Please help me to match my friend with a dog...

[ChiRen]

My friend and her family have had Miniature Schnauzers since as long as I can remember. I've only ever met one of them, named Billy.
He was an absolute sweetheart. He never appeared nippy or anything like that and was great with their neighbors younger kids. However, that is one dog out of a million.
What I mean is, don't rule out a certain breed just because you've heard "bad things" about it. There is always that one exception. I'd have to agree with what other people have said -- meet the dogs yourself and decide based on the dogs alone, not their breed.
Good luck to your friend!!

[Tonya]

Here are two of the dogs that we're going to look at, Whatcha think?

http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?act...1&row=25&tmpl=

http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?act...=1&row=0&tmpl=

[Tonya]

(I'm rooting for Tiger, BTW!)

[mugsy]

Tonya, I honestly hopes that she waits...both of the dogs are adorable, but, the woman's kids scare me for the dog's sake....I still urge her to wait for awhile and get more info about dogs and make her kids responsible. Having been involved with different rescue people over the last couple of years, I have learned to be alert to the warning signs and there are warning signs all over this situation. I am talking to a dear friend now who is president of a humane society in MN and she said the same thing I did. I know I am harping, but, I am concerned for the dog.

[Tonya]

Just thought I'd let you all know that I talked my friend into waiting. Although everyone is a first time dog owner at one time in life, she still has alot to learn. Her breed of choice is still a minpin. I've convinced her that she really really needs to wait and spend some time with minpins. They might be cute as heck, but I don't think that's a good dog for her family at all.

[lv4dogs]

Thats good, now just get her to get out there to shelters, classes, vets etc.. to learn more about breeds, proper care & nutrition of dogs. Have her read about them in book, on the internet & even join here.
If shes serious about getting a dog she should be ready in no time. Just keep her clear from a min oin or any really tiny breed like that.

I understand that some are concerned about her kids & i realize that some kids can be terrible to pets, but you say that are not too bad so i think thats allright, heck a dog might even teach the kids how to properly care for it & sometimes they can even calm a kid down too. I rough house with my dogs & so do my neices/neohews/neighbor & friends kids, & my dogs love it.
good luck to your friend!

[DogLover9501]

Im glad you talked her into waiting.

About the boxer, why did you suggest that?

Well I've learned about them for 2 years, while waiting for my parents to give in lol, they love kids, the louder the better but her kids don't seem fit to own any dog, and boxers are very lovable--people dogs, but those kids may give it the wrong idea about people lol well especially kids, if theyre anything like the kids I know.

[Tonya]

Her kids aren't to horrible. I wouldn't imagine them torturing a dog or anything like that. She has a 4 year old daughter and a 2 year old son. They are just really hyper, so I imagine them running and accidently tripping or stepping on the dog.

[stacwase]

How about a Corgi or Corgi mix? They're awesome dogs.

[Tonya]

I don't know much about corgis. They seem sturdy enough yet small enough to meet her wants and needs. I'll have to read up on them.