Hello, I'm seeking advice about what kinds of dog could suit my family.

[John Bechet]

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Hello,

After years of thinking about adopting a rescue dog, I think my family circumstances are now right to start looking (children getting old enough, freeing up some of my time). I hope that this community can offer some advice about what kinds of dog would suit my particular circumstances. I take responsibility and commitment very seriously and want to do the right thing.

Factors I am concerned about:

We have two children, aged 7 and 4.

A bigger concern is we have a pet rabbit. He freely roams the garden but lives in an indoor hutch. I know that we should avoid the types of dog that would instinctively try to get the rabbit, but are there any types that would get along with one, given careful supervision?

I am usually home all day, being the stay at home parent, so I can give a dog a lot of time and attention. I like walks, or even runs (a dog could not only get me out walking more but potentially give me the motivation to get back into runs or jogs). But we also hope for a dog that will be happy to just sit and lounge about with us.

I would need to leave the dog for short periods, such as the school run (I've never seen dogs brought to school, there might be a rule against it, and maybe I am being over sensitive but I am reluctant to leave a dog in the car for even a few minutes). Occasionally we go out for a meal but wouldn't be gone much more than an hour.

I'd be grateful for any advice as to what types of dog to look out for. Oh and my wife favours a small dog.

Best,
John

 

[Mad Murphy]

Hi there. Im guessing that in any what dog test you get a lab as most suitable.
Problem is a lot of smaller dogs are terriers or other prey dogs such as beagles and whippets. Anything more placid such as a CKC wouldnt be suitable to running.
As for the rabbit, I think if a pup is introduced to another 'family' member early enough they can be trained not to see that pet as a prey object we have Murphy how is a very prey motivated dog and Basil an african grey parrot. Murphy has only ever known home with Basil so he does not view Basil as prey although we are very careful and do not leave them alone together. (accidents can happen).

Maybe someone else has ideas on a breed suitable for you or maybe its a case of finding a good rescue with younger dogs who will guide you through the suitable choices available.

 

[JoanneF]

I think poodles are seriously under-rated. They are smart little dogs (or big if your wife were persuaded towards a standard) and can run and run. They don't have to be clipped into daft shapes (incidentally some of the cuts were originally designed to protect them while hunting so it's a shame, in my view, that they have developed a frou frou reputation).

 

[Josie]

I would always recommend a labrador (of course having one myself I am slightly biased) I know they are not small dogs but they are great family dogs. They love being part of the family but are also quite happy spending some time on their own. They just want to please!

Our boy was brought up with guinea pigs and rabbits and is absolutely fine with them! They can both be lose in the garden without worry. Cats on the other hand....

 

[John Bechet]

Thanks to each of you for your replies.

I like labradors. My sister and her husband used to have two (well, one was a lab/collie mix). I would be interested in a lab or collie but my wife is keen on a small dog. Oddly, she used to prefer larger dogs and even wanted a Border Collie specifically. I think what changed her mind was having the children and she's now concerned about space and effort.

I like the poodle possibility.

Running with a dog is low on the list. If it was just me, I would go for a runner but a less energetic one would suit all of us. Do you know what the walking distance limit of a small dog such as a Bichon is? Our local park is about half a mile away but we have a car which makes several other parks easy to reach as well. Would a small poodle be able to run further than other small dogs?

 

[Violet Turner]

Hi it can be a stressful time trying to find a rescue/dog/puppy that is 'safe' around small animals such as your rabbit, Labradors are a good companions for running and suit a family life style well and don't have a high pray drive. You mentioned about poodles, toy poodles can also be great companions for running but they do have a higher prey drive but with socialisation from the first day in your home you can prevent any occurrences with your dog and rabbit.
If you speak with your local dog rescue then they should be able to offer help and support with your decision, if you decide to get a puppy from a breeder you can contact a/some breeders and ask their advice about puppies and small animals. When it came to finding homes for my dog's puppies, one went to a home with 2 guinea pigs and a hamster, but the owner cannot take her eyes off of the pup as Miniature Schnauzers can have a high prey drive as they were bred to be ratters. You came to the right place for advice about this topic. If you need any other help just ask! - Violet

 

[JoanneF]

Would a small poodle be able to run further than other small dogs?

Bearing in mind they were originally bred to work and remain in the Kennel Club Utility group, I would say yes but I don't know much about Bichons to compare!

 

[Josie]

I'm not sure about Bichon's walking limits (maybe gentle strollers?) but I know a lovely Bichon called Teddy. He is very much a lap dog and enjoys being with people all of the time - Good if that suits you. He also suffers with quite bad allergies which I believe is quite common with this breed.

 

[Kara 1]

A reputable rescue will look at your home life and should match you with a dog ....
Rescue Remedies are great for this and have allsorts of dog breeds available for adoption

 

[John Bechet]

Thanks. I will add the smaller poodles to my list of possibilities.

I have sent my details to Battersea and the RSPCA and will just wait now until potential matches come up. I will look into Rescue Remedies too, thanks for the recommendation!

Am I right to guess that some breeds tend to come up as rescue dogs more often than others? Eg. Poodles more likely than Bichons? My wife fell in love with a friend's Maltese but I dont expect such a fancy dog to appear so much.

 

[Violet Turner]

You will get more dog breeds than others.

 

[JudyN]

Am I right to guess that some breeds tend to come up as rescue dogs more often than others?

Yep - if you want a Staffie, lurcher or greyhound you'll be spoilt for choice - not sure about Staffies, but although lurchers and greyhounds can share a house with a rabbit if introduced as puppies, you'd struggle to find a rabbit-friendly one in a rescue!

There are also breed-specific rescues - the Kennel Club lists some. Here's their details for Maltese: Maltese Breed Rescue

 

[John Bechet]

Thank you for that link, I will make an enquiry there too.

I find lurchers and greyhounds so beautiful. It's a pity they are so unlikely a match for me that I can't consider them.

 

[Teddy560]

I can only comment on the dogs I've had personally. As a child had a collie cross and lab and a lab cross husky?! Both amazing with us as children and our menagerie of rabbits and cats.

We've also had a sheltand sheepdog and I can honestly say she has been the most amazing dog ever. Never ever chewed, even as a puppy, naturally dog-neutral, quite small, house-trained herself, isn't prey driven, playful. Even now in her teens she is great with my children. Cons is some of them are barkers, when people knock on the door etc, shouldn't be too much of a problem if someone is home a lot though. And they are quite fluffy so "blow" their undercoat twice a year. Also, they look like tiny Lassies so are super beautiful.

My dog now is a golden cocker spaniel. Fab in every way, my children are 1 and 3, but I don't know if I'd trust him with a loose rabbit. I don't think he'd kill it but he'd definitely chase it.

 

[John Bechet]

Thanks, what you describe is what I hope to have.

My sister's collie/lab cross was lovely also.

A Shetland sheepdog sounds wonderful but I think my wife wouldn't like the hairs everywhere. She favours a low shedding breed.

I think with my specific requirements there will be a long wait until a potential match comes up. Am I right in thinking that an individual dog's personality will matter more than the characteristics of the breed? If, say, a five year old dog has been observed all that time to be good with other animals and children, and is well trained and obedient, that personal history speaks more than the breed's expected prey drive?

 

[JudyN]

Am I right in thinking that an individual dog's personality will matter more than the characteristics of the breed? If, say, a five year old dog has been observed all that time to be good with other animals and children, and is well trained and obedient, that personal history speaks more than the breed's expected prey drive?

I would say yes - my dog has atypical characteristics for his type, I know someone with a very laid back springer spaniel, and also lots of lurchers who live with cats and all sorts of other small furries. But do be aware that a dog might change somewhat when moved to a different home, and also some dogs might be fine with their pet rabbit but not any other (my dog loves our cat but hates all others).

A dog that has been in kennels at a rescue will obviously be much more of an unknown quantity than one that has been in a foster home, or come straight from its previous home to you.

I'm all for rescues, but have you considered getting a puppy from a breeder? Then you can choose the breed that fits your requirements in general, and it'll be much easier to train it to coexist happily with the rabbit. You can of course get puppies from rescues but their parentage on their fathers' side tends to be anyone's guess.

 

[John Bechet]

Besides leaning towards rescue on principle, I worry if getting a puppy (through either way) brings a risk of unforeseen characteristics developing later. This was suggested to me by my brother in law who, in his first marriage, got a puppy that his children loved but as it grew older it started showing behaviours that made him fear it would hurt the children. So they rehomed it sadly. Years later, with my sister, my brother in law made a point of adopting older dogs. He says with older ones you can know their characters better.

What are all your thoughts on this?

 

[Flobo]

Older dogs can be easier in one way, but it does depend on their past.. The lab/collie keeps popping up, I took one on at the age of 6, and after a period of adjustment, as in building his confidence and encouraging him out from under the coffee table, he was the most amazing, loyal and trustworthy dog ever, I took on a cat and I brought in 2 other rescues,one after the other, and had a baby in his lifetime and he was the best..
If you have made a decision to take on a rescue at this point in your life there is no rush, the right dog will come along, in what ever shape or form, just be patient.. keep visiting the rescue centres and keep an open mind..your perfect dog maybe the one you least expected!

 

[Mad Murphy]

Ive almost always adopted adult dogs and while everyone of my dogs have been fanstastic some of them have had issues that made them unsuitable to be around children, teddy a pom was yappy and nervous his nipped my daughter and got badly told off by my bouvier/st bernard cross. Benny my beagle could only be described as autistic he did not like eye contact or unsolicted touching cuddeling or anyone getting near his food. Remy a JRT cross found in a field scared of the world and he would freeze if grabbed or touched by the wrong person he was a hunter through and through and I would never have left him alone with a small child.

Children need to be taught to respect a dog and understand that it is not a plaything. I hear about pups in families getting nippy or bad tempered and 99% of the time its because kids do not respect the dog and parents do not enforce disipline on the children but expect the dog to always 'be nice'.
Sorry but when I hear storys about pup gone bad I tend to think it more likely the dog has just reached breaking point in a home where it got no peace.

 

[Flobo]

I have to agree, my daughter was obviously brought up with dogs and her 'training' was as important as the dogs! Right from an early age she was taught the value of non verbal communication, whether it be with our 7 adopted rats, our cat or dogs and now ferrets. Actually it wasn't just her, any of her friends coming round got the same instruction.!