I have 4 children ages 9, 6, 2 and 1. Husband is active duty Marine set to deploy next spring....looking for a good dog to be part of the family and help guard the house and kids.
2006-10-12 05:26:37 · 15 answers · asked by thomasfamily98 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Well this is what I learned from working for a vet. Most any dog you get will protect you once it has formed a bond with you and your family. Mostly people get big dogs because they assume it will do the most good. Not true. People are intimidated by the size. Most intruders will think twice when looking a large breed in the face. But the small dogs are known as the bitters. We live in the country and have 3 dogs. Once is a Black lab mix, he doesn't like anyone or anything he doesn't know in his territory. Hemi is a Border Collie - UNLESS you have a lot of yard for them to run don't consider this breed. She is a working dog. She protects her yard and family. They will destroy a yard from boredom. We have a German Shepherd that is inside. If someone acts aggressively towards one of us he wants to tear that person to pieces. It isn't really going to matter what breed you get. Love it, train it, socialize it, then you will have a great dog. If you have to have it as a protector there are classes you can take it to to learn when to attack. Just make sure that when selecting your dog/puppy that ALL of you are there and watch how the dog reacts to everyone spend some time with it say 30 minutes to an hour. Oh and since your husband is going to be deployed you will need to be alpha dog. Means you do most of the training, feeding, etc.
2006-10-12 05:44:01 · answer #1 · answered by misstigeress 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not get a dog or puppy for a while because it is almost like having another child. I have two puppies and love them, but they are a handfull. A grown dog may be trained, however they often take time to ajust to a new home life and there is no way of knowing they will be good with your children until you have them for a while. I have a Chow and German Shepard and they are both great. I don't think it matters what kind of dog you get, however pittbulls, chows, and doverman's are all bad for homeowners insurance (some companies will not even insure you). I ran into this problem when purchacing my home.This is due to their track records. It is a fact that these dogs bite without warning, no matter what any of their owners say, it happens or a lot less people would be injured by these dogs, just ask a vet. Your children are too young to know to respect animials and have the paciantes to wait to find out what their true temperent is. I know my chow is a risk even though she has been trained and responds very well to people. I know I must never turn my back on her and take responsibility when she's around people. Also, to make sure she is supervised when she is outdoors. Do you think you have that kind of extra time? I think it would be imposible for you to keep an eye on all of your children every second of every day while they are with the dog. When your youngest is about four years old or when your husband is home often it would be a better time to have a dog. If you really must have one now call your local vet before hand there are a lot of dogs that have bad temperments (not always known at first and some have neurological disorders that may not be known for years) due poor breading. A lab or mixed dog would be a good choice. But by all means if you love your children DO NOT get a pittbull, chow, doverman, or anyother known dangerous dog. Anyone who has one of these dogs around small children are not thinking correctly. If you need protection there are security systems that are affordable, be aware of your surroundings at all times, and make sure the outside of your home is well lit and there are no bushes or obstructions for someone to hide in.
2006-10-12 06:47:10 · answer #2 · answered by Mel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you need to figure out what size dog to get and what kind of space you have for a dog. Labs & Setters need space. Spaniels work well with kids and make nice guards as they are alert and active. A puppy will work well with the kids because they will all grow up together. Some may disagree, but this is best for all involved with the dog. If you have a decent sized backyard, I would look at and English Setter. They are beautiful dogs, easy temper and are great at keeping the kids entertained!!
2006-10-12 06:57:03 · answer #3 · answered by itsbagman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a grown dog as you do not have time to train a puppy and your children are to young to be around a puppy. They really are to young to be around a dog unsupervised.
The older ones would be ok but the younger two are to young to be around a dog. Someone could get bitten or hurt to easy.
An older dog would require less training time and you wouuld know if the dog would tolerate small children. Look at rescue groups and ASPCA type places that have done tempermant testing on the dogs and be open to what they suggest to you. As they know the dogs personality better and can point you to a dog who could handle the children.
2006-10-12 05:31:29 · answer #4 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I will always be partial to Pit Bulls. Both of my Pit Bulls are great with children!!! But, I would not suggest a puppy ya already have your hands full. A dog that has been trained and that is at least a year or two. Most definatly go to a shelter and adopt!!!! Take the children with you when you go so you can see how they are going to react to the pet and the pet to react to them. Pits also make a great alert dog...weather the one year is going fishing in the toliet or somebody is at the door! Good luck to ya
2006-10-12 06:17:28 · answer #5 · answered by be happier own a pitbull 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your best bet would be to visit the akc website and learn more about the breeds that you are interested in. by doing the research first you will be able to determine what kind of dog would fit into your family dynamics. I personally have a German shepherd we purchased him from a breeder as a 10 week old pup...he just turned one. I too have kids 16, 4, and 2 my 2 yr old has down syndrome and the bond between him and Kirby is unbelievable....Kirby herded my son back to me once when my 2 yr old went to close to a very busy road. so really it is what kind of dog suits your family.
2006-10-12 07:30:28 · answer #6 · answered by julie's_GSD_kirby 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A German Shepherd or Doberman Pinscher (female) would be great as a guard dog + family pet. Their size, demeanor and protective attributes makes either of them a great choice as a guard dog and their easy going temperament makes them good with kids. If you live in a tropical-like climate, you might lean towards a Doberman, if you're in a northern climate where it snows, a German Shepherd might be a better choice.
2006-10-12 05:52:24 · answer #7 · answered by Portango 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would tend to go for an adult dog with young children you have enough on you hands without house training a pet too....have you thought of an ex police dog or a police dog that just doesn't quite make the grade...they are beautifully trained and lovely animals...
2006-10-12 05:34:58 · answer #8 · answered by geordie.lady 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i wouldnt get a puppy with kids that young. i would get one about 2 or 3 years old that has been trainned. see if you can find one that came from a family with kids. its your best bet. and it will be better for guarding the house as well. labs are really good with kids.
2006-10-12 05:29:12 · answer #9 · answered by mickey g 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have to english bulldogs they are great watch dogs and protect my kids..Plus they are awesome house dogs and love being a part of the family they love to sleep with you but be warned they do snore ....
2006-10-12 05:30:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋