I am looking to buy a dog. Which dog under 35 lbs. would be best for my family of seven?

Answer 1

You're going to get a lot of different answers and opinions. Whatever it is you end up getting, may I suggest you don't buy a dog, especially from a pet store. Adopt from your local pound or shelter instead.

You can also check out Pet smart and Petco stores in your area. The ones near me have adoptions every weekend and the dogs comes from local shelters. Most times, I always see puppies, too. You can also look on petfinder.com

Adopt a pet and save a life. Good luck in your search :-)

Answer 2

I am going to second the response above me. It sounds like you have two major requirements. Under 35 lbs and a good fit for the family. IMO focus on these and not on a breed. Also DO NOT GET A PUPPY. You never know what type of temperment a puppy will develop. Granted how it is raised plays a part, but nature also plays a major part. Going to a shelter with the whole family and meeting full grown dogs will allow you to get a sense of the dogs fully developed personality and how it interacts with your family. I hope this helps/makes sense (oh yeah and if you do decide to purchase a purebred dog RESEARCH the breed first. I saw beagles and Jack Russels suggested above, while im sure these are lovely breeds the definately are not for everyone and can be quite challenging)

Answer 3

This seems to be a very common question! Unfortunately there is no universal answer to this question though. Every family has a different perfect fit when it comes to the best dog for them.

Try to do a lot of research before you purchase any dog!!! Then, consider going to your local spca, or shelter to see what they have. Many familys find the best dog for them is a mixed breed. One who may be a little older can be a good fit for some who don't have time to train a puppy too. If you do decide to buy a pure-bred dog from a breeder make sure to get references. Sounds silly, but trust me on this!!

You have a large family, and make sure the pet you get can be trusted with your children!!

We have a Beagle (13inch) and she is incredible! She only weighs 25lbs. Maybe you could look into this breed, they are excellent family dogs, I really can't say enough good things about our beagle!

Good luck!

Answer 4

I'd second the Corgi suggestion. I grew up with one and have had two since. They are usually under 25lbs and look like a german shepard with the legs sawed off. They are very smart, love kids and act like a large dog. In other words, none of that small dog yippy, hyper behavior. My last one potty trained in one week!

Also consider a mutt, and even a non-puppy. Mutts are often more even tempered than pure breds and your local shelter probably has a bunch that need good homes. Make sure if you get an older dog you aren't inheriting bad habits, and take the kids out to see the dog to see how well the dog does with your kids.

Warning: If you're looking at a dog, even a puppy, the one that holds back, in other words, doesn't come up to you to lick and greet you, is a shy dog and shy dogs are more prone to be biters and not great with kids.

I have doxies, but they are nearly impossible to housebreak and I've had two that were as dumb as doorknobs. No more doxies for me!

I have also had Chows. They are very loyal to their family but must be well socialized as pups or they can be dangerous. Plus there's a ton of hair to deal with. However, a properly socialized chow can be a peaceful and loving companion. They are rarely barkers.

If you don't go the mutt route, be careful where you get your pup. It is better to go through a reputable breeder, even a show dog breeder (where you can pay less for a non-show quality dog). Backyard breeders aren't careful to not breed in bad flaws, which can affect the dogs personality and health. It won't cost that much more to buy quality.

You can get a decent dog from a rescue, just be sure they will take the dog back if it isn't a good fit; my mom has had two rescue dogs with major problems.

Good luck.

Answer 5

When we wanted to bring a dog into our family, I did a lot of research too. I found the perfect dog for a family...and went all the way to Austria to adopt her. She is a Border Terrier... they are the cutest dogs! She is so good with my boys (2 & 5) they are her best friends! There are also good websites that let you answer questions to figure a good breed for your family.

Good Luck on your choice!

PS: The reason we went to Austria is because we are stationed in Germany with the US Army... and this breeder had puppies available at the right time frame.

Answer 6

Im going to go with a beagle. They are the cutest things when they are a puppy and their howl is adorable. They are very smart and catch on fairly quickly. Almost reminds me of a lab but just smaller. They have short hair and dont shed that much. They love the outside so its a good dog for kids cause they can both exercise each other in the yard. They are very mild-tempered and hardly ever act out.

Answer 7

Why buy and support puppy mills that abuse animals. Your local animal shelter is the best place. Take the whole family and be prepared to fall in love. The shelter folks can give you advice on family suitable dogs.

Pure bred dogs usually come with genetic health problems. Mixed breed dogs are generally a lot more healthy.

Answer 8

I think 35 lbs is too big. After dressing it out you'll still end up with over 20 lbs of meat...Consider maybe a 7-10 lb dog and make more potatoes and vegetables. They're better for your growing family.

Answer 9

I took my children to the shelter and we picked out a dog because it crawled right into my son's lap and started licking him. Shelters have a play area where you can take dogs to get to know them. My advice is to make a list of qualities you want in a dog, take it to a local shelter and ask which dogs fit that description. Then, get to know the dogs. We ended up with two wonderful dogs that are perfect for our family.

Answer 10

Shelties and Beagles both are fairly small and make great pets. All dogs are individuals, so be sure to meet a dog before you decide on adding it to your family. If you get an adult dog, be sure to find out how it handles chaotic environments and children. You can find out more about the different breeds at the American Kennel Club website.