OK, the fictional family is us in about 6 years. So, the child's prior dog experience has been with an AmStaf and a working bred Malinois. I was curious as to what people would suggest.
By the time Syd is old enough to show in 4H, Grant will be gone. The next dog that I'm getting will be for me, and will probably be too much dog for a little girl to show. Besides with the rules, my dog will likely have enough training and titles by then that if she were to show, she would have to be in the advanced classes with the teenagers.
I said small both because the dog would be for a little girl, and because my husband wants to get down to a one dog household. I doubt I could get him to go for another big dog, but I might be able to talk him into a little dog for his baby's 4H project. Ha!
High on the list are Bostons and Papillons, but the Paps have more fur than I want. It's not too poofy of a coat, though, so they haven't been written off entirely.
I wonder how Brussels Griffons are? A smooth red was one of the few dogs that made my husband remark on its cuteness without being prompted.