Which dog?

[P.O.D.]

Dogs 101 is a good show to watch about different dog breeds - you may be able to catch some of the shows on youtube - they used to show it on Animal Planet but not sure if it's on at the moment.

Anyway, some of the things I've discovered through having my own dogs and watching shows like that are things like:

- Greyhounds make excellent pets, and contrary to popular belief don't require a lot of exercise (they run and run for about half an hour and then sleep for 2 days........whippets are similar).  Greyhounds aren't particularly good guard dogs though, they're too dim to notice anything unusual going on 

- Terriers are often purchased by people who think 'small dog, less exercise' and they couldn't be more wrong.  You take a terrier on a 5 mile walk and get home, then 10 mins later it'll want to go out again - they are yappy though and likely to notice anyone within a mile radius of your house 

- Dobermans, Rotties and Pitbulls are lovely dogs given a bad press because of people training them up for all the wrong reasons.  However, I have to say that with kids, probably not the best idea because if a dog like that does suddenly bite then it's going to do damage.  Best for older people I always think.

- Chow Chows are apparently not good with kids (they're quick tempered), likewise Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers and surprisingly Dalmations.  The little dogs have Napoleon complexes and Dalmations can be skittish.

- German Shepherds are supposed to be good, Labradors (or doodles), Wowzers (Schnauzer/Westie crosses), Retrievers, Boxers, pugs.

If you're getting the dog when you get back to Europe you may even be able to get one from a shelter.  A friend got a Lurcher pup from a shelter and it was a lovely dog - very lovable but a 'sight dog' breed so slightly dopey (sight dogs seem to get themselves into all kinds of trouble, always falling into rivers and down holes etc, but they're very nice natured dogs).

I'd like to recommend a dog but I can't remember what its called. I do recall its a cross, between a Bull Terrier and a Shitsu. 

[Mixed breed]

Dr. Phil, I'm very sorry but that's utter BS. Not all pound dogs -read about 90%- have bad histories, have been abused, will attack again etc etc. On top of that most staff at the pounds are sufficiently trained to suss out which dogs can go with kids or not. I've always had pound dogs and never had a problem with any of them. If people keep having these dated views on pound animals they will never be given a second chance and that's not a good thing.
Just to give you an example, my current dog was 1 year old when he was rescued by the spca in Sydney. He was sold as a pup to a family who wanted a guard dog. They thought (and paid) for a full-bred German Shepherd. When it turned out he never barked the father of the family kicked the shit out of him and stopped feeding him enough to make him more aggressive. Needless to say this didn't work... this went on for a year until someone called the spca and then he was removed from the family. He spent the next 3 months with a 'foster' family, a great system where very experienced dog owners look after rescue dogs and help them feel better again. I got him just after that. It took another few months before he was confident and happy again, he was terrified of most men in the beginning. To cut a long story short... he's now 8 years old. He's a big friendly and very calm, confident dog. He barks once a month. He's never been in a fight. He's never even growled. I even showed him the other day how to do it, but he didn't have a clue, haha! Anyway, my previous two dogs have similar stories. And you know what the best thing is? A pound dog, more than any other dog, will be eternally grateful and will show you that on a daily basis. So pls don't generalize.

[Dr. Phil]

Dr. Phil, I'm very sorry but that's utter BS. Not all pound dogs -read about 90%- have bad histories, have been abused, will attack again etc etc. .............. So pls don't generalize.

I did not say "all" pound dogs could suddenly turn.... but when dealing with children I don't deal in probability. If there is a risk and its an avoidable risk, I avoid it.

And when these dogs do turn, even if its only 10%, which I can not dispute figures, it usually involves an innocent act such as a child pulling the dogs tail or a sleeping baby which has received "too much attention" from parents.

Abused dogs will always carry their experiences. Treat them well and they will surely conform, but that's not the same as reform.

Like you, if I were to get a dog I would also go to the pound and find a mongrel. But I would not recommend it to someone knowing it will be in frequent and close proximity to children.

The choice of dog should not be dictated by your well placed sympathy. Its about children first, dog distant last.

I have heard my cousin talk of these matters and he's a top UK dog breeder.

[right]

Dr. Phil, I'm very sorry but that's utter BS. Not all pound dogs -read about 90%- have bad histories, have been abused, will attack again etc etc. .............. So pls don't generalize.

I did not say "all" pound dogs could suddenly turn.... but when dealing with children I don't deal in probability. If there is a risk and its an avoidable risk, I avoid it.

And when these dogs do turn, even if its only 10%, which I can not dispute figures, it usually involves an innocent act such as a child pulling the dogs tail or a sleeping baby which has received "too much attention" from parents.

Abused dogs will always carry their experiences. Treat them well and they will surely conform, but that's not the same as reform.

Like you, if I were to get a dog I would also go to the pound and find a mongrel. But I would not recommend it to someone knowing it will be in frequent and close proximity to children.

The choice of dog should not be dictated by your well placed sympathy. Its about children first, dog distant last.

I have heard my cousin talk of these matters and he's a top UK dog breeder.

Of course he is...   

[dogshopping]

I don't mind going to the pound, but I am also sorry to say that I don't think I have the luxury to rehabilitate a dog with 2 small and mischievous boys. I do like border collies very much and living in a rural area perhaps that may be a good option. Dr. Phil is right in that I do not want or need an aggressive dog, but a smart one. I do not want to be intimidated by the dog, but do want to feel safer with it around. I will be living in the country without neighbours right up close, something I am not used to as I am a city girl used to noise and nosy neighbors. I think I will feel a bit anxious about being a bit isolated and working from home. Talking about this reminds me of when I moved into a house here a few years ago and the moving expat tenants asked me if I also wanted to take their big dog when I moved in! I couldn't believe it. They were relocating back home and didn't want to pay the flight and board fees for the dog, plus they were moving into an apartment. They actually made me feel really guilty about not taking it but with a 2 and a half year old and 7 months pregnant and no maid I thought it would be a nightmare.

Phil, I do know that dogs need exercise and attention. I did have a dog when I was a child and whilst I wasn't the one who cleared up the poop I know how much a dog can tug at your heart and I know that I could never get rid of a dog once we had it. I have abstained from getting a dog during my many years in Asia, whilst all around me my friends have jumped in feet first. This is because I think I understand the size of the commitment and I think what I would want here is different to what I would want back home. I understand that a dog is for life - cliche sorry! I haven't taken the decision lightly and I am still thinking it over. I know that if and when we get the dog I am the one who is going to have to do all the donkey work and I accept that.

Great comments and advice. Thanks so much.

[hp sauce]

Chinese Shar-Pei ugly as hell but loyal schnauzer sized and good with kids.

[Ex-pat]

King Charles cavaliers are beautiful dogs they have a lovely nature with kids.  You often see them in pairs.  They carry on if someone comes to the door but they are not habitual barkers. 

[Sister has one]

King Charles cavaliers are beautiful dogs they have a lovely nature with kids.  You often see them in pairs.  They carry on if someone comes to the door but they are not habitual barkers. 

Not the generalise, but that particular individual could be the dumbest thing that ever roamed this planet. Yes, great with kids but lots of health problems. There is talk in Europe of disallowing the breed as there are too many hereditary issues with the over-breeding.

[ittybittyspider]

King Charles cavaliers are beautiful dogs they have a lovely nature with kids.  You often see them in pairs.  They carry on if someone comes to the door but they are not habitual barkers. 

Not the generalise, but that particular individual could be the dumbest thing that ever roamed this planet. Yes, great with kids but lots of health problems. There is talk in Europe of disallowing the breed as there are too many hereditary issues with the over-breeding.

that's true..these dogs have major neurological problems due to over-breeding (inbreeding/line breeding). I would equate ownership of this type of dog to A LOT of vet bills down the road. Pretty, cute- whatever- or not- I would not get one of these dogs, just based on this alone.

[Shelter]

Most of our pets have come from a pound and have all been lovely and have bucketfuls of character.  The only neurotic animal we had was a pedigree rhodesian ridgeback.  She was lovely but high maintenance.  You can't beat a good mongrel and the vet tend to be lower as they often are more hardy.

Mostt animal shelters will not rehouse an animal that has problems with a family with small kids.  They want the best for the animal as well as the owner. Many shelters now have an website where you can view the animals on line first.  You would be surprised how many different breeds are availble.

[Ex-pat]

Well I am just speaking from personal experience ( not my sisters!)  These dogs (cavaliers) are cross bred to breed out health issues.  We have had no problem with ours.  Sorry if this offends some people.