I am looking into getting a Great Family dog. Please help! What breed would be good?

Question

I am married with 2 kids and one on the way. Here in the next few months we are looking into getting a family dog. I have a few breeds in mind as I am a animal lover, but would like to get others thoughts. My husband and I have a 3 year old heeler who is a wonderful dog, but she treats us like her heard(that is what she is to do, they are working dogs) because of this she protects us with her life. I love the fact she would die trying to help my girls. This leads to problems as well. We would like to take her out to a park or just to pets mart and can not. So we would liek to find a dog that we can take running with us or nice wallks on days in the park. A dog that loves people and a good playmate for my girls. Plus a friend for a the dog we have and love now. Please help.

My older dog is not a problem. I love how she is. She is great with the family...People she knows, Even the people that dont live with me..ie...my mom and dad my husbands mom and dad people she has known as a puppy. She just does not like people getting close to my kids...

My dog loves to go to my parents house and play with my moms dogs, so i knwo she does not mind other dogs. My husband and I go for long walks everyday, and take the kids to the park everyday. So taking it for walks to help get energy out is not a problem. We are a very active family. I would love to be able to take my other dog with me every where. I did when she was a baby and up until she was about a year old but once we started to have a family she changed. She knew her job was to protect my kids and she does a GREAT job of it

Answer 1

I would suggest going to a shelter and adopting a mutt. The people at the shelter usually know the dogs temperment and if they get along well with other children and animals. Plus, they already will have their shots and are trained. I have found that they have the least problems and are usually good and loving dogs. Good luck!

Answer 2

I have three dogs and they are all people friendly, they love everyone. I would not suggest a small dog around kids. My little Chihuahua, Rat Terrier mix is a great dog, but he will snap if he gets scared or hurt
I have a Beagle that is great with everyone as well as children. The make a great family dog. Some people say they are very noisy dogs. Mine is the last one of the three to go off at some noise. Then it is howling not barking.
I have had German Sheppard’s, which are great family dogs. The problem I had with them was they are too protective and I never trusted them around strangers.
I had an Old English Sheep Dog which is a big very lovable dog. The problem was he would get excited and knock kids over.
Now is where I usually get flack for suggestion a "killer dog". The APBT is the greatest family dog going. I have a four year old that gets along with my other two dogs. She loves everyone. She is such a killer that my house has been robbed twice. I guess the gangsters know that they are not what everyone else thinks they are. She is great with children. She does not jump on them as she will do with adults. When she was three years old my daughter brought my latest grandson over, he was one month old. My daughter sat him on the floor in his carrier and the Pit went over and checked him out then spent the next hour laying on the floor next to him. She would not leave his side. If you want to go with a "Nanny Dog", I would suggest a puppy that can grow up with your other dog.
My three run through the house barking, grabbing legs and ears and playing pretty rough. Not one has ever been hurt.

Answer 3

I too have 2 kids and another on the way. We have a one year old chocolate lab. Great dog. Very friendly and tolerates a lot from the kids. He's a puppy and consequently has a lot of energy but as long as its channelled properly (exercise and walks) he's fine. I run a 5K with him once or twice a week and he is more than able to keep up (could probably take me on distance and speed any day). My 2nd choice would have been a Golden Retriever which I decided against due to the hair. There are a lot of other good breeds out there.

I do caution against the notion of getting a pet for your pet. If you get another dog, it should be because you want it and have the time and energy to give. With 3 kids and your current dog, you already have your hands full.

Answer 4

There's a few things to think about. You have two kids and new baby on the way - do you really want to train a puppy while also caring for an infant.....that would be a big commitment I think. Also heelers are great dogs but not always friendly to other dogs - is your current dog well socialized with other dogs and likely to be accepting of another dog in the family (especially when the family dynamics have just changed with a new baby)? Something to think about.

Also, I have two dogs and it's very hard to separate them because they become so bonded - they become their own little pack. The dynamics change when there is more than one dog in the mix. Your heeler might not like it if you take the other dog out with you and leave her at home. It is stressful when I have to take one dog to the vet and leave the other at home because they are so bonded.

If you do get a dog, get a male and make sure both dogs are spayed/neutered. Male/female combos work the best.

I have golden retrievers and do think they make great family dogs - people and kid friendly, affectionate and easy to train. I'm just not sure your timing is right at the moment.

Answer 5

Hi there, I am the proud parent of a 4 yr old Australian Heeler (red) and I totally understand what you mean!! LOL As a single woman, he is super protective over me to the point where if I have company over he doesn't leave my side. He also has a habit of herding all the dogs in the neighborhood and the bark park! LOL All I have to say to him is "watch your mama" and it's on!!

As far as a companion dog for him, and a dog that isn't so much of a "watchdog" there are so many breeds that are great family dogs! I would lean towards a Cocker Spaniel, they are loyal, smart, great playmates for the kids. Also Maltese are fantastic companion dogs (lapdogs). All I ask is that you rescue a dog vs buying one at a puppy store as they all come from puppy mills. There are sooo many homeless dogs that need a loving home, and from personal experience I can tell you that a rescued dog is ten times more loyal than a purchased dog.

Answer 6

Sure, get a lab is you want to feel like you have 6 kids running around. Don't get me wrong, I have a year old chocolate and I wouldn't trade her for anything, but it sounds like you need a dog a little more on the mellow side. If size doesn't scare you, take a look at Newfie's or English Mastiff's. They are both mellow, family breeds that are great with kids (very gentle). The extra plus is that they don't need a whole lot of room to live despite their size. Just some play time and lots of love.

Answer 7

I'm not sure whether to recommend a small dog that wouldn't hurt the children or a large dog that the children wouldn't hurt. I suppose it depends on how trainable your children are. I strongly encourage adoption and petfinder.com is a good site for finding available dogs. On the small side (around 18 pounds) is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Of all the breeds I've cared for working in dog kennels and doggie daycare they are the most affectionate breed I've encountered. On the large end, Goldens are good family dogs and are generally pretty tolerant of children. Meet the dogs first though since you really don't want to be dealing with problem Goldies and three young children. My youngest Golden is way too dumb to be a good pet but you would probably be able to spot that after twenty minutes with her. It's so bad that she doesn't understand that humans don't want to be petted, especially with sharp dog claws, and we don't put dog toys in our mouths. Both of those ideas are bad with children. Look for an amiable dog that respects your space but still comes up to you and looks you in the eye. They should also answer to their name every time you say it, unlike my youngest Golden. Ask about their health too. Make sure they're going to be a good pet.

Answer 8

There are so many that will make good pets. For something to take to PetSmart, you may want a smaller dog.
We had a Border Collie that went with us everywhere, including PetSmart.
The Border Collie was a full "bread" that another story. But, he was an excellent family dog with beautiful markings. A local breeder and competitor of these dogs was very impressed with him. But, we did not have any papers, got him for $20 at the local Humane Society.

Answer 9

I would suggest a Sheltie as they are great with kids an d the easiest dods to train that I have ever seen.They are loveable,loyal and protective of their family.They are easy to take care of and love going to parks, pet smart, love to walk or run with you, an d later if your children want to get into agaility, fly ball or frisbee they are great and love going on walks, going to parks,pet smart or whereever they are ready and good with anyone and all children.All childen love them because the y are like small Lasies.They are the smartest dogs I have ever been around.Congradulations on your knew baby and good luck on finding the perfect dog.

Answer 10

I would go for the German Shepherd

Really great family dogs and they are good partners to walk with. As far as the pet liking people, it mostly has to deal with how they are raised. If you have the new pup around a lot of people, then they will get used to having people around

Good Luck!

~JP