I would like to purchase a dog. What is the best dog that I can buy?

Question

I want a dog, but he has to be small. I have NO clue what kind of breed to buy or anything of that nature. I need to know of any dogs with NICE dispositions. It has to be friendly with children because I want to surprise my 2 year old nephew with a dog. What is the best kind of dog to buy for a small child?

I have already spoken to my brother and his girlfriend about it, and they are fine with the idea. They said to let them know when and where, and they will be happy to let me purchase a dog for my nephew. If my nephew is scared of the dog that I do decide to buy, then I will care and look after it. I love animals, and I would never let any animals come to harm!

Answer 1

the best two breeds as far as small dogs plus love children and will protect you are the jacj russel terrior, westhighland terrior. they are extremely smart dogs. weight from 8 to 12 pounds. excellent with people and very protective of family members. not barkers like most dogs and they usually bark to go out, playing with them or letting you know of danger. i had both of these with my westhighland passing on 9 months ago and both dogs were in their 20's. this breed is very healthy, great with children, bed dogs and very loving, can be trained to do anything at any age.

Answer 2

*Don't* surprise your 2-year old nephew with a dog unless you are sure his parents are aware of your plans, and willing to care for the dog. Most such "surprises" end up in disaster, for the animal, and for the child. The dog is given away, and both the dog and the child's heart are broken.

If the parents agree, the best thing you can do is to go a reputable shelter. If you *buy* a dog from a breeder, their motive is to get money from you - they will all tell you their dogs are good with children. If you adopt a dog from a shelter, they *want* the adoption to work, so they will work with you to find an individual dog who would be good with a small child.

This is also better because, although breeds do tend towards certain traits, each animal is an individual. *Only* the kind of shelter where workers learn the personality of each individual animal and match pets to adoptive families (not all shelters do things this way) can really help you pick out a dog who will work out.

You will still be buying him the dog, since you will have to pay adoption fees, shots, etc.

Answer 3

Small dogs generally bark more and are MUCH harder to train and housebreak than big dogs. Rethink that idea, unless there is an arbitrary restriction imposed by your apartment or condo association.

I'd recommend one of the Sporting breeds for a child (but NOT a Weimaraner or a Dalmantian!) My all-time favorite mid-sized dog for kids is the English (or Welsh) Springer Spaniel. They are medium sized dogs that require some grooming, but don't shed too much, are generally great with kids and easy to train. Females are a little bit easier than males, but either should make a terrific pet. They will need a good thirty minute walk every day.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, ENGLISH Cocker Spaniels (NOT American!) and Pekingese are great too and need less exercise. They are small, sweet and quiet.

Vizslas, Setters, Labs and Goldens are usually great with kids but they're bigger and are very boisterous until they are about two. Labs shed a LOT.

I'd also suggest reading some really good books on training. Try not to do it randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also! These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know - Volhard
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan

Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.

Whatever breed of puppy you decide on DON'T go to a pet shop or buy one off the internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. The breeding animals are kept in deplorable conditions. They probably haven't been vaccinated against contagious diseases or tested for any health or temperament problems or genetic diseases - that costs money and cuts into their profits. A female is often bred every time she comes into heat. When her poor little body can't take it any more, she is often clubbed in the head and tossed into a dumpster or an open ditch. Most puppy mills ship their pups to pet stores at wholesale prices and many pups die before they even get there. These "breeders" have figured out that they can use the internet to ship a dog directly to the customer and thus make more money by cutting out the middleman. If you buy a dog from out of state, good luck getting your money back if there's something wrong with the pup. These people count on you becoming instantly attached to the poor little guy and being willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at the vet to treat whatever is wrong with him.

Find a good breeder by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. You can also find info about the breed clubs on the akc site - they probably have a rescue group where you can get an older dog for less money.

Find a breed rescue organization by going to www.akc.org - you can get an older dog for less money. Be VERY careful about getting a shelter dog with children that young. You are often adopting someone else's problem dog. And people often lie about the dog's temperament, hoping he'll get a new home that can deal with him.

Answer 4

I don't think it to be a good idea to surprise a 2 y.o. child with a dog. He is not ready to understand your intentions whatever they are let alone to be an responsible owner or handler. The dog will most probably end up neglected or abused. In my opinion you should wait untill your nephew is big enough to understand and satisfy the doggy's needs.
It is rather a matter of an individual specimen, not a breed. Any properly socialised dog with good temperament will be fine. But very small dogs tend to be less stable as to their ability to endure toddlers while very big dogs can be more destructive.
Also no dog can be trusted if they stay unsupervised with the child or a child who well can hurt the dog.
Ask your nephew's parents for their oppinion of the present first of all.

Answer 5

There are many things to take into consideration first.
What size yard do will the owners have? Is the yard enclosed or will they walk the dog daily. People never consider the expense of a dog.
The child's parents should have the call as to getting a dog not you.
I would suggest to them that they take the time and look around, this isn't anything to be rushed into, a dog isn't a disposable item.
Go to benched dog shows and the humane society, getting a dog from the paper is getting problems.

Anyhow does a 2 year old really care? The parents might!

Answer 6

Really, I am a lab person, but if you want a small dog, nothing beats the Boston terrier, here is some info. on it:

Boston Terrier

Owning
His coat is easy to care for when it comes to grooming, a few strokes with a soft brush will keep his short, smooth coat gleaming. He is loving and sensitive, merry and bright, at times a clown and has a deep love for his family and children. Usually he will get along well with other family pets if introduced to them at a young age.

Characteristics
The Boston Terrier is a lively, highly intelligent, smooth coated, short-headed, compactly built, short-tailed, well balanced dog, brindle, seal or black in color and evenly marked with white. The head is in proportion to the size of the dog and the expression indicates a high degree of intelligence. The body is rather short and well knit, the limbs strong and neatly turned, the tail is short and no feature is so prominent that the dog appears badly proportioned. The dog conveys an impression of determination, strength and activity, with style of a high order; carriage easy and graceful. A proportionate combination of ''Color and White Markings'' is a particularly distinctive feature of a representative specimen.

Did You Know
The Boston Terrier is one of America's native breeds having been developed in Boston, MA. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1893. The Boston Terrier is also sometimes called ''the American gentleman among dogs
good luck, i have two, nibbles and bits, they are great

Answer 7

Any small dog could be hurt by a 2 year old, and could bite if hurt. Small children and dogs need to be supervised 24/7 in order to prevent tragedy. Make sure the childs parents are OK with this! :) I would opt for a beagle or cairn terrier. Both are on the smaller side without being too frail, and are pretty hardy and good natured with kids.

Answer 8

First, examine your lifestyle. Do you live in a house with a yard or an apartment with limited space? Are you active or not. These are important in determing what type of dog is right for you. My dogs may not fit someone else's life.
Most retrievers are good with children. I have a Flat Coated Retriever. She is very smart, but extremely hyper at age 5. If you get a puppy, they do not calm down for several years and your sister or brother may not want such a hyper animal with a child. I also have a Newf. They are the best dogs. We also have a yard he likes, too. They are very big, but extremely gentle and mellow. Total contract to the retriever.

Answer 9

A toy dog. Never surprise someone with a dog.

You have to think long and hard as to whether you are willing to commit to a dog and take on the responsibility that dog ownership entails. Too many dogs end up in the pound or abandoned because the recipient of the gift was not overjoyed.

Please stick to toys and cartoons. Do not make a mistake that can cost a dog its life.

Answer 10

I would have to say a Shih Tzu.....My friends parents own and breed them and they are the most friendly people oriented dogs I know and very gentle and sweet. Either that or a Beagle they are also very child oriented and great companions but require more outdoor excersise. Chihuahua's are not so good with kids they are a very fearful dog and not very robust for a small childs companion. Also a poodle is a good idea they are energetic and friendly and smart.

Answer 11

Basset Hound's are Small and are sweet and gentle and love everybody, including children.


Beagle's are Small and are gentle, trustworthy, and cheerful. They love children.

Bichon Frise's are Small. They gentle and affectionate with children. This is an ideal dog for kids.

Border Terrier's are Small. The most easygoing and affectionate of the terriers, is an ideal companion for children.


The Boston Terrier is lively, highly intelligent and very friendly. It is a great house pet and companion, especially for children. They are also small.


The Cavalier is very happy, active and fearless. It is very loving to its family and a good companion for children. These dogs are small.


Coton De Tulear's areSmall. Cotons are cheerful, gentle and get along with everyone, including children.

Most Pugs get along with children.

Shih Tzu are affectionate, friendly and trusting toward everyone and love children.

The Tibetan Terrier is constantly cheerful, warm and affectionate.