DOG 4 XMAS..Pt 2 !!?

Question

Firstly, let me thank all of you that replied with help.
A little more backgroung - I grew upp with a lab then 2 alsations and love dogs.
My boys have been begging me for a dog for almost a year now and i believe are totally besotted - if not i am !!
thanx - dindnt consider labs and retrieverrs.
Also want my kids to be safe when in park / garden etc - lab doesn't really do it for me ?!!
thinking huskies are 2 wild and bob unpredictable. alsations or golden retrevers is where i'm at now!
love pit bulls but dont want to leave my kids alone around them
For ref: if the dog ever gets neglected i WILL take care of it -i'm a big dog lover.
Still believe the kids will be totally besotted by it and will cherish it.

Anyone have any more comments ? would be appreciated!
Thanx B.

Answer 1

What do you want then? A guard dog or a companion for your children?

A bad dog is not born, its made, so I would still go for a Labrador or Retriever.

Answer 2

I just wanted to add also that my 3 year old is the biggest help with all of my animals so don't let anyone tell you that small children will not help or the thrill will wear off easily. As soon as he wakes up in the morning, he refuses to eat breakfast until he himself has fed and watered the cats AND dog! He's even more helpful than the 11 and 9 year olds. This includes when it comes to grooming and bathing.

Oh and Labs can be protective, particularly females from my experinece as their natural mothering instinct kicks in. Same with Goldens. My dog and my Mom's Golden are both female and both are very protective of the kids... well mine is as much as a 12 weeks old pup can be so far. lol (Have had her since 3 1/2 weeks due to an accident with the mother) Don't know anything about alsations though.

Not all Labs are hyper!! Males tend to be more hyper than females though they do stay in "puppy mode" for up to 2 years. Even at 12 weeks, my puppy is only hyper after you get her going. I am good friends with my puppy's mothers owner and they have 2 adult female Labs. Never hyper and great with all of their kids. Never problems with knocking them down or anything. Again that goes to individual dogs, not the entire breed!

Answer 3

I have heard that Golden Retrievers are good with kids, although I have never had one. I have 3 Yorkies, and they are good with all kinds of people. Maybe too small for that young of children though. Labs are too wild and full of all kinds of energy 2 of my cousins just bought labs from the same litter and they both have young kids (10,4,10 months). The dog is just wild and out of control, and it doesn't help that they are so big, always knocking the kids down. One had to be put outside. I would be scared with Pit Bulls! I think that as long as you get the dog as a puppy, and raise them in the environment with the kids, everything will be fine! Are you looking more for a house dog, or an outside dog??

** We do have 3 stray dogs that someone dumped off at my house I'm feeding if anybody wants? There is a White Siberian Husky, with blue eyes.. A Beagle (he is still a puppy), and a little dog, I'm not sure what it is... but it's close to my 4 lb Yorkie's size. It's black and white.**

Answer 4

I think you would totally be surprized by what a lab may do to protect "his kids". Retrievers, less so, but still I personally wouldn't want to ever press the issue with a 70+ pound dog. Another dog to consider (depending on where you live - they don't tolerate extreme heat) is the Bull Mastiff. They are not outright aggressive, but NO ONE would ever touch a hair on your kids heads... Mastiffs would likely be the same way, but close in on 200# while the Bullies only get to 140 or so. Both do need a firm hand when training, but won't tolerate cruelty or harsh training techniques.

Answer 5

I have 2 pitties, and 2 kids ages 4 and 5. If you get the pup at 8 weeks (youngest it should be taken from mom) then the only problem you will have with it is clumsiness... the dog not knowing its own stregnth and knocking the kids down. Staffis can take more in the pinching, pulling, general mischief that kids do, than just about any other dog. They are also loyal to a *family* not just to one person... no child should every be left alone with any dog, so, with that in mind, the staffie would be a great dog for your home. HOWEVER... the person who suggested the pic... and getting the pup *after* the uproar of the holidays... they were on to something there...

Answer 6

hi

We have just got a dog and I have two children 3 and 4, we decided that we would have a rescue dog - slightly older - I couldn't be doing with toilet training. i had my heart set on a chocolate lab of about two.

We have ended up with a collie x irish setter who is eight - the reason, he and my son fell hopelessly in love on their first visit.
Now my only problem is getting the pair of them to settle down and not play for two mins,lol!!

My advice do lots of research especially as to amount of exercise etc. but you will know when you meet the dog, and I can't ever see my kids neglecting our dog - loving him to death is sommthing else!!
good luck I'm sure your kids will love it - have to say though wait until after xmas they do need some quiet time to settle in.

Answer 7

It sounds like you'll be adding a new addition to your household soon. Have a very Merry Christmas!!

I do have a little story/added comments to add:

I have a Lab and I too thought that he wouldn't be much help if I were to get in some sort of trouble. I even said something to my hubby about it. About a month later I was out walking him and this German Shepard came out of no where and charged right at me from behind. And my dog stepped up and kept me safe. I was able to get the heck out of there. My dog ended up with a broken tail and some decent wounds but he got out of there too. He definitely protected me. He has also been very protective of our son. He doesn't like it when someone he isn't familiar with gets too close to our son. He'll just kinda hang out and make sure that there is room between the two by stepping in between or sitting right next to his legs. I love it!

Answer 8

If properly trained and embraced as a beloved member of the family, any breed can make a great pet. With that said, some dogs are seen as more “kid-friendly” than others and, as a result, have become extremely popular among families. According to the AKC, the five most popular breeds in the United States are:

Labrador Retrievers are by far America’s most popular dog—more than 140,000 Lab puppies were registered last year with the AKC—and have a reputation for being playful, hardworking and affectionate toward children. The Lab is easily trained and is highly respected for his prowess at many jobs: as a guide dog for the disabled, a search-and-rescue dog, and for narcotics detection.

Golden Retrievers are sporty, easy to train and strong, but their most outstanding trait is character. They are outgoing and devoted companions to people of all ages, happy and trusting. They make great hunting companions, too.

German Shepherd are noble in appearence and character. This breed's courage, steadfast heart, and keen senses have endeared him to families for generations. Active and outdoorsy, German Shepherds are very fond of children and make wonderful companions.

Beagles love being around people and other animals. They are gentle, happy companions who thrive on affection and attention. They are also clever, quick, and, most of all curious. They need plenty of active exercise.

Dachshund has a lively, upbeat personality—spunky, curious and friendly. Originally bred to hunt badgers, Dachshund’s love to dig, romp and run. They are affectionate, especially with children, and enjoy going for walks and other forms of exercise

You should do your research before you bring any animal into your home. A dog your is a responsiblity for the rest of its life and should not be bought on impulse.

Answer 9

I love dogs myself. I have always owned small dogs though. I have a jack russel terrier mixed with another small breed, he weighs only about 7 pounds and loves to be held. even when irritated he never bites anybody in the family although he does still try to protect us so occasionally when somebody he has never met before he will nip at them. I think you should get them a dog. My dad didn't grow up with dogs so it took him a long time to be effectionate towards them. I think its a good idea to start young. Seeing as your a dog lover too i know you will teach your children how to treat animals. good luck

Answer 10

It doesnt matter what kind of dog you get it depends on the way u raise it. some people wont buy a rottie now after kids were attacked by them but thats not the rotties fault it was the people who raised them. dnt get a dog just because they seem like loyal friendly dogs. i have a staff and a rottie and both of them are the friendlist dogs i know. there is a 6 mth baby in the house and it always runs after them in the walker they just move and then go over and giv him a lick on the face or sumthin. they have never bit him and they were there long b4 he was!