Suggestions for a breed for my sister

[Boemy]

My sister is considering adding a dog to her family. She has two older kids (thirteen and eleven) and two younger ones (eight or seven, I forget, and five.) She has a VERY SMALL yard and, indeed, a very small house. No current pets (except hermit crabs.) They probably wouldn't be able to handle the exercise requirements for a large or very active dog. The less grooming, the better.

Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a small, hardy terrier?

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

I'd say an adult shelter dog. If you go to the shelter, there are tons of small mixes. I can't think right now of a terrier who doesn't either need grooming, or exercise. I don't know how much exercise is needed, but a Border Terrier came to mind. But I think a shelter would be your best bet. The shelters screen their dogs, so they know how much exercise, and grooming they'll need, and how they are with kids. Good luck! :)

[Melissa_W]

I'd say an adult shelter dog. If you go to the shelter, there are tons of small mixes. I can't think right now of a terrier who doesn't either need grooming, or exercise. I don't know how much exercise is needed, but a Border Terrier came to mind. But I think a shelter would be your best bet. The shelters screen their dogs, so they know how much exercise, and grooming they'll need, and how they are with kids. Good luck! :)

Took the words right out of my mouth! I would definitely look for a rescue in this situation.

[casablanca1]

I also like the idea of a shelter dog (maybe a beagle or spaniel mix), but since it's impossible to predict how good the shelter is, or how helpful the employees, I think a few generalizations are a good idea for your sister:

1) Puppies and dogs under 2 years of age are very energetic, very demanding and very exhausting. Dogs over 2-3 years are often housetrained, mentally mature and capable of settling very quickly into your routine.

2) Puppies or young dogs with enormous feet will grow to be large dogs.

3) Large dogs are too big for a small child to walk safely, which is one of the joys and duties of ownership.

4) Tiny dogs are often rather one-person dogs who don't enjoy sharing.

5) Some breeds are subject to increased scrutiny and being banned from apartment buildings, etc. Primarily, the American Staffordshire Terriers, aka Pit Bulls, which are often present, pure and mixed, in shelters. Depending on type and mix, they aren't very large, but you may not want to deal with the problems associated with them.

6) Beware of adopting a dog with any serious behavior problems, even if they seem inconsequential to your own life. Dog-aggression, for example, may not seem to matter to your sister since this would be an only dog, but if she adopts a dog who has real dog-aggression, it will be unsafe for her children to walk the dog. Sooner or later, they'll encounter another dog.

7) One thing I read somewhere and think is a fabulous piece of advice is - if you're shopping for a family dog in a shelter, look for a dog who PREFERS children to adults, who loves kids, seeks them out, looks like they are in bliss when the kids pull their fur or shout in their face. That's as safe a guarentee as you'll get that your kids - and other kids - will be safe with the dog.

[Boemy]

They'll walk the dog daily, I just don't think it will get a lot of exercise in the actual yard because it's tiny. Also, my sister's into gardening, so half of it's garden. (I wish they would buy a bigger house.)

Oh yes, I'm definitely going to recommend an adult rescue dog for her, I just need to steer her towards specific breeds. Probably a purebred rescue . . . The shelters here rarely have small dogs.

[FoxyWench]

im in love with spaniels as kid dogs so long as there properly bred/rasied i grew up wiht spaniels and my little sister lernt to walk by using our cocker as a climbing frame lol.
Do lots of tests is rescuing a spaniel though, overbreedin has made them a little snippy, pull ears tail and hair and have the dog meet the kids.

if you cant find a selter to rescue from look through breeders they will occasiannally have older dogs looking for good homes to retire too.

border, norwich and norfolk terriers all come to mind (think toto!)

or even somthing along the lines of a bichon (tend to be good with kids unlike many toy breeds) or even a boston or pug (so long as you dont mind the snoring) again be carefull fo health problems

[jess2416]

I would say an older rescue Beagle...

*I went to K9 country breed selector (i know its not 100%) and put in the requirements that you posted kinda guessed on some of the others and Beagles were the only one that came up with 100% match..

[stevinski]

I think a terrier would be a good idea personally, maybe a
norfolk terrier
or a cairn terrier
maybe a affenpinscher or a brussels griffon

very hardy dogs and completely gorgeous

[stevinski]

border i would say no too because there more on the hyper side of terriers,
but when dixie said about grooming, its really the opposite, since most terriers are wire-haired they don't shed very much and they just need stripping twice a year

[Renee750il]

Terriers are going to dig, so be aware of that. It can get messy in a small yard, lol!

[elegy]

i would be hesitant to put a terrier in a family with limited ability to exercise the dog and with a small child. terriers can be pretty feisty and a lot of them aren't that patient with kids. they are often frequently pretty energetic. they're also often not a good match for a novice owner, because they're so spunky and independent. they're often not that easy to train.

[~Tucker&Me~]

I would go for an older dog. If they get a beagle, beware! These dogs were bred to go go go, 23 hours a day :D.

I would say look into spaniels, or possible an older golden or lab. Just you have to be ready for shedding.
If they go for the golden/lab, they should be at LEAST 3 years old, even older, as they tend to be hyper when younger.

~Tucker

[RetrieverLove]

I'm somewhat shocked that terriers are being reccomened. Personally, I don't think they fit this situation what so ever. I'd say that a Cavalier King Charles would be a decent fit. They are great dogs, typically good with kids, and not overly hard to train.

[milos_mommy]

my mom has a wheaten terrier pup, he's very good, not all that active, doesn't shed (does need to be brushed though). he took slightly longer than our other two to housebreak, but he's very well trained for a 7 month old. if your sister could find one at a rescue, i think that would be a great breed for her.

[mrose_s]

smaller dogs are usually higher energy and need more mental stimulation than a lot of the larger breeds.... when it comes to a small yard pick an older, stable shelter dog. this way you will already know if its high energy.

we have a tiny yard also. 1/3 pool, 1/3 cemtent and 1/3 grass, pond, garden. however we manage to own 4 dogs in this yard. (3 are high energy and 2 are puppies)

[taratippy]

How about a retired greyhound? Ok they do shed but dont require tons of exercise and curl up really small!

[mrose_s]

that might be a good idea... providing they can give it a secure large area to just !RUN! a couple of times a week with no way it can find small animals to hunt....

thats all that gets me about ghounds... finding that place.

[darkchild16]

if you get an older one beyond 3 and it is a secure area its not a big deal to have them rum. Our grey chases things everyonce in a while but never kills it they were trained to follow not kill ;) In the rescue i worked with we only had one dog actully kill the "prey" she was a 6 month old that had no racing prospects and the kennel was shutting down.

[wilford]

Perhaps, this is one of the best breeds I ever had..

Cocker Spaniel...

http://www.achetudoeregiao.com.br/ANIMAIS/gif_animal/cocker_spaniel.jpg