My childrens grandad wants to buy my children a dog for christmas?

Question

Yes i know dogs are for life, it will be me with all the responsibility my kids are 5,4,2.5 and i am 17 weeks preg so i think i have my hands full at the mo. I was thinking of getting a dog anyway but next year what type of dog will best suit my family? I dont want a small dog it needs to be medium like a labrador, it needs to get on with young children, and ineed to be able toget pet insurance so any ideas if i should accept?

The actual care of the dog is fine and walks/exercise i dont want a little dog or a skinny dog like a whippet or greyhound i would like a soft natured dog that will be a member of our family asking for advice on what breed is best for our young family

one more thing i have grown up with dogs i am 28 so i know the responsibilty to be a dog owner, but i have a huge garden my kids school is around the corner so perfect walkies for the dog, i think i am trying to reassure myself here

Millypee i like your answer my family have had labs my parents have a ***** and my sister has a dog!! they are so soft and great with kids and very protective of their owners and family. so the dog i do get needs to get on with my parents dog as when i go into hospital that is where the dog will be staying for a few days

Answer 1

I have always had Labs got 2 at the moment, they are great with kids and very friendly and loyal dogs. I have them both insured and had no problems with claims, in fact they have just paid for one to be spayed, which I didn't expect them to do. I have also found girl dogs are easier to train than boys.
I wish you luck with whatever breed you choose.

Answer 2

With the age of your kids I would not suggest a puppy. They are little kids themselves and will bite a bit. Check your shelters to find an older dog that is good around kids.
Here is where I am going to get a bunch of thumbs down.
Get a "Nanny Dog". An American Pit Bull Terrier is the greatest family dog there is. My 55 lb Bully was three years old and had never been around children when my step daughter brought over my one month old grandson. She sat him on the floor in his carrier and the Pit went over to check him out. She sniffed him then lay down next to him and stayed there for the next hour. She would not leave his side. This has been going on for a year. Now when they come over the kid is walking and grabs the dogs ears and they play. She licks him all the time.
The APBT has been the greatest family dog there is. Petey in the Our Gang movies was a Pit Bull. The Pit was the most popular family dog until recent years when they got the bad reputation of being a killer. They are not! It depends on how they are raised. They are very people friendly dogs. The Pit has been reputed to be very dog aggressive. It is pretty funny to see the four year old killer Pit running through the house play fighting with the four month old Pit.
The APBT is a great people friendly dog! My dogs love everyone. Oh, beside the two Pits I have a Chi/Rat Terrier mix and a Beagle.

Answer 3

I don't think it's a good idea at this point in time. You have quite a few young children - toddlers are a handful to begin with. None of them are likely to help with the dog very much (with regard to walking, cleaning up, etc).

Plus, you are 17 weeks pregnant now, which means you are soon going to be too exhausted to help train a dog (puppies need constant attention to housetrain properly and to make sure they don't destroy anything). It also means that if you do get a pup, by the time you are ready to deliver, your dog will also be at one of its most energetic stages.

I'd strongly suggest waiting a year or two. I know it sounds like a long time, but you might really regret it if you don't have the time and energy to care for three young kids, a newborn baby as well as a puppy. Puppies require a LOT more attention that you would think; without exaggeration, it will be like getting another 1 year-old kid in the house.

Labs are considered large dogs, actually. They can get up to about 70 pounds. If you want a dog the size of the Lab, maybe go for something other than the typical Lab and Golden Retriever (which are honestly very overbred right now, leading to more temperament and genetic health problems). Consider a Boxer, a Gordon Setter or one of the larger spaniels.

Answer 4

You have to really evaluate your personal lifestyle and then research breeds from there. Then, once you have narrowed it down to a couple of different breeds, find reputable breeders to talk more indepth with about them. A good breeder will tell you all the bad points along with the good. They won't sugar coat anything and be entirely up front with you.

Are you sure you want to deal with a new puppy and all the potty training that goes with that early on with such a young baby soon to be in the home? I wanted to bring a new puppy in after my 2 boys were born, but we waited until my youngest was 3 before we actually did. There's so much going on with potty training your children and when the toddlers are in that "get into everything" phase, that I didn't want to have a new puppy at the same level.

Answer 5

I am against buying a puppy for someone. I think he is trying to be nice but, tell him you want to chose the puppy and would rather have the money to buy your own puppy so that you can chose a puppy that is best for you.

Honestly I wouldn't want a pupy right now. I would wait a couple of more years. You have your hands full with 3 kids and another on the way.

Is the dog going to get enough time and attention in the mix of 3 kids/almost 4 kids?
Do you have enough time for training, socialization, and time to give the dog attention?

Answer 6

With what you have going on I definately wouldn't suggest getting a puppy. They can be injured by falling toddlers plus it sounds like you've got alot going on. Look into a lab rescue. They can match with an adult dog that fits your families needs. It'll most likely already be house trained, be upto date on all medical issues (shots, heart worm, spay/neuter), and have a known personality.

Think long and hard as many dogs end up in shelters by well meaning people who just can't handle the extra strain. It may even be better to wait til your kids are a bit older and more responsible.

Answer 7

Tell Granddad to wait until next year when you won't be quite so busy.

If you do decide to accept this year, have him buy things like food dishes, a collar and leash, a bed for the dog and write a little note promising them one in the near future. Christmas is a chaotic time for most people and the pups often get over looked. Waiting until after all the holiday fuss has passed and life is back to normal will make the transition easier on the dog (adult or puppy) and will make it easier to begin things like house training and teaching them that they aren't allowed to counter surf.

Answer 8

Lab, Golden Retreiever, Husky, Weiner Dogs, and the kind of dog, Wishbone was are perfect for kids. Pet Insurance.... I would ignore, your really high in finance with ALL these children as it is. Make sure you get this dog trained, so they're not Stomping all over ur kids.

Answer 9

Since you are fine with taking on the responsiblity then I say allow their grandad to get them a dog. I would go with an older dog, they will require less training (meaning less poop and pee around the kids inside the house and less nipping as puppies often do) Go to dogbreedinfo.com and see what they have there. They also have a small test you can take to see what dogs fit with your family.

Answer 10

I think that you might have a bit too much on your hands at the mo. Why don't you wait until youv'e had the baby coz otherwise the dog may get jealous of it. Cocker spaniel? Springer? Lab? Golden retriever? Weinereamer? (can't spell it sorry).