lap dogs
By tiffiny
@tiffiny (872)
United States
December 6, 2007 10:31am CST
In a couple months my husband has said that we can get a dog. So excitted. My entire life we have had big dogs. I love em. But now we are going to go the other way and get a little dog. I was wondering what the best kind would be? I have two little kids and I don't want a yippy always barking kinda dog. We usually get mutt dogs from the pound so I have no idea about anything. Thanks for helping me chose the right one guys.
7 responses
@copperkitten (3473)
• United States
6 Dec 07
It all depends on how much time you have to spend with the dog. Smaller dogs tend to want more attention and if they dont get enough they bark or tear things up. Get a dog that matches your leval of energy as well. You dont want a super excited dog if your a calm family and vise versa. Remember small dogs need just as much excercise as a big dog. Small dogs are also more affectionate and want to be with you.
All dogs are good with kids if taught to be good with kids. Get a pup as young as you can so it will be around your kids and get to know them. Teach the children how to be nice to the puppy and you should have no problems.
Now as far as what breed to get. I would suggest a mixed bread. They always have a great personality. I have a Puggle Jug...Beagle, Pug, Jack russle. She is only about 12 pounds. She is the sweetest pup ever. Such a lover.
You could get mixed breeds like:
Puggle..Pug beagle
Snocker..schnauzer, cocker spaniel
Snoodle..schnauzer, poodle
Cockapoo..Cocker spaniel, poodle
Or find mixed breeds that have schnauzer, poodle, pug, beagle, cocker spaniel, jack russle, corgi, dachshund, chihuahua, springer spaniel, fox terrier in them.
I found a site where you can find whats right for you. Heres the link: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/hybriddogs.htm
@copperkitten (3473)
• United States
6 Dec 07
LOL. I know they are very funny names. I am also a stay at home mom. I fugure Im home and can train them and give them the attention they need. I hope you find a great little puppy for your family to love! Happy Puppy Shopping!
@tiffiny (872)
• United States
6 Dec 07
Sorry Snoodle's and Snocker just made me laugh. That's funny that they named dogs that. But back on subject. I'm a stay at home mom so I'd have all day everyday to train and be with the dog. Thank you for the website. That will be really helpful. I appreshate it
1 person likes this
@houndsgood (774)
• United States
6 Dec 07
There are many awesome smaller dogs that are from the pound. You might want to forego the "toy dogs" and go with a dog that is a little large 15-30 lbs. Still small enough to sit with you on the sofa, but not so tiny and fragile as to be accidentally injured by children who didn't mean it. In fact, often shelters will not adopt a tiny dog to someone with children under 6. I will tell you that more often than not, smaller dogs sometimes bark more than bigger dogs. Partly because there are lots of terrier type dogs who are smaller but it seems they need to "let you know they are there." So it just depends on the individual dog.
I recommend that you find out who your local rescue groups are that pull dogs from the pound rather than going straight to the pound. THis way with having younger children, they would know more about the history of the dog perhaps - a dog that was raised with kids or one that has been "kid tested" would be a good match. I always advocate getting a dog directly from the local pound/animal control but in this case you really need to make sure that the dog is kid friendly and pounds only can go on what the previous owner said adn doesn't always have the time to test them. (and by adopting from the rescue, another dog from the pound will be saved as there will be room in the rescue for them to come in).
@tiffiny (872)
• United States
6 Dec 07
Thank you for your advice. So would like a jack russle (the fraiser dog I think) or like a little hound dog be a good match. I think that's the kind I am leaning towards. And I would have just went to the pound with out thinking about the fact that they can't test the dogs out. So thanks for probibly saving me a trip to the er and back to the pound.
@houndsgood (774)
• United States
6 Dec 07
I wouldn't recommend a Jack Russell terrier unless you get one that is absolutely kid experienced (and a mix perhaps) and unless you are the type of person that would stay on top of a dog at all times - i think the last thing is most important. And I don't mean just by keeping an eye on them. They can be loyal friends, but also can be very tenacious, and tend to dominant or try to dominate the children and boss them. If you gave them an opening, they would attempt to run the house and be alpha dog over the whole family. They also needs lots of mental stimulation and exercise to stay out of trouble. I am not saying they are bad dogs, but if your two kids are very young versus at the age where they can share in the exercising of the dog, you may prefer a companion that someties is content in just "being with you." JRTs excel when they aren't just hanging around the house but get their obedience classes under their belt and have regular structured activities to stimulate their active brains.
(and be prepared for the barking!)
I have known people to have Jack Russells and also have kids but the dogs were there before the kids or the kids were much older (10-12) when the dogs came into their lives.
There are lots of nice small hounds in rescue. TONS of Beagle mixes, lots of doxie/beagles, and bassett mixes too. Beagles can really be awesome with kids, but I would recommend a mix. And make sure you have a securely fenced in yard because if a hound picks up a scent, beagles can dig under or climb a fence. Sometimes that would be damped slightly in a mixed breed dog depending what its mixed with.
I would recommend, all in all, not getting stuck on a particular breed but going to apply with the rescue with an open mind that the right dog may very well be a small lab mix, a hound mix, a total heinz 57, or a purebred. You really never know who is the right one for you and then of course, sometimes a dog and a family just mutually fall in love at an adoption day and the rest is history.
My family when i was a teenager adopted a medium sized collie/chow/sheltie/husky/whatever else was in there and she was the one who decided and we just knew she was the dog for us.
@Krisss (1231)
• Australia
7 Dec 07
I have two little dogs, one a maltese terrier and the other a shi tsu maltese cross. They are both elderly now but we have had them since they were pups. Little dogs are so full of personality and are a joy to share your life with. We chose our dogs because they do not shed hair, so they can sit on the sofa with you and you will not end up covered in white hair.
They are such babies and they need human company, so in my opinion they are not dogs that can be left home alone all day alone, or sitting in the backyard by themselves.
@smacksman (6053)
•
7 Dec 07
If you get a lap dog get used to yapping! All small dogs have a complex and it manifests itself in their barking.
There is only one breed that fits the bill on all counts and that is a labrador bit*h. Quiet, not too big and great with children.
@Seraphine (385)
• Finland
7 Dec 07
I have to disagree with you on that. Not all lap dogs bark. My cavalier king charles spaniel is very much a lapdog even though he's perhaps a bit larger than most in the small lapdog category and he doesn't bark at all. The only times he barks is if he's getting really excited about a toy and even then it's only a couple of barks. I know many of the lapdog breeds have a tendency to bark, but they can all be trained to not bark. It's just a training issue.
@Seraphine (385)
• Finland
7 Dec 07
If you don't mind taking the dog to a professional groomer regularly, a bichon frise might be a good match. But it's a really small dog so if your children are very young they might accidentally hurt a puppy that size.
@mariebella114 (2)
• United States
7 Dec 07
Tiffany, I have had three small dogs. The most important thing to do especially with kids is look online and search each dog. For example, yorkies tend to have a very short temper and will nip at small children. I also know that "weiner dogs" are not good to have aroung children because their back can take minimal pressure being applied to it. Now people will tell you exceptions to each rule as far as breeds, and these will always exist. Another great source is to stop into a vets office and ask them. They are usually pretty helpful on that kinda stuff too. I have a pomeranian and I too have small children and they co-exist just fine. Well, good luck!
@foxygirle (376)
• Philippines
7 Dec 07
Toy dogs make good lap dogs, though not all toy dogs can be lap dogs. Some toy dogs are hyperactive and wont allow to be hold, it will take weeks of training and constant getting used to, though some dogs would be lap dog as soon as you put them on your lap. And toy dogs will tend to bark alot since its their defense mechanism to protect themselves and their master. Though some barking would be for a few minutes while there are some till the visitor leaves your area.
Do check on the temperament of the dog before bringing one home. If possible, play with the dog in the rescue area for a longer period of time. And get to know the dog well before bringing it home.
I have chis that are well behaved and is a [erfect lap dog while I have other chis that simply wouldn't stay put. So i wouldnt generalize a breed since each dog has their own personality and temperament.
I wouldn't advice a JRT. The one in Frasier is a trained JRT, it would take awhile to train one since they are simply a super active dog and wants a big space to run and they can jump fences so its hard to keep an eye on them.
Beagle are nice dogs especially for children except that they are already considered as medium size dogs.
Goodluck in your search for your little furry dog. I'm sure you'll find one to match your home.
