I currently own two pups, a Catahoula hound and a Fox Terrier/coyote hybrid. Both are wonderful dogs and get along fine with my small pets. The hound will run from my bunnies, or when I had my hamsters out to play, but loves the cats, and adores babies and toddlers. On a side note, if the bunnies get to playing too rough, he will referee them and calmly and gently push them apart if needed. We had him 6 months before we first heard his voice, we were beginning to suspect he was mute, but now he's as vocal and talkative as a teenager on the phone with her girlfriends[emoji38]. My coyote hybrid is a great hunter outdoors, but knows the difference between wild rats, mice and moles and "mommy's" pets. I won't leave her alone if a hamster was out of it's cage, but she has done fine with my bunnies (although I have made sure they have a safe space to go if needed). She has helped me raise two litters of kittens and a bottle baby bunny (her mother died giving birth to the second kit and the owner was just going to let nature take its course[emoji35]), as well as bottle goats and a lamb. She also successfully fought off a full coyote twice her size protecting our chickens. She loves babies, wanting to mother and protect them, doesn't care for toddlers as they pull ears and tails and poke eyes, but then enjoys them again when they get a little older and are more willing to play and cuddle. She rarely barks, but when she does it's more of a yip and it's for good reason. She does not excessively yap.
As far as my future K9 children, what I want most is a dog that when you look into it's eyes, you see a gentle soul seeking a family that will return it's freely offered love. (You know when you see it.) A dog that has hope for a brighter future, a spark for fun and adventure and although may currently be broken mentally and/or physically, will be forever grateful to you for choosing them over so many others in that same shelter as they, too, wait to form a special connection and bond with their new families (hopefully). It doesn't matter what the breed, purebred or mutt. All that matters is that it needs a home and we seem to connect, forming a bond that will help us make it through the troubles and frustrations, and make the adventures, excitement and achievements all that more special. I will feel it in my heart and know when I find another perfect dog that I want. It's been working for me and my dogs so for, so I see no point in fixing a system that isn't broken. [emoji4]