Please can anyone recommend a good breed of dog for a family ?

Question

Please consider that I would like a dog that does not shed a lot and I do not want a big dog.

Answer 1

You are going to get a thousand different answers as everyone has their favourites.

You need to choose a dog not based on what someone else has or likes, but what fits with your lifestyle. You don't want a dog that sheds alot, so long and double coated breeds will not be for you. This means Collies, Shelties, Poms, Keeshonds, etc. This also means you should avoid animals that shed year round. This includes labs, retrievers, dalmations, and many other dogs.

You don't want a big dog, but what do you consider big? Greyhounds? Dobermans? Rottweilers? Weimeraners? Boxers?

What is your lifestyle like? Are you active and able to give a dog several hours of play and attention a day? A boxer might be a good match. A smaller dog like a pug might be good as well. Or, do you work 8 hours and plan on being gone 9-12 hours a day? It would be tough to find a dog to match this.

Do you have specific needs? Like you are a light sleeper? Then a pug, boston terrier, english bulldog, french bulldog, would be terrible for you.

Are you ever around small children? If you are, then a toy dog might not be a good match. Toy dogs are breakable and kids can easily hurt them. Small or irresponsible kids? A hound would also be a poor match. They follow what they are bred to follow. Leave a whippet near an open door and if something goes by that he wants, you may never see him again, or you'll be picking his body up after he dashed through traffic to try and get what he spotted.

Do you just want a dog to love you and you to love it back? Then visit a local no-kill shelter and pick one with the right personality and right size that fits your needs. A lab/great dane mix would be a terrible idea.

And of course, be sure that any dog is a part of the family. It's not good to leave a dog outside all the time and never give it any kind of stimulation. You also need $1000 available at any time for emergencies and illnesses. And if you choose to purchase a purebred puppy, only use a reputable breeder. NEVER buy from a pet store, a backyard breeder, an internet site, or a similar unethical disreputable breeder.

I'll link to a few resources that you can use. : )

Answer 2

No breed is a guarantee. Dogs are individual characters, as much as people are. You can teach them new tricks, but it really depends on how much time is spent teaching them (like people) when they're young. If you get a puppy, but aren't willing or able to put in the time, you'll have a wild dog that's not too good with little kids.

Depends on the age of your kids too - lots of dogs do better with kids that are big enough to play with them-and who know when to get out of the dog's way. Toddlers should never be left along with a dog who could knock them over, sit on them,etc. You have to teach the kids how to treat the dog too (no poking eyes or yanking on ears.

There were a lot of kids in my family, and these were the best dogs we had:

1. Mutts: Shepherd mixes, Heinz 57's- all of them were adults when we got them. Some were dumped and wandered up, some came from the pound. You just have to try them to see how they do with children. A lot of these dogs have been around children, but some are good with kids;some aren't.

2. Golden retriever (really do your homework-puppy mill dogs are often sick for life,mentally and physically- lots of good books on how to find a good breeder). Goldens do tend to shed, though.
English shepherds: Great dogs; had 3 of them; saved our lives a few times. Need a lot of exercise and do shed, though.

3. Chihuahua mixes: depending on what they're mixed with, they often have all of the big personality, but aren't big enough to do much damage.

4. Schnauzers: Ours were great. No shedding. Can be barkers.

5. Dachshunds: Good little dogs. Really dumb, but really sweet. They do shed but it's very fine hair.

6. Terrier mixes: We a few that were great with kids and didn't shed. Barked a lot, though.

7. Corgis: Shedding is minor, and very good with kids, but need a lot of training- very stubborn dogs. Get bored easily if they have nothing to do and can be very destructive to your stuff.

There are many great dogs out there, but take your time. They're part of your family for a long time, so make sure you fit together. You don't want to be one of those people taking an animal to the pound because it growled at the kids, or was too wild.

Good luck!!!!

Answer 3

Would this be your first family dog? Have you considered all that's involved with owning a dog?

Cost of owning a dog: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1671&articleid=1543

choosing the right dog: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/choosing_the_right_dog.html

what to consider before getting a pet: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/what_to_consider_before_adopting_a_pet.html

If this is your first dog, then I would recommend that you seek pre-ownership counseling from a qualified - certified pet dog trainer to help you make the right choice. I would also suggest that you audit and visit as many dog training classes before you get the dog.

www.petfinder.com - available dogs in shelters across the usa

hypo-allergenic dogs: http://www.doggiefun.com/artman/publish/printer_324.shtml
List: http://www.bigdogboutique.com/ProductCart/pc/hypo_allergenic_dogs.html


Bichon Frise, Havanese, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Tibetan terrier, poodle, Yorkshire terrier, and both the Spanish and Portuguese water dogs. Many of these breeds are toy or small breeds and you still have to consider the appropriateness of a small dog in your household.

Answer 4

Way WAY TOO VAGUE!!


How many children? What are their ages???

Do you live in an apartment, a condo, a house, on a farm???

Is your yard fenced??? (Yes, even for some small beeds that is needed)

How active are you - joggin 5 miles an night; rock climbing in the mountains; couch potatoes; may be a walk aaround th eblock???

Are you willing to pay the bill for a groomer??

99.95% of dogs shed twic a year heavily- what is "not a lot"??

What do you call "big'? Over 12 inches at the shoulder: over 16 inches ; over 22 inches; over 27 inches? 20 lbs, 50 lbs, 75 lbs, ....??

These are all questins which you hae to answer. Without that kind of detail, any suggestions are pointless and silly and tell you nothing.

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 that is the only club about the breed that is recognized and accredited by the AKC and it sets the standards for the breed .

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 temperament, 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 you decide to get a puppy, please use one of the breeders who are members of the breed club. A well-bred pet puppy may not be a candidate for the show ring (that nose being 1/8th of an inch to long or something else very picky) but they will be very healthy, the parents carefully screened for hereditary health problems, and from a breeder who has devoted a great deal of time to understanding the breed and bloodlines. A responsible breeder will have a written contract with a health guarantee for hereditary problems; require that if for any reason you ever have to give up the dog that it comes back to them; and always be available for help, assistance and advice about your dog. Such a breeder will tell you if they don't think their breed is right for you based upon your needs. They want a perfect forever home for the puppies - not the money. (In 43 years in the dog show world, I have never known a breeder of that caliber who has made a profit on their dogs - it is labor of love.)


A puppy from such a breeder costs no more - and often less as poorly bred dogs tend to have very high vet bills over the years - than from a backyard breeder who doesn't do the health checks, knows nothing about the breed or bloodlines, doesn't give a guarantee, never wants to hear about the puppy again and has breed from mediocre or poor quality dogs.

By the way, hereditary healh tests are NOT the vet saying"dog looks healthy" but extensive xrays, cardiology procedures, blood tests and similar things. The test results are examined by objective organizations whose decisions are gospel in the breeding world - OFA, CERF, Univ of Michigan, Bauer hearing test.... This costs a breder $500-1000 per dog to have them cleared for breedingand they can produce the documentation of the tests as well as the AKC certificated of ttitles their dogs hav earned..

You may find the breeder who has the type of dog you want but no litter on the ground at the moment. Most good breeders have waiting lists -get on it. You may find the breeder and puppy you want but at a distance. Among the really responsible breeders(members of the club) shipping a puppy is quite normal -they want the best possible home for the dog and the written contract is very extensive.

Do ask the breeders on the club list if they have any dogs they bred that they need to rehome - good breeders all require if the owner can't keep one, it comes back to them. It may be a dog they placed and it came back because the owner didn't have time, didn't realize how big it would get, got divorced.... It may be a dog who was a show prospect but as they grew didn't meet their early promise. It may be an AKC Champion they decided not to use in their breeding program because while it did get the Championship, they don't need more bloodstock or find a tiny conformation flaw they don't want to reproduce.


NEVER EVER buy from a pet shop. Those puppies came from puppy mills where the parents are locked in cages, bred until they literally die from it, never vaccinated, never wormed, fed just enough so they don't quite die of starvation, live in filth, never bathed or groomed or cared for, are typically of very poor genetic stock both physically and often mentally. The puppies are shoved off to pet stores with no vaccinations, no worming, no socialization or handling... You are buying nothing but heartbreak at a price higher than what a responsible breeder charged for a pet puppy.


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 5

Well, my first thought is a lab. They can be big, but they are the best family dog. Goldens are good too, but can be hairy. Go to a shelter and study the many poss. Some times a little mix breed is better than any thing!

Answer 6

You will want a dog with a good temperment that does well with children. I suggest you check out books in the library that show pictures, give descriptions of each breed and temperment of those breeds. That way, you all can pick one out. Then make sure you all are going to take care of the dog; walk it daily, feed/water it, take it to the vet, etc. Make it a responsibility your children take seriously. Animals are wonderful additions to the family.

Answer 7

I would recommend a pug, because I have one! They are really lovable, great with kids, and funny little goof balls! They do the silliest things and will make you smile! Their faces have the best expressions... and yes, they always look worried, but it's really cute! Their hair is pretty visible on you if you're wearing black clothing though, but they're totally worth it.

Answer 8

I'd recommend doing some research on breeds. There are many questionares to help you determine which breeds may be compatible for you.

Personally I'd recomend the Shetland Sheepdog; they are small, smart, easy to train, and very loyal.

Answer 9

Golden Retriever. We had one. She replace into so incredibly straightforward to coach and so so sensible. She rescued our our cat out of the pond while he fell in off the wall and as quickly as we placed her meals down instructed her to stay and asked for her paw, then the telephone rang, 2 hours later she replace into nevertheless sat in front of her meals by way of fact we hadn't suggested "take it". She has been the only canines I even have believe my infants on my own with. as quickly as we further a sparkling born toddler living house she observed him around and as quickly as we modify into out and approximately if anybody regarded in the pram she might take a seat in between the pram and the guy not aggressively nevertheless. Bless her while my mum took him out of the pram she observed her and barked for greater or less 10mins. unquestionably mind-blowing breed. i might recommend to all people.

Answer 10

a beagle.there's 9 people in my family and that's the breed of dog we have.they r friendly,good w/ kids,cute and they r the perfect size.if u don't think a beagle is good 4 your family read about different breeds of dogs and pick out the right breed 4 your family.