Help me get a dog (rather.. convince Mrs Ducatizzy)

[ducatiz]

Is she specifically afraid of having a Staffordshire Terrier, or is she afraid of having a dog in general?  If it's the breed, maybe you could compromise. 

no just any dog.  she's afraid of a dog shedding, chewing and noise not of staffs.

[rgramjet]

I see a Bichon or Portuguese Water Dog in your future..........

[lethe]

I see a Bichon or Portuguese Water Dog in your future..........

A friend has a Portuguese Water Dog, that thing is nuts.
Can't keep it out of his pool either and it likes to run and jump off the diving board.

[DRKWNG]

I'm a bit biased, but I recommend Dobermans. They don't shed much at all, are extremely loyal and affectionate, and are generally very quiet. The only time D makes any noise is when she's letting someone outside know that they're being watched.

Let me know if you're interested and I'll bring her round to meet the family.

[ducatiz]

Of all the issues she's concerned about, I think the Staff is the best breed.  They are smallish (females top out around 40 lbs) and shedding is moderate given their short coat and they are very trainable.  

The convincing issue isn't the breed and as far as a bichon or pomeranian or any other piece of shit passing for a dog, no thanks.  I know people love them, but sorry, this is going to be a family dog and bichons are known to hate children.  Sister in law has two pomeranians and they hate the kids, plenty of dog nips and crying.

I'm a bit biased, but I recommend Dobermans.

I like Dobies, but they are a bit large for what I think will roll here.  They are great dogs though.

[Langanobob]

no just any dog.  she's afraid of a dog shedding, chewing and noise not of staffs.

Sounds like she may have some valid concerns, that a dog may end up being more work for her already very busy life.

it also sounds like you have a real yard and a place for the dog to play?  One of my pet peeves is people who lock their dogs up in a cage all day.   

Don't know anything at all about Staffs, shedding is evidently not an issue, so one down two to go. 

About chewing, it's more of a puppy thing and they grow out of it, but it can be a real nuisance.  It may take some time to find one, but possibly you could adopt a teenage or young adult dog that is losing his/her home for no fault of their own and has a known and proven problem free background?  We've adopted grown dogs and it's always worked out great.  Although having a puppy around is sure a lot of fun.

Again, don't know anything about Staffs, but compulsive barking is usually a trait of small dogs.  We've always had real dogs and they are very aware of their own stature and bark only when they decide it's useful.  Getting a warning when someone is coming to the door can be very useful, especially for a woman home alone.  Barking doesn't happen often enough here to be a problem at all. 

Getting a dog is not a whole lot different that having another kid  although I think dogs are much more rewarding.  The dogs we've had have all been absolutely wonderful consciousness-raising beings and I can't quite imagine a life without a dog.  More than worth the effort. 

That's about all I got.

[muskrat]

Habanese doesn't shed and is hypo allergenic.  Small but they love kids

[rgramjet]

http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/preview/flash/pdShell.swf?ihost=http://ak.imgag.com/imgag&brandldrPath=/product/full/el/&cardNum=/product/full/ap/3173936/graphic1

Get one of these......he will cuddle up in your lap, jump off to quickly dispatch your sister in law's Pomeranians then jump back up on your lap as if nothing happened.  Think of it as a scaled down Pit/Staff with a little mans complex.  The two Ive owned and my sister's have all had amazing personalities and been great with the kiddos.  

(The last one had a puppy mill induced poop issue, if it werent for that, he would be my favorite dog.)

[DesmoDiva]

We're in the opposite situation...I really want a dog and B is hesitant.

I've been buggin B for a dog for about a year.

We both want a dog, but he doesn't want to feel "tied down" that comes with having a dog.

He's also worried the cat will not get along with the dog as it's her house.

I want a running companon and something to keep me company when he's not around.

He likes big dogs, he had irish wolf hounds with his ex.  I don't want some that big.

He seems to think an Airedale terrier would fit the bill, personally I've never seen one.  

[DRKWNG]

[DesmoDiva]

I know what they look like...

I guess I should have said, I've never have the pleasure of meeting one.

[rgramjet]

They are cool dogs!  Surprisingly tough!

[ungeheuer]

Getting a dog is not a whole lot different that having another kid  although I think dogs are much more rewarding.

How sad.

[duccarlos]

You can't go wrong with a mutt.

[Langanobob]

How sad.

A joke mate.  I have another one.  What happened when the absolutely stupidest  Kiwi in the whole country migrated to Australia?

Average IQ of both countries increased.