i have a family of 3 kids all very active, want to buy a puppy not sure on which breed to buy
2006-12-29 10:34:00 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Your best bet is to attend the next dog show in your area. You will see a large variety of breeds in person, and you can talk with people who actually own them.
2006-12-29 10:43:01 · answer #1 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Before buying any puppy research is needed! You need a good temperament, a dog that you and the children can control. One that will fit in your house or flat and with your life style! You also need to consider length of hair and how much it sheds! A poodle doesn't shed but needs clipping often and more grooming than a German Shepherd which has short hair but sheds all year round. A Labrador or retriever is one of the easiest and best family pets but can be very destructive as Pups if not given lots of things to chew! Keeping a dog in food and good-health is expensive too. Try finding a breed you like the look of then search under the name for a dedicated web-site. And always remember that cute puppies grow into dogs!
Good luck finding the right one for you all!
2006-12-29 11:03:16 · answer #2 · answered by willowGSD 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Choosing the Right Dog for You Profiles of Over 200 Dog Breeds. It's from Whsmith helped us immensley. It has lots of breed profiles and can help you match up the dog that is most suitable to your lifestyle. It tells you things like temperament, excersise levels the dog needshow big they will grow, what they should weigh. A really good book. We used it and found that the dog most suitable to us was a Border Terrier, very friendly patient with kids (we have 2 girls aged 2 & 4), low excersise so if for some reason you could'nt walk them they don't hold a grudge! He's a fantastic dog and it's all thanks to the book we got the dog that matched our needs. Hope This Helps and good luck in your search!
2006-12-29 19:13:35 · answer #3 · answered by Shirley f 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you live in a flat? How much exercise would it get? Labs get fat very quickly an lose a lot of their personality if not regularly exercised, Springer's or any working/hunting breed are intelligent but need the most work and stimulation.
Why do you want the dog? security? House pet?
Its horses for course, what do you want out of it?
It sounds like your attention is divided enough already with your kids, be sure that its not going to be too divided, especially towards the dog. Not judging you honey, I've always had dogs an know how much work they need.
2006-12-29 10:43:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ok, first we need to talk yard/house size. Then we need to talk kids' ages. If you have a yard for your kids to play and run around in, and your kids are between the ages of 4 and 15 then i would suggest a golden retriever. Retrievers are kind mannered. If kids are pulling on its tail it's not going to be quick to bite like some dogs. Retrievers also love to be active and chase people, and play. They are loving, smart, and huggable. You wouldn't regret them. And as a puppy they don't behave any differently than other puppies. As adults their great too. If you have a smaller house with not so much of a yard than i would suggest either a terrier or a miniature schnauzer. They both love to play and they are good with kids. I have had all of the above and my favorites would be the retriever and the schnauzer. Lhasa's are good too, not as active as the other dogs, and their more fragile but their loving. Another thing, retrievers and schnauzers would also protect your kids. Kind of treat them as their own which would be good if the kids are going for a walk without their parents and their taking the dog with them only.
2006-12-29 10:42:57 · answer #5 · answered by Missy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No one can really answer this question for you. You haven't told us anything about your work schedule, your financial situation, your lifestyle, your activity level, your home situation, etc. Any answers you get will just be uneducated guesses from children telling you their favourite dog - dogs that will probably be a terrible match for you.
The best thing you can do is visit a shelter or rescue group and see if a dog fits your needs. http://www.petfinder.com
The next best thing is to watch a dog show, they are constantly on Animal Planet and USA, and write down maybe 10 breeds that appeal to you. From there, visit http://www.akc.org and go to the "breed" area. On the left will be a link to the breed flyer, breed club, and breed rescue group. Click on each one and learn as much about the breed as possible.
From there if you decide you want a purebred puppy, read sites like
http://dogplay.com/gettingdog/index.html...
and
http://www.geocities.com/bluegracepwd/wh...
to help you find a reputable breeder.
Good luck to you.
2006-12-29 10:47:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Before purchasing your puppy,you need to think very carefully. How old are your children? (ALL puppies BITE) Young children do manhandle puppies, which is natural for a child. Puppies need plenty of rest as well as play. Do you have time to train a puppy? Its very time consuming. (3 children)? You will need to train it correctly if you want a well behaved family pet? Are you prepared for the "mess"? Worming,Grooming, Jabs,Vet Fee's? Food? Bedding?Puppies/dogs cost money if you are to care for it properly. Do you have TIME to walk the puppy, when its able to go out?
I urge you to consider all this before purchasing a puppy. Whichever breed you choose,please research it first, to be sure you are getting the right dog to suit your family/lifestyle.
2006-12-29 12:31:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you want a good family dog a labrador or golden retriever are probably the most popular because of their really good natures. However saying that I have a Saluki and she has the best temperament you could ever wish for. Shes lovely around kids, other dogs and animals etc. They are very pricey to buy though!!
2006-12-29 10:51:46 · answer #8 · answered by megz 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why not go to the shelter and let the kids help you pick?
Honestly, my first dog was a shelter rescue, a black lab/ German Shepherd mix, and I can't imagine a more perfect dog with kids. She took all the awful treatment my brother and I could dish out as toddlers.
Rescue dogs are the best pets, and so the adoption fee is much much less than the cost of a purebred dog. They also often have puppies available.
2006-12-29 10:43:03 · answer #9 · answered by Emmy 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Are they small children? Do you live in a house or apt? Do you have experience with dogs? Do you want a dog that has to be groomed regularly? Need more info!!!!!......Do you just want others to come on here and tell you what dogs they have and like? Ok, I have Saints and they are the best with kids. Gentle Giants. Not the easiest dogs to care for but, great personalities.
2006-12-29 10:38:20 · answer #10 · answered by st.lady (1 of GitEm's gang) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋