Dog Breeds for Urban Families with Small Children

[Anonymous]

We have a one-year-old boy. We've had dachshunds up until now, with good experience. Our current dog, a longhaired doxie, who we have to put to sleep due to cancer, is wonderful around the baby, one of the most tolerant dachshunds either of us have been around.

I don't know when we'll be ready for another dog. But when we do get there, I am not sure what direction to push in considering a new dog. Our baby LOVES our dog, and the dog lets him clumsily interact with her, which one of many reasons it is a minor tragedy we're losing this particular dog right now.

Anyway, I'd kindof like to get another longhaired doxie, which are usually on the sweeter side compared to short- and wire-haired. But dachshunds are more fragile and sometimes not entirely tolerant.

Alternatively, I am wondering if we should consider an even-tempered larger breed. We've talked about standard poodles. DH doesn't want a retriever or lab. I think they are a little too lumbering/forward/energetic for us to be quite the right fit. DH finds them a little tiring.

Just not sure what we should consider, however. I've never had a baby and a dog at the same time. Thoughts?

We have back and front fenced "yard," but it is in the city and 12 x 15 in front and back. We do have a good neighborhood for walking and some parks.

[Anonymous]

*I've never had a baby and a dog at the same time.

Except for the dog and baby we have now, of course.

[Anonymous]

I would wait.

The combination you listed of urban living and an almost toddler is very unfair to the dog.

Wait until your kid is an older 3 or young 4.

[Anonymous]

Is your opinion based on the idea that dogs don't belong in cities? Our neighborhood has several large dogs that are doing well, so I am not sure that I am concerned about that.

The toddler fact, however, is outside our experience.

We do have one parent around during the day, teleworking.

[Anonymous]

This sounds crazy, but a Great Dane. They are great city dogs. Low energy, very sweet, quiet. Ours sleeps 22-23 hours a day - no lie. He wakes up in time for his next nap. We rescued him through A Forever Home (he's purebred).

We also have a one year old - and they get along great.

[Anonymous]

Doxie are generally HORRIBLE `with kids. Agree that you should go for larger breed wolfhound or greyhound they seriously will sleep most of the day. Any terrier should straight off your list, too.

[Anonymous]

I also recommend waiting. Our daughter as a 1 year old was great with our dog and he adored her. Then she got mobile and it became a nightmare because she was constantly going for the dog. Even gentle, tolerant dogs have limits and it can be very stressful for a dog to have to deal with an unpredictable toddler, especially for a dog who is just coming into a new family.

That said, our dog was a hound mix and he was incredible with older children and did very well in our townhouse style yard as long as he got regular walks. I definitely recommend hounds (coonhounds, plott hounds, treeing walker hounds, etc) as family dogs.

[Anonymous]

Get a mild-mannered mutt. Go walk some at a rescue or shelter. Introduce your kid to the dog and see how they interact.

My dog is a lab mix and 60 lbs but is very low energy and laid-back. You probably want to find a low-energy dog. Bigger dogs do fine in small spaces, btw.

[Anonymous]

We also have a lower energy lab mix that we got as a puppy. He is sweet and tolerant. Toddlers come up to him and he just stands there while they pet him, stick fingers in his nose or ear. Many times he will lick them because they usually have something smashed on their fingers or face. When you are ready, go to a rescue and they will match you with a dog with an even temperment.

[Anonymous]

We got a standard poodle when our children were 3 and 5. We had never owned a dog before, so it has definitely been an adventure. If I had to do it over again, I would get a smaller dog. He is big! I have really grown to love that crazy dog, but he is high energy, would love his life more if he lived out in the country where he could roam around more, and it is hard for him to interact with the kids because he is almost as tall as them. And did I say he was high energy? And he had full stomach rotation about 4 months ago and needed a $4k operation. This is more common in big dogs and is fatal if not immediately corrected. Another large dog problem.

[Anonymous]

PUG. Needs very little exercise, soo gentle with the kids, sleeps all the time. Besides the shedding he is perfection.

[Anonymous]

Any breed (purebred or mixed) is fine, but I do recommend that you get a puppy. This will ensure the dog is used to the craziness of a child from the start.

Having a puppy and child is a lot of work though. Both need attention, exercise, love, and training. You double your work load overnight and I can't stress enough that your dogs needs to be taken to regular obedience classes. Your dog will learn manners way before your child and you should never leave them alone together.

However, if you can deal with the added confusion and pay equal attention, the rewards will pay off. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Shiba Inu! They are apartment dogs so great for urban living. They keep themselves really clean too.

[Anonymous]

Yorkie poo

[Anonymous]

Greyhounds are gentle, low energy, great city dogs, and most of them are great with kids. Some local groups won't adopt to families with kids, but there are some who will happily.