What Breed for our 2nd dog?

[Medusa]

Hey, DS and I are considering getting a 2nd dog. The dog we have is a 4yo Boston Terrier, who is mostly my dog. DS wants a dog that he can take care of and bond with (he's 9) and Curly (the Boston) would be thrilled to have a playmate.

We need a breed that is good with children, can be on it's own about 4-5 hours a day, low coat maintenance, medium to low exercise needs but can still hold it's on with a bossy 20 pound chunk of dog muscle that loves to wrestle.

Personally I'd just get another Boston, but DS wants a different breed. He asked for a Chihuahua, but I nixed that on the grounds of: too small, too excitable, too yippie. So we're at a loss.

Any ideas or suggestions?

[SoCaliMommy]

Miniature Schnauzer

We have one he is pretty low maintenance, they don't really shed either.
He is 1yr old and is roughly 15lbs, i've heard they max they get up to is 20lbs.
He holds his own with the bigger dogs at the dog park and at home with my 40lb 3yr old acting like he's a dog playing with the Schnauzer.

[LeahBoo]

My dachshund/somekindofterrier would fit the bill nicely. He's a happy friendly dog who loves everyone and roughhouses with my mom's pit bull.

I say Dachshund or Dachshund mix.

Or beagle.

Dawn

[Medusa]

Thank's y'all! I'll look into Schnauzers, and Beagles.

We both love the look of dachshunds, but Curly is a serious hardcore wreastling dog and I'm afraid of spinal injuries, which I've heard dachshunds are prone to. A Dachshund mix might be a bit sturdier though.

[ReadingMama]

Are you set on a purebred? Beagles are great with kids, but you gotta watch out for them escaping! They're scent motivated and like to explore. My 9 yo son would love a beagle, but the ones we've fostered could jump or dig under our fence and that freaks me out! I was going to recommend a shih tzu, but a lot of them have longer backs too. I've been seeing a lot of pug/beagle mixes in rescue (unfortunately people think they can make a lot of money creating "puggles", so many of them are from backyard breeders.) I think they're adorable and usually really playful and kid-friendly.

We're looking for dog #2 as well (we fostered in the past and then my grandma and her dog lived with us for the past year, so we haven't had a "vacancy" until now!) I'd love a shih tzu or a shih tzu mix, but it would have to be a dog who's being fostered by a family with kids and other dogs so I could be sure the dog was kid and dog friendly. If you're open to mixes and adult dogs, check with some rescue groups in your area and ask what dogs they'd recommend for your situation. You might find a perfect for you rescued mixed breed!

[listipton]

Has ds considered a pug? Very similar to BT's, and the black pugs have a lighter coat (so less shedding...for a pug, anyway...). They are wonderful with kids and could easily hold their own with your current dog.

[SquishyKitty]

French bulldog.

Ours are below 30 lbs, need walks but not miles like our rottweiler, are very sweet and loveable, and very tough at the same time. They are great with kids, and have very goofy personalities.

Just be careful with the breathing, one of our frenchies has a very smashed nose and because of that, sleep apnea. The second frenchie has a normal nose and his breathing is noisy but much better.

We looked briefly at beagles, but we've been around a lot of them in the past, and they bark and bark and bark, and we just weren't into that.

[Pepper44]

If you don't mind a bigger dog, you should go to a shelter and look for a hound mix!

We have a coonhound and he's a great dog. He loves to play and go for walks, but he will also happily sleep...for days on end. He's easy going, not hyper, and really healthy over all. He's also very smart and was pretty easy to train! Plus the long floppy ears and huge hound eyes are a nice bonus.