zookeeper
12-03-2006, 11:29 PM
Currently we have 2 cats and a Bichon (male, just over one year old). We've narrowed down what seem like the best breeds for us to just a few:
Keeshond
Finnish Spitz
Norwegian Buhund (we've read they may not be good with cats so this one may not be an option)
Obviously breeds known for not getting along well with cats (or those that have strong chasing instincts) are a bad fit for our needs. Also large breeds would obviously not be a good fit for us because we still may not have a decent yard for the dog's needs to run around, and exercise would be limited to a few long walks through the city each day and trips to the dog park a few times a week (plenty of exercise for many breeds but not adequate for all).
We do not plan on getting a 2nd dog for another year or so. We will be living in a larger apartment or duplex at that point. Things that are not really an issue are
shedding
maintenance of the coat (we have to brush our Bichon daily and it is not an issue with us, we don't mind this)
exercise needed (with the exception of course being dogs that require a large open area to spend most of the day in)
What we would really like is a dog that is very playful and will want to roll around and play inside with us. Our Bichon was not well socialized with people by the breeder, but spent his first few months with the other dogs in the house (12 total with the litter of 6 and the 6 Bichons the breeder had as pets) so he is great with other dogs but not very playful with people (very loyal to my girlfriend, but when inside he tends to lay on the couch and refuse to play, seeming to be only happy when around other dogs or around my girlfriend). We would like to find a breed that would like to play a lot and possibly even wrestle around a bit, not a fragile toy breed. We also hope that since our Bichon is so happy around other dogs, he will become less bored when my girlfriend is gone. Our first cat slept all day until we got a 2nd cat, and now the first cat is healthier and happier and plays most of the day rather than sleeps. We're hoping our Bichon will change as well if he has a canine companion.
If anyone has experience with these breeds, or has suggestions we are very open to any information that would help us. We want to spend a lot of time making sure we find the best fit for us, and sometimes finding all the negative qualities of a breed can be difficult when those who know most about each breed are those who are fond of that breed and fail to mention many of the negative aspects or things to be aware of before committing to taking in the dog as a pet.
edit: Just in case any of you are wondering why our first dog was a Bichon, our options were limited because we live in an apartment with new white carpet. It is not a large apartment. So we had to find a dog that doesn't need much exercise, and we wanted one that does not shed. We are not necessarily looking for a dog that has any of the same qualities as our current dog (lap dog, very needy of human company at all times, able to learn tricks easily and eagerly, etc). However we work different schedules and one of us is usually home, so a dog that needs constant human companionship is not out of the question. There are days where crating the dog may be necessary (or leaving it alone for more than 4 hours at a time), but this is not a major issue as it is easy to find walkers in our neighborhood to come over and walk the dog when we're gone.
Keeshond
Finnish Spitz
Norwegian Buhund (we've read they may not be good with cats so this one may not be an option)
Obviously breeds known for not getting along well with cats (or those that have strong chasing instincts) are a bad fit for our needs. Also large breeds would obviously not be a good fit for us because we still may not have a decent yard for the dog's needs to run around, and exercise would be limited to a few long walks through the city each day and trips to the dog park a few times a week (plenty of exercise for many breeds but not adequate for all).
We do not plan on getting a 2nd dog for another year or so. We will be living in a larger apartment or duplex at that point. Things that are not really an issue are
shedding
maintenance of the coat (we have to brush our Bichon daily and it is not an issue with us, we don't mind this)
exercise needed (with the exception of course being dogs that require a large open area to spend most of the day in)
What we would really like is a dog that is very playful and will want to roll around and play inside with us. Our Bichon was not well socialized with people by the breeder, but spent his first few months with the other dogs in the house (12 total with the litter of 6 and the 6 Bichons the breeder had as pets) so he is great with other dogs but not very playful with people (very loyal to my girlfriend, but when inside he tends to lay on the couch and refuse to play, seeming to be only happy when around other dogs or around my girlfriend). We would like to find a breed that would like to play a lot and possibly even wrestle around a bit, not a fragile toy breed. We also hope that since our Bichon is so happy around other dogs, he will become less bored when my girlfriend is gone. Our first cat slept all day until we got a 2nd cat, and now the first cat is healthier and happier and plays most of the day rather than sleeps. We're hoping our Bichon will change as well if he has a canine companion.
If anyone has experience with these breeds, or has suggestions we are very open to any information that would help us. We want to spend a lot of time making sure we find the best fit for us, and sometimes finding all the negative qualities of a breed can be difficult when those who know most about each breed are those who are fond of that breed and fail to mention many of the negative aspects or things to be aware of before committing to taking in the dog as a pet.
edit: Just in case any of you are wondering why our first dog was a Bichon, our options were limited because we live in an apartment with new white carpet. It is not a large apartment. So we had to find a dog that doesn't need much exercise, and we wanted one that does not shed. We are not necessarily looking for a dog that has any of the same qualities as our current dog (lap dog, very needy of human company at all times, able to learn tricks easily and eagerly, etc). However we work different schedules and one of us is usually home, so a dog that needs constant human companionship is not out of the question. There are days where crating the dog may be necessary (or leaving it alone for more than 4 hours at a time), but this is not a major issue as it is easy to find walkers in our neighborhood to come over and walk the dog when we're gone.