Thinking of buying a puppy?

Question

Have a good size house and gardens to accomodate it but don't know what breed would be most suited to a family with young children....any suggestions?

Niladri.........WHAT?

I AM at home during the day and my children are 6, 2 and 1.

Answer 1

It's probably not what you want to hear but.... I would not get any kind of puppy with a child of only 1 year old in the home. The puppy will play rough and bite the baby. It isn't savage, just how puppies play. It could make your child afraid of dogs for life. Also, will you be happy to have your baby crawling about on the floor where the puppy has scraped his bum, shed flea eggs, worm larvae, piddled and pooped? Puppies don't come all house trained you know and for a few weeks there will be many accidents in the house. Then, if your baby pokes the dog in the eye or hits it over the head with a toy, and the dog retaliates by biting him in the face, what will you do? Dogs and very small children simply do not mix which is why the RSPCA and most rescue centres, will not rehome dogs with children under the age of about 5 years old. Children under this age often do not understand that animals can suffer pain.
I can remember my vet telling me once of a man who brought the most gorgeous German shepherd dog and demanded it be put to sleep because it had bitten his 2 year old child. The poor dog had been kicked and beaten by the man before he too it to the vet. My vet put it to sleep and while the body was still on the table he stroked its head and felt something. On closer inspection he discovered a pencil shoved deep inside the ear canal. The pain must have been indescribable and the dog had bitten, then been beaten up and killed. All because he had been made to live in a home with children too young to know any better and parents too stupid to carefully watch their children with the dog.

Answer 2

Before getting a puppy ask yourself (and your family) these questions... Is someone home most of the day to house train the dog? If not do you want to crate the dog for an entire day?Dogs like to dig dig dig how will you keep the dog out of the gardens? Can you afford the cost Food and health? How old are the children? Are the going to be apt to tease the dog in anyway? As far as breeds that are good with small children Labs Golden Retrievers and Shepard's are well suited. Stay away from small dogs terriers are BAD very nippy. Good luck and I do hope I have helped in some small way

Answer 3

Small dogs are generally NOT good with kids - they are fragile and tend to be snotty, hard to housebreak and bark a lot. The exceptions are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (VERY expensive!) and English Cocker Spaniels (NOT the American Cocker). Of course, you can find a great dog in any breed, but you have to be prepared for the negatives.

Find a good breeder referral by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. http://www.akc.org/breederinfo/breeder_s...

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.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm...

The best breeders will be members of their breed club, promoting healthy dogs with great temperaments. They should ask you a bunch of questions to make sure their puppy will be getting a good home. If all a "breeder" seems to care about is whether your check will clear, you can be sure he won't care a week later when the pup is dying from distemper or parvo and you want your money back.

Whatever you do, DON'T go to a pet shop, a flea market or buy one sight-unseen off the Internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog that is often sick and may have falsified registration papers. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. http://www.aspca.org/site/pageserver?pag

Someone left this answer for me and it helped me, so I hope it will help you.

Answer 4

First. You don't say how young the children are, or if you are going to be at home during the day. A dog should not be left alone all day.
Second. Why not have a chat with your local vet. Advice is free.
Or you could go to your nearest Dog Rescue Centre for advice. Maybe a visit to your local dog training classes would also be of help.
Fourth. Once you decide on the Breed, try to see the puppies with their parents. Definitely see them with the mother. DO NOT BUY FROM PET SHOPS.
Fifth. LET THE PUPPY CHOOSE YOU.
Even the most well behaved dog should not be left with small children, as the child could upset the dog if a little rough.
Good Luck.
P.S. Terriers are only as bad as their trainers. We raised one with children and although he was a true little gentleman, I would never have left him alone with small children..

Answer 5

Decide on the breed you want. Example- I would suggest labradors or golden retrievers with kids. Then contact a rescue group associated with that breed. An adult dog would probably be better with young children because you can already see what personality they have developed and you would be rescuing a dog that needs a home instead of supporting breeders that contribute to the pet overpopulation problem... It depends on what area you are in, but I will attach a couple of examples.

Answer 6

There are many types of dogs that are good with young children, but you also need to take into account the dog's energy level. Listed below there is a website that I used to find the perfect dog for me, based on several characteristics.
There are several tests at the bottom that can help you. But there are also good dogs at your local humane society. Check there first. But with young children I would get a puppy so that it could learn to deal with them playing with it.

Answer 7

there is a good website www.epeuz.com (may be co.uk?!!!) this has both dogs and puppies for sale in your area, but also information on breeds.
any dog can be good so long as it is socialised, trained and exercised correctly.
beware puppies are as much hard work as babies, you even get the sleepless nights for a while, and house training can be a pain and mess experience especially with young kids to trample trough any little accidents!
good luck whatever you decide / get. You could always speak to a vet or animal shelter for advice, and if you decide on a puppy make sure you meet both parents and see the puppy in its litter. have fun choosing

Answer 8

There's alot of choice, most of them the people have already mentioned.
But there's another thing to think of, how all is the children in the house, because some large size dog like Golden Ret, even thou they're smart and easy to train but they're really childish when pups and could injured children (even adult) when playing...
But i think any kind of dog is find (especially that you have a good sized house and garden), only how you train them...

Answer 9

Discover Dogs is at Earls Court in London in November. This would be perfect as they have every breed of dog there for you and your family to see and meet. In addition the breeders are there also to discuss the pro and cons of their particular breed. It would give a fantastic insight into any breed that you are considering.
Alternatively, your local rescue centre...where there are loads of dogs looking for a wonderful home such as yours...plus many of their dogs have already been house trained.
Finally look at rescue greyhounds...my particular favourite and often overlooked.

Answer 10

any dog will be alright if you train him all dogs are good it is their owners who are bad. however border collies will keep your young ones in the yard Labradors are good for that Shepherd's will keep them in and keep every one else out again it goes by your training you have to train him for what you want him to do . how young are your children puppies and toddlers really do not mix puppies chew toddlers pull hair not to mention you are potty training both at the same time do you have the time. animals require time and care it is like adding another child to your brode please consider all the avenues to this many dogs wind up in a shelter because the owner was unaware of the tremendous responsibility that comes with owning a dog... wait until your children are 10 yrs or older this way they can help . you need to do more reseach go to your local shelters see for yourself