W Sibs Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I also like the Australian terrier;My inlaws had two and they were tough, good with young and old.The Jack Russell.My hubby had a Parsons J R when he was a boy and says he was a good dog.Beagles are good if you are very active and like to go out walking a lot.I had a Beagle as a child;but watch they can dig out under a fence to look for company.If you can go a bit bigger ;a sheltie or samoyed. Samoyed are huge!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Give the labs another chance! They are perfect size for an inside dog and big and solid enough for heaps of play and exercise and for you and your family to feel protected and secure. Your kids will have a big best friend and companion for many many years! Plus they are definitely the best looking breed ;-) I'll post some pics of my lab baby, that should convince you :-) That depends on the size of your house Labs are pretty big and heavy. My house is tiny. When the GSD is inside it feels like he takes up the whole house so a Lab would be similar. The Kelpies are a much better size to be in our house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I also like the Australian terrier;My inlaws had two and they were tough, good with young and old.The Jack Russell.My hubby had a Parsons J R when he was a boy and says he was a good dog.Beagles are good if you are very active and like to go out walking a lot.I had a Beagle as a child;but watch they can dig out under a fence to look for company.If you can go a bit bigger ;a sheltie or samoyed. Samoyed are huge!! Actually the Samoyed size standard is about the same as a Border Collie with just an inch more in height allowed for the males. Breed suggestions - Corgi, Border Terrier, Schipperke, Japanese Spitz or a Sheltie but only if your 2 year old is very gentle. A bit bigger a Collie Rough could be perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Definitely agree with Aussie Terrier, they're great little dogs. However, not sure if you mean "small" as in toy size, or as in "small compared to a rotty" LOL. If it's the latter, perhaps think about an Australian Shepherd or even a Finnish Lapphund. Both are working dogs, but they're not as high-drive as the Border Collies, but they'll stand up to rough play from the kids. I agree! I had Aussie terriers as a kid and they were perfect for us. I now have 4 children of my own (10 thru to 3) and we added an Aussie Shepherd to our family. She has just the right amount of energy for us. If it's a cold rainy day she's happy with a DVD on the couch, and she's equally up to a long bike ride or a kick of footy in the park. She's also very protective of her kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiskedaway Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Actually the Samoyed size standard is about the same as a Border Collie with just an inch more in height allowed for the males. They're a lot more solid than a Border Collie, though, so I think that gives them the impression of being bigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivebaby Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 My house is small. 2 bed with a smallish living area. But we have a pretty decent sized outdoor area. Doesn't seem to faze her much. Besides she is usually just sleeping when inside. I think as long as the dog gets out for regular walks and exercise shouldn't matter too much of the size of the house. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budgiew Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I also like the Australian terrier;My inlaws had two and they were tough, good with young and old.The Jack Russell.My hubby had a Parsons J R when he was a boy and says he was a good dog.Beagles are good if you are very active and like to go out walking a lot.I had a Beagle as a child;but watch they can dig out under a fence to look for company.If you can go a bit bigger ;a sheltie or samoyed. Samoyed are huge!! ................I did say if you could go a bit bigger.After owning a wolfhound x almost everything seems small. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Cocker Spaniel? Staffordshire Bull Terrier? From a reputable breeder of course - you want one with an even temperament from the start. Standard Poodle? Mini Poodle? Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RosieFT Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Our Smooth Fox Terrier is a perfect family dog for us. We got her when my kids were 3 and 5yrs old and have now had her 3yrs. She is up for a game and into whatever is going on, but is happy to just mellow out if nothing is going on. She will hang out with them in the garden or sit on my lap whilst i am on the computer. Much more of a lap dog than i thought terriers would be! She has a super super temperament and I trust her 100% with my kids (obviously with obligatory supervision, esp. when younger - crate training was great as when i could not supervise - bathing kids or whatever, i would pop her in the crate). When my daughter has nightmares i can just go and scoop Rosie up from her bed and put her with my daughter and she will snuggle down and stay with her. She is (touch wood) as tough as nails and has had a few accidental knocks about - ie. when she ran for her ball right in front of my son who was swinging on his metal swing, she STOPPED the swing with her body.. just shook it off and carried on. i had to give up my passion for horses due the ridiculous $$$ it cost and am now having a wonderful time doing agility with her and she is a little super star at it - well i think so anyway! She is happy with whatever walks we throw at her, with longer walks on weekends and of course her agility training in the week. She loves retrieving balls, swimming .My husband has just started taking her jogging with him and she keeps up ok. Doesn't smell doggy, easy to wash and dry. DOES shed white hairs on clothes and furniture (if allowed). Is still a pain on the leash - doesn't pull but isn't exactly wondering what the person at the end of hte leash is up to when there is so much WORLD to stare and at investigate. She has grown up with our cat and they get on really really well, but has chased a neighbours cat that came to visit - but only on about the 10th time it came. The other times she wanted to say hi and it just arched and hissed at her. So my vote is for a Fox Terrier :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podengo Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Irish Terrier? There are some lovely ones at my agility club who are great with children, I've heard they can be dog aggressive, but the ones I've seen don't go looking for fights and aren't eyeballing other dogs! Cocker Spaniels? Miniature Poodle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassie Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I vote for a Sheltie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warval dobe Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I keep hearing whippets for children. That's what I'm leaning toward anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benshiva Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 How about a Staffordshire Bull Terrier? Fantastic family pets. Purchased from a reputable breeder of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisey Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 How about a Staffordshire Bull Terrier? Fantastic family pets. Purchased from a reputable breeder of course. I agree with this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.mister Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 How about a Staffordshire Bull Terrier? Fantastic family pets. Purchased from a reputable breeder of course. I agree with this And they've apparently earned the title 'Nanny Dog'. You'd have to be pretty diligant with socialisation though, particularly with other dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 How about a Staffordshire Bull Terrier? Fantastic family pets. Purchased from a reputable breeder of course. I can see a SBT sending a toddler flying if they ran into them. They are tough and childproof but maybe a bit too strong for littlies. If you like terriers there are all the other smaller ones like Cairn, Norfolk, Norwich a West Highland White, besides the Border, Fox and Aussie already mentioned. Just remember most terriers dig and hunt and most will finish a dog fight even if they don't start it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zug Zug Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) I don't think you've given us enough information to make a good recommendation for you. Why were your previous Rottweiler and silky good? Would you like something similar now? How much exercise are you willing to give? What breeds do you like the look of? Do you lean more towards the Rottweiler from your past, or the silky? Given you've said you'd like a small dog again - is a silky too small? If so, perhaps a Tibetan Terrier might be a nice step up in size, without getting too big...? And yes I agree with whoever asked what happened with the Lab. Getting an idea of what went wrong there might give us a better clue what kind of dog you really need. Edited June 23, 2011 by Zug Zug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtjell Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 Hi all and wow thanks for all the replies ... I'll try to answer some of these questions and give some more info You guys are awesome.. I have 3 boys 10,7 and 4. Our dd is 2. They arent really rough and tumble - they would love something to snuggle up to them (our lab wouldnt sit still at all ever..lol) but also be up for a game of ball. We wouldnt run the dog beside bikes - its more like I push the toddler in the pram and walk the dog while the kids ride so not a great pace. Walks would mainly be the 1km or so to school - others of course by thats the main one When I say small I mean like smaller than a lab - he did a little bit of confidence damage while he was here - he was really really dominant and would only really listen to my husband and I and used to grab at the kids pants legs. He was a strong little guy. We had some other issues while we had him - fences that weren't built properly and mud - floods here in Toowoomba. In different circumstances I believe we could have worked with him - there was just too much all at once :-( . That said I think the kids would be more confident with a smaller dog now. They still love our old silky who went to stay with my parents while we built our house and never came home...lol... Oh we have sold our house and have bought one with great fences I'm not keen on maltese, jack russel or beagles sorry... The breeds that the kids/husband have come up with so far in conversation (still researching so tell me the ugly truths please ) : Shih tzu, Cocker Spaniel, Pug, Rotty (not happening while the kids are little and having friends over who would freak out..lol). Thanks so much for your feedback...hope I've described our situation a bit better....oh we have a ragdoll inside only cat too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtjell Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 Just wanted to add that our lab had basic obedience - he could sit, come, wait for his food. He was crate trained and was 90% hosue trained which was handy as he had to live predominantly inside due to our fencer doing an horrific job on our fence (new house). People were warey of him - if they went to pat him he would grab their hand (not bite just mouth) - I believe this is a lab thing from what I have read but not good when you have kids and they have friends. I love the look of the Rottis - my boy was unbelievable. The kind of Rotti who changes peoples minds on Rottis. We had him long before the kids came along and he never once batted an eyelid at them - they would climb on him, pull his ears etc. All supervised of course. The poor silky would run and hide behind him .lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zug Zug Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) Based on your description, a Cocker Spaniel could be a pretty good option. An English Springer Spaniel may also be a good option. Both of these are energetic dogs - the English Springer more so than the Cocker. But both really good family dogs and if you like the look of these breeds I think they're potentially a great option. You'd need to be willing to walk them, but it sounds like that is already part of your plan. And yes good fences essential. This also sounds like you have it under control. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is smaller and quieter, and may be a better choice depending on how much exercise you can offer. But would need to be supervised and protected from your kids (but then all dogs need supervision don't they?). Field Spaniels are also lovely and pretty placid compared with an English Springer as I understand it. So if you want a slightly easier life, and love that spaniel look, then check them out as well. Edited June 23, 2011 by Zug Zug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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