What is the best puppy to buy for an 11 year old girl (my daughter)?

Answer 1

As many others have already said, you don't give enough information about your lifestyle to determine a breed that might fit into your household, and you haven't provided details on what your 11yo thinks about this.

That said, I would ask why you are interested in a puppy. Puppies are very cute when they are in the pound or pet store or breeder's farm but they are a *TON* of work. I don't know many 11yos who are responsible enough to take care of a dog that needs almost constant supervision. Puppies need to be house/crate trained, socialised, leash trained, will go throw their chewing stage, their jumping stage, their manic energy stage, etc., etc. Again you may have a very responsible 11yo who can handle a puppy on her own, or you or your spouse may be willing to pitch in but I think the whole family needs to sit down and have a frank discussion about what your plans and expectations are for bringing a dog into your home.

It is possible to get a quality pet from a rescue group or shelter. There are many benefits to adopting an older dog - they are usually housebroken, leash trained, socialised and may even know some obedience training. Is your daughter very active? She may be happiest if she can play fetch with her new dog from day one. Is she looking for a quiet dog to snuggle with? Adopting an older dog she can pretty much have whatever she wants from the beginning. If you decide to go with a rescue group that fosters dogs before adopting then you will get tons of information on what to expect about the *individual* dog that you adopt - much more than just general breed information. Rescue groups also offer a great deal of follow up care in case you get home and have questions/concerns about your dog.

Puppies and older dogs both have wonderful qualities and I don't mean to dissuade you from getting a puppy if your family is ready for the comitment. Regardless of what your choose, check out the AKC's website www.akc.org and learn about the different breeds. You were also given links to several breed-match websites that you can use. If you find a breed that you and your family really wants, there are lists of breed-specific rescue groups also on the AKC website. Good luck :)

P.S. I don't think there is a better breed than greyhounds ;)

Answer 2

I think a Beagle. I never thought I would own a Beagle because of hunting but I have to admit out of all of the dogs that I have owned my little Sam is the best kid dog I have ever had. She is big enough that I don't have to worry about her and she is small enough that my son can hold her. My son is 20 months old and Sam is a stray I found last year. She may run rabbits a little but she isn't a HUNTER. She doesn't stay gone longer than 10 min. She has never killed anything I have or ever brought anything home dead. We have cats, dogs, chickens, horses and goats and she never bothers anything. We have just moved so I did buy a Petsafe wireless pet containment system so I can make sure she stays within 1/2 mile of the house . The only reason is I'm scared someone might pick her up thinking she is a hunting dog. Reading what everyone else wrote: Labs dig holes but are good dogs I've had 3 one I still have and she still digs
Boston terriers are very hipper Dalmatians are hipper. Poodles are very good and they don't shed but you have to get them clipped every few months. The toy dogs you have to worry about the bigger dogs but you don't want a huge dog. I would do a lot of research then try the pound....you will save two life's...the one you get and the one who gets to take its place and not be put down

Answer 3

You should be asking your daughter what she wants in a puppy then research the breed on-line. Take her to the shelters and see which ones she responds to the best.
At eleven I had a pomeranian X spaniel X poodle that I used to play hide and seek with and was my best friend.
I think a mixed breed is the best for kids as they don't have the health problems or high strung qualities of a lot of purebreds.

Answer 4

Boston Terrier.

True friend for life!! They love to play, will catch balls, frisbee, and loves to play w/ their own stuff animals or soft toys.

They barely shed, only bark when someone approaches you, or someone pulls up in driveway,,,,(pre-door bell!)
they do not shed , short hair so you don't have to get them groomed; only have to clean ears, and clip toes, not do they have a dog odor ( in the summer when they come back when..they smell kinda hot.. but I wipe them down w/ a baby wipe,,and she loves to be clean!!,,she loves clean sheets, and blankets! She loves children!!

A puppy will run around 300.00, and aren't sickly dogs.

They love the beach.. she will try to swim out to the kids if we don't watch her,, so we bought her a little boat to get in,,so she can get in on the action.
She will ride on the back of the 4-wheeler,,,and will also lay across your lap while mowing the yard. she doesn't want to be left out of anything.
We can even take her camping w/ us....she doesn't bark everytime someone passes and she doesn't bark and yap the when we leave her in the camper to run to the stores (we have ask others if they heard or ,,and if they would keep on an eye on her etc) (we left her because the truck would be too hot...)

She is on my lap as I speak,,,she watches my fingers tap..
So, i think this would be this best puppy.... they don't get much over 18lbs.. unless she is overweight like mine!

Look up on line, and you'll find that all Boston's have the same traits. everyone who i have talked to about their dog, says their Boston does the same things..

The main reason to get one???? They are easily housebroke.
I have several family members who have Dashunds...and they still wet the floor,,,and mostly when someone comes in the door!

Answer 5

are you planning on keeping it in the house or out side? if it is going to be a house dog then you should think about a shitzue because little girls love to brush there dolls hair and dress them up so that would be a good dog but if she wont a big dog then you should problem consider a golden retriever or a yellow or a black lab. But first you can check a your local pound to see if thy have any nice puppy's there that she might like.

Answer 6

OWNING A DOG - IT'S A LIFETIME COMMITMENT

Puppies are so adorable, it is easy to understand why adults and children alike would be attracted to them. Unfortunately their cute looks are often a disadvantage, because people purchase them without consideration and the knowledge on how to take proper care of them.

Here a list of dog for your reference suitable for young children
Affenpinscher
Australian Silky Terrier
Bichon Frisé
Biewer
Belgian Griffon
Boston Terrier
Brussels Griffon
Cavachon
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chihuahua
Chinese Crested Dog
Dachshund
English Toy Spaniel
English Toy Terrier
Havanese
Italian Greyhound
Japanese Chin
Maltese
Toy Manchester Terrier
Toy Mi-Ki
Miniature Pinscher
Papillon
Pekingese
Phalène
Pomeranian
Pug
Shih Tzu
Toy American Eskimo
Toy Fox Terrier
Toy Poodle
Yorkshire Terrier

Answer 7

I had a husky when i was a little girl they are very good dogs and very protective.some of the dogs you should avoid with children are what they call fear biters i herd that dalmations(sorry spelling) are fear bitters cockrospanials and chows are all fear bitters and might not be the best choice for children.maybe you can take her to the pound they have lots of great animals that need homes and let her pick the puppy that takes up with her the best.

Answer 8

The best kind of dogs for families are golden retrievers. They are great with kids and very friendly. They do shed alot though and you have to bathe and brush them to maintain their coat. Next best would be the laborador retriever. They have short hair so you won't need to bathe or brush as often but they shed pretty good too. Look for a sturdy dog who will love to play. Stay away from pit bulls, poodles, and cocker spaniels. They can all be very tempermental and I would not have them around children. German Sheperds love to chase and may not be good around kids either.

Answer 9

ok first of get a puppy that she will grow with
not everone likes to have small animals and not everyone like big animals.
Start out with a puppy, prob. a golden retriever, they are protective, careing, and gentle. I hope you know how to train a dog. Also, don't get a tarrier, they are very sneaky dogs and alot are ugly. If you don't pick the golden retriver pick a dog that has long hair, kids like to pet dogs with long hair, esp. if it is really shiny.

Answer 10

I think labs or retrievers are one of the best puppies for kids. They are very gentle, they learn fast and easily. They are calm dogs. My family got one when I was 10. That was our first puppy. Ours was a lab/retriever mix. And they are inexpensive.