What small dog breed would you get as a pet for your cats?

[EFerrari]

Or, do you think the handling of the puppy matters more than breed?

My old Lab can't be my walking buddy any more, so we're planning to get a newbie than can. And, I have to be able to carry the dog up a flight of stairs (retirement planning).

We were thinking about adopting a Jack Russell Terrier, a little girl.



But, we have to be careful not to disturb the harmonic vibrations.


:)

[sbj405]

1. JRTs are pretty high energy

Is it an older dog?

[EFerrari]

3. No, we'd adopt a puppy so I could train it to live with cats and people.

They are high energy - we had one as a neighbor and he ran circles around our Lab, lol.

[blue neen]

2. We have a Papillon, and she is a playmate for the cats,

especially the younger one. She weighs about 8 or 9 pounds, so she is actually a little smaller than both cats. The cats let her know when they have had enough, and she backs off.

She's a great little dog. Very lovable and friendly.

[EFerrari]

4. Did she grow up with the kitties or, was she drafted late?

It sounds like a great situation.

[blue neen]

5. She grew up with the kitties.

We brought her home at 10 weeks. She was the only puppy in her litter (Papillons are known to have only one or two puppies), so she thinks the cats are part of her pack.

What a great dog. I'd highly recommend checking into this breed. Right now I'm taking her for obedience training, then possibly on to training to be a therapy dog. She's a joy. :) She's very soothing to the soul!

[EFerrari]

7. That's wonderful. My Buddy is the same way. She helped

care for the foster cats that went through the house.

We call her our 10 mil Valium.:)

[Babette]

6. My Pomeranian got along well with my cat..

She's a cheerful, energetic little dog who still looooves to cuddle. When I had a cat they were best friends. They'd chase each other, groom each other. They were about the same size, so there was no problem.

She loves to take long walks and hikes too. I took her to Devil's Rock (Lake?) state park in Wisconsin a few years ago. Together we went up the rock scramble- a steep mountainside covered in boulders. She loved it! She politely stepped aside for people coming down, and gave an "outta my way" bark at people ahead of us who were too slow! Everyone was amazed at this little fluffy dog.

[EFerrari]

8. LOL! I was hoping to hear a story like this one.

They're funny when they go all Crossing Guard on you. My cats do that and our dog just submits to their numbers. :)

[Zookeeper]

9. We have a Rat Terrier (or Feist)....

which is similar to a Jack Russell, but smaller. We had two cats when we brought her home as a puppy, and the cats quickly put her in her place. Rat Terriers are very bright, energetic, fast little dogs and low maintenance as far as grooming.

As a bonus, you will never have a mouse in your house for very long. :)

[EFerrari]

12. We don't have mice here but raccoons that live on the city

rooftops. I think they have a whole 'nother world up there!

Our biggest cat weighs 12 lbs. And, he gets frisky and jumps on folks -- no malice whatsoever, he just wants to wrestle. So, I'm a little worried about going smaller because, well, he's Baby Huey!

[Catchawave]

10. Long hair Dachshund !

We downsized from springer spaniels, then realized we got a much larger dog, in a smaller package, and easier to carry :) Here's a sample:

[EFerrari]

13. This one looks just like Susan Dey as a girl. Beautiful.

:hi:

[havocmom]

11. Terriers and cats are generally a bad combination

Try a calmer, less assertive breed to be buds with a cat. My brother's Pomerian just LOVES cats. All the neighbor cats hang out at my brother's door to wait for Ziggy to come out and play. They are all very sweet together.

Terriers often try to kill cats. They are great dogs, but very active and assertive. Not the best choice for cat buds.

[EFerrari]

14. Yikes! So, havocmom, you're saying breed does matter?

Most of the time, I go with early handling matters most.

On the other hand, I watched my Lab go from trying to walk on water to diving and swimming like a seal when her Lab clock kicked in.

There will be no eating of cats here. :scared:

[havocmom]

20. Handling can be a help, but terriers are tricky.

They are VERY smart, VERY capable, and basically bred to kill small critters. It is what they were created to do. I love terriers. But I would be darn careful with any terrier near a cat. There are some that work, but most breeders would probably steer you away from the combination.

I also have a worry about REALLY popular breeds at any given time, as the Parson Russell is now. Too often, unscrupulous people will breed for profit and not for the betterment of the breed. When you are talking about one of the 'IN' breeds, be VERY selective about breeders. Too many people will breed to get $$ instead of selectively picking dogs to get good pups.

I have know many people who had Poms and cats and all of them made for great pals. Not overly fond of Poms in general myself, but if I had a cat and needed to add a small dog, that would be my choice.

There are breed specific characteristics and tendencies. A good breeder will try to match a family's situation, lifestyle and needs to a breed that tends to want things the same way.

My husband had an Airedale and he loves the breed. But we are older and slower now. Convinced him to give a Golden Retriever a try. Now he has a dog who just wants to be with him whatever he is doing. When he wants to just sit and read, the dog is there against his feet. Nice in one's older years, and something he said he always wished the Airedale would have done.

My Golden would not be good for you to carry up the stairs, but he is great with kids and cats. And once, when my back went out and I could not get up the 4 stairs into our house, he got me in and then worked like a handi dog for several weeks when I was not able to move much. He would bring me stuff I needed, pick up what I dropped when my hands would not work reliabley and kept me from losing it emotionally while I was outta commision.

Different breeds for different needs. Good care, love and handling for ANY dog, but yeah, breeds are different.

[EFerrari]

24. Hubby is scooting our Lab up the stairs now. She's 14.

And, she's been a lifesaver at every point. But, I don't walk any more because she can't go very long or far and it's been really bad for me.

If I could rig an elevator, I'd get another Lab in a heartbeat. Like your Golden, they are the sweetest and just want to be with you. My girl had 20 acres to run on at one point but just wasn't interested unless I went with her.

Didn't know about the Parson Russell. I had a tenant that had one and a cat and they seemed to do all right but, that's why I asked. :)

[JanMichael]

15. Oh, please, please, please get a rescue, or one from the pound

Go to the pound and get a mutt....

Scout is a JR mix...she is 10 pounds and adores Stinky the Wonder Cat, and Stinky loves her. She was found wondering down I-40 in NC.

There are so many animals that would love the chance to come live with you and the kitties.

Seriously, consider it.

[EFerrari]

17. Hey -- the whole gang here come from rescue groups!

And we worked for the Best Cat Rescue Lady in Santa Monica the two years we lived there.

Those babies are the greatest.

:thumbsup:

[JanMichael]

19. Oh good!

You just seem so dead set on a puppy....Scout is a little jack russel mix...full grown when we got her (if you have ever seen the "Target" dog in the ads...that's Scout)...

Stinky---5 year old grouchy fat indoor only, only animal, nasty tempered feline---

They adored each other and were taking naps together in 2 weeks. ONLY problem: Scout thought the litter box was a box of dog treats.

OK, that was weird.

[EFerrari]

21. My dog did that too, so we just covered it and made it hard to get to.

That is wierd. :)

I can't get an older dog because the seven rescued cats need to be able to teach the dog. But, there are plenty of pups come Spring. Unfortunately. :(

[JanMichael]

23. The grouchy cat outweighs the dog by about 7 pounds

;)

[Southsideirish]

16. Our Maltese likes cats but he grew up with them. He is very jumpy and

jittery but he doesn't have a mean bone in his body. Sweet little guy.

[EFerrari]

18. I don't know what a Maltese is. Time to hit goggle.

But, that was the thinking behind getting a pup instead of a young adult.

[Catchawave]

22. Hit Petfinders instead !

www.petfinders.org

Good luck on finding your newest family addition :hi:

[EFerrari]

26. Thanks, Catchawave!

We're very excited about it! :)

[radwriter0555]

50. A maltese is a LOT of work. Very charming, endearing, loving, but A LOT

of work.

Pomeranians are great, the jack should be good if you give her a lot of attention and a lot of work. Chances are good that she won't mess with the cats if you tell her not to. It's not that ingrained. I've known many Jacks who were cat friendly.

In truth a Pommy would be fantastic, but they suck at house-breaking (same with maltese). Jacks are far better at being housebroken. Be sure you're not getting one that's all messed up and inbred.

[SammyWinstonJack]

25. A Yorkie? Or a Pomeranian? I have both. Poms bark a lot. Yorkies

or at least mine, doesn't bark much and she has more personality than any dog I have ever owned. She gets along with all manner of people and animals. And Yorkies are small, 3 to 7 pounds as are poms, so very much able to be toted around. If interested in adopting a yorkie, this site is great, www.unitedyorkierescue.org.

[EFerrari]

27. Thanks for the link! I know nothing about Yorkies either!

:)

[SammyWinstonJack]

30. Mine was a rescue and she is a sweetheart! I never knew anything

about them either until she came into my life and I am so lucky she did. These Yorkies on this web site have been so abused, it breaks my heart. If I could, I would adopt one. But I have three dogs and it's not possible for me, at this time.

[SammyWinstonJack]

36. At that site is a Yorkie in California, named Rocky, seems he gets

along well with cats. You might want to check him out, he weighs #10.5 pounds and it sounds like he could use a caring home. He sounds like a sweetheart.


on edit: He so cute! I would love to adopt him, if I could.

[philosophie_en_rose]

43. United Yorkie Rescue is such a great organization.

I've made a few (quite small) donations and you won't believe how much they appreciate it. They're really grateful and it all goes directly towards the dogs' care.

If anyone has a few extra dollars (and every little bit helps), I hope they consider unitedyorkierescue.org. Many of these dogs are from seniors that can't care for them. Many of the others are terribly abused.

[SammyWinstonJack]

44. Ah Little Nicholas! He's so cute! And up for adoption, too!

:hug: This is a great site and those little souls have been so abused, it's heartbreaking. The foster parents care so much.

[philosophie_en_rose]

45. These people are role models.

:hug:

They don't give up on any small dog (having a pretty loose definition of "yorkie") and they provide loving pets to good people. I wish that I had more to give. Just looking at the site makes me hug my dogs.

[SammyWinstonJack]

47. I know what you mean. No matter the situation of the yorkie involved,

they are taken in. And some aren't able to be adopted out, so they are "forever" in the care of the rescue organization. I just love them!

[merh]

28. I have a yorkie, a pug and a jack

No cats, no room for one right now.

I think the jack would be too much for you all to deal with, they are very hyper and they do require a lot of attention until they are trained. And they are stubborn and were breed to kill small creatures.

The pug is so sweet, I think she would get along great with cats. She is just a big loving snorting baby.

My yorkie would be ideal with cats. He just likes to tumble and play for a bit and then sit back and watch. He is one of the most even tempered dogs I have ever owned.

Big hugs to you and the big guy and buddy and the cats. :grouphug: :loveya:

[EFerrari]

29. Thank you, merh! I hope you and the babes are thriving.

I've got to scoot to a gig but, am very grateful for the generous info.

:hug:

:loveya:

:grouphug:

[merh]

40. Enjoy the gig.

We will catch up soon. :hug:

:loveya:

[SammyWinstonJack]

31. Aren't Yorkies the best? My Yorkie, while not ever having been around

cats, is so sweet tempered, I think she would love the company.

[merh]

38. Oh, I think they would make the perfect pet for a cat.

They love to just love.

:hi:

[DanCa]

32. I'd get my pet kitten a giant Mastiff like in Turner and Hooch.

Im just twisted that way. :D Seriously our 173lb mastiff Rosalittia babbies my torties and my new cat Domino.

[SammyWinstonJack]

33. I love that movie!

[Flaxbee]

34. jack russells can be A LOT of work... just b/c they have so

much energy. They're known as big dogs in little bodies - need lots of exercise and are hyper.

Our neighbor has a jack russell/chihuahua mix, he's all black with a little white nose. He is the NEATEST dog, and very good with their two cats. A mixed breed will probably be your best bet, found at the humane society/shelter... and if the people who work at the shelter are any good, they'll be able to help you assess the personalities of the little dogs you might be looking at...

[EFerrari]

57. Our shelters are so impacted, it would be hard to get

a thoughtful assessment.

That's why I needed to ask the Lounge. :hippie:

[redacted]

35. SFExpat, late to the party here, but . . . I got 3 dogs. All rescue.

Let me feed my pack (din is late) and I'll send you some links for small dog rescue in the bay area. (some of them even have small puppies from time to time.)

ann

[EFerrari]

52. Thanks, Ann!

:)

[redacted]

37. King Charles Cavalier Spaniel -- or a rescue adult with known personality

King Charles -- Is just about one of the most docile agreeable small breeds around. (along with the pug)

The problem with small dogs is that most of them (like the jack russell) are terriers and they are not just high energy, but tend to be dominant. It sounds like you want a submissive dog.

But I always tell people to get an adult rescue dog with known personality. With a puppy -- it's always a gamble. Friends just adopted a female puppy from the same parents as their current male dog. The 20 pound 14 week old puppy has become so dominant that she bosses around her 145 pound "brother". At 8 weeks, when they brought her home -- there was no way they would have guessed her to be so dominant.

Second Chance rescue in Marin is a great group. Just tell them what you want and they'll call you when they get one. The have a lot of smaller dogs. http://www.secondchancerescue.com/
They know what they are doing, are good a judging temperament because the dogs are fostered AND if it doesn't work out you can return the dog (and it will never be euthanized.) They also get a lot of puppies (usually with the Mom attached, so you get an idea of how big they'll be).

The Marin humane society and the SF spca are great too.

There are breed rescue groups all over the bay area.

And there used to be a small dog rescue in the south bay (I never like them as much as second chance.)

Also, petfinder.com is a great way to find a dog. That's how I found my Baxter. Let me know if you want more info -- I'm full of dog rescue info.


Ann

onedit: never meant to imply that dominant high energy dogs are not good dogs, they are in fact my favorite type of dog -- I have 3 high energy, dominant, herding dog X's


Baxter in his full puppiness (imitating a cat)

[erinlough]

39. Hi sfexpat, I have a mutt

who is part chihuahua, Pom, and some terrier. She's about 12 pounds and has bonded well with my older cats and my new one. She actually acts more like a cat than a dog and does the grooming thing with any cat who will have her. Here she is with her best friend.



and here she is in her latest photo

[EFerrari]

54. I think that's the best thing I've ever seen.

I see stuff like that with my rescue kitties. Once they calm down.

I just don't want to upset them.

Once a mom . . . :)

[philosophie_en_rose]

41. Terriers + Cat = Only One Can Survive

Terriers are small, but they can be hyper and insistent. Most of them are fairly portable, but they're also quick and nosy. A cat can do a lot of damage to a little dog. (I have to constantly watch out for my littlest dog. A cat in the neighborhood stalks him like he was a rat!).

I recommend a Sheltie. They're smart, generally small, and calm. I've never met a sheltie that wasn't reliable, and there are sheltie rescues that can help you find the dog for you. You'll get a great older dog and your cats will have their peace.

[Maddy McCall]

42. My mini schnauzer gets along wonderfully with the cats.

Yes, in the bottom picture, she is nursing a kitten. Lucinda had never had puppies, but we adopted the kitten when she was five weeks old, and she still wanted to nurse. So Lucinda let her "pacify" on her, and then she started lactating, and the kitten actually sucked milk off of Lucinda.

I highly recommend a miniature schnauzer pup. Best breed I've ever owned, all-around.

:hi:

[philosophie_en_rose]

48. They are so cute!

:hi:

[Floogeldy]

46. This post insults dogs everywhere.

Cats don't have pets. ;)

[philosophie_en_rose]

49. right. they have minions.

[EFerrari]

53. LOL! That's right! They have attendants

and maybe some sleezy handlers. :smoke:

[chookie]

51. Pommies love cats

Think carefully about a Jack Russell, because they are high energy demanding dogs, a quality that might not be appreciated by your dear cats.

My pommies love cats, snooze with them, play with them.

My pommies are not barkers, but be warned -- many owners attest to this vocal quality.

[radwriter0555]

55. Aren't pommies the BEST? We have our Lola, just over a year old..

and she's amazing. She's got the markings of a german shephard, black with blonde legs, chest and facial highlights. She's the smooth coated though, not the teddy bear, but she's a BLAST.

She only talks when she's excited, and has a huge crush on the nieghbor's cats who just LIVE to tease her.. yet, she still has no malice towards them at all. Truly a delightful animal and important part of our family...

[EFerrari]

56. I'm really grateful to you all for checking in.

Because I know from nothing about the more compact angels.

:)

[Jamastiene]

58. Toy Poodles are great with cats.

Believe it or not though, I had a high strung rambuncious miniature schnauzer and a pit bull mix that both got along great with my cats. I'm really funny about what pets I will let my cats have. I don't want them to get hurt. I would say as long as you get a puppy, they should get along just fine.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

59. Depends on that cat...

We had a German Shepherd that was a scratching post/thing to abuse to my oldest cat. She's fucked up smaller dogs (still bigger than her). Midnight is an exception though. She is completely unaware of the fact that she's old, pretty toothless and only weighs 8lbs. That's why she wears a spiked leather collar.

[EFerrari]

60. We have seven rescues. They use my Lab as a couch.

None of them are aggressive, though. One gets exuberant and likes to jump on the other cats but he's just playing. None of them has ever clawed the dog. I've been warned about cats scratching dogs' eyes -- that can do permanent damage.

[Onlooker]

61. A shitzu

My sister, who used to have a lab, got a shitzu after her lab died, and she and her cat both love it.

[leftofthedial]

62. for cats?

I'd get a pit bull

[NV Whino]

63. I love Jack Russels, but

I think that is the wrong dog for your situation. Very high energy. And they don't walk, they run.

A friend of mine raises them. She holds JR races.