What dog should I buy?

Question

I am going to buy a dog but can not decide what breed to go for, its between a Cocker Spaniel of a West Highland Terrier, I live in a 2 bed house and have a 5 year old, there is a fishing lake and lovely walk 2 mins from my house, any suggestion please
P.S Before you all tell me to go to the local dogs home, I have tried them all week but they do not have any thing suitable for small children!

Answer 1

well i would personally get a cocker spaniel
i have owned these dogs before and they are great with kids, other pets and are very smart . westies can also make great petrs but they are very free thinkers and independent. i suggest meeting both breeeders and deciding by which is the best breeder. i had a cocker spaniel and labrador mix(adopted from shelter) and she was so friendly to everyone she met , she lets kids play on her and was great . one time my hamster had got out of the cage and she was missing in the house well my cocker spaniel mix found her , carefully picked her up in her mouth and bought her to me without harming her. i currently own a brittany spaniel and he too is a great dog. he is very energetic (1+ hour of good exercise a day)he is great with kids and he has been around babies as young as 6 months . he never growls and loves to play. he even doesnt mind the occansional kid climbing on him or dressing him up. hope you get a great dog!
never buy from petstores or over the internet. try petfinder.com

Answer 2

Your answers are a West highland Terrier or a Cocker Spaniel. The Terrier is the best I would say because it is small dog and your 5 year old should get along well with it and can cuddle it and stuff rather than a big dog. Keep trying the local dogs home if the worst comes to the worst buy a pedigree. Have fun with your dog.

Answer 3

Why the hurry? Why give up so soon on the local dogs' home? Why not wait and see what dogs come into the dogs' home, or go to another one - there's plenty about.

For all the dogs who desperately need homes, why perpetuate the cycle of breeding? I would give a loving home to a dog who has been abandoned. Whatever the breed.

There are plenty of dogs suitable for young children even from dogs' homes. Remember, if you get a slightly older dog, they will have usually been toilet trained. Keep trying, and do something which will definitely be a gift to another living soul.

And about the breed. Why a pure breed? (Although there's not necessarily something wrong with that). Try a mutt, try a dog which is a mixture of a couple of breeds. They are generally more genetically strong. If you want to choose between a westie and the spaniel, I'd choose a spaniel.

Answer 4

some terriers can be quite snappy as they were originally working dogs and are generally not good with small childeren with the acceptions of corse lol cocker spaniels are prob the better choice of the two but if i were you i would look at some other breeds before deciding as there are some breeds that are perfect to have around kids. i have two staffies which are fantastic family pets and great if you dont want a big dog i also have a 16wk old baby and six neices and nephews ageing from 16 - 2yrs all of which my dogs have interacted with on numerous occasions and i've never had a prob

Answer 5

it has to be a cocker spaniel - they are adorable, good fun and very friendly. They are lively little things though! How can you resist those big brown eyes and long ears! I have had three of them with no problems. I have my third now, a boy. I am not sure about westies - I have heard they can be a bit snappy - one did actually bite my cocker not so long ago so I may be biased!
I would not buy a dog from a home - particularly if you have a young child. You never know their background and unfortunately, the homes aren't always truthful about them. Having a dog from a pup is wonderful - hard work but very rewarding.

By the way, my cocker house trained very easily, all of my dogs lived to ripe old ages and had absolutely no health issues whatsoever. Buy from a good breeder. The blue or golden roans (black and white and golden and white) have the best temperaments.

Answer 6

Any spaniel is an ideal dog when you have children. If you're definitely fixed on a Cocker Spaniel, go for it, they are lovely but do require a reasonable amount of exercise and are quite excitable. If you're open to persuasion then opt for a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, they are not only utterly adorable, but they are so well natured they are perfect around children. In addition, they don't require loads of exercise and will be happy with whatever amount you can give them. Enjoy!

Answer 7

I find it hard to believe they have nothing at the home for you, as theyr mostly screaming out for new owners to come forward, and if they havent any they are usually able to negotiate one from a nearby centre for you.

Are you sure theyr not saying that your home is not suitable. Some of these centres have outrageous rules and regulations, regarding the likes of pens and walls etc round the garden. The fact that you outline the walks that are available sometimnes dont seem to make a difference to some of these places, and some of the staff seem to be on a regular 'power trip'
Please dont let that stop you getting the right animal for you whatever it is you decide. Please make considerations that there are some breeds of dogs that are a bit unpredictable with kids as young as yours, and if you are thinking of having any more kids please bear in mind that some animals can be jealous of new arrivals and that could be more problems.

Good Luck in whatever you do go with.

Answer 8

Cocker Spaniel

Answer 9

Hi, I have 2 boys who are 5 years old and I have 5 dogs that I adopted from rescue groups. I don't live in a big city and I still had a lot of choice of dogs that were good with both children and cats!
PLease take more time and adopt a dog. If you concerned about your kids, adopt an ADULT dog, not a puppy. Adults dogs are trainable and you know their temperament already. Rescue groups do test behavior, temperament etc so rescue dogs are safe.
Go to www.petfinder.com and select your dog from your zipcode, size of dog, gender, kids, cats etc etc... you cannot not find a dog.
Save a dog: great lesson for your kids.
Best wishes from a Mom of 2 kids and 5 dogs.

Answer 10

As long as the pup you are getting is well socialized from the beginning and you continue with that socialization either would be a good choice. The cockers tend to be a "little high maintenance" as far as the coat is concerned...and some tend to have sensitive skin and ears...
the Terrier might be the better choice as far as the upkeep on the fur/coat goes...
Good luck and enjoy your new puppy!