New Family Dog?

[SarahGarza88]

Hello everyone.
As some of you know. My 6 year old daughter Clara because of her dwarfism is 1‘5“ in 18 pounds. We are all wanting a family pet, preferably a dog.

Which dog breed should we get though? Me and my husband aren’t really wanting to get a tiny sized dog breed, we are more fans of a medium sized breed. Considering Clara‘s height/weight though, we are willing to make some adjustments. Do y’all have any suggestions on which dog we should get?

[KristalBee]

Maybe the parents of the smallest child in the world shouldn’t make claims they can’t substantiate.

[KristalBee]

Naomi, Barry, I made a suggestion that the op get in contact with the parents of a similar sized child for advice and support. I gave the link so they could read about this child who has primordial dwarfism. Possible they have a dog?

[barry1010]

Clara's size and weight is relevant only in relation to the decision of a suitable pet.
We should take every post at face value.

[naomi24]

Okay. Perhaps Sarah will take advantage of that.

[Khandro]

Thinking of small girls & small or large dogs brings to mind Velasquez' 'Las Meninas', a detail;

https://ibb.co/cyD9FvP

[KristalBee]

What a lovely dog!

[SarahGarza88]

Ok, so besides the blue staffy, does anyone else have recommendations?

[Tilly2]

Sarah, have you considered a hamster or guinea pigs?

[SarahGarza88]

Tilly, we honestly have not considered that. Do you think that would be better for Clara’s size?

I’m trying to pick something that would be good for all three of us, me, my husband, and daughter.

Me and my husband are really wanting a dog if we pick any pet, but we do understand Clara’s.needs. Do you think a small small dog breed would work?

That’s not the size we originally wanted but we understand why.

[naomi24]

You have to think about it being lively and jumping up at your daughter and that sort of thing. I bigger dog would knock her flying so you'd probably be better off with something smaller.

[anneasquith]

There are lots of rescue dogs available. Maybe visit some of them.

[calmck]

Ask Clara what animal she would like then see how she interacts with each one. Do you want a service animal or a pet? Have you asked another family in the same position as yours what they have or would recommend?

[SarahGarza88]

Calmck, Clara wants a dog also. So I’m just trying to figure out which one would fit the best.

I was thinking maybe an animal forum (a site like this) might have good advice.

[naomi24]

Does your daughter have any contact with dogs and if so, how is she with them? Do your friends and family, or her friends, have dogs?

[Khandro]

Staffordshire bull terriers are so ugly.

[SarahGarza88]

Naomi24, she has had contact with Dogs at friends houses. They are mainly breeds like golden retrievers which are pretty big relative to my daughter, so I am always literally right next to her whenever she does interact with them.

She’s asking us for a dog though, and we want one too. We are just not sure which one to get because that dog will be at our house 24 seven and I won’t be there 100% of the time like I am at other peoples houses to make sure nothing happens. We just want to make sure that Clara is safe around whichever dog we get

[calmck]

Why not contact one of the Service Dog training centres. They could maybe assess Clara and then advise what breed they think would be safe/right for her and work with all of you

[Barsel]

Hi Sarah, may I suggest you take Clara to a rescue dog's home?
The people who work there will know if they have a dog that would be suitable for Clara and they can introduce that dog and see how it reacts to you all.
Even if they don't have a dog at the time you visit, they could inform you if a suitable dog comes to them in the future.

[Barsel]

calmck @ 10.43 is a good answer.

[bobbinwales]

For comparison worlds smallest 5 year old was over 2 f out tall in this Dsily Mail story

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2207668/Worlds-smallest-girl-Charlotte-Garside-starts-day-primary-school.html