Wife wants a dog

[Mody n Domy]

We will be full timing in 1 1/2 years. My wife wants a dog and we are considering a Brussels Griffin but have not seen any of this breed camping. If any of you have any knowledge of the temperament of this breed for camping I would appreciate it. We both love the look of the face just don't know how they will be for camping. I have looked them up on the internet but find mixed reviews.

[SteveLevin]

Heck, I can't recall (outside of major shows) the last time I've seen a Brussels Griffon Actually motivated me to look at the AKC's list of puppies by registration... they rank 80th (so not as rare as a Norwich or even more, a Dandie Dinmont (which I desperately want)).

I think proper training will make it a fine companion. They are quite sturdy dogs in general. A good size for traveling.

Steve

[Perry White]

Get one that don't shed. And a lap dog. Poodle. I have two 6lb black females. When wifes out you can use them as Chick magnets. You can't go wrong.(They don't snitch either)

[hardy1000]

I have had dogs most of my life and have enjoyed them all. We have owned 2 miniture Aussies and love there temperment. They do need attention and they do shed but most long hair dogs do. What ever you get I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[smlranger]

Just my humble opinion but hope you will consider going to a shelter (or petfinder.com) and consider rescuing a dog. We've had pedigree dogs and by far the best traveling companions we've had were the three mutts that we've rescued over the years.

[bluepill]

+1 on the Poodle with hair instead of fur. Our last dog was an Akita, and could shed enough fur to make a dozen pillows a year. Current guy is a cock-a-poo. We both love that poodle mixes do not shed. He loves to travel.. His favorite phrase is "let's go for a ride".

+1 on the rescue animals, but be aware that it can take a lot of effort to overcome problems from prior abusive environments.

[SteveLevin]

I'm all for rescue animals where possible (since we deal with significant asthma issues here, we wanted to minimize the risk of having to give up the puppy down the road, so we stayed with a purebred).

I will caution that it may take some significant perseverance to get a Brussels Griffon -- it appears that only about 1,000 are born each year here in the United States. Even with our significantly more common Cairn Terrier, it took almost a year from the decision to get one before we carried our cute little bundle into the RV (and yes, we picked him up with the RV, took him to the racetrack a week later... so he used to our lifestyle early )

Steve

[mhs4771]

Forget the dog, We have a 5 year Registered American Shorthair Silver Tabby Show Cat that we're trying to place. He loves to travel, been doing it since he was a kitten. He's almost more dog than cat, he'll follow you all around and you don't have to take him out for walks, but he doesn't bark.

[TXiceman]

Check the breed specific recuse centers on Google.

Your ranking of #80 made me check our dogs
Miniature schnauzer---12
Standard schnauzer--- 95

One thing to consider with a dog (or a cat) is the fair. some breeds seem to be hair factories. If you don't like putting up with hair, consider a miniature schnauzer.

Ken

[edj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mody - Domey We will be full timing in 1 1/2 years. My wife wants a dog and we are considering a Brussels Griffin but have not seen any of this breed camping. If any of you have any knowledge of the temperament of this breed for camping I would appreciate it. We both love the look of the face just don't know how they will be for camping. I have looked them up on the internet but find mixed reviews.

She wants a dog.... Is she going to go out into the rain to give it a walk and use the plastic bag to pick up it's crap? Is she going to clean the rug in the RV when the dog decides to take a dump? Is she going to be happy when the dog has chewed up some piece of furniture in the RV? Is she going to be able to shut it up in the middle of the night when some racoon (or other CG critter) comes by the RV?
A dog is/can be a big hassle when traveling around in a RV.

[fun time]

I can only respond to your post with this statement: personally I cannot go through life without a dog. They have brought me so much joy, love and humor that life would not be worth living without them. Some people are not pet lovers and that is ok so maybe you fit into that category. It sounds like from your post your wife might be in the other and that is even better IMHO.

[HD4Mark]

IMHO get a mutt from a rescue. Our two don't bother anyone and rarely make noise. Neither one have ever gone in the house or the RV. Some pure bred dogs are inbred so much they "aren't right". They also perpetuate the number of puppy mills. The conditions of some of them are disgusting.

The best breed dog is anyone that ends in "mix".

[OSP1268]

You also make a lot of extra stops when traveling with a dog. They are not litter box trained. Also, when you are away doing what ever, you always have to return to let the dog out and take it for a walk. And no matter what anyone tells you, they will bark when you are not around.
Don't get me wrong, I love dogs but would not travel with one.

[Coleman 6]

I second the non shedding advice. My Shiloh Shepherd sheds more than any dog I have ever seen, and I've seen ALOT.

She's a great travel dog these days (Took her almost 6 years to get there!) but she's BIIIG. I also have a maltese that likes to camp, but her cottony hair is horribly high maintenance.

I'd go with a poodle mix, one that inherited the poodle hair, and is somewhat small. They'e smart, tough and really down to earth-my cockerpoo is a wonderful traveling dog.