My husband and I have been contemplating getting a dog. However, we
are a multi-pet household, and I am very concerned that *if* we get a
dog, it will be one that will fit into our family! I don't really
know any knowledgeable "dog people", so I figured I would ask for help
here. First, which breed would be ideal? I realize that dogs, like
people, are individuals with their own personalities - but breeds can
be generalized by character traits etc... Second, would we want to
look at males? or females?

Here are our criteria, in no particular order:
1.) minimal shedding (we both have some allergies)
2.) gets along with small animals (we have 2 cats and 2 parrots
3.) medium-sized or larger...we don't want a tiny dog, we want one
that can go backpacking, camping, play frisbee, etc...

We live in a large city, but right across the street from a large
park. We are both quite active and would enjoy a jogging/romping in
the park buddy.

Thanks!
~angela

Angela wrote:

Here are our criteria, in no particular order:
1.) minimal shedding (we both have some allergies)
2.) gets along with small animals (we have 2 cats and 2 parrots
3.) medium-sized or larger...we don't want a tiny dog, we want one
that can go backpacking, camping, play frisbee, etc...

What about a mini or standard poodle? From a good breeder they are awesome
dogs.

Beth

Here are our criteria, in no particular order:
1.) minimal shedding (we both have some allergies)
2.) gets along with small animals (we have 2 cats and 2 parrots
3.) medium-sized or larger...we don't want a tiny dog, we want one
that can go backpacking, camping, play frisbee, etc...

Bichon Frise! Ours gets along three cats and six parrots. Although the
breed standard is 11.5 pounds, many are larger. Hardy dogs that can take
the heat and cold - but certainly house dogs. The friendliest things
walking. Play play and play some more. Not a guard dog at all "Suppose"
to be the best allergies. Down side - grooming. Double coat that
needs brushed frequently and groomed frequently.

Depending on how much training & exercise (daily) you intend to give, some
suggestions I have a

Weim
Doberman
Standard Poodle

I'd love to recommend both the Rottweiler & Boxer but the Rottie sheds like
crazy and the Boxer isn't a good game/fetch dog. Few of them will play
frisbee although they make up for their lack of normal dog games by being
the house comedian.

If you decide to consider a Boxer then it'd have to be either a puppy or an
adult from a rescue. Boxers tend to chase small animals that you wouldn't
normally classify as pets (squirrels for example) with the exception of
cats. If not raised with them then Boxers will chase them. A rescue can
tell you which of their adult dogs is cat-friendly. One other down-side is
that Boxers are notoriously difficult about being good off-leash dogs unless
you train them from puppyhood. They will want to run up to every child,
adult & animal they see to say hello so a good heel, watch-me & recall would
be essential for playing in the park.

--
Tara

Tee wrote:
Depending on how much training & exercise (daily) you intend to give, some
suggestions I have a

Weim
Doberman
Standard Poodle

I'd love to recommend both the Rottweiler & Boxer but the Rottie sheds like
crazy and the Boxer isn't a good game/fetch dog. Few of them will play
frisbee although they make up for their lack of normal dog games by being
the house comedian.

I think I'd tend to go Standard Poodle--dogs with loads of smarts and
great senses of humor, and probably a bit less likely to have very high
prey drive than the dobe or the Weim. And truly I have yet to meet a
"sane" Weim. I'm sure they're out there, but a fair number tend to be
pretty darn wiggy.

Of course getting them groomed is a downside, but the upside is no
shedding. Do be sure go to with a good breeder and research problems in
the breed--they can have a fair number.

"Robin Nuttall" wrote in message
newsBmhc.37744$ru4.37718@attbi_s52...


Tee wrote:
Depending on how much training & exercise (daily) you intend to give,
some
suggestions I have a

Weim
Doberman
Standard Poodle


I have a weim, and I would not recommend one - they really are a breed for
the *truly determind* (as in you want a weim, and no other breed will do)
and though can be trained to get along fine with other small animals, they
are fundamentally a hunting dog with a *very* strong prey drive.

They are also extremely determind themselves and though her intelligence is
awesome, training Cin is extremely hard work - if she doesn't think its
worth her while to co-operate, she won't. Push & pull as hard as you like,
all you end up doing is driving a wedge into your relationship.

On top of this, they can be very far ranging, and really need a big open
space for free running - so it really depends on what you mean by park - we
have a large recreation ground 'park' which I would not run her on because
she'd be across it in two bounds and it is used by families for, well,
recreation - but then we have huge woodland parks which I would - provided
I can see farther than I know she'll range out to (she is only young and can
suffer from selective hearing).

Cinni has also been shedding, her first full moult - though her coat is very
short, it can really shed and I've been sneezing solidly since she started .

Quote: And truly I have yet to meet a
"sane" Weim. I'm sure they're out there, but a fair number tend to be
pretty darn wiggy.

I've met a few, but the price you pay for their sanity is your own

As for recommendations - again, with regard to the small animals being a
priority, why not have a look around your local shelters for a dog that has
some known background and is already proven with small animals.

Diana

"Tee" wrote in message
...
Depending on how much training & exercise (daily) you intend to give, some
suggestions I have a

Weim
Doberman
Standard Poodle

You might want to re-think the Weimaraner suggestion. They are bird dogs
and many have been known to consider cats as prey as well.

--
Ruth + Gretta, one old weim + Woody, the corgimon and Thelma, the three
legged wonder cat

"Diana" wrote in message
...
Quote: And truly I have yet to meet a
"sane" Weim. I'm sure they're out there, but a fair number tend to be
pretty darn wiggy.

I've met a few, but the price you pay for their sanity is your own

what a shame you have had so few meetings with "sane" weims. i have had
them for 33 years and only owned one wacko lol. unfortunately, as the breed
has gained in popularity, so have bad breeding practices, among both byb's
and "reputable"breeders. weims do require a no nonsense approach to
training, but once there, they are absolutely wonderful, intelligent,
sensitive companions.

--
Ruth + Gretta, one old weim + Woody, the corgimon and Thelma, the three
legged wonder cat

wrote in message
. ..
"Tee" wrote in message
...
Depending on how much training & exercise (daily) you intend to give,
some
suggestions I have a

Weim
Doberman
Standard Poodle

You might want to re-think the Weimaraner suggestion. They are bird dogs
and many have been known to consider cats as prey as well.

True. I had no idea of what kind of training, exercise or time the OP has
to devote and if they'd start with a puppy. I should have made notes next
to all the breeds I mentioned. The two Weims I know, granted not extremely
well, live with indoor birds & one with cats, so I assumed that when raised
with them they'd be fine.

--
Tara

wrote in message
.. .
"Diana" wrote in message
...
Quote: And truly I have yet to meet a
"sane" Weim. I'm sure they're out there, but a fair number tend to be
pretty darn wiggy.

I've met a few, but the price you pay for their sanity is your own

what a shame you have had so few meetings with "sane" weims. i have had
them for 33 years and only owned one wacko lol. unfortunately, as the
breed

....sorry, I think you missed the humour in my post - I know sometimes it can
get a little lost in US/UK translation :-)

- I've met one that wasn't friendly, other than that all that I have met,
as adults, have been lovely, or else I wouldn't have wanted one for
myself!... my pup is hard work at 9 months old and testing the her
boundaries but in that, it is sooooo rewarding when you do get that
connection and suddenly, she'll give her whole soul to you.

Another of my little jokes regarding her - she has the brains of Einstein
but with the ears of Dumbo, so they keep falling out

Diana