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 Expert
Posts: 3815
   
Location: The best kept secret in TX | I am looking at getting my little one (2yrs old) a smaller dog for our home. Long story short, she is afraid of bigger dogs and I'd like to build her confidence around animals again. (Yes, we still have Julie the rescue cat but she stays at my parents house since she was better suited/watched there. My little one still sees her cat every day lol.)
We will be adopting from the shelter so I have a few breeds that I'll be looking for in crosses, etc.
The breeds I am considering are: Dachshund, Corgi, Jack Russel, and Small Terrier mixes. If you have any other suggestions I'd love to hear them. I would prefer to stay away from chihuahua mixes simply because of the health problems I've seen them develop in the past.
We have an average sized fenced in back yard, the dog will be outside while I am at work or with me at work so there will be ample room for exercise. The dog will most likely stay outside in nice weather and be brought inside into a kennel during bad weather/heat/cold etc.
Can anyone tell me if they have any of the breeds listed above and what the health issues are later in life? For example, my Lab has bad hips, and my Aussie will most likely have bad eyes or bad hips. Treating my old girl for hip dysplasia has been very expensive. This will be the first small dog I have ever owned. I will own this dog it's whole life so I want to know what I'm looking at senior health wise before I adopt.
Next question: Should I pass up a dog if they are heartworm positive? What is the care for a dog with heartworms? Are they treatable? Is it a death sentence? My little one liked a Dacshund mix the other day but he was heartworm positive and I haven't really googled anything about it yet to know whether it would matter. He was an older dog as well, had grey around his face.
Thanks for any input. I really appreciate it! 
Edited by IRunOnFaith 2017-07-05 8:48 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
| Dachshaunds and terriers will dig a LOT wont they? I would think leaving a dog of this particular skill-set alone for hours on end in your back yard might not be so good. Dachshaunds also can have a lot of back issues, and especially when dropped from height. A young kid might do just that.
Terriers can also be pretty yappy.
Just my input. certainly there are exceptions to every rule. Good job on adopting and providing a wonderful forever home!
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 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | There are so many variables to rescues- I would come back when you've found a few and we'd be able to give easier input that way I think! Thank you for adopting! |
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 Knowledge is Power
Posts: 4051
Location: wherever my daughter's running | First - THANK YOU SO MUCH for adopting from the shelter. We have owned Dachhunds and Corgis and both are wonderful dogs. As mentioned, low and long dogs can be prone to back problems especially if they gain too much weight. Corgis do shed all the time - lots of shedding, but their personalities out weight the daily vacumning. :) Just know that Corgis are herding animals and may nip occasionally.
My oldest daughter had her minature Dachshund for 16 years and he never had any health issues. She was very strict about maintaining his weight.
My daughter rescued a heartworm positive dog that had already begun treatment. She had eep him calm for several weeks and of course follow-up with the vet. He is doing great, so quick answer is yes, they are treatable but the treatment/care depends on what stage the heartworms are in. Definintly google this so you will know what you would be upagainst.
Best of luck finding your daughter the perfect dog. Hope she is doing well.
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | Heartworms is not necessarily a death sentence. They should be able to tell you about how many worms the dog has. I had a very light positive once (because apparently, worms in this area are becoming resistant to ivermectin). I just switched to advantage multi and, within about a year, the worms were gone. If the worm load is heavy, there is a greater chance that they could die from the treatment or have lingering health problems from having had a bad case of heartworms.
I had a Jack Russell who was very healthy. (I also had an electric fence, bark collar, electric scat matts for the sofa, calming supplements, thunder shirt, multiple crates... you get the picture) She was very bad.
I love that you are going to adopt, but it's really a roll of the dice as far as health goes, unless you know about their breeding. I would pick a dog based on its individual personality, not necessarily breed characteristics, tho. The biggest thing I would look for is one that will accept staying in a crate. It makes everything so much easier when they're crate trained, or at least not too resistant to being in one so you can crate train them. Some shelters have a foster program, and a foster person can tell you sooo much more about whether the dog will be a good fit or not. If you have a shelter in your area who does this.
There are temperament tests you can do with them, if you are interested in that sort of thing. You can find out a lot about that from just doing an internet search. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| A cockapoo or other poodle mix. My daughter adopted a year old cockapoo from the shelter, the sweetest dog and you would never know she had not had her as a puppy. |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Thank you guys so much for the input.
She plays with the cat all the time and never once has tried to pick her up while she's standing. She picks her up when she's sitting... Maybe a Dachshund isn't the best idea for a smaller child....
She is afraid of large dogs but has come around to a long hair Dachshund cross my friend rescued. She will pat her and rub her and then she is done. She follows her around and plays fetch with her but she doesn't like to get close yet.
Edited by IRunOnFaith 2017-06-12 4:43 PM
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| Corgi all the way! Such great personalities and good with the whole family. Downside is that they shed - a lot. Gotta keep them at a good weight too. I have two and I'm not a dog person. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Luca was heart worm positive when we got him (before he went to the pound) almost 7 years ago, and we did the "alternative" treatment with ivermectin and antibiotics. He was clear at his first check (six months), so it's definitely not a death sentence anymore like in the past. Thank you for adopting and saving a life.
You were the official cat hater weren't you???  |
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| Corgi's are great dogs. Very smart, playful, loyal and fun personalities. We have 2 and they spend all day outside and just sleep on the porch at night, so I don't have problems with shedding. When they do come inside for cuddling I do have hair on me, but no different then brushing a horse or hugging on them outside. Since they play and run after birds and rabbits so much during the day, they are not overweight and have had no health issues. I have found they do need a name brand type of dog food though as the cheap brands will upset their stomachs. |
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Expert
Posts: 2678
Location: Mi | I had a rat terrier for 16 years BEST DOG! She was very loyal to me, she wasn't around kids alot but when she was she was great with them. She would kill any rodant that come around. She did shed that was her downfall. Sure loved that little dog!! |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | Id say corgi....they can handle a kid better than the smaller type dogs..jmo....m |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Chandler's Mom - 2017-06-12 10:12 PM Luca was heart worm positive when we got him (before he went to the pound ) almost 7 years ago, and we did the "alternative" treatment with ivermectin and antibiotics. He was clear at his first check (six months ), so it's definitely not a death sentence anymore like in the past. Thank you for adopting and saving a life. You were the official cat hater weren't you??? 
Thanks for all the suggestions you guys.
Edited by IRunOnFaith 2017-06-13 1:45 PM
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| What about Boston Terriers? I don't know if they are good with children, but they were always my favorite when I worked at a boarding/grooming facility. So cute, happy and energetic, but they liked to cuddle some, too. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 812
Location: north mississippi | Yorkie are great family dogs. I adopted a yorkie / jack Russell mix most loving dog I've ever had. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | IRunOnFaith - 2017-06-13 1:43 PM
Chandler's Mom - 2017-06-12 10:12 PM Luca was heart worm positive when we got him (before he went to the pound ) almost 7 years ago, and we did the "alternative" treatment with ivermectin and antibiotics. He was clear at his first check (six months ), so it's definitely not a death sentence anymore like in the past. Thank you for adopting and saving a life. You were the official cat hater weren't you???
Thanks for all the suggestions you guys.
Let us know what you end up getting, along with pics so we can ohh and ahh over your new addition. And give Julie a rub for us |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Chandler's Mom - 2017-06-13 11:35 PM IRunOnFaith - 2017-06-13 1:43 PM Chandler's Mom - 2017-06-12 10:12 PM Luca was heart worm positive when we got him (before he went to the pound ) almost 7 years ago, and we did the "alternative" treatment with ivermectin and antibiotics. He was clear at his first check (six months ), so it's definitely not a death sentence anymore like in the past. Thank you for adopting and saving a life. You were the official cat hater weren't you???
Thanks for all the suggestions you guys. Let us know what you end up getting, along with pics so we can ohh and ahh over your new addition. And give Julie a rub for us
You bet I will.
I am thinking of visiting the shelter this weekend. We will see. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 795
Location: GODS country | From what you mentioned above, I would go with a corgi.
However, another breed to consider is a miniature schnauzer, we have 2 and they are the best! They don't shed, but you do have to clip/shave them. We do that ourselves and its easy. Very smart/easy to train, hardy and very family oriented breed. |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Okay guys.
Meet Bowzer. (Picture taken at Foster Home)
He is a Mini Schnauzer and Basset Hound cross. He's about 25-30 pounds and is almost 2 years old. He will be growing out of the puppy stage soon.
My little one is so excited. We went over to see how they both would do with each other and he crawled into her lap, licked her face and laid down in her lap with his tail wagging.
Here is a link for info on this particular cross breed. ETA: we pick up this afternoon!
http://www.dogbreedplus.com/dog_breeds/bowzer.php
Edited by IRunOnFaith 2017-07-05 9:02 AM
 (Bowzer Foster Home.jpg)
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 Bowzer Foster Home.jpg (99KB - 219 downloads)
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | What a cutie! Congratulations! |
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