Breed Suggestions for child's obedience dog

[stafinois]

Dog savvy family, 10-year-old girl. Prefer something smaller and shorthaired. Dog will be shown in 4H obedience, maybe AKC juniors.

What would you suggest?

[Fran101]

Miniature poodles seem like a nice fit! They are a nice size, wicked smart, good with kids
The only issue I think is the grooming. They don't shed but the hair does require some grooming, not much when in puppy cut though!

Boston Terriers also come to mind. Every one I've met has been a lovely friendly kid loving dog. They have short hair and the few in my old obedience class were always really good

[SaraB]

What about a corgi? They're fun-sized and pretty dang clever.

[Laurelin]

Sheltie was my thought until I heard shorthaired. I got my first sheltie in third grade and they're just so good. All of our shelties were just great kids' dogs.

Maybe a rat terrier? Border terrier?

Papillons have hair too but they have an easy single coat. Josie got Rose at about that age and they do fantastic together.

[Kat09Tails]

Beagle.

[SailenAero]

Min Pin

[Dekka]

What sort of things does this kid like in a dog.. when not doing 4-H?

Darien has done fantastic with JRTs to compete with .... I think he would have given up if he had had a beagle. But another kid might be ok with a beagle and not want to deal with the 'what ifs' when training a JRT.

What about a nice (they do come in less intense) cattle dog?

[stardogs]

A cattle dog?! yea, no. They are one of the last breeds I'd recommend for a child.

I like the beagle idea tho they may be harder for obedience with the scent hound angle to contend with. Whippet also crossed my mind but I know they are considered a more difficult breed for obedience; Kes had a friend who was an obedience whippet though so I know it's doable. LOL

A boston would be fun - nice size, more biddable.

[Dekka]

Originally Posted by stardogs

A cattle dog?! yea, no. They are one of the last breeds I'd recommend for a child.

I like the beagle idea tho they may be harder for obedience with the scent hound angle to contend with. Whippet also crossed my mind but I know they are considered a more difficult breed for obedience; Kes had a friend who was an obedience whippet though so I know it's doable. LOL

A boston would be fun - nice size, more biddable.

Actually around here I have had some great cattle dog/kid combos. 4Hers too (though 4-H here isn't as 'big' as it is in the states) The cattle dogs were combo confo/herding dogs vs strictly sport/herding lines. That might make a difference. They were very focused dogs, much like BC only smaller and easier for the kids to handle.

[~Tucker&Me~]

Originally Posted by Dekka

Actually around here I have had some great cattle dog/kid combos. 4Hers too (though 4-H here isn't as 'big' as it is in the states) The cattle dogs were combo confo/herding dogs vs strictly sport/herding lines. That might make a difference. They were very focused dogs, much like BC only smaller and easier for the kids to handle.

That's interesting, maybe there is a specific breeder in your area that is producing dogs who are a little different from the standard ACD. All of the ones I have met and interacted with out here would be, imo, highly unsuitable for all but the most dog savvy teenagers (I don't think a kid could handle them). They are much, much edgier than BC's and most I have seen were similar size wise, if not a bit 'thicker'. I would imagine a typical BC would be much better suited than a typical ACD.

Anyway, not to rain on that parade but from my personal experience over here with the breed, they would make unsuitable kid's dogs.

ETA: Oh and *if* the OP was to go the cattle dog route, I would highly recommend going for an adult so you could see exactly what you were getting into and make sure the dog was relatively bomb-proof and appropriate for the situation.