Please suggest what dog will work for our family!
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Anonymous
| So we would be first time dog owners. The kids are tweens and early teens, and very eager for a dog! We have a fenced in backyard. One kid is a bit allergic, so that would be something to watch out for. We prefer a non-shedding or low-shedding dog, calm, sweet, easy to train, and that won't require a ton of exercise. An "easy" family dog. What kinds of dogs should we be looking at? |
Anonymous
| Rather than search for a specific breed, I would call some of the local rescues and talk through your requirements. They can often give great recommendations for dogs that are already housebroken, have calm dispositions, are non-low shedding etc... Often when you go for a specific breed, some dogs meet the requirements and others don't. If you can adopt one that is a young adult with a known background you will have a better chance of finding a good fit for your family. |
Anonymous
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So while poodles are smart and don't shed much (good for people with allergies) they're sometimes not too friendly. Which is why poodle MIXES are often great - you get the best traits of a poodle without the mean part.
I had a cockapoo who was about 14 lbs, hypoallergenic, didn't shed, easily trained and LOVED her family. Average IQ, but sky high EQ. I've also met great malti-poos and malteses. Westies fit your criteria as well. (I like small, white dogs that are smart, friendly and don't shed.) |
Anonymous
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Don't get a puppy.
Get a bichon or a poodle or another hypoallergenic dog. |
Anonymous
| What are the good rescue organizations in DC or close-in DC? I like the suggestion made to talk to the local rescues about the type of dog we are looking for and seeing if there is a fit. |
Anonymous
| I have a miniature poodle. He does not bark a lot and he is low key . Love him! I had a standard poodle years ago and he was a little bit too high energy for me so when we were looking for a dog recently, I still wanted poodle due to allergies and chose a miniature poodle. |
Anonymous
Our neighbor's cockapoo is adorable and friendly but sure barks a lot. Is that typical? |
Anonymous
Lucky Dog. I think they may have an option where you tell them what you want and they make specific suggestions of dogs (as opposed to looking online and picking one out yourself). |
Anonymous
np Not to be a Debbie downer but, you need to acknowledge that all dogs are work. Even the "easy" ones require a lot of attention and they are expensive. Think of them as toddlers who never grow up. I don't want to discourage you from getting a dog but, realize that no dog is easy or perfect and if that is what you want than maybe it would be better to have the kids volunteer at a shelter or start a dog walking business. Remember, no matter how many times you kids tell you they will take care of the dog feeding, walks etc it will most likely be the adult. And don't forget when you want to go on vacation. You will need someone to walk and feed them. Short answer: Ask yourself Do you want a dog? Are you ready to do the majority of work? Will you resent the dog when the kids leave home? If you answer yes to the first two questions and no to the last than you should get a dog. But, if not than I wouldn't. Can you imagine someone saying I want to adopt a baby but they have to be an easy baby, won't require any tutoring, won't draw on the walls or have tantrums. But, if you are serious than get a mutt. They are the best dogs! We got ours from Lucky dog and she is the sweetest. |
Anonymous
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We recently adopted a dachshund-bichon mix from the shelter. We are also a first time dog family with two members who are allergic. She is hypoallergenic and just the sweetest dog.
You will want to look for poodles, shih tzus, bichons, malteses, havanese. Consider mixes too. Start looking at the shelters and visit them. Note - these dogs go fast at the shelter. You will need to be on top of your game to get one from the shelter but it's worth it. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| PP how old is your dog? Was she already house trained? Which shelter did you find her in? |
Anonymous
She is two and was already house trained. Montgomery County Shelter. |
Anonymous
Hmmm.... I don't know. My cockapoo barked at things outside - squirrels and other dogs barking, but she didn't bark when we came home (maybe a yip of excitement here or there). I didn't feel like she barked a LOT. My mom trained the Westie we grew up with to bark at ANYONE who came to either side of the door. She'd also bark any time she saw a dog. But dogs bark. That's how dogs speak, you know? |
Anonymous
| Greyhound |
Anonymous
| Sounds like you should get a cat. |