Thinking about getting a dog . . .

[Wendi]

For the past year or so, dh has been bringing up getting a dog. He brought it up again last night, saying maybe we could even adopt a dog for Christmas. (I know this is generally considered a bad idea, but if we're not traveling or having guests, does it matter so much?)

 

The quandary is what kind/age of dog to look for. We have two rabbits, so we need to avoid breeds that tend to have a strong prey drive. We wouldn't ever leave the dog unsupervised with the bunnies regardless of how well they get along. I feel like a puppy that grows up with the bunnies will have a good chance of getting along with them, not considering them prey, but I have never trained a puppy. So I'm hoping to find a dog about a year old who has been in a foster home with cats. (Already housebroken, introduced to walking on a leash, and accustomed to being around small animals.)

 

We'd love a dog that would go jogging with dh, on walks and hikes with the family, play frisbee or ball in the park with ds, etc. However, we don't have a huge house, so the dog would also need to chill out and relax, not need constant action.

 

A retriever seems like a good choice, based on activity level and family-friendliness. What about Aussies? Our riding teacher has two Aussie/heeler mixes that are amazing. Any other ideas?

 

Also, is my idea of looking for a young dog that's got good cat experience the right idea? Obviously the bunnies would have to meet the dog first. (Funny story: Our lionhead/lop rabbit weighs under 5 lbs. Once when we were helping with rabbit adoptions at a local pet store, we had her there with us on a leash and harness. There was a golden retriever rescue group there as well. She hopped right up to a group of about six LARGE retrievers, stood up on her back legs (prairie-dog-style), and sniffed them, allowing them to sniff her. She was not afraid in the least.)

 

Thanks in advance! I know I've brought this up before, a long time ago, but now it seems like dh is getting more serious about it. He knows ds and I love all animals, and would say yes to anything. I just want to make a wise choice, as this is a big commitment, and although we both had dogs in our families growing up, we've never had a dog since we've been married.

[jeninok]

I would avoid breeds like huskies, their prey drive is through the roof. Any mix that has been around small animals and kids in a foster home would probably be just fine.

 

Retrievers are great family dogs, but some labs are super hard headed, never stop chewing, and just seem doofy. Golden retrievers are super sweet but all the ones I know have hip problems.

 

Hounds, other than beagles, tend to be lazy at home but ready for fun. We have two coo hound mixes that are just lovely.

 

Aussies are busy busy, our 3rd dog is a Heeler lab mix and just a doll. But very active!

 

I really love Corgis for small dogs with big dog brains.

[Wendi]

I love Corgis, too, but I was thinking since they were bred to hunt small animals in burrows, they might not get along with the bunnies.

[Remudamom]

Contact a rescue and tell them what you need. They could probably fix you right up.

[astrid]

I love Corgis, too, but I was thinking since they were bred to hunt small animals in burrows, they might not get along with the bunnies.

 

 

Corgis are not hunting dogs, they are cattle drovers-- heelers who would drive cattle herds to market and around the farms by nipping heels. That's why they're true dwarfs--- the short ones survived because the cattle kicked over their heads! They are extremely smart, with lightning-fast reflexts and super focus for training. It's one of the reasons I really like them.

 

I have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and have known many. All have EXTREME herding drives, and in fact Pemmies are among the drivey-est of the herding breeds. I would not EVER allow my Corgi around my chickens, and in fact it's often tough for him to live in the same house with our cats. Personally, I feel there is no way a corgi could co-habitate in a home with house rabbits.

 

astrid

[Scarlett]

Springer spaniels make great running dogs...not sure how they would do with the bunnies....

 

They are very smart though. Easily trained.

[RoughCollie]

I think a collie would fit in nicely ... the ones I know don't go after cats or any other animal.

 

Terriers, OTOH ... no. I'm on my second one, and Aidan has a very high prey drive.

[jeninok]

I Didn't know corgis might have issues with cats. What about half crazy giant (like 20lbs of lean muscle) male cats. My mom really wants a corgi but not if it will e likely to have constant problems with the cat, who is already a bit of a constant problem.

 

 

Edy our heeler mix does herd especially me, with gentle nips and pushes. She was terrified of the cats at first, and is prone to trying to corral them. But she is never rough or overly pushy. Even with ones she doesn't know.

 

We did have to be firm with her once she got over her fear, but she learned quickly they weren't toys.

 

We did also have two huskies with cats. We had them from 8 weeks though and it took vigilance and being clear and firm with

boundaries, they did end up being fine with them in the end.

 

Most dogs, unless they are just super high in prey drive can be gently taught firm boundaries and be safe under proper supervision. If the bunnies are dog savvy, or at least not super skittish and likely to bolt that will help a lot. I would introduce slowly with everyone on leash and maybe even a soft muzzle on the dog. You could also spend time with them in sight but not together, using kennels and/or baby gates then only move closer when all animals are ignoring each other.

 

We spent months working that plan with my dog aggressive fearful male and Edy. They are great friends now after a year of work and very slowly increasing contact.

[astrid]

I Didn't know corgis might have issues with cats. What about half crazy giant (like 20lbs of lean muscle) male cats. My mom really wants a corgi but not if it will e likely to have constant problems with the cat, who is already a bit of a constant problem.

 

 

If the bunnies are dog savvy, or at least not super skittish and likely to bolt that will help a lot. I would introduce slowly with everyone on leash and maybe even a soft muzzle on the dog. You could also spend time with them in sight but not together, using kennels and/or baby gates then only move closer when all animals are ignoring each other.

 

We spent months working that plan with my dog aggressive fearful male and Edy. They are great friends now after a year of work and very slowly increasing contact.

 

 

 

We had our Corgi in a dog-friendly yarn store (I know, it's a contradiction in terms, but it's the biggest yarn store in the USA and it's awesomely dog-friendly!) Anyway, a woman bent down to pet my exceedingly polite Corgi and said, "Oh! I just LOVE Corgis! I keep trying to convince my husband that we should get one. But do you think a Corgi would chase my house rabbit?" I replied, "Only once." She didn't get it at first. When it dawned on her she hustled away.

 

astrid

[Wendi]

Well, the bunnies have been around dogs, but not a lot. Like I said in the OP, the younger one calmly met a whole group of golden retrievers without being bothered. The older bunny is not so brave, but he has been exposed to dogs in the past. (The rabbit rescue owner has dogs who are typically out in the yard whenever the bunnies were having playtime in their exercise pens. But that was years ago.) The bunnies live in an x-pen upstairs. I would put a baby gate in the doorway to the room so the dog couldn't get close to them. If the dog and bunnies seem fine when the bunnies are in their pen, I'd let them out into the room, with the dog still on the other side of the baby gate. And see how that goes. Dog would be in a crate whenever we're out, and at night.

 

We are still discussing things. I read Breedfreak, and read some of it out loud to ds. It's entertaining and informative! It still seems like a golden would be a good choice, but we would need to set aside some $$ to prepare for medical issues. I don't really want a really huge one; do females tend to be smaller than males?

 

I know I will have to wait until we don't have bunnies to get a Corgi or Westie someday.

 

Wendi