"Jo Wolf" wrote in message:

Haven't been around here in a long while...

Indeed, it has. Good to have you back.

Someone mentioned Border Terriers. NO. Not this household at this time.

I would go so far as to say not this household in the foreseeable future. I
don't even consider myself to be a good home for most terriers, and I'm a
hell of a lot more dedicated and savvy than they'll ever be. Definitely no
BTs, not if I can help it.

I agree with several comments about the Havanese. Nice breed.

Not one I've considered. Not one they'll likely find in rescue either, but
I'll let the know.

also adore the Cav. There are healthy ones... And a larger Boston
might work.

An older Boston might be the best fit of the lot, and easier to find in
rescue than the other suggested breeds.

Reality 101: Just remember that, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody
happy." This really may not be a great home for any dog..... because of
that. You've already said that your brother is lazy... so who's left
with the dog care? Half-hearted agreement to get a dog is a definite
minus, and sets the dog up for failure and kids with broken hearts and a
disposable-pets attitude.

BIL. My ELB is currently in a household containing 2 dogs, 7 cats, a couple
of hermit crabs... and expecting his first child.

The kids will grow up to be quite normal if
they never have a dog. {grin} I know... heresy.... {another grin}

They do have my dogs to kind of 'normalize' them, but the older one
especially is a dog lover (his first word was 'Khan'). My BIL has always
had dogs, and he just loves them to pieces. Very much a dog lover, and of
the opinion that every kid should have a dog. But, his parents are dog
people too, and I'm willing to bet he never had to do any actual work WRT
dogs.

Suja

"Shelly" wrote in message:

Seriously! How could you not? I've only seen pictures of her, and I'm
smitten.

If I had to downsize at some point and get a small dog, I'd be okay with
Boston. Most of the ones I've met have had a lot of personality, and
usually in a good way. As for Shazzy, even SIL's ex, who is afraid of dogs
loves Shazzy. To the point where he offered $$$$ and a replacement puppy if
ELB would hand Shazzy over to him.

StaffyBull or a smaller Pit mix? Obviously, working with a good rescue
group is important, but there are definitely kid-friendly, non-dog
aggressive bullies out there.

SIL thinks that Pits are aggressive dogs. It didn't help that the one she
knows best (Isabelle) is all sorts of tweaked, and put a dent in Pan.

Or how about a Cocker Spaniel?

I haven't seen very many around here. BIL has grown up with various kinds
of Spaniels, so maybe that'll help.

Miniature Schnauzer?

I think I've mentioned before that I've actively disliked most Min.
Schnauzers I've met. I'm not sure if a terrier type of dog of any sort will
work for them.

Every once in a while, we'll get a dog in our rescue that says 'Must go to a
home with kids'. I think that's the sort of dog that these folks need.
Easy, laid-back, friendly to all and sundry. I'm glad they're just thinking
about it now, because I'm not at all convinced that a dog is a good fit for
them. From what I know about SIL (despite the fact that Pan has couch/bed
privileges at their house), the kids should get a dog once they're grown up,
stable and out of the house.

Suja

"Suja" wrote in message
...

If I had to downsize at some point and get a small dog, I'd be okay
with Boston.

I really, really, really want one. My aunt's Boston is a little tweaky,
but even so, she's a wonderful little dog. She reminds me a *lot* of
Harriet, which is appealing to me.

Most of the ones I've met have had a lot of personality, and usually
in a good way.

Yes! They are a lot of dog in a little package.

As for Shazzy, even SIL's ex, who is afraid of dogs loves Shazzy. To
the point where he offered $$$$ and a replacement puppy if ELB would
hand Shazzy over to him.

I don't blame him. I threatened to sneak Jasmine into my suitcase, but
my aunt said she'd killerate me if I did.

SIL thinks that Pits are aggressive dogs. It didn't help that the one
she knows best (Isabelle) is all sorts of tweaked, and put a dent in
Pan.

Probably not the breed for them, then!

I haven't seen very many around here. BIL has grown up with various
kinds of Spaniels, so maybe that'll help.

There are certainly some crappy Cockers out there, but there are good
ones, too, and the good ones IME can be nice family dogs.

I think I've mentioned before that I've actively disliked most Min.
Schnauzers I've met. I'm not sure if a terrier type of dog of any
sort will work for them.

I'm not a fan of them, either, but I think that's as much to do with
idiot small-dog owners as anything. My family's mini Schnauzers were
all really great dogs, so while I wouldn't generally recommend the
breed, I *know* that the right individual *can* be good in the situation
you've described.

Every once in a while, we'll get a dog in our rescue that says 'Must
go to a home with kids'. I think that's the sort of dog that these
folks need.

And there really are a lot of them out there. The trouble will be
getting that dog in a package that's acceptable to SIL.

From what I know about SIL (despite the fact that Pan has couch/bed
privileges at their house), the kids should get a dog once they're
grown up, stable and out of the house.

There's certainly something to be said for that. If she's not a dog
person, she's not a dog person. On the other hand, I really can
sympathize with BIL and the kids. I've lived without a dog, but it was
not fun.

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

"Suja" wrote in message
...

"Jo Wolf" wrote in message:

Haven't been around here in a long while...

Indeed, it has. Good to have you back.

Someone mentioned Border Terriers. NO. Not this household at this time.

I would go so far as to say not this household in the foreseeable future.
I don't even consider myself to be a good home for most terriers, and I'm
a hell of a lot more dedicated and savvy than they'll ever be. Definitely
no BTs, not if I can help it.

I agree with several comments about the Havanese. Nice breed.

Not one I've considered. Not one they'll likely find in rescue either,
but I'll let the know.

No, you're not likely to find a Havanese in rescue and buying from a
reputable
breeder will be pricey (Nelson certainly was). But they have a lot of the
characteristics you're looking for: not too big (breed standard says 13
pounds --
Nelson is a bit portly and comes in at 15 pounds), non-shedding, sturdy,
friendly to
all except some cats I've met, bright, generally quiet except when someone
comes
to the door (a good watch dog, but too small to be a guard dog), not prone
to
serious breed-related illnesses, easy to groom if not done up for show.



also adore the Cav. There are healthy ones... And a larger Boston
might work.

An older Boston might be the best fit of the lot, and easier to find in
rescue than the other suggested breeds.

Reality 101: Just remember that, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody
happy." This really may not be a great home for any dog..... because of
that. You've already said that your brother is lazy... so who's left
with the dog care? Half-hearted agreement to get a dog is a definite
minus, and sets the dog up for failure and kids with broken hearts and a
disposable-pets attitude.

BIL. My ELB is currently in a household containing 2 dogs, 7 cats, a
couple of hermit crabs... and expecting his first child.

The kids will grow up to be quite normal if
they never have a dog. {grin} I know... heresy.... {another grin}

They do have my dogs to kind of 'normalize' them, but the older one
especially is a dog lover (his first word was 'Khan'). My BIL has always
had dogs, and he just loves them to pieces. Very much a dog lover, and of
the opinion that every kid should have a dog. But, his parents are dog
people too, and I'm willing to bet he never had to do any actual work WRT
dogs.

Suja

"Suja" wrote in message
...

"Tara Green" wrote in message:

The one I was keeping an eye on most (puppy mill Cavvy, from a warehouse
style pet shop) has, at age 7, some slight arthritis in his back leg.
That's about it.

That's certainly unusual. And lucky. I believe that almost all Cavs that
make it to age 10 develop MVD by that time (50% by age 5).

http://www.cavalierhealth.org/mitral_valve_disease.htm

Suja

Benji got to like 12 and had a bit of arthritis other then that he lived a
full healty life.
Oh he did have a few skin proplems caused by wheat husks in cheap food.