what is the best dog to raise around a baby?

Question

my wife and i are trying to have a baby and we decided that when she gets pregnant we want to buy a puppy also to raise with our child. we were both raised with dogs and want our child to be too. what do you think is the best type of dog to buy?

Answer 1

we did something similar. we got pregnant in december and in april we found a precious chocolate lab puppy!
he is our boy!

we took him to petsmart's puppy training classes to help us get him trained and it worked really well. also, we asked our trainer about sawyer (our pup's name) and the new baby and she said that sawyer will do fine.
just be sure that your pup knows how to behave around your wife, b/c you want him/her to view the baby as an extension of her.

sawyer is much more ramunctious with my husband than he is with me and this is good! that way when baby gets here he will already understand how to act when i'm holding him.

also, a great thing for me was all of our doggie walks! it has really helped me stay active during my pregnancy and i didn't turn into a big ol blob!

another bonus....your pup will get you geared up for parenting. you'll have to go through the whole potty training and the get up at 3am to let him/her out...etc... also, you have to be the lead dog and their buddy all in the same. it can be a challenge, but it has been great for us!!

take care and i would always recommend a lab to anyone with kids. our guy loves kids and is very much a family dog.
he'll be even better once he gets a little older and realizes his size and strength! he's about 7 months old and 75 pounds! most labs aren't that big...don't worry!!

Answer 2

You are best off with waiting. A puppy needs a lot of attention, attention you won't have to give with a new baby. Not to mention that while an older dog (if properly socialized) will put up with the unintentional jabs and tugs from an infant, a puppy may not have that training yet.

Your new baby won't even remember growing up with the dog. However, if you wait until your child is just entering school, growing up with the dog will be something they can remember when they're older.

Answer 3

We got a lab puppy when my son was 2 1/2 and my daughter was 10 months old. From day 1 he considered them his litter mates. They chased each other and played, they took turns teething on the same toys (after washing...) and as they have all aged he is the sweetest, most mellow and loyal dog you could ask for. He is very protective and does laps around them as he plays at the park or the beach, just to keep watch over them. It is a nice idea in theory to get a puppy now and have it acclimated to you when the baby comes, but you have to consider that you are going to be 1st time parents, huge adjustments for you and it will be for a puppy used to just having you as well. The 1st year your puppy is likely to be excitable, chew, bark or whine until it learns not to, chew more, trip you up when you are walking the baby just because they are big lugs who know no better...... I ami in favor of picking a puppy when you are able to see how it acts around your child. When you see that one who just follows you little one around everywhere it goes, even after they trip over it, you know you have your family member. Good Luck!!

Answer 4

i'm not a parent but i'm only a high school kid but i would have 2 say either a german shepard 4 protection or a husky dog cuz those r the coolest dogs 2 have around. or maybe a collie, which is my fav. dog in the world. all 3 would make excellent pets. good luck with trying 2 have a baby! hope u 2 have a beautiful, healthy baby soon.

Answer 5

Wait until the baby is old enough to understand instructions like "don't pull puppy's ears," "don't step on his tail." Around 2-3 years old.
Then go to your local shelter and ask what dogs they have that are good with small children. Some breeds have a tolerant reputation, but it won't apply to every animal.

For shelters in your area and a list of animals that they have, along with short descriptions of the animal's temperament try this:
http://www.petfinder.com/

Also try this for a quick quiz that can give you a list of recommended dog breeds that will suit your needs:
http://www2.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

Good Luck!

Answer 6

Most Terrier breeds are good with children.
How much room do you have at your house, how much time do you have to walk a dog. I have a small terrier mix dog and she is great with my kids (10, 3 and 1). With being a small dog she does not need much walking because she gets enough exercises in the house and in the back yard.

Answer 7

I agree with golden retreiver or a lab. great around kids... but I also agree with the person who said to wait until the baby is older. Puppies take alot of time, and with having a baby as well it will be hard to properly train the puppy unless you get one that is already house broken and trained.

Answer 8

A lab by all means. They're intelligent and well mannered. My nieces and nephews are unfortunately in foster care at the moment and the family they live with breed labs. They say they're perfect with all the children that come and go and aren't aggressive. When we get ourselves a dog we're definately getting a lab for the kiddos.

Answer 9

By all means, get a Labrador Retreiver! My dad used to breed them, and they are SO gentle and even-tempered. They're definitely child friendly. A word of advice though--they're VERY destructive as puppies. I'm sure most puppies are (as far as chewing shoes, etc.) but every lab I've known has been a digger...as far as your yard/shurbs, etc. Obedience school helps this though. :)

Answer 10

Rottweiler a newborn when the baby is... and i know you are thinking ior you might be thinking omg no not a Rot... but they really are sweet dogs.... I had big dogs when I was lil and I loved it.... so yea I would say a rottweiler they will be her best friend.... and they are really protective of the family they are raised with so she or he will always be safe...