please help...breed question and children?

Question

I asked a question about getting my grandson a ferrett or a chihuahua, and I had alot of great information given to me, thank you. Mom decided against the ferrett, because of the smell and the rodenty look, sorry. Anyways she let him decide between 3 different breeds, a Chihuahua, a Boston Terrier or a Toy Poodle.

He doesn't seem to care which, he is 9 yrs old now. He just wants a pet, his mom said she didn't mind. They don't have pets now so she thought he was old enough to "help" care for it, she knows she will be doing the work. My question is, which of these three breeds is better for a child that is 9, almost 10? Any information would be fantastic, thank you in advance.

Hey thank you all I told his mom to read the responses. They decided on a Boston Terrier and I think they are going to rescue. Thank you for your help!

Answer 1

Boston terrier! they are generally more fun-loving, and clowish all of their lives.
Just a couple of notes about Bosties: don't feed a kibble with soy, beet-pulp or corn, as they will 'gas' you out of the house.
Don't buy one with off-set eyes. They are not a bargain, as it is a serious problem..that only becomes worse.
You might check out this site first> http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi
Just put in your zip code, to see if the perfect pup is in your neighborhood..
Happy Shopping!

I have been a breeder of both Chihuahuas and toy poodles, .and they can be great with children, but the Bostie is usually a better sport, and loves games..

Answer 2

I've only owned poodles, so I am partial and can speak only to their qualities. A poodle is one of the smartest dogs you will ever meet, which will make training easier for someone who is still relatively young. A poodle has very little dander and shedding. I am highly allergic to dogs, but even in the breeder's house with 5 poodles present I did not have any symptoms. A poodle coat does not require loads of maintenance if kept in a standard cut. All he'll need is a 5-10 minute brushing everyday, no more than any other dog. The cuts you see in the shows are extreme, most owners don't use those cuts. Also, since the coat is curly any hair that is shed is going to be caught up in the fur. That means little hair around your house, but you must brush every day otherwise it will tangle and mat just like your own hair would. All small dogs have a tendency to be nervous, but good training and socialization can minimize this. I think poodles are the best, but they aren't right for everyone. Perhaps you should check the information at www.akc.org for the differences in personality between the breeds. Pay attention to what they were bred to do. A poodle was bred to be a water retriever, which explains the coat texture and the rationale behind the fancy show cuts. They can easily be trained to swim and hunt, although the toys aren't big enough to retrieve anything. Breed history can be a great clue to current temperments/personalities/traits. After you pick one use the AKC website to find local breeders. All AKC breeders have an inspection process so you can be sure the puppies are quality.

Answer 3

Probably the Boston or a poodle - the Chi may be a tad bit to delicate - or just a nice small mixed breed....

Now, I'm not going to get into the breed stuff (which is better and why) because I think that is far less important than finding the RIGHT DOG for your family.

If you find a good, reputable rescue in your area (visit petfinder.com and search by your zip code) apply with them and let them help you. Most rescues and shelters have very experienced people who will question your grandson and your daughter about their lifestyle - how active they are, how much time they have, etc and help find the right match.

Giving a dog as a gift is a great idea, but your entire family must be involved in the process. These organizations are experts at finding the right families for their dogs! Let them help you. You can start by telling them you were thinking of Bostons and Poodles and explain why. Then your family can meet several potential matches and see what you think. The RIGHT dog is much more important than the breed.

Good luck!

Answer 4

The Boston Terrier would be the best. Chihuahuas and Poodles have a tendency to not like children, and they can be a little snappy. Plus, the Boston would be more of a play buddy for your grandson while the Chi and the Poodle would probably rather be a lap dog for his mother.

Answer 5

I've been a vet tech for about 15 years, here is what I know about these breeds: Chihuahuas tend to bite, they are not really child-friendly dogs and very fragile. Boston Terriers are great, sweet dogs for anyone, but they do have some genetic problems and because they are brachicephalic (smushed-in face) they do sometimes have eye problems and are prone to eye injuries. Poodles are great dogs too, smart and good with kids when trained correctly, but they too have many genetic diseases. Honestly, a toy dog is probably not a great idea for a young boy, why not find a small mixed breed dog at an animal shelter? They are less likely to have problems and instead of encouraging breeders to make more puppies while thousands of dogs die, you would be saving a dog's life.

Answer 6

Of the three, I would say the boston terrier. Small breeds like that tend to be nippy so you have to be careful and train it really well. Cavalier king charles spaniel or beagles would seem like a more ideal choice for me. Terriers can be great dogs but really need to be in a family in which the owners are very knowledgable about dogs as they can become dominant if not put in their place from the start. Good luck!

Answer 7

There are still so many variables to weigh before you make your decision.
In my experience, toy breeds aren't necessarily the best dogs for children, as they tend more toward temperamental issues than a lot of other dog types. Small dogs tend to lean toward fearful, nervous, and/or anxiety problems, which can lead to many other problems later, like fear aggression, for example.
How active is your grandson? How does he act with animals? Is he pretty hands on, or is he respectful of their space?
The Chihuahuas that I have been around all seem to have fear or anxiety issues, which lead to excessive barking, territorialism, and aggression. Though they are small dogs, they can be quite fierce!
Boston Terriers are balls of fire. They are first and foremost a Terrier. Though they are small, they have pretty high energy and high intelligence, so it may take a lot of time, exercise and training to have a happy and well rounded Boston. Without that, they can tend to be very territorial, and can get aggressively so. Terriers are high drive critters, though Bostons do seem to be pretty jovial and laid back compared to some of the other terrier breeds!
Toy Poodles, depending on the breeder (this can be applied to Chihuahuas, and most toy breeds as well), can face a lot of health issues. They can lean toward the fear and anxiety as well, as they are small and the world around them is soooo very big. This can lead to fear aggression, and fear biting, as well as excessive barking.
I guess what I am trying to say, is that just because the dog is small does not mean its maintenance is any less than a large or giant dog.
Has your grandson's family owned dogs before? Would your grandson be willing to walk his new dog every day, and along with that walk, be willing to make sure he is training and leading the dog, not the other way around? A small dog is certainly more easily controlled on the leash, but even a small dog needs to be well mannered at a heel on the leash, not pulling away against his collar!
If your grandson is very active, and has help from mom or dad with walks and training, there are many other breeds that might suit your grandson wonderfully! I am not by any means saying that these breeds wouldn't be great, or slandering them in anyway, but I thought I could pass along my experience!

Answer 8

None of the 'breeds' you have mentioned is 'good' for a male child of 9-10. I'd say that if you want a 'smaller' dog that a Beagle would be a good dog to get, or a 'Basset Hound' if the child isn't 'too active' ... but the three breeds you mentioned Chihuahua, Boston Terrier, or Toy Poodle are all 'way too skittish' for a child to own ... maybe a 'Welsh corgi' would do, too, or a 'small mutt' ... a daschund/beagle mix, or something like that.

Answer 9

If it were a choice between the three I would say Boston Terrier. I have one and I also have two young children. They are really lively and LOVE attention especially from the kids (my kids are 1 and 4)

Answer 10

Boston terrier