My husband and I have a four year old son and a 1 month old girl. We want to get a dog next summer. I've had pets all my life (grew up with labrodor retreivers) and this will be his first dog. Though I'm partial to labs, is there a breed that makes the perfect "family dog"? Or is it all about the dog's parents and how it's raised? I'd be completley open to a mixed dog from the shelter (my grandmother has an aussie mix she adopted and he's great with the kids) but could this be a problem if the parents were agressive or it was abused? I'd love to give a shelter dog a chance at life it would otherwise not have but are they the safest option for family pet?
2007-12-10 17:07:43 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Such a great question.
I tend to think bigger dogs are better with children. We have 2 small dogs but I have to be so careful my kids aren't too rough with them. They don't mean to be, but sometimes they pat too hard or whatever so I'm watching all the time. My Mum has a rottweiller cross who is the most gorgeous, sooky dog. He doesn't even notice harder than usual pats and he can't be knocked over or stepped on.
As for the puppy or not...that's a hard one. I think it would be great for the puppy to grow up with the kids. It will bond to them and be used to a bit of rough handling (although your 4 yearold probably knows better and your 1 month old won't be doing much until she's walking). On the other hand a puppy can be a bit nippy, a friend of ours had a large-ish puppy and it was continually nipping her 4 year old son in play. Puppies also jump and could knock your daughter over when she starts to toddle.
Have a chat to a rescue centre, quite often they know a bit about the dogs in their care. Our two dogs were at a rescue place where they had kids visit every week and they knew they were good with children.
As for breeds...you know labs, you're partial to them and they are great family dogs. I'm sure you couldn't go wrong with another one!
When you get your dog make sure you spend time every day handling it all over. Play with its toes, pull its tail (gently!) in play, take food away from it sometimes when its eating. Make sure the kids go through a door before the dogs do and try to have them sitting higher than the dogs at times (eg kids on the couch, dogs on the floor). I'm sure your children and the dogs will be great friends.
One other thing which is difficult but do-able, some shelters will let you bring a dog home to see if it is right for you. They don't want more dumped dogs so they will take it back if it doesn't work out.
Anyway, good luck!!
2007-12-10 18:22:03 · answer #1 · answered by Janey 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any dog can be a great family dog, labs and retrievers are really well known for that but it really is how you raise and train the dog. When I was little I had a retired police dog, a Rottweiler who was amazingly gentle and tolerant, I used to stick my ballet tutu on him and ride him around the house. He was from a shelter, and he was a breed that doesn't have the reputation of gentle.
Mutts are great, and usually have less health problems that purebreads, and you can get a history from the shelter as well as take the dog for a walk and introduce it to your children to make sure it is the right fit for you and your family. There are many shelter dogs who are still just puppies, or some that were born right in the shelter who just need a good home.
I understand that you want the safest option for your family, and I would too, so just make sure you spend a lot of time with the shelter dogs, and remember that the people who work there are there to help you, they don't want the dogs to go to just any home, they want the forever home, so they will work with you to make sure the dog is a great fit for your family. Good Luck!
2007-12-11 10:48:37 · answer #2 · answered by Graduation 2012 = :) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "Nanny Dog". The American Pit Bull Terrier or the American Staffordshire Terrier. My Pits love everyone, even any stranger that comes to the house. They are really great with children. My daughter just moved back in with me, another story, and the Pits love my one year old grandson. They would never do anything to hurt him or let anyone else hurt him, they are protective dogs.
The Pit used to be the most popular family dog in the country. That all changes because of people not raising them right and made some of them mean, gangsters love to have a Pit to show how macho they are. Then the media loves a story about a Pit attacking someone. If it was a German Shepard that attacked, you will not read about in the paper.
Remember the "Our Gang", AKA "The Little Rascals", Peaty was a Pit Bull. There have Pits in the White House.
They are one of the most lovable dogs I have ever had in my 65 years and that is quite a few.
2007-12-11 02:53:27 · answer #3 · answered by Tin Can Sailor 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It all depends on the age of the dog that you want to get. If you are looking for a dog that is a couple of years old, then i would stick with the lab. That would be my first choice if i went that route. However, if you do want to adopt a dog from a shelter, i would look at a puppy. They aren't set in their ways yet and it would be safer because you would have the chance to teach it they way that you would want a dog to behave.
2007-12-11 01:17:33 · answer #4 · answered by Double~D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Beagle is the BEST all around family dog. They are sweet natured; LOVE children--and you can find them in shelters too. PS: Don't try to off-leash train them though-they are scent hounds and will take off the first chance they get if they pick up the scent of another animal--I have one and he is the sweetest thing ever-I also have 2 Lab mixes and 2 cats--my Beagle sleeps with me every night--Great dog!
2007-12-11 01:22:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just go to the shelter with your family, and start meeting dogs. There are many friendly dogs at shelters. Most dogs in shelters love people, even the veterinarian euthanizing them. Their licking hands and wagging tails, to the very end. So check there. Maybe you'll find the family friend your looking for.
2007-12-11 01:21:42 · answer #6 · answered by ♥ Leo ♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although I love all dogs, Tibetan Spaniels are by far the BEST family dogs. I grew up with 2, and for kids they are WONDERFUL. They are never snippy, very loyal, and not too hyper. They are also gorgeous! I now have a Pomeranian, and although Poms are my favorite breed now, I honestly wouldn't recommend them for families with children. They are very hyper and can be snippy (although mostly in a playing way). I definitely recommend Tibbies (as they are called). Check out this website for more information www.tibbies.net/index.shtml Let me know what you decide on! :)
2007-12-11 01:33:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
honestly i would get a shelter dog...i think they are more thankful for a home and try their best to please you... but i have never bought a dog from the shelter ive always had mine either given to me or bought from a breeder (well 1 of them anyways) i think if u got a very young dog or a puppy that theres a less risk of it being abused and if their brought up with your children i would think they would be ok with it...just like my cat...we got her as a kitten so she would get along with my dogs
2007-12-11 01:15:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a 6 month old black female Pomeranian & she is so friendly,loving,loyal & energetic! I would defintely reccomend them as a family dog. Good luck!
2007-12-11 01:50:51 · answer #9 · answered by ♥Miss Nikiti♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maltese are good because they don't grow much and as your children are young they may be scared of big dogs
2007-12-11 01:16:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋