Hello everyone! I am new to the group and I am hoping that I can get some advice. My husband and I are wanting to get 2 dogs, but we can not decide what breed would be good for our family. Let me begin by saying that my husband has severe asthma and allergies, so these dogs would have to be outside most of the time. We have 3 kids, our oldest is 4. So we need a breed that can be outside and is great with kids. We also do not have a huge yard, so we want one that is small/medium. No bigger than 20 pounds full grown. We would like them to have long hair, but not shed like crazy or "blow" their coat. My husband brakes out in hives with short haired breeds. Yes, he is a complicated man! I have looked at the Cavalier King Charles and have fallen in love with the pictures, but my husband doesn't know if they could be outside the majority of the time. Now let me just say that these dogs will not be neglected. I know that most people think it is just inhumane to keep a dog outside, but with our circumstances, we have no other option. We would like to get 2 so that they are not alone when we are not outside or have them in the house for their daily time allowance. Please let me know what breeds we should consider. We are at a loss.

try a husky

I have a Cavaliar King Charles Spaniel and I have to say he would not make a good outside dog--he NEEDS to be w/ me ALL the TIME--they were bred to be lap dogs all though sporty. Plus he sheds alot--not good for your hubby. I have heardpoodles or poodle mixes are great dogs for people w/ allerges. You should research all trhe breeds your into and see which would fit into your family best. Also you could have your hubby hold and play w/ a poodle or poodle mix 2 hours a day for at least 7 days and see if it affects hisallergies.

do you & your husband understand about dog allergies? he is allergic to the dander &/or the saliva, not the hair. the correct shampoo & proper brushing will help quite a bit. so will allergy medication

their daily time allowance in the house???? does he have a certain time of day that his allergies don't kick in? I'm confused

no, definately Cavalier's should not be outside & really neither should any other dog, especially a small dog like you are looking for

I know you think you will spend a lot of time with them but be honest - your family will not begin to have the interaction with them as they would if the dogs lived inside.

my suggestion is, either don't get a dog, or find a way to have it live inside

I can see how would like to have a dog but sometimes you can't always have what you want.
My dog is 20lbs and she can't stand the heat or the cold,too small plus she likes to be around people.I don't think getting a dog is a good idea.Plus once the novelty wears off,how often will you spend time with the dog.
Another thing is you have small children,soon they will be needed to be going here and there and you will be on the run.
Do you work,do you plan going places with the children.
Who will take care of the dog,How about Vet bills?
Please think this over,you might decide a rabbit or an animal that lives outside would be better and less costlier for you.

Good Luck and if you get a dog anyway,save a life,look on Petfinder.com there are so many dogs that need to be saved before they are put to sleep.
Even puppies and pure breeds.
Though I think a Mutt is a healthier dog.

I really think you should reconsider getting a dog just friendly advice.
So many dogs are dumped!

I have to agree that getting a dog might not be in your best interest, let alone, getting two. There are dogs who are willing to stay outside all day long, but that is not the best thing for a dog. Dogs are meant to be part of a family, and when they are outside, they are just a "lawn ornament". With your husbands medical issues, maybe you should first check with his doctor to see if there is medication he can take to help, and maybe consider a hairless dog, like a chinese crested, or a dog with hair,not fur, such as a poodle. But if the dog must stay out the majority or even a very large amount of time, it might not be the kind of pet for your family. Good luck.

Chineese Crested dogs burn very easily and can't tolerate the cold.It wouldn't live a full long life outside,not as long as inside dogs because they are exposed to the elements and bugs etc.A Poodle is a very intelligent dog but they need to be groomed every 2 months,not cheap and they too love to be with people.I saw nix the dog idea,it would be a selfish thing to have one.I don't mean to be mean I just have the dogs interests at heartl

I agree with the others , I really don't like to see smaller dogs kept outside all of the time. Dogs are indeed part of the family & hate being separated from their human pack.

If you can't figure out a way around your husband's allergies, then maybe dog ownership is not the best thing for your family at this time.
Sorry, but I really have the dogs interest at heart.