Doggie Drama
We’re in the process of making a major family decision. We are a dog family. Only, we don’t currently have a dog.
First, the Sad Part of the Story…
We had a dog. A beagle. Her name was Zosia. But…Zosia never really adapted to the birth of my children. She got quite depressed and then started exhibiting behavioral problems. Then, she got in to the garbage and ate some things that were very bad for her. Chicken bones. We eventually had to euthanize her. That was nearly five years ago.
Fast Forward to Now…
My husband thinks we’re ready to get a new dog. Not today, not tomorrow, but perhaps for Xmas 2008. I have mixed feelings. I love dogs too. I loved having a dog, just not with two little un-potty trained babies. We don’t have that anymore. Our house is not new anymore. We’ve lived in it for nearly 3 years and the kids have done their own number on the carpets and furniture. I’m over it.
So…we might be getting a dog this year. The question is what kind of dog. I have a couple of deal-breakers. It must be a dog that’s good with children (obviously). We do not want a large dog. (25 lbs max.) My husband does not want a “sissy” dog in the sense that he wants one that will love hanging out with him in the woods from time to time. I do NOT want a dog that sheds heavily (which leaves Beagles OUT). We’re thinking some type of terrier. In particular, the Border Terrier. Check it out.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/borderterrier.htm
He’s a cutie. Looks a little like Benji. We’ve not completely ruled out the idea of picking one up from a shelter. But…again…my major deal breaker is the shedding issue so I’d want to be VERY careful in choosing a mutt. I know all dogs shed to some extent, but some are much worse than others. (Don’t be offended Daggett. We love you just the way you are…living at Aunt Becky’s. You know we are WAY too high strung over here :)
So…I invite thoughts, suggestions, advice (except for my mother…she’s already made her opinions clear 
At Temperance Animal Hospital just now we saw a pair of pugs, like the one from MIB I & II. Barely any shedding, very small, fun to have around … just a thought!
Comment by Luna Pier Cook — January 21, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
Really? I thought pugs were horrible shedders. They’ve got hair just like a beagle. I used to ignorantly think that short hair equated to low shedding. Boy was I wrong with that Beagle. She was a great dog but over the top high maintenance.
Comment by Robin Dec — January 21, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
My step brother has 2 pugs, Elvis and Hannible….cute, shed horribly. My golden doesn’t shed anywhere near the amount of those cuties. Forget the lab too…she’s 500 x’s worse than the golden.m UGH, if i’d only knew ahead of time!
Comment by Cheryl Engfer — January 21, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
Don’t make your husband get a wimpy dog like a terrier. At least let him keep some dignity with a Lab.
Comment by MIKE — January 21, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Especially if he likes to hunt. Our Golden is a big baby–has anxiety with storms, fireworks etc….our yellow lab is just the opposite. Your hubby needs a hunting dog, hopefully there’s something on your list you’ve been “wanting” that you may be able to persuade him
Comment by Cheryl Engfer — January 21, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
Well, my husband had a great terrier mix growing up. The infamous “Buckwheat.” The legend is she was loyal to the point of death (as in hers for him if that’s what it took) and LOVED to root out stuff in the woods. Therefore, he’s completely open minded about terriers. Not a yorkie, not a schnauzer but a terrier w/ “balls” (even if it’s a girl if ya know what I mean).
The Border looks good. Gotta research, but there might be a big price tag attached. There are also the “oodle” options. Labradoodle (maybe too big); cockapoo etc.
Comment by Robin Dec — January 21, 2008 @ 11:36 pm
It’s fun picking them out. We got “Bella”, the yellow lab at the Turkey Federation auction. Yes, it’s true. Not everyone going to an auction says “hey I’mma take that pup home!” No split decisions here. Mark–my hubby, had an inside track–his co-worker is on the board for the Napoleon Turkey Federation and let it be known that this beauty of a pup would be there.
He of course mentions it in front of our 10 year old–who wants to be a vet–and I said “good one, you’re not getting out of this”. And so we became a 2 dog household. He of course called on his way home and said he was “out bid”, but much to our surprise the little chubby white pup slept in his lap the whole way home. She’s a beauty and a great dog. If yours would like to take her out for a test drive before making a decision, let us know. She house trained real quick. Our golden hits the bells that are tied to the sliding door, Bella picked it right up. Honestly, I think that works for any dog if you train ‘em.
Comment by Cheryl Engfer — January 22, 2008 @ 7:41 am
Think Shih Tzus, they are adorable and really not sissy at all, they are very sturdy little dogs! and they do not shed!
Comment by Dorothy — January 24, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
You need a minature schnauzer. They are the best with kids..go about 25-30# and have hair..NO SHEDDING..ever.They do need grooming a couple of times a year…that costs $28.00.
Comment by Stella — January 25, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
Good to meet you Stella! Our neighbor has a mini-schnauzer. He’s adorable.
Comment by Robin Dec — January 26, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
We currently have 2 German Short-Hair Pointers and a German Short-Hair Pointer/Boxer mix. They are ALL wonderful dogs & they love the kids. The older one is attached to my husband, but the younger two alternate sleeping with the kids. In fact the German Short-Hair Pointer/Boxer mix will go wherever the kids are just to be around them. I guess she finds them more exciting than the adults. Growing up my siblings all fought over who would get “Sparky” our house dog for the night–and she hated kids! Sparky would reluctlently go off to bed with us, but always escaped in the night to sleep with my parents. I knew I wanted a dog that would be exceptional with kids and that is exactly what we got!
Comment by bella7rina — January 30, 2008 @ 8:43 am