Kids (8 and 6 years old) and wife want a dog. I do not really want a dog, but they have been begging for one.
We are building a lake house, and they think it would be fun to have a dog that likes water, but also is small enough to be mostly an indoor dog.
What would you suggest that would be small enough not to tear up the house, no shedding, good with kids and likes the water.
Seth
Not the smallest, but a lab would be great.
BILLY. 1995 202DCX ELITE TEAM FATBOY
& 2000 tracker PT185
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Days on the Water =5.
Big fish 1-5.5
Big fish 2-5.00000
Big fish 3-4.0
Big fish 4-3.0smallmouth
Big fish 5-@2.50
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by BILLY »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Not the smallest, but a lab would be great.</td></tr></table>
or a Golden Retriever
I have a golden retriever. Great tempered dog and LOVES kids. But unfortunately he sheds quite a bit. xD But other than that he loves EVERYONE
Border Collie's are great pets...and smart
2001 ChampioN 206 Yamaha 225
you know i think that labs are great for kids/family/WATER, but if they are primarily an indoor dog, and you're not wanting anything large, I would tend to look at weimaramers. All of the dogs listed thus far are hairy shedding bastards, trust me i know. wiemies are short hair, love the water, and are great with kids. that would be a breed i would tend toward, especially if you're not into larger dogs. Josh
Anything mixed with a poodle...poodles don't shed. Poodles are also very intelligent and are the original sporting dog.
A poodle/lab mix is a very popular choice, aka labradoodle.
I have a poodle/cocker spaniel mix, perfect size for our house and yard. He's very smart, loves going on the boat, and swims a little bit but is kind of a chicken about it. Very good with kids too.
Not the best water dog, but Boxers are one one the best breeds to be around kids. My wife and I are on our second Boxer, and we have three kids.
1993 Champion 190
1991 Evinrude Intruder 150
I have a Boston Terrier and he loves going out on the boat and being in the water. He is full grown at 20lbs. They don't shed a lot and have short hair, so no real grooming necessary. He is great.
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Dan Claussen
2009 Nitro Z7 Mercury Optimax 150
A toller would be the smallest of the retrievers; maybe one to look at. I've never owned one so i cannot speak to their personality.
We've owned a lot of labs; black, yellow, chocolate, flat coat, and a chessy...... they're all great dogs but they do shed a lot and will destroy things in their early years.
Out of the labs the yellows seem to be the worst for cleaning up after. I don't know what the difference is in their hair bit it weaves itself into the carpet, either that or it has super glue mixed in it.Get a black or a chocolate lab
Springer Spaniel. My friend had one that would retrieve sticks out of the river as long as you could throw them. Great dog.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by sethv »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Kids (8 and 6 years old) and wife want a dog. I do not really want a dog, but they have been begging for one.
We are building a lake house, and they think it would be fun to have a dog that likes water, but also is small enough to be mostly an indoor dog.
What would you suggest that would be small enough not to tear up the house, no shedding, good with kids and likes the water.
Seth</td></tr></table>
Do some research before you buy one......nothing worse than people who get a dog and doesn't mesh well at all with their family/lifestyle. People are either unhappy or they give the dog to the pound/rescue. Maybe buy a dog breed book and go over it with your family. I have a dog encyclopedia and it has breed history, size & weight, temperments, good with kids or not, needs exercise or not, sheds or not, needs a lot of grooming or not, trainable or difficult to train etc listed for each breed. So that would be a useful tool in narrowing down your search. Good luck and your kids will love you when you show up with that dog in your arms.
I'm gonna second the idea of a Springer. Not a big dog. Fiercely loyal, very
intelligent and a great all round companion. They love to fetch, love to swim
and enjoy being around people. Excellent choice.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by sethv »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Kids (8 and 6 years old) and wife want a dog. I do not really want a dog, but they have been begging for one.
We are building a lake house, and they think it would be fun to have a dog that likes water, but also is small enough to be mostly an indoor dog.
What would you suggest that would be small enough not to tear up the house, no shedding, good with kids and likes the water.
Seth</td></tr></table>
Shih Zu......Just like having another kid around the house. Mine goes everywhere with me including the boat which he loves. He doesn't shed either. When we're on the pontoon he will get on a liferaft with you if you let him. He loves the water and especially kids since he is one himself.
What ever breed you get try and get a rescue dog. That's how I wound up with mine after we had to put our other one down after 16 years.
Boykin Spaniel if you can find one in your part of the country. I had one that was almost 18 when he passed. Great family dogs! Love to swim too.
Jeff Brazil - Allison XB2003 - 225 Mercury Promax
Doberman, they love kids....are very personable...shed little ...and like the water alot. Not to mention NO ONE will set foot on your place without permission. Make sure to get a medium ear cut so the ears stand up when the dog is courious....makes the sweetheart look evil to those who don't know em.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by haftafish22 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">you know i think that labs are great for kids/family/WATER, but if they are primarily an indoor dog, and you're not wanting anything large, I would tend to look at weimaramers. All of the dogs listed thus far are hairy shedding bastards, trust me i know. wiemies are short hair, love the water, and are great with kids. that would be a breed i would tend toward, especially if you're not into larger dogs. Josh</td></tr></table>
My Weim is 110lbs
TOXIC
Female Weimaraner.....read up on the breed first cause they can be Holy Terrors because of their energy but they make great pets....I own 2 right now a 95 lb male and a 55 lb female. The male is gentle as can be and the female is all Weim...seen a weimardoodle onced and it was a very cool looking dog.... http://weimrescue.com/prod/default.aspx..you would not be disappointed...
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My Jack Russell loves the water , and is a great indoor pet,, and would fight to her death for the family
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