Hello all,
As some of you know already I have recently had my Afghan pts. I have 2 BC's (both senior agility dogs) and sometimes have a W.S.D on weekends etc. All my dogs live outside (Ethan used to sleep in because he'd howl the place down outisde) in a kennel. My niece is visiting my house more and more often now and she's getting very interested in playing with the dogs. Recently she's been coming to agility training and just watching. My sister (Felicity's mum) doesn't think she is ready to have a dog yet as she's only 9. However I am considering getting another dog, a smaller-easier-to-maintain dog as I've always wanted a mini agility dog. It doesn't have to be super fast but it must be keen and willing. The only thing is it would have to live outside in the BC's kennel. This way Felicity would be able to do a bit of training with it without it being a total lunatic like my collies are. I am considering a Sheltie, Staffie, Papillon, a CKCS, possibly a cross, or a poodle. The dog would have to be very friendly and put up with the kid fiddling with its ears, brushing it, picking it up etc. If you were in my situation which one would you get? I'm posting here because obviously I don't have much experience with minis and want to make sure I get the right one.
Char123

Surely all dogs should be able to put up with a child fiddling with its ears, brushing it etc? I wouldn't tolerate a dog that didn't!

Edited to add: Make sure the child is well trained around dogs, and don't leave them unsupervised.

Sorry must ask, Why would u keep a little dog outside? A lot are not ment to be outside dogs and do not develop the coat needed for cold/winter days. I personally would not put any small breed pup/dog left alone with larger dogs, since they are a lot more fragile. I would not leave any child unsupervised with any dog of any size.

IMO

ttfn :)

Char
I wouldnt class a Staffy as a mini dog and i certainly dont think a 9 year old child could control a fully grown Staffy
From what i have read from your previous posts PLEASE DO NOT get a Staffy as i wouldnt want to see it pts when the novelty wore off at 8 years of age :(
Lel

I own a large and small breed, all live in the house and get on famously but would never dream of leaving them alone unsupervised.It goes without saying children and dogs should be supervised at all times