What kind of dog ?

Question

I have a 4 yr-old and a 3 month old, so we want a family dog....but it needs to be short haired for my boyfriend is allergic to pet hair. Any suggestions?

I love all your suggestions, but no small dogs...we don't like them ( actually, we think they bark way too much for nothing)

Answer 1

lab

Answer 2

First thing, remember every dog shed's just some less than others. Any dog (breed) can be an excellent family pet. You just have to remember what the dog was bred for when you decide on the breed. Get online and do research. Also, you must remember is that a dog is an animal first, then a dog, then a breed, then a name. All dogs are dogs, (not breeds). All dogs will sniff/track like a Bloodhound, but the Bloodhound was bred to do this particular trait and will do it better than let's say a Dalmation). This was merely used as an example only. If you like big dogs, I have a female English Mastiff, (very short hair). She is our first, and is now 15 months old. She's coming along great. However, since you have little one's, if you choose to go with the larger breed always (and I mean Always), never leave your children alone with the big dog. They can get easily hurt just by getting knocked down. Also, again this goes for any breed dog/any size dog; exercise..weather it's for a 30 minute walk, jog, whatever, get him/her out there to exercise.

Also, socializing is #1. When you get your pup, sign him up for puppy class. You can't go wrong here. Good luck. And remember, you are the pack leader, let your puppy know this from the first day. Yes, he's going to be cute and cuddly, but bad habits are reinforced very easily if you are not careful.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I know that they're pretty big dogs, but a Bull Mastiff would be my recommendation.

They were originally bred to guard large estates - to knock an intruder down and make them stay right on that spot until their owner or whoever showed up to deal with it. So they're not prone to biting or attacking.

They are the laziest dogs on the planet, so they don't need a lot of room to run, just a yard they can step out into once in a while to relieve themselves.

They're intensely loyal and gentle mouthed, but fiercely protective when they feel they need to be. While they'll not usually bite anyone, their size alone can make someone believe that they would in a heartbeat.

Their hair is short and I've known several people who are allergic to dogs that have no problem being around them. They love kids if they're raised with them, and I even had one that taught my daughter to walk. She'd grab ahold of the loose fur at his neck, then he'd slowly stand up until she was standing next to him, and he'd take small steps so she could keep up with him. When she would tire, he'd lay back down slowly so that she didn't fall.

Their breeding taught them to be very patient, and they seem to understand that little kids need extra care.

Good luck choosing your family pet, and I hope you'll look into this breed as an option. They can be the sweetest and most adoring pets, and they don't feel the need to bark their heads off all the time.

Answer 4

I would suggest a poodle...preferably not the toy kind, as the children may be a little rough on one so small. Poodles are as close to non allergenic as you can get, don't shed much at all, and although they require a fair bit of grooming, they make exceptional family dogs. They are highly intelligent, and are excellent retrievers, so the kids could probably play fetch with such a dog. I hope this has helped your search.

Answer 5

I just got a toy schnauzer 3 months ago and I love him. Toys are 6-11 lb miniatures are 12-20lb. They do not shed and are usually great with kids and families etc. The do require attention and training as they are very intelligent and hence need mental stimulation. To learn more there are lots of web sites I loved the breeder that I got my little guy at (see link below)

Answer 6

allergies are to dander usually.. not hair.. and infact most short haired dogs, like LABS actually shed ALOT...
however it is the Labrador Retreivers and Golden Labs (longer haired) who are considerd the BEST with kids.. known as "soft mouthed dogs" becuase they were bred to be patient and retrieve ducks gently in their mouth.. the are patient with kids and very gently

the dogs which are considerd "hypo-allergenic" are ALL LONG haired dogs, called non-shedding because thier hair is like people hair... it grows and grows and grows, so these dogs need frequent trips to the groomer for cuts - HOWEVER - most of these breeds are not always good with kids
Terriers are bred to hunt and therefore VERY mouth agressive and too active for a young family
Boxers are good with kids.. but again the dander issue - has boyfriend looked into allergy shots?
Shih Tzu is probably your best bet.. lower intelligence so rather laid back BUT becareful because sometimes they are not properly socialized and dont like kids (all dogs should be socialized with OBEDIENCE LESSONS)

dont get a puppy -> puppies are very MOUTH oriented and jumpy (will scratch or knock down kids) adult dogs know to leave when they want to be left alone...PLUS a puppy will need to be house trained.. this is very hard to do if you have 2 young kids.. and it isnt even easy without kids. Get an already housetrained adult dog of mixed breed perhaps..

so I suggest going to your local SPCA or animal shelter and asking if they have any housetrained adult dogs , that are good with kids... the boyfriend can take allergy shots so look into that option too....

I would suggest waiting till your youngest kid is older.. like even 2yrs old becuase a dog is alot of work.. and so are two kids.. and I dont want this to be a story that ends with the dog being dumped because somebody didnt realize being a parent is work and owning a dog is work...

kids and dogs (of any breed) should NEVER be left alone together - worst thing I hear is "my dog is so good, my kid can pull its ears and it wont do anything" this is BAD PARENTING.. a good parent would NEVER allow a child to treat a dog like this

poodle/golden retriever cross.. and unethical breeding but recently people are doing this intentionally to make money off a gimmick cross - calling them "golden doodles" you can usually get them at shelters for cheaper than from some idiot back yard breeder - or pet store (NEVER GET FROM A PET STORE) - either get from a SPCA or from a repuatable (purebred) dog breeder (one who has shown both parents to prove they are worthy of breeding)

get a mutt and get him to take shots or something.. or get a non-shedding mutt... preferably with some retriever genetics in it.. not terrier

Answer 7

get an australian sheppard, best dog i have ever had, use a muzzle to train and shave it so theres no hair, my dog Puppy is 12 yrs old and loves my kids hes their best friend doesnt need a leash will sit outside a store over an hr to wait for u, they are just a bit hyper so the muzzle will help calm em down

Answer 8

depends on the size of your house, lifestyle and the size you are looking for, but I recommend a lab, (very good natured dogs, but needs frequent walks, and\or runs)
Great danes are also very sweet, but very large.
And I've heard good things about grayhounds too. And they have a mini grayhound if you want a smaller dog

Answer 9

u might want to get a poodle because some are actually big. they don't shed either.

did u know: poodles were originally made for hunting birds because they can swim really good? they can swim to the other side of the creek with no problem and go get the bird.

Answer 10

Poodles are said not to shed. Schnauzers might also be a good choice...short hair and do not need much grooming.

Answer 11

Boxer