and where i might get one from, i've tried the local rescue centre but nothing is suitable
2006-10-05 04:16:12 · 39 answers · asked by barbel_basher 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It depends on your daughters age. Is she old enough to accept the responsibility of the dog? Its care , feeding, walking it, cleaning up after it? Please think long and hard before you get one. I would suggest you continue to search at the pound. Puppies come and go from shelters every day, and although I breed dogs, have found some mixed breeds are just as wonderful as a pure bred dog. Good Luck!
2006-10-05 04:27:34 · answer #1 · answered by Pam W 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No one can answer that for you. You need to research the breeds you think might be good before you buy anything. Many many people adopt dogs because of how they look or because someone else thinks they are the perfect bred only to find that they are not suitable at all. For instance, I LOVE Border collies with every fiber of my being, but I don't have a job for one and the dog and I both would be miserable becuase BC's have energy and intelligence that is OFF THE CHARTS. Definitely not for me.
There is a great book called the Right Dog for You which will give you an idea about size, grooming, personality, trainabilty, energy levels, etc, for many common breeds of dogs. The New Encyclopedia of the Dog has limited info, but GREAT pictures. I'd try to look at those two.
You say absolutely nothing about your daughter. If she is older than 12 or so you should involve her in the decision. If she is younger than 8 or so you should NOT get a small dog. They are too fragile and most are constantly worried they will get hurt. So often they become obnoxious fear-biters around kids. Or your daughter could do serious harm to it just by being a clutzy active kid. A medium or large dog is much better for young kids.
Beyond that, you really need to think seriously about the lifestyle you lead and the kind of dog that would fit best in that lifestyle.
I would also recommend going back to your local shelter and telling them the type of dog you want. If you are not coomitted to getting a Yorkie (the fad dog of the moment), they can help steer you towards a dog you may not have considered that would be PERFECT for your lifestyle.
2006-10-05 04:37:22 · answer #2 · answered by Robin D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
small beagle, great dogs and will protect a family but will not hurt kids at all! they are so loving and smart! the small ones get 13" and they are soooo cute heres some info from some sites...
The story on beagles;
* They are good with children and very social animals.
* They shed but minimally if brushed often.
* They are pack animals and therefore crave companionship.
* One beagle left alone a lot will usually become an
incessant barker/bayer.
* Two beagles or a beagle and anything else is a good way
to assure that they have companionship.
* Beagles are excellent alerters but would not usually be
good defenders, they are too docile and too friendly.
* Beagles (despite old tales) are not hard to train but
they do require consistency and MUST be trained well
because their noses rule their world.
* Beagles have a propensity for becoming obese and should
NEVER be given human food and their diet should be
watched very carefully.
* Beagles are pretty active and if they are left home alone
a lot during the day should be walked regularly (not
just allowed then to go out in the backyard.) They also
crave the stimulation of activity and odors.
I hope this helps some. Feel free to check back anytime.
Have4Paws
2006-10-05 04:25:22 · answer #3 · answered by isk8 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know where you live, but typically there are several different rescue organizations in any area - private as well as county animal shelters. If they don't have what you are looking for now, then try again in a few days. Getting a dog is should not be an "impulse buy" decision. It is a years long commitment.
Get a small mutt, 1 - 2 years old. That way you know what you are getting. Cute puppies very quickly turn to adult dogs and your daughter may became bored.
Another thing to consider - many small pure breeds are nervous barkers and biters.
2006-10-05 04:27:42 · answer #4 · answered by Taai Taai 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the age of your child, I would not recommend a small dog at all. They tend to be more snappy with little ones because they are always on their level. The dog feels threatened and can easily become aggressive. I would recommend a medium sized dog and usually a mutt is better than a purebred. They are both healthier and have less issues due to not being bred so closely for one trait or another. The shelter is a wonderful place to go. Take your daughter with you, let her meet a variety of dogs. The right one will literally pick HER to be its owner. It may not happen the first day and if it doesn't, don't get discouraged. It can take a while to find the right addition to your home.
2006-10-05 04:22:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
King Charles Cavalier Spaniel or West Highland Terrier
2006-10-05 09:00:51 · answer #6 · answered by catdyer2005 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old is your daughter?
Are you aware that while he'll be your daughters dog, once the novelty wears off YOULL be the one looking after it and im sure your aware that when she gets bored of it you cant just toss it out.
That being said.
i would probably go with a poodle of the minature or toy sizes. poodles are extreemly smart, very loving very playfull and if kept in a puppy clip, easy to groom, they tend to take well to being pamperd but are rough and tumble dogs too and are usually easy trained.
A bichon, or maltese would also be good other choices.
Id avoid yorkies (high energy TERRIERS!)
Chihuahuas (dont usually take to children tend to be a one person dog)
Any of the "Poo" mixes, there expensive fads that could have a lot of expenive problems
Pomeranian (ALOT of grooming and hairballs the size of texas during shedding season)
It all depends on your daughters age and personality.
check out AKC.org for a list of dog breeds and their personality traits...
As for where...a aks breeder, theres a list of breeders by breed and state on the akc website!
2006-10-05 04:28:46 · answer #7 · answered by Gems 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never had 1 of my own but I think the kindest gentlest little dogs are king charles cavaliers. Having said that, Ive got a little heinz 57 and he's got the sweetest nature so its the dog rather than the breed that makes the difference. Good luck.
2006-10-05 07:34:21 · answer #8 · answered by daftoldwoman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how about a papillon ?they are small and cute.they were the favourites of french royalty you know...
but it's probably pretty hard to find them...you could look in bigger rescue centres or have you tried pet shops?but those are probably more expensive and some pet shops might not even have dogs....
other ideas might be..spaniels,jack russell terriers,yorkshire terriers or a beagle.
ps:i think it's a wonderful idea to buy a dog for your daughter.i hope you find what you're looking for!
2006-10-05 04:37:58 · answer #9 · answered by silvi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no breeds are suitable, it's wrong to buy animals, especially for children, if the dogs is for you then i would go to an animal rescue centre and give a loving home to a dog in need.
2006-10-05 04:54:18 · answer #10 · answered by ♥sandpaper kisses♥ >^..^< 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋