What's a good breed puppy for a 2 year old?

Question

My daughter will be 2 years old Nov. 29 and we want to get her a puppy either for her b-day or for x-mas.
We want a good breed that is tolerant of children that can grow up and that our daughter can grow up with.......and that doesn't get too big.
Any ideas and suggestions would be grateful....

Look! I have had a dog before, I know how to care for a dog, I know how to house train, trips to the vet and all those other things. I am not a total moron. Damn, yall make me feel like a freak......My daughter loves dogs, my mom has 2, my older daughter has 1......my brother has 3........I want to get her one of her own....I just want to know what a good breed is for around small children. She will attach to the puppy this I know and I am sure the puppy to her........I just wanted help deciding which breed is best for children. Sheeeesh!

Answer 1

I have an cranky old 11 1/2 year old mini pin mix. I also have a 1 year old daughter and a soon to be 3 year old daughter. They are both gentle with him and he adores them--

I'm about to get a Chinese Crested pup. I dont see a problem with getting a small dog if the girls are good with animals.

If you'll help her take care of it and teach her responsibility, GET HER THE DOG. It's not like she's a sulking 12 year old yet.

A corgi would be my second choice, but I guess I'm partial to funny looking dogs........

Answer 2

Awww...a puppy for Christmas....how cute.

But, not a very good idea for the pup or your child.

Puppymillers try desperately to churn out dogs for the demand of the Holiday season, which leaves you likely to recieve a poorly bred poorly socialized puppy to begin with. Most responsible breeders will not sell pups around the holidays. In addition, a 2 year old will not know how to handle the dog properly, nor will the pup know how to handle the child properly. You WILL have bites and bruises, and that is never a good thing.

Wait a couple of years before getting any dog. There are plenty of breeds known for being extremely tolerant of children, but toddlers are a different story. It's best to consider the puppy's well being as well as your child's. When your daughter us a bit older, start researching breeds together. Make it a fun family project. But now is the wrong time.

Answer 3

I don’t have any children, but I hope to soon. I recently was in the market for a puppy and wanted something that doesn’t get too big and that was great for children. I researched different breeds and what a good family dog would be. Beagles seemed to be popular. I really wanted a rescue dog and I looked on petfinder.com like every day looking for the perfect dog. I stopped by a shelter one day and bam I found the love of my life. She is not going to stay small, but she is perfect! A collie shepherd mix and is just the sweetest little dog ever! She loves kids and has such a big heart! So my recommendation is go to the local animal shelters and look at the personalities of the dogs they have and I’m sure you’ll find the right one.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, puppies as gifts are not a good idea. As you know, with children, the novelty of a new gift wears off quickly! I am not doubting that you will absolutely love this dog, but please know that this "gift" can last 10-16 years!

I do have to say if you do decide to add a dog to your family, please do not plan on a Christmas puppy. Good (responsible and reputable) breeders will not sell a puppy during this hectic time. Holidays are the worst time to bring a puppy home. They are having a hard enough time adjusting to the fact that they are without mom and without their litter mates for the first time, so all the Holiday craziness is only going to overwhelm the poor little one even more. It is best to introduce a puppy to a calm, relaxed environment. In my opinion, this would be a horrible decision.

As far as a breed recommendation, it would be impossible for any of us to point you in the right direction. Simply because all we know about you is you have a 2 year old and don't want a large/giant breed. A WHOLE lot more factors need to be considered when chosing the perfect breed that fits into YOUR lifestyle and YOUR family.

My best advice would be to check out www.akc.org and do research on the different breeds (temperment, health, etc.), narrow your search down to a few breeds and then connect with the local breed clubs. Meet as many dogs of that breed as possible, meet as many owners as possible, and meet a many breeders as possible. Ask TONS of questions, that is what they are there for! At those events people can talk to you about their dog and the breed for hours, you will learn a whole lot :)

I wish you the best of luck in your new adventure. The last piece of advice I would like to offer to you is to not purchase a puppy from a petstore or online website, I will not even begin to tell you about the horror stories inwhich I witness each day at work.

Answer 5

Your 2 yr old will not understand what having a puppy means right now so getting one for her is not a good idea. Puppies/kittens as holiday pets in general are not a good idea.

Are you looking for a dog to grow up with your daughter and the two bond at some point?

Do keep in mind that puppies are playful, love to nibble on little fingers and toes, will nip toddlers on the nose not because they're being mean, but because they're puppies, need lots of attention their first year with regards to pottytraining and obedience classes and in general is like having another 2yr old without actually giving birth to it.

I would recommend getting a puppy when your daughter is older unless you are completely ready to take on this task and to understand your daughter will not be able to help to care for the dog until she's at least 8yrs old and that's maybe feeding the dog its meals.

That said, there are tons of breeds out there who are good with kids. I recommend a family trip to the local shelter or contacting your local rescue group as they will match a dog with your family, aligning personalities and such.

Answer 6

Yes stuffed puppy is best... Let here play with her sisters dog.. Dogs DO NOT GROW UP WITH CHILDREN!!!... The grow way faster than the child. But if you HAVE TO get her a dog look for one that is older (so you know the size and temperament) A retired seeing eye dog or something of that nature...

Answer 7

I think a beagle is a good fit but if you want to do some research this is a good site: dogbreedinfo.com
You might also want to consider a 1-2 yr. old dog rather than a puppy - contact your local rescues or humane society (they have been working with the dogs long enough to know dispositions and personaility) there is usually a play/visitation area that you can spend time evaluating the dog with your daughter. Even a mix can be great since you can see the full grown size and temperament. LOL

Answer 8

A stuffed one.

At two years old, you're not getting the dog for the CHILD, you're getting the dog for YOU and you want one that the child can play with. Two years old is too young to understand the responsibility of a pet, and is too young to realize that even when the 'newness' wears off, you STILL have to take care of the pet.

Wait a couple of years until she has the ability to understand that it's a living thing with feelings and that can feel pain.

And do NOT get a dog for Christmas. The craziness and chaos in the household at Christmastime is the worst time to bring in a new puppy, too.

"I want to get her one of her own" - and the point is, at 2 years old she's not old enough to understand what "having one of her own" means.

Answer 9

heres one for you a black lab has strength brains and compassion for whole family but maybe too big for house needs plenty excesses.if u need a a smaller one a small breed collie will do very nicely.is cute cuddly and has very high teaching potential .as you know because ill give you the respect you deserve any dog can become an idiot by the way it has been raised and taught.they are nothing but an extension of our families and deserve to be treated as such.we cant ask for unconditional love without giving something back. by 4now xena .ysvtruly jay

Answer 10

You people are such idiots! She said she knows how to take care of a dog. She has an older daughter with a dog. These are her kids not yours. She knows them. All she asked for were breeds people!