Current family- 2 adults, 1 12 year old, 1 15 year old
Pets- A guinea pig, 2 birds
Preferably a small dog breed....
2007-05-30 15:23:39 · 14 answers · asked by Shiny_Stone 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Any of them would work for this age of children. Younger children need gentle dogs.
2007-05-30 15:55:10 · answer #1 · answered by mama woof 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The type of dog you get depends on the type of life style you live. If you have a large home and lots of room or if your an active family that likes to run and do sports a large active breed would be good. Or if you have a small home and are a bit sedate in your life style a smaller dog would be good.
The whole thing is you have to look at the dog and decide roll you want it to play in your families life. I personally own two large dogs. One is a little high strung and the other is very mellow. As for the breed... I've always been partial to the mix breeds you find at the pound or in the paper. I've known a lot of pure breeds that have lots of health issues and temperament issues. I know there is the nature vs nurture debate. I think it is both not just one or the other. I personally own a English mastiff/black lab and a Collie/Sheppard mix. They are the greatest dogs i have ever had. Look around at the pound and in the paper and find a dog that clicks with you.
2007-05-30 22:39:17 · answer #2 · answered by castira 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Cocker Spaniel makes a wonderful family dog for a moderately active family. They thrive on playtime, mutliple walks, hiking trips, and just being around the family. They do not require intense exercise like other sporting breeds, so moderate physical stimulation is ideal.
They are fairly small in stature, up to 25 pounds.
Other small breeds that can make ideal family dogs are terriers, such as Westies, Airedales, and Scotties.
And another option is the Italian Greyhound...fun, active, energetic, spirited, and interesting.
Good luck with your search!!
2007-05-30 23:25:53 · answer #3 · answered by LiaChien 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest a Boston Terrier. I own one of these dogs actually and we were searching for a good family dog aswell.
Boston terriers are a small breed dog and are not huge athletes, meaning if you miss a walk one day your dog won't go crazy. They also are not too needy and don't mind being left at home when the parents are at work and the kids are at school. They rarely ever chew up things with the expections of when they are puppies and when you go on vacation (mine knocks over the trash cans when I go on vacation, but never has chewed anything really sentimental.)
They love to sit with the family when you are watching television together and will sit under the dinner table at your feet when you are eating dinner. They also do not bark much and are very friendly.
They are not are of medium intelligence, and can be trained to do many things. Mine can sit, stay, come, shake, lay down, and roll over.
2007-05-30 22:30:30 · answer #4 · answered by CandyxAcid 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to Petfinder.com. There are so many dogs who need homes. You get to narrow down their listings by size, age and sex and your location. If you've decided on a special breed, you can add that too. I've found the dog's description to be much more than adequate. Usually it'll let you know if the dog gets along with children, small animals etc. Petfinder does well at matching family with pupper.
Good luck!
2007-05-30 22:34:37 · answer #5 · answered by Susan M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I say a Shih-Tzu, just because they are very people oriented, loving, gentle and easy to train. They are also generally very good with other small pets and they are easy to care for. My friends parents breed them and I have since fallen in love with the breed.. they are such people dogs, thats all they were bred for was to be companions to people so they are very concerned with being near their family. They also have moderate excercise needs, they are not big so they arent hard to handle and when they jump on you it doesnt even feel like anything..lol not like my big dogs who could knock you over so easy.. even though they dont. But my point is I have in the past not really liked small breeds of dog, especially Shih-tzus but knowing all the pups and adults my friends parents have has changed my mind, If I could I would get one myself but I have enough dogs already.. so I just reccomend them to others becuase I have seen how great they are. Here are some pics of my friends Shih Tzu pups and some breed information.... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/jaspertopaz6/shirleyspics034.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/jaspertopaz6/shirleyspics029.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/jaspertopaz6/dec2006shirl002.jpg
PS the pics of the dogs with the stupid haircuts and hairdos dont do the dogs justice.. they are like big dogs in little dog bodies and they are WAY cuter than most of the show dog pics... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shih-Tzu
2007-05-31 00:57:16 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
lhasa apso, shih tzu, yorkie, pug, dachshund
Look at the akc site and see the individual characteristics of the breeds you're interested in. Join a yahoo group for the breed(s) you like best to see what owners are saying about their dogs.
2007-05-30 22:35:00 · answer #7 · answered by beachrinkpinky 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the family want a dog that loves to play than a beagle would be perfect, they love to play ball, anything that has to do with running beagles love it.
But if the family wants a laid back dog than a Pug or Bichon Frise they can be playful and laid back when you need them to be.
GOOD LUCK!
2007-05-30 22:33:49 · answer #8 · answered by ♥I'm not Bob♥ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a cavalier king charles spaniel their like a cocker spaniel except smaller their VERY friendly they love to play and sit in your lap and just love to be with you and your family and their good with other animals
2007-06-03 21:49:44 · answer #9 · answered by billy123307 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
any breed would be fine as long as you introduce tehm all correctly. other than tht study the breeds and compare teh activity and temperment.
2007-05-30 22:28:09 · answer #10 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋