what kind of dog would suit a home for a baby?

Question

We are currently look for a dog, but unsure what breed to get. My mom is pregnat so we are looking for a small dog. In this household there is a adult male, adult female, a teenage female (me!), and a unborn child. We have looked into a beagle, but they are too loud. And we have looked into Jack Terrier, but they arent so good with children. We perfer a small dog, but we dont mind if it is a medium sized dog. Also, do you have any ideas where to look for puppies. We looked at shelters and the SPCA, but they are all older.
Thank you!

dang. the answer i didnt not agree with was picked as best answer. I know that games are only games. and if the answerer would of read the answer thorughly, he/she would of saw that the doctor already said that it was a girl and this was just for fun! I guess thats what I get for putting a question to vote and not picking a best answer. What a waste of 10 points!!

wrong question, sorry!

Answer 1

An older dog would probably be better for a home with a baby, because he/she would be less energetic and less likely to attack the baby. Whatever breed you get, definitely get your dog from a shelter and not a pet store. If you don't like the dogs that are at the shelters now, keep checking back to see if they get more dogs. I would recommend a breed like a Golden Retriever or a Labrador, since they are usually very friendly. I'm happy that you're getting a dog, just be sure to take good care of him/her. :-)

Answer 2

Try going to the Humane Society on a Monday or Tuesday, first thing (they usually open at noon), that's when the newly fixed pups and others come on the floor. Trick is, getting there early. Also, in the puppy room you can often find smaller breed dogs.

Trick with smaller dogs, sometimes but not always, is that they can be less patient with children, as this baby will someday be. I'm a fan of Boston Terriers. Small, but smart and friendly and usually no trouble. You may want to pick a dog who is a year or so rather than a puppy. Puppies are tons of work and will someday be adults themselves and it is the older dogs who get overlooked at shelters.

I myself have a cocker spaniel and he's wonderful, but I've heard I simply got lucky with him and children as they can be aggressive and nip at chubby hands who pull on them.

That said, you can hardly go wrong with a mixed breed! Generally full breds have their own set of medical problems, etc. Also, unless you get a full bred puppy, there's no guarantee how big he/she will be as an adult, so you are again better off with an adult.

Best of luck to you and your growing family.

Answer 3

If you're looking at purebred puppies, pay attention to the mom's temperament (and the dad's, if he's around). If they're easygoing and sweet tempered, the puppies are more likely to be that way, too. In my experience, temperament is much more important than breed. I've seen mean-spirited golden retrievers and sweet pit bulls. But some dog breeds are generally known to be good family pets: Labrador and golden retrievers and springer spaniels tend to be gentle, as they have soft mouths and enjoy frequent touching. (But note that these dogs are high energy, and are nippy and have very sharp teeth as puppies!) Dogs that aren't always as good with kids include toy breeds and smaller terriers, which tend to be more self-preserving and can get hurt more easily. Also, herding dogs like Welsh corgis and border collies can chase kids and nip at their heels.

I have had Rat Terriers( kinda like the Jack Russel Terrier) and we have had lots of babies in the family. Bambi, my male, was the most incrediblely gentle dog with him. But even as much as i love them i wouldn't recomend any Terrier with a baby because they are very enterjetic and all.

I personally think a mixed breed puppy would be the best choice untill the child is older. Something that has everything -lab, golden retreiver- look for those mixes and most of the time they will be a great child dog.

Hope this was of help to you!

Answer 4

Breed is not as important as finding an individual with a good temperment. For that reason getting an older dog is really much, much better than finding a puppy. A puppy hasn't formed it's personality when you purchase or adopt but it may grow up to not appreciate being poked, prodded and rough-housed with. Adult dogs also require a lot less attention than puppies and when your new brother or sister arrives it might be nice to have a dog that sleeps through the night rather than a puppy who needs to go out every few hours.

You might consider going through a dog rescue that fosters rather than kennels it's available dogs. I foster for a greyhound adoption program and have a four year old skin-kid. You know that a dog coming out of my house is used to having a small human running and playing and making noises, and the dog is used to being handled (under supervision) by small, rough hands. Many purebreed adoption organizations, private 'no-kill' shelters and some municipal organizations use foster families as an aide to placing their dogs. A dog who has been living with a small kid and is already socialised to (and may well have a personality that really enjoys) small kids is a much surer bet than a puppy.

Answer 5

I would suggesst waiting until the baby is about 2 before getting a dog. Babies take up so much time and puppies do too. Many times people get a puppy and then have a baby and realize that it is too much work and they toss the puppy aside. Also puppies have accidents and with a baby crawling on the floor, you don't want it crawling around where there are so many germs from puppy accidents.

Answer 6

depending on where you live, they may be hard to find but I suggest a Scottish Terrier (scotties) or a West highland White Terrier (westies). both are very loving to their families and most importantly for the soon to be new born, both are fairly quiet dogs. For more suggestions, go to www.akc.com and look under breeds, then under terriers. you can also check out www.dogbreedinfo.com which shows and tells specifics about the breeds and their characteristics not just appearence.

Answer 7

I have always had black labs and they love babies. they're very protective and very well behaved around newborns. I should know, i have 2 black labs now and three grandchildren under the age of 2. If you want a smaller dog, I would also recommend a miniature schnauzer or a cockapoo. I have had both, and both were very good with kids. None of these dogs have a nervous disposition, which is what you want around babies.

Answer 8

I have a jack russell....they're totally good with kids. But I'd recommend maybe going to the dog pound and asking. they can help. I think maybe a boston terrier...a pug. they're are good small dogs out their, but you have to decide.

PS: Jack Russells are crazy and have lots of energy...not recommended unless you can handle them...but they're really cute and loveable and I personally think they're the best dogs ever!

Answer 9

Avoid Cocker Spaniels I've heard they're really aggressive with kids. When I was little we had a Boston terrier and a pug they were both great with us. Petfinder.org lets you search for dogs in your area, and you can specify breed, size, age, etc.

Answer 10

both of those breeds of dogs r really,really hyper and honestly not a very good choice for a family expecting a new baby...you're best choice (i have trained dogs and breeded dogs all my life it's a family business)but #1 hands down is a lab....i know he may be bigger than u would have wanted...but u and your family will never be happier,more loved,more protected than if u choose to allow a Labrador to be you're pet!!!