for poodle mixes rather than paying high prices for “designer dogs” (cockapoos, labradoodles, etc.) that people try to market as if they were actual breeds - the reality is that while poodle mixes often do have desirable traits, they are still just normal mutts, not a special new breed or “hybrid” as some people try to say.
The nice things about the poodles and poodle mixes:
Poodles tend to be very intelligent and like to please their people, so they tend to be quite easy to train. They’re not hard to housebreak and often will pick up quickly on the meanings of phrases you speak.
They are extremely loyal to their family, though they will often pick out a favorite person in the family who they are especially devoted to, so it’s best if she is the one who feeds the dog and gives the dog treats if you want the dog to be “her” dog.
They will bark if someone strange is at the door but I don’t think that most well-adjusted and well-trained poodles are yappers. My current dog literally almost never barks, but I think that is an individual quirk of hers and not something you can count on.
Poodles and MOST poodle mixes don’t shed much (though some poodle mixes will take after their non-poodle parent and shed a lot, so you have to look at the individual if you get a mix). Some people dislike the fact that poodles need to be trimmed to look neat, but you don’t have to have them groomed in a fancy cut.
I think the lack of shedding is very convenient. It keeps the house cleaner and also makes it less likely that friends or family with allergies will have a problem with the dog. My boyfriend sneezed just from being around the other dogs at the shelter when we went there to get our current dog, but now that she is home he doesn’t react to her at all.
Considering that my original dog, who came into our family when I was your daughter’s age, lived until I was in college, it might be nice to know that if your daughter does end up with a dog allergic boyfriend someday the dog probably won’t cause any trouble.
Seconding Poodles, especially Miniature Poodles. Black, apricot and brown Poodles are lower maintenance, since tear staining will be much less visible than on those with white hair/fur. Grooming will be an added expense, but at least you won’t have to worry about more fur from shedding.
I will third (or fourth) poodles. Those silly haircuts have done a lot to discredit what is really a very nice breed, both smart and sweet.
Bichons are also sweet little dogs that don’t yap much, but they are not as smart, IME. But they are absolutely adorable. Bichon puppies are like little animated stuffed animals. And they really do make sweet pets.
Well it depends on your kid. Is she more rough and tumble, or a girly girl? It is an important distinction.
Generally speaking I would steer away from the truly tiny toy breeds at this age as she is unlikely to provide adequate training and could damage a tiny puppy by accident during play. Also PLEASE do not allow her to do the “purse-dog” thing. It is terrible for a dog of any breed, and does nothing to make it a confident, personable, companion animal. Additionally, she needs to understand that any new dog will become an addition to the family pack, and will have to be polite to all members of the family. That said, I would heartily endorse any of the following breeds:
Pomeranian: They look like a teddy bear, and are intelligent, playful companions. They yip a bit as pups, but can be easily trained out of it.
Papillion : The butterfly dog, is a loving, energetic little dog that is highly trainable.
Yorkshire terrier: You’ve got bostons so you know the terrier disposition.
Shi-tzu- or Pekeginese: Both breeds are happy, intelligent dogs that do well is socialized early.
Shiba-inu : A fantastic, low fuss breed that keeps itself very clean. They are adorable as pups and grow into gorgeous small adults.
Pug: A big dog disposition in a little package. Pugs do come in small size and are among the most gregarious and easy going of the small breeds.
Not a fan of yap dogs. The neighbors - who already had a medium sized mutt - bought some little toy yapper - a yorkie-something mix - for their girl’s 15th b-day. Just this a.m. I was trying to remember when the last time was that I saw the kid taking the dog out, cleaning up after it, etc. I’m sure she does all of the feeding, training, and grooming, tho :rolleyes:
I’m sure you’ve already thought about this, but I just wanted to state the obvious, that in nearly every case, when parents buy dogs for their kids, the parent ends up doing the lion’s share. Also, everything I’ve heard and read suggests that a 3d dog significantly changes the dynamic to a pack.
I have a bichon-mix now and I’m sold for life. He’s the most affectionate & charming little dog I’ve ever owned (and I’ve owned dozens.) Plus he’s non-shedding and smart enough to be a good companion. He’s 8yo and he still looks like a puppy in a short haircut. He would certainly satisfy any second grade girl’s definition of ‘cute’. People stop us on the street regularly to make a fuss over him and he’s always happy to meet new friends.
Poodles are also a great choice of course, if not quite as puppy dog cute as a bichon.
Bichons are not known to be assertive dogs but you’ll want one that’s confident enough to hang with your terriers.
I came in to say exactly this. Take her to the shelter, go to the small dog section. A dog will pick her, and she will love the dog…it will be the right one.
This is the best option, but if she’s set on having a particular breed, I also say a min. poodle would be the best bet for your requirements. They are smartsmartsmart, and yappiness is all in how you raise and train them.
The reason I asked is because I want your opinions.
For example, most people assume Bostons are rowdy sorts but unless you ask an owner of one, you might not realize that most are, in fact, couch potatoes. Mine sure are. They for sure are not what people think of as “terriers” (The name is a misnomer in reality).
I am not adverse to getting a “preowned” dog, but I prefer a rescue over a shelter. My two dogs are rescues and I think they are great. The rescues always, from my experience, know the dogs well.
For the record, I know I will do the lion’s share of the work. I don’t mind at all.
Can you tell me more about the pack dynamics of getting a third dog?
My parents had 3 Maltese, which are very small dogs. You DO have to keep up with their flowing coat. You can either shell out Big Bucks to groomers, or get a set of clippers and have at it. They look adorable in a short haircut, and have delicate, pretty faces.
Maltese are not yappers, unless they’re encouraged to do so, they’re very intelligent, for the most part, and they have been bred to be companion dogs. A Maltese would enjoy accompanying your daughter when she goes to her father’s place. Maltese don’t know how tiny they are, and will happily play with much, much larger dogs. They do tend to have delicate digestive systems, but will happily eat just about anything at all, even stuff that disagrees with them.
If I wanted to get an indoor dog as a companion, I’d probably choose a Maltese.
They’re not small dogs… and can be a huge pain in the ass… but Labradors (my favorite) are really good with kids. With my infant nephew, the only misbehavior has been the dog trying to steal wrapping paper or (gently) pull his socks off.
Labs have personality that I don’t see in toy dogs. And when the kid gets older - fun wrestling matches!
