11,828 answers about dogs
From a puppy’s first feeding schedule to a senior dog’s comfort care, dog owners ask it all — this page gathers the dog library of KinsLe Answers in one place. Browse by topic below, from feeding and training to health, grooming, safety and travel. Every answer is original, written by KinsLe, and tied to a real KinsLe feature.
2,117 answers in Choosing & Adopting — page 52 of 89
Many Boxers can live well with cats, especially when they are raised together or introduced slowly as adults, but their boisterous play and strong chase instinct mean success depends on the individual dog and the cat's confidence. Start with scent swapping, a sturdy barrier, and short leashed meetings, and give the…
Yes, a Boxer makes a strong watchdog: alert and watchful at home, quick to bark at unfamiliar sounds or people approaching, and imposing enough in size and voice to make a stranger at the door think twice. He is a watchdog rather than an attack dog — most Boxers are far too people-loving to be genuinely hostile — and…
A Boxer is a demanding choice for an older owner and only suits some: the devotion, humour and companionship are superb, but this is a large, powerful dog whose boisterous youth lasts years, who needs serious daily exercise, and who can pull an unsteady handler off balance. An active, experienced older owner —…
Yes, Boxers are famously friendly with strangers — most greet new people with a wagging rear end, kidney-bean wiggle and total delight, because this is a breed that genuinely loves human company. The challenge is scale: a large, muscular young Boxer greeting at full enthusiasm can bowl over a child or an unsteady…
No, a Boston Terrier is better described as moderately energetic than high-energy: he has real bursts of play, silliness and zooming around the garden, then happily crashes on the sofa for hours. Most adults do well on a couple of daily walks plus play, far less than a working breed demands, though youngsters are…
Boston Terriers are generally good with cats, because unlike terriers bred to hunt, the Boston was developed purely as a companion and usually has a much softer interest in small animals. Most Bostons want to be friends, and the main risks are social rather than predatory: an exuberant Boston barging into a cat's…
A Boston Terrier makes a good watchdog in the alarm sense and no guard dog at all: he is alert, notices doors, footsteps and unfamiliar sounds, and will bark to announce them — then greet the person he has just announced as a new friend. That combination suits an owner who wants early warning without an imposing or…
Yes, a Boston Terrier is one of the better breeds for a work-from-home life: he wants to be near you all day, needs only moderate exercise that fits around a lunch break, and generally settles indoors once he has had a morning walk and some play. Expect interruptions at first — snoring under the desk, a face appearing…
A Boston Terrier is a poor choice as a running partner and only a modest hiking companion, because his short muzzle makes breathing and cooling inefficient, and he can overheat dangerously while trying to keep up with you. He does love being included, so short, gentle walks on cool days, with shade, water and plenty…
A Boston Terrier is often a very good match for an older owner: a sturdy small dog who needs moderate walks rather than athletic outings, thrives on close companionship, and has a short coat that asks little grooming. The honest cautions are the flat face, which means care in hot weather and possible breathing-related…
Yes, Boston Terriers are among the friendliest breeds with strangers — this is a companion dog bred to be with people, and most Bostons approach a new face expecting a friend, tail wagging and eyes up. The typical challenge is not suspicion but enthusiasm: a young Boston may bounce, wiggle and paw at visitors until he…
Yes, a Border Terrier is a genuinely high-energy dog for his size — a working terrier who needs a proper daily walk, chances to run, dig and sniff, and something for his brain, not just a stroll around the block. The good news is that a well-exercised Border usually settles politely indoors rather than bouncing off…
A Border Terrier can live well with a cat, but it is not automatic, because this breed was built to pursue small animals and a running cat can switch that chase instinct on in a second. Pairs raised together usually do best, while an adult Border with an unknown history deserves a slower, fully supervised introduction…
Yes, a Border Terrier makes a surprisingly capable little watchdog, alert and vocal out of proportion to its size. These terriers notice visitors, vehicles, and changes around the home quickly and bark with real determination, so you will know someone is at the door. They are far too small and friendly to guard in any…
Yes, Border Terriers are among the friendlier terriers with strangers, usually greeting new people with cheerful confidence rather than suspicion. Bred to run alongside hounds and work cooperatively, they tend to be sociable, sturdy little dogs who expect people to be friends until shown otherwise. Individual shyness…
Yes, without qualification: Border Collies sit at the very top of the energy scale, bred to work sheep across rough ground from morning to evening. A pet Collie needs substantial daily exercise combined with training or problem-solving, because physical miles alone leave a brilliant mind unemployed and restless.…
Border Collies and cats are a workable pairing, but this one needs more management than most, because a Collie's herding instinct reads a cat as something to control. Many Collies learn to live calmly with a confident house cat, stalking urges trained down to a hard stare that you interrupt and redirect. A nervous cat…
A Border Collie makes an excellent watchdog in the alert sense and a poor one in the guarding sense, which suits most family homes well. Few dogs notice more: Collies track sounds, movement, and changes in routine, and they bark promptly at anything that does not fit the pattern. What they will not reliably do is…
Border Collies can suit people who work from home, but only if you understand that your presence is not the same as occupation. Being home all day solves this breed's dislike of solitude, yet a Collie watching you type for eight hours will interrupt meetings, demand games, and herd the household unless its exercise…
Yes, Border Collies are among the very best partners a runner or hiker could choose, because the breed was built to cover rough country at a working pace all day. A healthy adult Collie will match long trail runs, steep climbs, and back-to-back weekend hikes without fading, and most would rather be out with you than…
For the right older owner, yes, but this is one of the most demanding pairings to get right and honesty matters more than enthusiasm. A fit, experienced older owner who walks daily, enjoys training, and has family or neighbours who can help will often thrive with a Border Collie, especially a calmer adult. An owner…
Border Collies are usually polite but reserved with strangers rather than openly friendly, and that reserve is normal for the breed. Bred to work at a distance with one trusted handler, many Border Collies watch unfamiliar people carefully, hang back, and warm up slowly once they see their owner relax. Some…
No, a Bichon Frise is best described as moderately energetic and playful rather than high-energy, and that middle level suits many households. Bichons have lively bursts, a famous sudden dash around the room, and a real love of games, but they also settle happily on a lap between activities. Most adults do well on a…
Yes, Bichon Frises are usually one of the easier small breeds to settle alongside a cat, because they were bred as companion dogs rather than hunters and most show little urge to chase. A calm, confident cat and a Bichon who has learned basic manners often end up sharing sunny spots within weeks. The introduction…
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