A good smaller dog for my grandparents?
ByHello,
My Grandparents lost their little Shetland Sheepdog (RIP Lulu x)recently, & they’re looking for another dog. It has to be smaller as they couldn’t manage a big dog. They had a GSD (Same as us) years ago & they couldn’t handle that. They wouldn’t like something as small as a chihuahua, something ranging from the sizes of a westie – beagle.
It would have to be:
Calm,
Loving,
Good with children,
Gets along with cats,
So some suggestions please?
Oh, one last thing, don’t come on & try to persuade me for a big dog as it was dicussed (I wanted them to get another GSD so ours could play with a larger dog), but it was totally out of the question. Oh, & they don’t like poodles… I personally love them but, I guess their not everyones cup of tea! Could you also list why they should think about that dog & maybe listing some sites & pictures would be helpful too!
I ALWAYS pick best answers!
Abby xxx
Thanks all answers will be apprieciated =)
11 Comments
January 31st, 2011 at 7:30 am
Did you think about Shih-tzu?
It’s the best dog in the world!!!
I have one and can’t imagine a dog that is more loving and calm. They are great with kids and cats.
I thing it will be the best decision for your grandparents.
January 31st, 2011 at 7:37 am
We chose a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as we found Shelties were becoming larger and larger as a breed. Cavies do have some health issues, so look into that. My husbands grandmother had a schnauzer and that was a nice dog. His parents have cocker spaniels, but that breed tends to bite children a lot.
January 31st, 2011 at 7:43 am
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org
small, fluffly little white dogs that have been rescued. grieving families are given priority for the puppies, which are called heart healers. if you ever held a bichon puppy in your hand (yes, in your hand) you would understand immediately why they are called heart healers.
check into it, they are wonderful creatures that retain their puppy curiosity and impishness all their lives.
January 31st, 2011 at 8:11 am
I would look into a Yorkie. (Yorkshire Terrior)
I have one and she is such a joy!
January 31st, 2011 at 8:52 am
Shih tzu, Maltese akc.org has a nice online breed library.
January 31st, 2011 at 9:13 am
Is there some reason they aren’t considering another sheltie? They are familiar with the breed already and know what’s involved.
Shelties, as you know, come in a variety of sizes, since size is not well-established in the breed! Perhaps you could find a breeder who has an older puppy or young adult that isn’t going to be very big. (I have two that are under 14″ — not that I’m trying to get rid of them, just saying you can get smaller individuals sometimes!)
January 31st, 2011 at 9:41 am
How about a border terrier? medium/small, low shedding, easily trainable and entertaining! should get on really well with GSD.
Good luck.
January 31st, 2011 at 9:53 am
Abby, The Scottish terrier is not too small,not too big. We have several Grandparents who now own ( Well, the Scotties own them.) Scotties now. They are the most fascinating of all the four legged friends we believe. We do not even call them a true dog.
There is Dog
Fox
Coyote
Wolf
Scottish Terriers
They are wonderful companions and excellent for those “rainy day blues”They will pick you up with their antics. They will lay at your feet rather than preferring to be held. They learn so fast it is a real case study…but who is studying who?
January 31st, 2011 at 10:27 am
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are well-known for getting along well with older adults. They are smart, small-to-medium sized, easy to train, eager to please, even-tempered, gentle, and very companion-oriented. They love to cuddle and is always overflowing with love and affection for people around him. I did a load of research before choosing a dog for my husband and I and CKCS was the winning breed. Ours just turned one year old and he is a wonderful dog. We don’t have children or cats, but he gets along with whoever he is introduced to, and I know of other CKCS owners with children and cats. You’ll never regret bringing a cavalier into your life!
You can read more about the breed here:
http://www.ackcsc.org/about.htm
And even look into rescuing one here:
http://www.cavalierrescueusa.org/
http://www.luckystarcavalierrescue.org/
January 31st, 2011 at 11:03 am
I have a 4 month old Min Pin and he is wonderful, however it sounds like he may be a little bit too small for what ya’ll are looking for, as he is only 5 lbs. Beagle’s are pretty good dogs, I have had several, they get along with other dogs, cats, people, and kids for the most part, however due to their breed nature they can be barky. I’ll list a few breeds that your grandparents may want to check into, and also a list of websites. Ultimatly they’re going to have to see a few dogs of each breed to determine which would be the best from them. If they are getting a dog from a breeder they’ll want to make sure at least one parent is at the premise and the dog/puppy comes with up-to-date vaccines and health record/guarentee. Good luck!!
Australian Cattle Dog:Medium size, good with kids, smart
Australian Shepherd:Toy(8lbs)-Standard(40lbs) size, good with people/kids, smart, people pleasing
Basset Hound- Laid back, good with children & other animals
Border Collie- Medium sized, great with kids, very obedient
Bichon Frise-Small size, good with kids, mostly laid back
Shih Tzu- Small size, good with family, mostly calm
Links of pics for each breed in the order they’re listed:
Australian Cattle Dog-
http://www.gotdogsonline.com/australian-cattle-dog-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/pictures/australian-cattle-dog-0008.jpg
Australian Shepherd-
http://cityslickersranch.com/guys.htm
Basset Hound-
http://www.breederretriever.com/photopost/data/557/basset_hound_2.jpg
Border Collie-
http://www.dogslife.com.au/__data/page/5948/border_collie3.jpg
Bichon Frise-
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/dogs/i/bichon_frise.jpg
Shih Tzu-
http://blogs.fayobserver.com/faytoz/files/2008/04/shih-tzu.jpg
January 31st, 2011 at 11:37 am
a corgi they are very mild dogs good for older people. theyare very very cute lil dogs