We are "thinking" about getting a puppy. A friend of ours has a Jack Russell who is extremely well trained. Her mom is a breeder and has an 8 week old female she is selling.

We also could get a Shih Tzu. I know a lady who has 2 males and 1 female for sale.

Would you recommend either of these breeds of dogs? We have a cat and 2 children (6 and 10)

TIA

By Kaye on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 12:25 am:

I beleive that Jack Russels have a lot of energy. In my house we have a golden, although they are great with kids, she sheds and really feeds off my kiddos energy.

My inlaws have a shitzu, it is good with the kiddos. It is a sturdy dog and very laid back.

By Jtsmom on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 12:38 am:

We bought a Shih-tzu about 8 yrs ago and she has been the best pet ever!! She was just a puppy and loves our 5 yr old and 2 yr old. Very patient dog with children, at least mine is.

By Jtsmom on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 12:40 am:

OH, I also wanted to add that it might be a good idea to look at Shih-tzu or Jack Russell Rescues in your area. I really recommend rescues. Just my opinion.

By Paulas on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 01:22 am:

Oh, and I should mention, we would like a dog that we can play with (frisbee, catch,etc)

By Hol on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 01:23 am:

Ditto, Joelle. They also have breed rescues on line. I have to agree with the Shih-tzu. We have a young friend that has two of them, "Bojangles" and "Mojo". They are the SWEETEST dogs, and so good with their kids. The DK's are 15 and 10, but they've had the dogs since the kiddos were little. I agree that they are very sturdy, healthy dogs, and very lovable.
Jack Russells are cute, but very hyper. ("Eddie" on "Frasier" is a Jack Russell). There is one in our local shelter right now. He's been there for a while. People come and look at him, but he's a live wire, so they don't adopt him. He'd probably be okay with older kids/teenagers, but not little ones. He'd knock them over.
* When we were visiting our friends six years ago, "Bojangles" wasn't yet neutered. He fell in love with my DH, in a "romantic" way, if you know what I mean. LOL! He'd get in bed with DH in the morning and hump his head! LOL! Bo got "snipped" shortly after we left

By Kiki on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 03:05 am:

We have a Pomeranian that was given to Gabby by her greataunt. They are a smart breed and great with babies and kids. We love him to death. I wouldn't get the teacup because it's too delicate of a dog. We have the midsize. Here's fluffy:

By Marg on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 07:56 am:

Kiki,

we have a pom that we adopted from the local humane society.

When we first saw him he had little hair, and I really wasn't thinking what a pom was like. He was brought in with his mom and they had so many fleas the hair had literally fallen off.

We have had him 2 years. He is about 9-10 pounds. He is spoiled rotten and has a napolean complex. I don't know what I would do without him.

We also have a Sheltie named Champ who is the protector of the house. Very active and loves to run.

By Insaneusmcwife on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 07:59 am:

From my experience with Shih tzu's and JR's, I would recomend the JR. We have a JRT and he is a hyper little guy. Loves to play and has lots of personality. The Shih tzu's we had required a lot of grooming and 2 of them developed a skin condition and stunk really bad. I don't recall them ever fetching a frisbee either. Balls and socks yes but not a frisbee. Our JRT will fetch anything you throw for him.

By Reds9298 on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 08:02 am:

I have 2 JRT's and although they are wonderful dogs (hence, the reason we have 2!), they are A LOT of work and training and really are like having more kids in the house with all of the attention they require. I don't have much time now, but I'll try to post more later or you can email me anytime at reds9298 @ insight bb dot com (no spaces).

By Kiki on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 02:58 pm:

Marg,

I so get the napolean complex! lol I am glad to hear that he is doing better. I was shocked to find out recently that a lot of people give up their poms. I would love to rescue one. I want to get a girl this time.

By Marg on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 03:47 pm:

Kiki,

Pete was left at the shelter with his mom in a cat box (upright) on a Saturday night. There were thunderstorms all that night and they were freaked by the time some one got there at 11 a.m. on Sunday. We went over on Monday, saw him and decided to foster him first (our dog had just recently died). The mom was too weak to foster out.

We fell in love with him. He acts as if he knows what I'm going to say and do.

He's jealous of the cat and our other dog. But, sadly, he gets the most attention from me, lol!

He loves to go everywhere I go and isn't satisfied unless he does.

But he freaks with thunderstorms.

I wish I had a camera or scanner. I'd post a pic.

By Annie2 on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 11:27 pm:

We welcomed Gumbo to our family in Dec. He is a Phalene Papillon. He is about 15 pounds of cute pointer setter. He has hair, not fur, so he hardly sheds. He was easy to train, not too hyper and a pure delight. He is great with the kids and our 110 pound German Shep.

By Tarable on Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 01:53 pm:

I love shih tzus. Not only are they more laid back but they also don't shed. They also love to play ball (or at least mine did). I think that your biggest decision should be based on what kind of family you have. If you are mellow and laid back I am not sure the Jack Russell would fit your lifestyle. Jack Russells have a lot of energy especially when they are young. I would go play with both for 30 min to an hour and see which one fits your style best.

Good luck finding the prefect puppy.

By Paulas on Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 02:10 pm:

We've never really played with a Shih Tzu before but the kids did play with my friends JR for 2 hours one day while we played golf. He chased the ball for them the whole time and they had such a blast. She has her JR very well trained, mind you. He plays dead, rolls over, gives 5 or 10, speaks, etc. She also said she'd be willing to help us train one if we got it. Her mom is the breeder.

By Kiki on Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 03:02 pm:

Marg,

How sad but at least Pete got a wonderful family. Fluffy follows me around everywhere too, even into the bathroom. Once when we took the kids to the park, along with Fluffy, I was going down the slide with the baby and there was Fluffy right behind me going down the slide too. lol

By Momofmax on Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 07:27 pm:

We had a chocolate brown lab named Gumbo! Now we have a beagle named Sparky. Perfect dog for our six year old son! Not too big, like Gumbo (but we loved him until the end), but tuff enough to hold his own in those wrestling matches.

By Shellyg on Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 09:26 pm:

Hey Paula, have you ever thought about adopting, now buying? I run a rescue and I get purebreeds all the time! I have a purebreed Shih tzu right now and a Jack/Shih Tzu mix... You could get the best of both breeds. Go to www.petfinder.org and look up rescues in your area, you never know!
Marg... Good for you for adopting!

By Hol on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 12:28 am:

I have to highly endorse Beagles, too. I have two, "Molly" and "Munchkin" (Munch is a "pocket beagle" because she's so small) and they are wonderful. They were both pound puppies, and had been Mommies, so they are very mature and loving. We had them spayed, of course, and they are just so sweet and gentle.
My DD and her hubby also adopted their Beagle girl, "Bandit" from the same shelter. She only has one eye, and was heartworm positive, but they got her treated and she is a second "Mommy" to my grandaughter.

By Paulas on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 02:25 am:

Thanks for the link Shelly. I only found Boxers in my area. I don't think I would want one of those.

I don't know if we will end up getting a dog or not. DH hasn't decided yet and he's not home. She is taking the 2 that are left to the pet store later this week if she hasn't sold them. I thought DH would be home tongight but it's after midnight so I don't think so. I can't contact him b/c he's fighting forest fires.

So, we might miss out on this batch

By Reds9298 on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 03:16 pm:

I also highly endorse beagles! Terrific dogs and fantastic with kids, too.

By Crystal915 on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 03:23 pm:

We have a Japanese Chin, she's a rescue, very calm, lazy in fact, and quiet. She's very different from other small breeds I've seen. Still, with small breeds, you need to be careful about small children, they can really hurt the dogs if they play too rough. Good luck with our choice, and don't forget to post pics!

By Paulas on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 03:51 pm:

Well, DH has said "no" to the dog. He was in the "think about it" stage. The kids and I are very disappointed but it has to be a whole family decision.

Thanks everyone for your input.