a house with a 10 yr old and two mature cats and a large garden

[lacuna bless]

What sort of puppy would you think would best tolerate this? We are not only looking at pedigrees.

[brooklyn77]

Not 100% sure which dog to get but what I can tell you is not a great idea would be anything like, Terriers, spaniels, collies, alsations, etc....too bouncy for mature cats.

Maybe a sausage dog....forget their real name. They are cute, docile and friendly maybe a pug....some say they are ugly, but thats what makes them beautiful.

Sorry cant be of much more help

[lankeela]

This really depends on what you want to do with the dog.
If you just want a pet dog that lays around the house most of the time then one of the smaller breeds, such as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel would be ideal. They don't need too much exercise, and are usually good with kids. Make sure the parents are heart tested though.

If you want a dog to go on long walks or to take to training, why not consider a Labrador or Pointer, they are both fairly laid back and easy to manage. Check hip scores and eye tests for parents.

If you want a dog to do obedience or agility then go for something like a Border collie or GSD, but you need to realise that they need lots of exercise and training. There are dozens of breeds available, why not go to a dog show and chat to people about their breeds, and you can choose something you like the look of safe in knowledge that you realise their needs. Where abouts are you - I can let you know of dog shows in your area.

Go to the Kennel Club site www.the-kennel-club.org. where you will find details of breeds and breed clubs. Or try www.champdogs.co.uk for lists of breeders if you know which dog you are going for. Good luck, choose wisely because hopefully you will be together for many years.

[lacuna bless]

Thanks. Dachsund too small. Thinking of a collie crossed with something else? Next doors labrador lovely but such a size, so much drool and the tail wags the dog!! Cavalier sounds good but lots of work combing ears and feet every day.

[lankeela]

Collie cross sounds good, but its finding one at the right age and without the problems that it was put into rescue for, if you see what I mean.

Difficult to find a puppy but there are several breeds that would be about the same size/coat as a collie cross.

How about a Smooth Collie? Same as a 'Lassie' Collie, but without the coat. They are short coated, easy to train and very handsome. They are actually on the list of British endangered breeds, because there are so few being bred these days, so getting one of them would help the breed as well.

[meltoadhall]

we have three mature old ladies (cats)6,12 and14 years old, 3 children 7,9,and 11 and we now have an irish red setter. he has fitted in very well and is now almost 8 months.
it took the cats a while to get used to him but they ignore him and he has finally learnt to leave them alone.
he has taken a lot of training but we used the dog listener method and a lot of patience.
we also call him the dim light bulb!!!!!

[danapie]

2 ptions here, try a shelter for a dog and tell them what you are looking for, they should be able to tell you if any of the dogs at the shelter are good with cats and kids (plus you save a life and the dog will show his appreciation very much though soooo much love) or start with a pup. Pups can generally adapt to any situation

[bugsyshan]

i have 2 cavaliers a kitten a bird and a rabbit and the dogs get on with all of them. cavaliers are good natured dogs