I am looking to adopt a dog (preferably housetrained) for my kids(6 & 3 yrs old).?

Question

Does anyone know of someone that is looking to find their dog a new home? I live in Tupelo, Ms and I'm willing to travel up to 3 hours. Thank You for your time.

Answer 1

You need to decide on what type of dog, then you can find one from a breed rescue or the local shelter:.

First, start with the list of breeds on the AKC

website.http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm

...You can search by Group, Breed name or all of them at once.

Now, when you click on the picture of the dog and go to the page for that breed, on the left is a column. At the bottom of the column, is a link captioned "National Breed Club". Click on it - that takes you to the link to the National Club for that breed that sets the breed standards.

The Clubs' websites will give you an ENORMOUS amount of information about the breed - the good, the bad, and the why or why not to get that breed. The clubs websites also have:

(1) a breeders list - all of whom have agreed to abide by the breeders code of ethics (which you can read)

(2) a link to the breed rescue for their breed


Do give serious thought to adopting from an adult from a breed rescue. The clubs' breed rescues go to a great deal of trouble to determine the dog's temperrment, personality, likes and dislikes (particularly kids and cats and other dogs in the household), health, and level of training. They make a huge effort to match the right dog to the right home - and if they don't have one they think will be suitable for your home, they won't place it. Great way to avoid the puppy training, newspapers, chewing.......They have dogs that are purebred and part-bred (1/2 or so of their breed.) Dogs that come through rescue are so thrilled to have a forever loving home having once been abandoned to a shelter or rescue that they are typically extra devoted and loving. Dogs lose their homes for reason that are not their fault: death, divorce, a move and they couldn’t keep them, financial problems….

IF A SERIOUS BREEDER OR RESCUE TELLS YOU THAT THE BREED IS NOT SUITED FOR YOUR SITUATION - BELIEVE THEM - NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU LIKE THE WAY THE DOG LOOKS

Now once you know what the tendencies and traits of the breeds are, you are prepared to think about adopting a mixed breed. Now you know when they say "mastiff/collie" cross, what you are geting into. PLEASE consider adopting from your shelter. they make just as wonderful pets as those with a pedigree. They are often more loyal and bond more closely when they know that they can trust you not to leave them having already been abandoned and deserted in their lives, and thankful for a loving home. You can go to your local shelter.

Answer 2

I have to agree with the last answer. I have small children (2 + 6) a black Labrador ***** (4) that we've raised from a pup and she is amazing with them - I trust her implicitly. They do give them a very hard time and she'll just take off to another room if they are too much.

I think that it would be impossible to have this trust for an older dog from a pound as you just don't know. We stayed with my mother in law last weekend and she has an adopted 6 yr old lab who just couldn't handle the kids moving around her - god knows what would have happened if they'd have dished out their normal treatment.

Having a dog can actually be harder work than raising kids - and having one when you have kids is tough but rewarding. It is not simply a case of bringing another dependent, they have separate needs and requirements. Having to keep an extra eye on them all is going to take it's toll. Also dogs don't live very long so the younger the dog then the older the kids will be when he / she dies.

I personally would also go for a pedigree dog like a retriever or a lab as you are less likely to have pr obs / you are removing the variables.

I'd get a pup this time round and then adopt when the children are older and wiser - you don't want to have to impose more rules on your kids behavior do you??

One last piece of advice: Black sofa = black lab, beige sofa = golden.

Answer 3

Golden Retrievers, Labs are great for kids. Smaller dogs are good too, but most are high strung, unless they are a mix. I looked on ask Jeeves and researched good breeds for kids (I have 5 grandkids). I have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy. When you go to the shelter or where ever you are going to get this dog, let your kids go with and do most of the interaction. You want a dog that is great w/kids. Good luck.

Answer 4

bless you for wanting to adopt a dog. There are so many pets at local shelters that are just looking for a good home. Check with your local shelters, or if you have a dog type in mind do a google search for any rescues in your area that are looking for homes for dogs.

Answer 5

Almost every humane shelter you go to will have done a personality screen for safety, temperament & existing trained skills.(& of course health). Take your kids with you to rescue an animal. It is a good educational outing for them & they can enjoy the pride, satisfaction & love you get by taking an unwanted animal home. They can also tell the story of their new best pal to friends proudly & possibly encourage their families to do the same thing.

Answer 6

Some of the dogs in your local dog shelter are already housetrained and cost less than in a pet store.

Answer 7

Visit the local shelters with your kids. That way you can see if the dogs and kids are compatible. I would suggest a medium sized dog. Good luck finding a new best friend.

Answer 8

There are still several hurricane pets that you can adopt (and are relatively close to you since you're in MS)

Here's a website with a list of websites full of Hurricane Katrina rescued animals :)

Hope this helps!!!

Answer 9

why don't u go to ur local pound and adopt a dog. u pay one price and it should include spaying or neutering and all there shots and if it doesn't , here in fl it does and we're not more than 4 hrs away and the cost is only about $60. good luck

Answer 10

Decide on what kind of dog you want and then check rescue groups in and around your area. I have 2 rescued boxers and they are great. Be sure that whatever dog you get is good with children (especially as young as yours are.) DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE.
Good luck.