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1. I'm moderately allergic to dogs, so low to no shedding would be essential. I know no dog is 100% "hypoallergenic", so please know that's not what I'm asking for .. I'm just asking for the best possibility.
2. Won't consider my two cats "prey" (I know that's mostly training, but I would imagine some breeds are more/less likely to leave cats alone ... less "hunter-like")
3. Won't consider my two kids "prey" LOL. Again, training is key (of all the creatures involved, human and pet alike) but I'm looking for dogs not traditionally known for being "snippy", "mouthy", "biters", "aggressive", "defensive", "jittery" etc ... all those things that make them and kids not get along.
4. Size doesn't matter in the end, but too small (under 10 pounds) or too big (over 40 pounds) starts to not feel so great to me, though this isn't a big deal.
5. First time dog owner here (though husband has had dogs before) and I'm wondering if there are dogs more suited to the uninitiated! (like, for example, I probably shouldn't try to handle a pitbull or something)
Then some questions....
- I don't care about getting a puppy or young adult, but keep wondering if puppy wouldn't improve the chances of training a cat-friendly and child-friendly pet?
- How do people sort out traveling with their pet? What have your experiences been with hotels and air travel with your dogs. We don't travel much (in fact, we work from home), but twice a year, we do make a trip (by air) for one week or so; and have a few weekend trips during the summer (by car).
- Best books/ videos on puppy/dog training that I could start reading in preparation? I like to over-prepare!
The protein that causes people to be allergic to dogs is found in their saliva and urine. All dogs produce this protein. There is no hypoallergenic dog
With that being said, obviously smaller dogs leave fewer allergy pollutants, especially house dogs that dont go outside much.
this is a great time of year to find a non-shedding dog at a shelter, since it's going to be fairly obvious who is and isn't shedding! you can also get an idea of what individual dogs bother your allergies more, because some non-shedders can still trigger a person's allergies more or less, depending on both the dog and the person.
it is good to train a dog from puppyhood, but on the other hand when dogs mature (around 3 years old generally), their temperament can change significantly, especially when it comes to aggression towards dogs and to a lesser extent cats. it is a distinct possibility that a puppy who is dog friendly can become dog aggressive when they hit maturity. when you get a puppy, you can mold them from a young age, but when you get an adult dog they're more of a known quantity because they've settled into their adult personalities. puppies are more work and often more destructive, but adult dogs may have unknown histories that affect their behavior. both situations have their pros and cons.
i'm really terrible at recommending breeds and it's important to remember that dogs are individuals and breeds are really only basic guidelines to guessing a dog's temperament.
i'd highly recommend "the other end of the leash" by patricia mcconnell. it's not exactly a dog training book, although it contains some training tips, but it's indispensable for understanding dog behavior and body language. "the culture clash" by jean donaldson, "calming signals" by turid rugaas, and "the power of positive dog training" by pat miller are also good books. i believe there's a calming signals dvd as well.
Thanks, groar, I'll look into those books! A rescue dog would absolutely be ideal and I do like the idea of an adult dog that I can "know" right off the bat. My goal is to search that route first. I just worry that shelters don't really give you the time you need to really know any issues the dog might have and, honestly, too many shelters aren't upfront about certain things in an effort to get them out to homes. I understand their desperation, but it's also important that the family know everything in order to choose a dog they will KEEP forever.
Quote:
There is no hypoallergenic dog
I know. But people with allergies do still have dogs if they find the right one. That's what I'm aiming for, and taking my time doing so.
your best bet to adopting a "known quantity" dog is to find a rescue or shelter that fosters. the foster family will be able to give you a good idea of how the dog functions in a home environment, and you can often meet them in that environment. some shelter people do gloss over problems to get animals adopted (with good intentions, of course), but also a shelter environment can sometimes change a dog's behavior, making it seemingly better (a dog who is frightened or stressed may seem calm and quiet in the shelter, for instance, but get wild when they're in a more comfortable situation) or worse.
although i do have to say that while i understand your trepidation about temperament, especially when you have to keep the safety of your kids in mind, my dog is a great example of a dog who seemed wonderful in the shelter and is just as wonderful today. it does happen! she'd fit almost all of your qualifications actually (except she's a little over your size limit), but i don't know what breed mix she is so that doesn't really help you!
oh and i've never traveled by air with my dog - i don't know if i'd do it just for a family vacation though, from what i've heard about it, especially because my dog is extremely attached to us and doesn't do well being separated from us in strange places. i'd rather leave her at home and have friends take care of her if we're flying. i'd only consider flying her if we were moving cross country and there was no way to drive with her.
in some ways i love traveling with our dog (it's one of the things that is really novel to me, having only had cats in the past) but it does limit what you can do. i don't think any hotels allow you to leave dogs alone in your room, so you have to consider that you won't be able to eat at most restaurants, won't be able to go to most indoor activities, etc. we generally just take our dog on trips where we'll only be camping and hiking, or on trips where we're staying with family or friends.
OMG look at this cutie....I really wish I didn't have a husband so I could add him to my house haha!! Two of the smartest breeds I know so this dog has to be an Einstein!!
Yorkies and maltese dogs do not shed and, therefore, are supposed to be good for people with allergies. I have terrible allergies - but neither my Westie (who does shed) or my Yorkie seem to bother them.
I had a sweet little maltese too - long ago - and he didn't bother my allergies either.
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