My husband and I have been talking about getting a puppy in the next year or so, but we're not sure what kind to get. Our son is 16 months old now and we have another one on the way (I'm due in April). We're not sure if we should get the puppy before or after the baby is born, and if it's after, then how old should the baby be when we do get the puppy. Also, what is the best breed of dog for children? I really like boxers, but we've read mixed thoughts about their interaction with children. Should we go with a full bred or mixed? Please help!!! I'd like to surprise my husband & son with the puppy one day, but I want to make sure that I choose the right puppy for our family. Thanks!!!
2006-09-19 04:28:13 · 23 answers · asked by gorf79 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Consider an adult. A young adult is better able to "hold it" and is easier to house train, but still young enough to be fun.
Puppies are a lot of WORK. Especially with 2 little kids.
Go to a shelter. Talk to the employees. They spend a lot of time with the animals and can show you the perfect dog for your family.
Shelters temperment test all their pets, they are less expensive, you get lots of "extras" for the money, and you are saving a life. You can't beat that.
2006-09-19 04:35:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Try this site:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm
Answer a few questions and they will suggest a breed that is right for your life style.
Are you sure that you will have the time that it takes to train a puppy? They do take a lot of time for the first few months at least. There's housebreaking and then obedience classes and the very least.
I have had dogs for 30 yrs. Had kids before and after some of the dogs that I've had. If you have the time and the love, anytime is a good time to get a puppy.
You just need to learn how to pick the right puppy. They all have their own personalities. Some are better with children. So don't look for a "breed" or "color" as much as a personality.
2006-09-19 11:38:24 · answer #2 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the poster that said you should adopt an adult dog after the baby is born.
You will have so much to deal with when having two really young children, do you want to add housebreaking to the mix too? Plus all puppies go through a "nipping" stage (when teething). You don't want that around young kids.
I think that you should go with a lab mix, or something of the like. Mixes generally don't have the breed aliments that come with purebreds (and they are pretty much free). The people that run the shelter/rescue can tell you all about a dog's personality that you might want to adopt. (That's how I got my dog.)
You really need to look into a purebred if you "have" to have one (and then I suggest you look up a rescue to find one). Most little dogs don't mix well with kids. Think about it. Crawling toddlers will want to pull up on something to try and stand-up/walk. A dog is perfect height to do this, but a kid has a higher chance of (unintentionally) hurting a small dog, and then that dog might bite the child...... You just can't roughhouse with a small dog like you can a bigger one, and that isn't good for kids.
Good Luck with the dog search and the new baby! LK
2006-09-19 11:53:43 · answer #3 · answered by Laura 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ideally you would want to wait until both children are older, just because it is less difficult to train a dog (and the kids) to behave. Especially with puppies, they will not understand why they can't teeth on the babies. But, it can be done with a lot of hard work and sharp eyes on your part. You will need to give all three equal attention. That being said I was willing to do that when I got my puppy. I had a 5 year old sister with lung problems so she has a trache and a feeding tube. It was very important to me to get a dog that could easily learn not to jump on her or even play rough. We essentially trained the puppy to be a therapy dog. When he was 16 weeks old we introduced them, holding the puppy while she pet him. We taught him early not to pull when she walked him. This took a lot of work and he didn't mater it until he was about 6 months old. It takes a lot of training for the dog and the kid for them to be able to do this. We also have other babies in the house that the puppy learned to completely stay away from. Whenever he approached the babies (3 months, 6 months) we would shake a penny can and say NO, leave it!. After a while he eventually walked in the other direction when he saw the 6 month old on the floor. Now that the babies (and the puppy) are one-year old and walking he knows he can be around them but must lay down for them to pet him and cannot teeth or knock them down.
Anyway, I have seen a few people in my neighborhood walking boxers while they push their baby carriage. The best thing to do, if you really want a boxer, is to go to a reputable breeder from the AKC website and ask them. They will have the dog with the best temperments. Boxers are generally really protective of their familes. That's a good thing, because they will protect the baby, but they must be trained so that they know the baby does not 'belong' to them, making it impossible for anyone outside the home to interact with them. The breed I have is a standard poodle. They are gentle, smart, watchdogs that are great with kids. They are also great for allergy sufferers like my sister, and with a new baby you never know if they will be allergic. I see too many ads of people giving away their dog because the new baby is allergic.
2006-09-19 11:51:11 · answer #4 · answered by lilrnblover86 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think it makes much difference before or after the new baby.
Personally as far as breeds go I would STRONGLY reccommend a Golden Retriever. I have 2 females and they are the most gentle loving dogs in the world. I have had dogs my entire life and these are by far the best.
I just got the second one 2 weeks ago she is 12 weeks old. Very mello already not hyper like a lot of puppies. Smaller breeds tend to be more hyper expecially with a baby you would need to watch this. On the flip side of that, larger breed puppies sometimes are a bit clumsy as they do not realize how big they are.
2006-09-19 11:55:42 · answer #5 · answered by sportyscott_28 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't really think it matters if you get a puppy before or after the baby is born. Just be aware that puppies, like babies, come with a bit of maintenance such as house breaking and the whole chewing/teething thing. Also you might consider that it would be normal for your 16 month old to feel a bit threatened by suddenly having to share mom and dad with a new sibling. Adding a new puppy to the mix to compete for attention might add to that. OTOH, the new puppy could help alleviate those feelings by being his "buddy". It really depends on the personality of your 16 month old.
As far as breeds go, mutts generally have more personality. Of course, type of breed is really a matter of personal preference. Golden retrievers make excellent family dogs as they are very intelligent, loyal, and generally laid back. Labs also make really good family dogs. They both are on the large side. However, I am partial to larger dogs.
2006-09-19 11:42:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly I would wait. Take it from an animal lover. I personally like small dogs but they don't mix with little ones. Kids dragging them around by their legs or neck! There are breeds of dogs that are wonderful with children. There are large breeds such as labs that are very good with children. Any dog will be good, it's how you raise it. And if you have another one on the way your hands will be full. Puppies take a lot of time to properly train. And if you want them to be good with the children you need the time to devote to good obedience training. I think I would wait until the children could help. Our grand daughter is 5 now. They got her a puppy when she was small and it ended up at our house because they just didn't have the time. My other son just got a golden retriever puppy and she loves it. Plays ball with it outside, helps feed it. Good age for a puppy. Even age 4 would be fine. Large dogs jump just like the little ones and knock kids down. She is old enough now for us to explain how to train him not to jump on her.
2006-09-19 11:43:57 · answer #7 · answered by jelly-bean 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One, you need to consider the energy level of the dog you are interested in. Some dogs require more physical and mental stimulation than others, and may be more prone to knocking over small children.
Two, it does not matter whether you get a mutt or a pure bred. You need to spend some time with the dog to see it's individual temperment. I suggest going with an adult, and boxer rescue would be a great place to start looking. You won't have to worry about the puppy chewing/biting stuff and a lot of times they are already house broke.
I highly suggest that whatever dog you get, you crate train, and do the Nothing in Life is Free method.
Good luck!
Moni
http://www.geocities.com/libertydogtraining/index.html
2006-09-19 14:48:03 · answer #8 · answered by moni 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I own 4 pitbull terriers, I also have a 5 year old son that has been raised around them since he was 2. Despite what people may think of them and kids, its all about the owner. If you have a responsible owner that treats them good, you will have a best friend for life not to mention they are extremely smart! Dont listen to all the hype...I'm telling you its not true! If you want a good dog, get a pitbull...boxer isnt a bad idea either. But I prefer a pitbull over any breed. They are the best dogs alive:) good luck!
2006-09-19 12:41:41 · answer #9 · answered by american_pitbull2006 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You already had a baby, so you know how much work it takes to care for a new born. Taking care of a puppy is also alot of work. Ask yourself, "Will I be able to care for two small children and a puppy at the same time?" It won't be easy.
If you feel you can care for all that at the same time then enjoy your new family and puppy. If not, wait until the kids are a bit older.
2006-09-19 12:16:01 · answer #10 · answered by Ginbail © 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋