What kind.....?

Question

What kind of dog should I get? The breed HAS to be FRIENDLY with children. It can be any breed of dog; size doesn't matter. Please include info or a website with the breed.

Answer 1

Any dog breed can be good with children, with just a few exceptions. It has a lot to do with how you train the dog and how you train your kids to behave with the dog. Chows and pit bulls lack the patience to be around little people who pull on them and poke them and speak loudly and are unpredictable in their movements. Greyhounds and Whippets are beautiful, graceful animals, but they are a bit nervous by nature and might not be comfortable around kids.

Really small dogs are not the best idea because kids tend to want to pick them up, and dogs are not meant to be dolls, so they can get neurotic and snappy.

Most giant breeds are wonderful with children. Any dog bigger than 120 pounds at adulthood will likely be a great companion for your kids. One word of warning, though, and this is really, really unfortunate. Giant breeds do not live as long as other dogs. The strain that their size puts on their joints and organs just does not allow them to grow very old. That could be hard on your kids, especiallly since they are such nice pets and the kids will love them.

I have always considered retrievers to be the best kid-friendly pets. They have energy, intelligence, loyalty and they are affectionate and cuddly. They usually live to be 12-15 years old, and they are great to be around. I have a ten month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever. I don't have any young kids, but when I take him out for his twice-a-day walks, I usually have an entourage of little kids following me because they all want to walk with Bogey. He is a 90 pound lap dog, and he loves kids and they love him. He's my second Chessie, and the first one was just as lovey. A word of warning on this particular retriever breed: Mine is great with kids and every other one I've ever met has been great with kids, but they are VERY VERY STUBBORN AND HARD TO TRAIN. Other retriever breeds are easier to mold into the dog you want. I don't know if Chessies are smarter, or if they just have an attitude problem, but if you've never had a dog and you opt for a Chessie, have it professionally trained. It'll be expensive, but it will be so worth it.

Most spaniels (not cockers, which tend to begin to have bladder control problems at a much earlier age than most dogs) are good pets. They have nice, soft pettable fur, and they love attention. Generally, any dog that is bred for hunting will have the temperament to be good around children.

Stay away from herding breeds if your kids are small. Shelties, heelers, cattledogs, etc. will try to "herd" your kids by walking right at their heels, and will inadvertently trip them frequently.

Visit this website: www.akc.org
It has lots of information about different breeds and can help you make a decision.

Answer 2

Australian Shepherds.

My fiance did NOT want me rescuing any more animals .. especially a dog. He has a soft spot for aussies (it was the only kind he had growing up), and all it took was one picture of Trinity, and we took her home the next week.

Aussies do need to exercise. I recommend a fence, so he can just have at it. We do not have one right now, and I get tired quickly running a full sprint around the outside of my house to wear out the dog. :) I would definetly do your research .. what's good for me may not be good for you. I do try to stay away from what I call "cookie cutter" dogs. I love labs and retrievers like the next guy, but I wanted my dog to be different. Personal preference of course.

An Aussie is a herding breed, but it is not as bad as a Border Collie, Cattle Dog, etc. I have not had any trouble with my dog herding children, but it is not uncommon with this breed.

Size does matter, at least a little bit. I have a friend who has a "rotten boxer". That dog is HUGE (120lbs, at least) and has knocked me down a time or two. It's fine with their daughter though, it's just with new people. Just something to keep in mind. :)

The websites below should give you a good amount of information on this breed, including the rescue site, should you choose to start looking for one.

Good luck finding that special pooch, whatever breed it may be. :)

Answer 3

Go to petfinder.com, they have a "which dog is right for you" quiz that should help.
Consider shelters. The staff there has worked with these dogs and knows their personalities, you could get a great dog and not have to house break it. A lot of the time you can get one already obedience trained too.

Answer 4

French Bulldog

Answer 5

I love my whippet. She is the most loving dog I have ever owned and the kids in the neighborhood all love her, too. Whippets are pretty active dogs, though, so they may not be a good choice for you if there is no one in the house able to exercise the dog regularly.

Answer 6

A boxer. I couldn't recommend them highly enough. They are so full of love, so full of fun and very easy to look after. They love children and I grew up with then around me all my life. Check out the website, it has a section to see if a boxer would suit your family.

Answer 7

My prominent cookie is that fancy variety you get at a bakery - it is have been given approximately 6 or so layers and is many times purple and eco-friendly with a skinny chocolate layer topping -- i think of it is called a petite fours??

Answer 8

I really think a Labrador Retriever
http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/index.cfm

Answer 9

Golden Retriever or a Black lab.. when i was a baby they were great with me at birth..... and they are really Mello

Answer 10

well if you want it to be friend ly dont get a puppy because they are more rough labs are good