Warning: This post has nothing to do with politics.
Our five year old loves dogs. Earlier today he was outside and came running in to tell me he found a puppy in our garage. Turns out she’s our neighbor’s dog who just came around for a visit. He was so excited – it got me back to considering getting a dog.
I don’t want a big dog. We had a dog before we had kids, actually, she was a gift from a boyfriend I had in college. (No, I didn’t get dog-support after we broke up.) She was a loyal companion and when I lived alone I always felt more secure having a dog with a big bark in the house. She died when I was pregnant with our five year old and we had pretty much decided against any more pets. She was a mixed breed – black lab and cocker spaniel. She shed like you wouldn’t believe. I had to vacuum almost every day. And let’s just say the mess in the yard when the snow melted was something to behold, while holding your nose. Gross!
So, if we get a dog it has to be small. My husband doesn’t want a wimpy foo-foo dog, not that I would mind. I think we could compromise on either a pug, a Jack Russell or perhaps some unknown breed or mixed breed we’ve never heard of.
Can any of you recommend a breed of small dog, that doesn’t do a whole lot of shedding and is good with kids? If so, please leave a comment below. Adopting a pet is not something to go into lightly. I’ve been doing some research but it’s nice to hear advice from real people.
Of course, if we do decide to adopt a dog or a puppy you’ll be the first to know!
I have a Miniature Pinscher (sp?), a Min-Pin…she is wonderful and loves to cuddle and play. HOWEVER, the breed tends to be hyper. Proper training, lots of love, and bedding to burrow in (they LOVE that), can go a long way to having a sweet pup. I love my Minerva, and shedding is absolutely minimal. They do tend to like being with another dog in the home, too. Just my two cents
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How funny. My son and I were online earlier looking at rescue dogs in the area. There was a Min Pin he thought was really cute. I had never heard of the breed before. Thanks for the input.
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I have three dogs. Two from shelters: border collie mix and terrier mix. And one Min Pin (purebred, registered) that showed up on my doorstep one day. She had a locater chip, but it was registered to a company that brokers dogs. In the end, no one wanted her
Good for me though, she’s one of the best pups I’ve ever had 
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Aw … good old Dino.
We dogsit for a couple with two Dachshunds. They are awesome with the kids.
If we ever got a dog (which we won’t) I’d want an English Sheep Dog. Ok, they aren’t small so that’s not helpful at all. But they are so cute.
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Have you talked to your shelter to see if they have a “matching” program? Ours is like an adoption agency–you fill out a questionnaire and then they want you to bring your kids and any other pets and meet lots of dogs that fit what you want. Great way to really match a needy dog with the right family.
Get a dog, L.C.! Life is utterly empty without a dog.
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I’ve had lots dogs in my life, cried like a baby when they die and now with none. But the most important thing IMHO is to find a dog with a personality that fits your family. Yes, breeds make a difference, and no matter what, you WILL have some hair to clean up, but if you love and bond with the animal, it won’t matter so much because it will be a family member.
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Great advice everyone. Whatever we decide, we will take our time to find the right dog.
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My vote is for the wienie dogs. We have Miss uneeda Biscuit and she is so great with the kids and thinks she is one of them. We have a daughter with disabilities and have had the dog ever since she was a baby. They get along great and the dog loves the kids as if they were her own.
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