Anonymous wrote:I’m considering a dog for my three boys. They want another sibling. I think it would be good for companionship and for them to learn responsibility. However, I’m not fond of all the work. Is there a breed that would be easy? Doesn’t shed much?

Get a nice stuffed plush toy dog. IKEA has some pretty ones.

You should get a car instead. Dogs by default takes work. Our 2 year old non shedding breed is cute and sweet as she can be. Easy most of the times but she still takes work and attention.

I had a cat when I was a young adult. That was simply less demanding.

Robot dog

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering a dog for my three boys. They want another sibling. I think it would be good for companionship and for them to learn responsibility. However, I’m not fond of all the work. Is there a breed that would be easy? Doesn’t shed much?

Our first dog when DH and I had no kids was an 1 1/2 y.o. rescue. Fortunately the dog was housetrained, so the work was the morning and evening walks - had a dog walker in the day. Dog loved to play fetch on occasion, but was not an overly active dog. Absolutely gorgeous, but shed up a storm!

Sadly, the dog died at 14 and I just couldn't bear to get another dog because I missed it so. The kids really wanted another one and I put it off for four years, but they were both miserable in HS, so I relented. This time I got a 6 y.o. non shed rescue. He has had his own challenges and that took up a lot of time in the beginning, but he is completely house trained and never any worries on that front. And the behavioral challenges were really nothing compared to getting up in the night and being available during the day to take a puppy out for house training.

So perhaps less work with a housetrained non shed older rescue, but really it is so worth and I wonder why I waited!

Seriously, just get a cat.

We have a 1yo puppy the kids begged for, we love her and DH and I wanted her and were prepared, planned it for years. The kids do help (required) and enjoy her but it depends on the day.

If YOU don’t want the dog, don’t.

Get a cat. we have 2 and the kids enjoy them just as much as the dog.

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering a dog for my three boys. They want another sibling. I think it would be good for companionship and for them to learn responsibility. However, I’m not fond of all the work. Is there a breed that would be easy? Doesn’t shed much?

Sight hounds have short bursts of energy and then are couch potatoes. But you still have to train it. Maybe you should get a cat

A cat.

I have an 8yo dog. She is my first ever dog. Not a day goes by that I don’t marvel at how much work it is.

Please don’t get a dog. Dogs need forever homes, not people who will get rid of them when they become too much work.

Get a fully fenced yard and a Lab who’s at least 4 years old from a Lab rescue.

But if they actually want another sibling, it won’t be that.

Do you have friends/family you could do some 5 - 10 day dog-sitting stints for before making this big of a decision?

an adult cat (or two cats that are already bonded, honestly no more work and they keep each other company). With a Litter Robot.

Dogs are a LOT of work. If this is your question now, a dog is not for you.

Do you have a fully fenced yard? Even with that, letting them in and out especially in the winter is a hassle, need to wipe paws etc.

Older dog that likes some play and walks but sleeps a lot. Foster to adopt.

don't get a dog

I’m considering a dog for my three boys. They want another sibling. I think it would be good for companionship and for them to learn responsibility. However, I’m not fond of all the work. Is there a breed that would be easy? Doesn’t shed much?