Small children want dog for pet. Not a big one? any ideas from experience?

Question

Based on personal knowledge, my kids are looking for a pet since our dog died. I asked about a bulldog earlier but can't decide. What's a good medium sized dog that's good around children. It will have a good environment, lotsa love, no hostilities.

Answer 1

border collies. they are great with kids and aren't too big. a very lovable breed.

Answer 2

Why not get a pup from the pound. They make great pets. Border Collies are nice, but very intelligent..need lots...LOTS of exercise. Some Cockers can be nippy. Especially as they get older. Any dog should be OK as long as it is raised with children and the children are not allowed to harass the dog. And the dog is socialized. It should meet 100 people in the first year. That is very important in dog socialization. If you go to the pound, look for small paws. Some small breed dogs have housebreaking problems because their bladders are so small. Bulldogs can be hard to train and have health problems. When you get a mutt, you do get the best of each breed. The problem today is that people breed their dogs just to make money and not to instill the best of the breed. So dogs that have poor quality or health problems should are being bread and it creates more problems in that breed. If you still want a pure bread..maybe try a pug since you like the bulldog. Or a Schnauzer. Good Luck

Answer 3

I have to tentatively disagree with other posters who suggested the Parson Russell (used to be called Jack Russells) terrier and border collie. Unless you have alot of time to devote to training and keeping the dog occupied with "work" like activities, border collies and russell terriers probably aren't the best breed to buy. They need things to learn and do or they aren't happy. Just having kids to play with might not be enough. On the other hand, if you do have the time, either breed can be really fun to own - both are very smart and loving dogs in general.

When I was growing up, we had shetland sheepdogs, and they were great dogs. There are also TONS of dogs at the shelter who need homes. The people at the shelter are trained to match you with a dog that will be perfect for your individual household - they know their dogs, and it is NOT in their best interest to place a dog in a household where there's any chance that dog might not fit in, and be returned. So I would suggest trying your local shelter, and if they don't have the perfect dog for you and your kids, they may be able to give you some guidance on which breeds to look into.

Answer 4

I recommend adopting from the SPCA or looking for ads for people giving away puppies. But if you are interested in a pure bred, I think BASSETT HOUNDS are excellent. I have two and they are very loveable. They love to cuddle and be by your side. They are also pretty mellow, kind of lazy at times. But they do enjoy a "rough house" session. The only thing that might deter some people: they are VERY loud! I just think they have the cutest personality and other Bassett Hound owners I know agree. If you were to decide on this breed, be strict with house training! This can be a difficult area w/ this breed.

Answer 5

American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, also known as the nanny dog. Very good around kids (note: this is not a pit bull). It is a medium size dog that loves kids. Looks good and manly too. Bulldogs have way too many health problems and are nightmare puppies. Boxers are nightmare pups as well, way too much energy.

Answer 6

Please be aware that many small dogs are high energy and require 3 hours of owner led activity every day. Research the breed before deciding and see what the energy levels are and if you are able to meet their needs. They become yappy and aggressive, destructive as well as adopt other behavioural problems if their needs aren't met.

Also, border collies, huskys, labs and those type of dogs are bred to work ALL day, cockers and spaniels are bred to hunt and have the energy to keep up with their owner on horseback and and kept as a pet, they need a lot of time too if they are not to develop behavioural problems such as being destructive, digging, chewing, escaping, aggression etc. Just be mindful of that when you're looking for your new pet too.

Please research any breed that you are considering and find out what they need in terms of exercise and training.

The source box contains a link to a great site which asks a series of questions, you put in your information and it tells you which dog breeds will suit your lifestyle and situation. It gives you an instant result.

Good luck with your search, I hope you find just what you are looking for,

Answer 7

The breed you choose should depend on your lifestyle. Apartment or house? Fenced yard? How much time are you willing to spend training, exercising, grooming and caring for the dog? (DON'T get a Border Collie - they require WAY too much exercise for the average family!)

I'd recommend one of the Sporting breeds for a child (but NOT a Weimaraner or a Dalmatian!) My all-time favorite mid-sized dog for kids is the English (or Welsh) Springer Spaniel. They 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.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/english_springer_spaniel/index.cfm

http://www.akc.org/breeds/welsh_springer_spaniel/index.cfm

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and ENGLISH Cocker Spaniels (NOT American!) 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.

Beagles are very sweet with kids, but they are scent hounds bred to live in packs and hunt all day. They are harder than average to housebreak even if you use a crate, but as far as general training - unless you're training them to hunt rabbits, you are very nearly wasting your time. They have powerful tracking instincts which nearly guarantee that they will try to run away every time you open the door. You can get them to sit and do tricks for treats, but you will almost NEVER see a beagle in an obedience competition. They can be incredibly stubborn and they will dig, bark and howl endlessly if left alone.

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 8

I have a schipperke mix. They're great, friendly dogs. I'd recommend them to anyone. However, I'd also recommend that you go to the local ASPCA, Humane Society, or something like that. There are plenty of mixes there to choose from that need good homes! Many are already housebroken. I believe it isn't necessary to pick a breed beforehand. Why limit yourself? Go to the pound. Look around. A dog might just strike your fancy and become a wonderful pal. We looked at several canines before we looked at the dog who picked us out. Once we saw her and walked her around a little bit. She knew she wanted us and we knew we wanted her. Be adventurous! Take a chance. You might find a breed you never thought of or you might even fall in love with a mixed breed like we did.

Answer 9

I have a four and two year old, and we have an american eskimo...top size is about 35 pounds and they're super easy to keep clean, they love water and are very outgoing. We live in a warm climate and even though an american eskimo looks really fluffy, they drop thir winter coat really fast (and I've never had a problem with dog hair in the house). All in all an excellent breed, very smart and loyal, active and playful.

Answer 10

Shelties (Shetland Sheepdog). When I was growing up I got bite by our first dog, and was soo scared to get another. However, my parents picked out a Sheltie. I did everything to this dog (dress it up, take its bones away from me, pull its hair, hugged the dog) and NOT once did the dog ever bite or be aggressive towards me. It just sat there and took it. It also protected me very much and you could tell this dog was attached to me. Ever since then we got three more Shelties. The are best tempered and sweetest dogs you'll ever know!

Answer 11

Get a border collie or a jack russel terrier. Both are smart good with kids easy to train and don't have a lot of health problems. Stay away from specialty beeds like bulldogs, dalmations etc..