Catherine Tyldesley is considering acquiring a sausage dog – but is concerned her son might be "too rough" with the long-bodied pooch.
The former ‘Coronation Street’ actress has appealed to her social media followers for advice on the "best miniature dog breed for kids", and while she is a big fan of dachshunds, she has concerns about their spines at the hands of her four-year-old boy Alfie.
Catherine wrote on Twitter: "Best miniature dog breed for kids guys? I love sausage dogs but worried Alfie is a bit too rough and tumble re their spines! (sic)"
But her former co-star Kym Marsh – who plays Michelle Connor on the ITV soap – has recommended she give a King Charles spaniel mutt a go.
In response to her pal – who played Eva Price – Kym tweeted: "Well he’s not a miniature dog but my King Charles spaniel is and always has been wonderful with kids babe. I asked the same question when looking for a dog when polly was 3 and most said King Charles x (sic)"
Kym has a King Charles spaniel called Barney and in November she added to her barking brood by acquiring a black, white and brown Chihuahua called Rico, to go with her other dog, short-haired Chihuahua called Lola.
The moniker is a nod to Barry Manilow’s hit ‘Copacabana’, which tells the story of a mobster called Rico who takes a fancy to a showgirl called Lola.
But just a week later, the ‘Corrie’ star – who is to depart Weatherfield in the coming months – was already getting sick of cleaning up little Rico’s poops.
She said: "Our new puppy, Rico, is still settling in nicely. He isn’t fully vaccinated so he can’t get out just yet. I’m getting a bit fed up of cleaning up wee and poo, but he is getting better. He’s a bit of a nutter and loves to chew things. I keep catching him with Polly’s dolls in his mouth."