need a good med-size dog for 6yr-old stepson?

Question

I am looking to rescue a dog for my son

Answer 1

You just can't beat a good old-fashioned mutt from the pound!

I'm a cat person, but grew up with a pooch that was part Border Collie and part smooth-haired fox terrier (we think; we're pretty sure about the collie blood).

Nice size for the house, great disposition, good and protective without being aggressive (big enough to make someone think "a bite would hurt"; small enough not to knock people over, and a reasonable bark), and smart!!

Go with a working dog crossbreed IF you can pick one out...but if there's a friendly, good-natured dog that seems "just right", grab him or her! After all, the dog isn't asking about YOUR ancestors, and you can probably return the courtesy. Lots of wonderful dogs are just "Heinz 57" types....

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

A good family dog that does really well with families, and really well with kids is a Boxer.
All the dogs that have been listed are also great dogs, some of them however really arent med. sized dogs. German shepards can get quite large, Beagles are a bit smaller then a Boxer.
Things to consider are of course are the temperment and also maintence such as the animals coat,excersise etc.
Boxers have a really short hair and do really well inside with minimum sheedding, they require some excersise but not nearly as much as a Beagle. Beagles also love to dig, so be prepared.
Boxers do require a lot of human attention and really like to be around people, so they are moslty an in house dog.

Your best bet would to just do some research on paticular breeds to see what really suits your needs and to make you aware of the health problems that are associated with certain breeds as well.
If you do consider a Boxer, an excellent site to read up on them and to hear from other owners is
http://www.boxerworld.com/

Answer 3

They are medium sized as far as wight goes...I recommend Greyhounds...they are the best dogs! We have two retired Greyhounds and I wouldn't trade them for the world. You do have to make sure that your son is taller than the dog...we got our girl when our youngest daughter was almost 5.

Greyhounds are as a breed quiet, placid, well-behaved and tend to act kinda like big cats...they love to lay in the sun and sleep alot. They love to take walks and they are very clean...you usually won't get that "wet dog" smell even when they are wet. They don't shed alot, although you do have to watch their nails sometimes...our girl always seems to need her nails trimmed, our boy not nearly as much.

I recommend you go through an adoption group...the one we used both times got the dogs from the track, took them to the vet to be fixed, teeth cleaned all shots updated and clean bill of health. Then they foster the dogs for a while before adopting them out...the foster family introduces the dogs to house living and does some basic training. They are also small animal tested at that point. Some Grey's can live with cats, birds, rabbits and other dog breeds...some can't. Our male is small animal safe and our female isn't. Check it out...thousands of Greyhounds are put down every year...

If you live in the Pittsburgh area check out the web site for Going Home Greyhounds.

Answer 4

Golden Retrievers and Labradors are excellent dogs, as they are extremely gentle.

If you are looking for a breed that is more specific to your lifestyle (shedding, activity level, etc.), you should go to the website listed in the source below.

One thing, no matter how cute a puppy looks, an older dog (2-4 years) that has had some training would be best for a child of that age.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,

Rosefern

Answer 5

Ok do you want a little active dog? of so get a snoodle , a scnouser poodle mix, they will be playfull but kind of small, some of that breed might be hiper. a medium sized dog is a labrador retriever, my lab is 65 pounds, but before you get a dog if u r getting a lab ask the people if she/he will grow big or small. here is a list of good sized dogs:
airedale terrior
border collie
feild spanel
welsh terrior
australian cattledog
are some of them

A web site you can go to to see more kinds is:
www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/medium-size_dogs.html
lol i know its long
:)

Answer 6

We have some Coonhound mix puppies available. www.fetch11.org/gallery.html.

You can also find dogs by breed, weight, age, etc, through the following websites:

petfinder.com
pets911.com
nextdaypets.com
1-800-save-a-pet.com

Good luck. And thank you for wanting to rescue a shelter dog!

Answer 7

Your best bet for a good friendly dog is to go to your local pound and pick out a mutt. Mutts are generally the best in temperment, and don't have some of the health issues that pure breds can have. And they are so loveable and unique.

Answer 8

Take your son with you to a local shelter. I recommend a mutt as they generally are healthier due to less inbreeding. Let your son interact with a variety of potential pets. The right pet will usually pick you rather than the other way around. Good luck.

Answer 9

I had a lab hound mix he was the best dog to have. There really friendly, easily train and make good guard dogs at the same time!

Answer 10

I would go for a Lab or Lab mix. They are the greatest dogs and have the most loving and affectionate personalities.