Children Are Wanting a Dog

Do some searches on the internet...I think it is the Iam's dogfood website that has a questioneer on it where you answer about 30 questions about what you want in a dog and your family lifestyle, then they recommend a couple of breeds for you. Another thought would be to look into shelters and the new "hybred" breeds. Like they are now mixing a poodle (no shedding) with retreivers (loyalty / good with kids).
Whatever you decide, make sure you realize what a long term decision getting a dog is, it will be your BEST friend, probably long after your kids have went off to college!

If you aren't home enough to give the dog attention then don't get one right now. Dogs are like kids they need attention. And if you get a puppy you have to give it LOTS of attention to do stuff like potty train. I've had a dog all my life and when my husband and I both started working full-time again, we both agreed we couldn't take care of one, even though I want one REAL BAD!

golden retrever you will love them and there the best with kids

C.,

Good morning. Well, wht kind of dog is the hardest question. I wish I would have done my homework like you are doing. I would say definately research the breed, so you know what it's temperment, full size and upkeep is going to be, ie..shedding etc...ours is long haired, which means I took up grooming him due to the extreme expense, though he does not shed as some may say about long hair on a dog. We went to the pet store, and fell in love with a male Lhasa Apso. Although he is a good boy- other than his constant chewing ,even a year old, he is tempermental, and has snapped at my daughter. He does have behavioral issues...plus weighs 10 pounds more than I expected (turned out medium instead of a small dog). If I could turn back time......
So I recommend that you go to petfinders.com. They are supposed to have the ins and outs, dos and don't and provide all the answers to your questions. I believe they even have you fill out something, then recommend which is best for your lifestyle and family.

Also, I have the same problem with not being home as much as I thing the dog may need, so I have a few suggestions. First, whether you have a fenced in yard or not, you may want to get a "run". This is just a line that runs from point A to point B (ours is 100 ft.) so the dog can get the excercise it needs, without you walking it. Also, it limits how far it can go either way, 15 ft each way (30 ft side to side...so that he gets plenty of the yard, without you having to watch your step EVERYWHERE in the yard) Typically it sucks getting a dog this time of year, due to potty training in the cold. Have you considered the Humane Society or the pound? That is the route I wish we would have went. You get a dog who has already been through it all...and you see thier natural full grown temperment, or at the age, while saving an animal....not to mention the hundreds of dollars you will have already saved with the purchasing price (about 500+), spaying or neutering(300+) initial shots etc......They come with all of that done at these places for under 100 bucks. How wonderful! Oh yeah, and make sure the dog you choose it YOUR choice, because you will almost certainly get left with it after the kids have moved out!!

Good luck!

If you have a fenced in yard you can put in a doggy door. When I sarted working 12hr shifts and my husband was out of town, it saved my carpets. The only dog I want to worn you about is Labradors. They are wonderful with kids (I had one growing up), but until they are about two they LOVE to chew. Ours completely shredded a plastic pool even though he had toys. Ours was a black lab and I don't know if that makes a difference. If it will be an outside dog only, I would say give a Lab a try. Ours would play nonstop and never once growled or tried to bite me or my two sisters.

If you are not prepared for the extras that are involved then a dog is not for your family. The kids will take intrest for awhile and then loose it and the dog will be your responsibility. Are your children helping with the care of the cat? If your answer is no then you are most definately not ready dogs are alot of care. I would reconsider this for the dogs sake.

I have 4 dogs, 3 large and 1 small. My large dogs are a Roteweiler and 2 pit bull mixes. My small dog is a Jack Russell mix, and they all love my 8 month old twins. It's a lot easier to handle the Jack Russell. I've heard that any kind of terrier mix is good for kids, but the large ones love them just as much. Just thought I'd let you know.

Whatever dog you get, be ready for taking on the majority of the responsibility because for kids, especially so young, it's just the idea of having a dog that attracts them. But, I think labradors are good family dogs. I've had a few myself (including right now) and two of my siblings have 4 labs amongst them. We all have black labs. They have a good reputation for being good family dogs.

Chirstina,
Neither you nor your husband sound 100% about wanting to do this. Before you even start looking, have a heart to heart with the kids and express the amount of responsibility a dog is and what their role in that will be. You don't want to get stuck with all the work and your kids are old enough to divide responsibility for the family pet. Of course they're going to tell you that they'll do the work, so your next step is to make them prove it. Have them volunteer at the local animal shelter for 6 months. This will not only help them understand the responsibility, but show them what happens to the family pet when people no longer take care of them. You sound super busy, but if the kids don’t have time to volunteer they need to rethink the cat thing they are a lot less work!

If after that you all still agree that a dog is in your future below is some information to help:

Urbanhound.com has a nice “breedfinder” tool. (http://ny.urbanhound.com/houndFinder/breedFinder.asp) Once you’ve picked a breed you can visit your local shelter or breeder and have them help you pick the right dog for you. Every dog has its own personality and that should be taken into consideration too. If at all possible please avoid purchasing an animal at a pet shop unless you can verify that the animal came from a responsible breeder. In most cases you need to actually visit the location of the breeder to make the determination. A lot of pet shops, sometimes unknowingly, sell animals from puppy mills.

We’ve had a number of dogs and we’ve had the best luck with older (3-4 year old) mixed breeds. They are old enough that they have lost the puppy exuberance and mixed breeds generally have very good temperaments. A dog can bring a lot of joy to your family if it’s the right fit!

Corgi's aren't medium size but they are cute 25 pound dogs that love kids. I also suggest a schnauzer.

I am not too sure about other breeds of dogs, but my husband is a hunter and my father is a hunter so I have always had a black lab in my life. They are calm when you want them to be calm, playful when the kids are in the mood, and very caring and protective- yet they will not bark at anyone near the kids like some dogs do, they just keep a close eye on things. My son has a friend who tends to play rough. There have been times that the boys were playing and it got rough and Daisy (our dog) went and starting playing in the middle of them.

We have always had females (I think they are better at hunting is why), and I love them. They really do not get too big. Daisy is the one we have now and she lives half inside, half outside. She actually lives in her kennel outside but the kids often bring her in and we let her sleep inside when the weather is bad.
My baby is now 1 1/2 but she has been playing with her since she could crawl. She would go over and pull her ears and all that and Daisy would just sit there. Sometimes she would nudge the baby away with her nose, then I just pulled the baby to another room to give Daisy a break. Now the baby climbs on her, feeds her scraps of food, lays down on her, everything.

As far as care, we often just let her out in the yard when the kids are playing. She knows not to go past our yard without permission, my husband will kind of whistle for her to fetch a lost ball or whatever, part of her hunting training. Then in the summer he takes her to a park with the kids a couple of times a week to play catch, but I think that is his way of keeping her in shape for the fall pheasant season. She doesn't eat as much as one would think a large breed dog would eat, and she loves getting a snack off the table- yet she never goes up to the table to take anything.

One caviat- my father now has a black lab given to him as a gift from a friend, the dog was not trained to hunt. She is by far the dumbest dog I have ever seen. I think that labs are very smart, but you have to train them first otherwise the smarts go to waste! So even if your hubby does not hunt, take her to a trainer if you get one- it will give you a much better family pet in the end. We have tried training one on our own before we got Daisy, and it just doesn't work as well, she ended up running away all the time and we eventually never found her the last time she ran. We looked for weeks- the kids were devastated. We decided to go with a proffesional trainer after that. It is worth the money!

Hope this helps! Good luck choosing a dog- I know it is a family choice depending on your lifestyle and preferences. If you do choose a lab, they are great!

i think a very good dog would be pominriana or pickaniese. my sister has them and they are very good with her kids.

Hey C.,

My response may be a little late, but I still wanted to throw it out there. My vote is for a Lab. They are wonderful, wonderful pets....I will go even farther to say that "pet" really doesn't cover it. They are truely a family member. I have had dogs most of my life, and many different breeds. I always though it was crazy for people to consider their dogs to be a family member and to love them so until we got our black lab. He unfortunetly came up missing about 4 months ago, and despite all our efforts to find him, he is still not home with us. I really didn't know how much I loved this dog until he came up missing. He was 8 months old when we got him, and he was pretty big then. I was so worried that his size would be to much for my kids. My boys were 7 & 3. Boy was I wrong. This dog was a blessing. He was a kid himself. He loved to jump on the trampoline with the boys, chase them around the house, LOVED to fetch anything that you threw for him, and he had this precious habit of faking the boys out, lol. He loved to be close to you and to lay his head on your shoulder. And Labs literally hug you..it's so cute! He could deffinately outplay the kids and was always there for lazy time as well. I can't say enough about Labs! We were lucky enough to find a fullstock lab at the pound after ours went missing. Awesome dogs for adults and kids!!!

I have had dogs all my life. The most wonderful being a Golden Retriever. She was the best. Great with kids. However, if you don't care about breed, I would suggest going to the Humane Society. They have so many wonderful dogs waiting for homes. They evaluate every one before they go on the adoption floor. They will work with you to get you the best dog for your family. They also come spayed/neutered, all shots and microchipped. After you pay for all that out of pocket you would end up paying more than the adoption fee. If you think you would like a Golden look at www.grrand.org. WONDERFUL ORGINAZATION! Good luck!

I recommend getting a dog with VERY VERY short hair. We have a chocolate lab, and I thought his hair was short. The amount of shedding would shock you. My dad has a Jack Russell terrier, he is real sweet and I swear the dog does not shed. It's great. They are small but fun and very easy to train. Good Luck!

Well, my ex-husband didn't want animals in the house when I was living with him.....And my kids have missed out on alot by not having a dog in the house......So since I divorced him and have a place of my own....My son got a beagle and we all love her very much.....Then my daughter got 2 beagle pups and I just went the other day and got another one that needed a home.....These dogs have brought so much joy and laughter in all our lives that it's just great having all 4 of them.....My daughter has said to me I can't believe we missed out on this much fun while we were growing up......My kids happiness is more important to me than material things.......(wish my ex-husband felt the same way).......I know my kids are older than yours.....my daughter is 24, my son 21 (next month) and another son 19......So there is plenty of us to pinch in and help.....And with 4 dogs in the house I do keep my house clean and work full time......I don't like dog smell though the house so they get bathed regularly.......So go get the kids a beagle pup.....YOU WILL LOVE IT....And they have been easy to house train......Oh, one more thing WE LIKE FEMALES.....

I have a blue heeler mix 9 month old female. She was raised with kids and adores playing. Her mom was the best dog we EVER had. She was intellingent, a cuddler but also very independent. She house trained herself, literally.Anyway, just wanted you know Blue Heelers are excellent dogs.

SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE YOUR HANDS FULL ALREADY. PETS AND KIDS ARE A GREAT COMBO IF YOU GET THE RIGHT ONE. I HAD A POMERAINIAN AND THE ARE SMART EASY TO TRAIN SMALL TO MEDIUM AND THEY LOVE ATTENTION SO MAYBE A POM. I WOULD GO TO A PET STORE BY YOURSELF AND ASK THEM OR CALL A VET. AND TELL THEM THEY CAN BE VERY HELPFUL. DON'T RUSH IN DO SOME RESERCH FORST. GOOD LUCK DEB

Honestly, if you know you do not have the time for dog , i would seriously consider a hamster or something of that nature. If you are still considering a dog, with your scheldules I would recommend a small dog. less clean up and fit better into busy lives of the pet parents. AKC.org and CKC.org are great web sites to give information on breeds. It will give the bature of the dog, grooming, exercise,etc. My grandmother hand a minuture snouzer. A nice long walk 1-2 a week for excercise. low grooming, very great with children. protect but not aggressive. I researched dogs for about 6 months before We got the 2 we have. I have a St.Bernard and a Golden ret. Wonderful family pets, lot of up keep and obiedence traing is a must for our family. talk with breeders,
talk with about your scheldue and what is and is not a good fit for your family.

They "can" be hard to train but a basset is a great family dog. They aren't as active as a lab or beagle, very mellow usualy good with kids. If you are worried about training a puppy go to the humane society and adopt an older dog who is already house broken. Some have even been through obedience school. The Iowa City Humane Society is also good about posting if the dogs are good with kids and other pets.

i would not go for it i got a dog for my two year old and it has been nothing but a nightmare. that dog not only has to go with us everywhere but she is kinda mean to it sometimes

Hi C.!

We have a miniature Pinscher named Rocky. We have had him since he was 8 months old. These breeds of dogs are very easy to train and do not shed. He is a GREAT watchdog too. I recently had a baby,she is 5 months old now, and through out my pregnancy and when I brought my daughter home, he was WONDERFUL!!(All he wanted to do was sniff her!! And lick her!!)
During my pregnancy he got extremely loveable and wanted to lay on my belly or be close to me all the time. He has been a great addition to our family!!!I have an 8 year old too,who thinks that dog rules the world!!!

I have been a vet tech for 7 years and a mom for 3...I have 3 girls ages 3,2 and 6 months and 3 dogs(2- 6 year old pitbull mixes and a pitbull). First of all being a vet tech I see it all the time that parents want to get a pet for the kids, which is great, but the newness will only last a week or two then you will be doing all the work. I do think it's a great idea, but do your research. Personally I would highly recommend to NOT get a puppy...That is alot of work. You need a dog that is already housetrained and not going through the puppy stages of chewing etc. Find out which breed you want and get it(or a mix) from a rescue group. Rescue groups know before placing dogs if they are good with other dogs, cats, kids, etc. Their personality is already developed and they are more reliable to be home by themselves all day-also they are usually up to date on shots and fixed(spayed or neutered). It's entirely up to you which breed you decide to go with, but breeds I would steer clear of would be cocker spaniels, chows, dalmations, border collies(most herding breeds) and smaller dogs(chihuahuas, spitz, etc). If you would like to know more you can contact me at home in Avon at ###-###-#### and I can give you more advice if needed. Also a good place to look for dogs on the internet is petfinder.com where you can find shelter, rescue, and pets that need to be place by a family.

Another choice would be to foster a dog...either from a rescue group or humane society...They are always looking for extended homes for very adoptable dogs that they can no longer keep at the shelter and if for whatever reason it dosen't work out you are not comitted to anything permanent.

This is just my opinion, but...

It doesn's sound like you need a dog. You sound like you are already busy and, ultimately, the dog will be your responsibility, too, and not just your children's responsibility. Honestly, how much more do you think you can take on and not go crazy?

I have two kids. I also have three dogs. My kids are still small, so they are not involved in many activities yet. I am home all day, so I can spend a lot of time working with the dogs. And that is exactly what it is- work! They have to have attention and exercise, and they need cuddle time, too, just like the kids do. Not to mention training! My dogs are very active (two pit bulls and a pit bull mix) and have to be kept occupied. I love my dogs and wouldn't trade them for anything, but they are a huge financial, emotional, and time investment!

Maybe you should wait until your kids are not so busy to introduce them, or yourself, to any more responsibilities. Just have a talk with them and explain why they cannot yet have a dog...they are old enough to understand you.

If you do decide to get a dog, try to get one that is more fitted to your lifestyle. Let me warn you, though, it will be hard for you to do if you have a very hectic schedule. Virtually all dogs need a lot of attention. Cats (really) are the less-needy animals.

Do some research on the different breeds...ask a vet...talk to the humane society. Really think about what you expect and the ways you can accomodate whatever animal you decide to take into your home (ie are they indoors or outdoors, how much time can you invest in training etc etc etc). Educated pet owners make the best pet owners.

if the children want a dog of there own, try them out with a friend, let them help feed, water, potty the dog before school, as soon as they get home from school, all day weekends,not just feed and water but play with it, let them see how much there is to keep up with a pet, let them have the responceablity of caring, no matter what the weather is outside, snowing, sleeting, raining, hot, cold, when they see how much has to be done they may change there minds with wanting a dog untill they are older, or may fool you and show you they can and will keep it up. but they must understand that the pet would be a family member, and thats means to take care of it to the vet, keep up the shots, feedind, water, potting, be up all night when the pet gets sick, never hitting it, but yet training it with a way that will not hurt the pet, there is so much that they would agree too untill they really have to do it and stick to it lots of extra money for vets bills, food, fles, ticks, or if they get one that is sick in a few weeks after getting it. lot to think about having a pet. maybe try fish something that dont require so much care at first. been there done it no matter what they children say they will leave it upon the parents to do. most of all once you get one they will each want thire own and once the new wares off they will not want to complete care of the dog. each one is has to take turns with the dog, no fighting about who turn it is, nor passing along thier turn it is a family pet and family has to take care of it.

Go to the Humane Society and let the kids pick one out. Save a dog's life. Smaller dogs make a little easier to take care of, but some can be territorial and yippy. Large dogs are hard to bathe, but are sometimes more docile. Whatever they like. Humane Society will be able to help you and advise you. With lots of TLC, they quickly worm their way into your heart and become one of the family.
Congratulations!
M. J.

Do not get a dog if you don't really want one. Try to convince your husband that your kids are just liking the novelty of having a dog. If it's your husband that really wants a dog, that's another story...
Moms always end up doing at least some of the clean up in regards to animals, even if the kids promise to do it all. All dogs shed and the simple fact that you'll have hair in the house is enough! Dogs love to be around people (not necessarily other dogs) and if you're not home a lot, that's another reason not to get one. Also keep in mind that you will have this dog for 12-15 years. Think about if your kids go away to college. Think about going away on vacations. Who will take care of the dog then? I would tell your kids to wait until they are adults and can get a dog of their own.
If you still want to give in, I would borrow a friend's dog for a week. See how that goes.

Make sure you read all the responses before me as well since they are all good advice. From my own past experience myself with dogs. Labs are good with kids but they stay puppies for a few years. So they can be very distructive when no one is around to give them attention. They are extremely smart and high energy. So far the best dogs I found are mutts. I have a lab chow mix and she is great with kids but since chows attach mainly to one person she follows me around all the time. But before you get a dog you may try being a foster for dogs that need a home till a new one is found. That way they can find out the responsibility of owner ship but not being stuck with it or should I say YOU being stuck with it for the life time of the dog. Puppies are great and cute, but they don't stay looking like puppies for long. Plus you have to go through the potty trianing and the distruction while going through their teathing stage. You may even have you and your kids volunteer down at the Humaine Society. So they learn what all is required to care for animals. If you are looking to get a full bread dog, you should go to the AKC website. They use to have a questionaire on what type of dog you would like and the temperment. Then they will give you a list of the breeds that best suit you and your family. Also you may want to make sure no one in your family is allergic to them also. If someone is you can get a breed that has no dander. Some even don't shed, but need brushed to remove the dead hair. Also you wouldn't want a weiner dog since their backs are very fragile and can not handle being carried around all the time. Hope some of this info helped.

The breed that would best suit your family is ultimately up to you. Try to stay away from working breeds that have a lot of drive and require both physical and mental stimulation, like German Shepherds, Border Collies, Chows, Dobermans, etc. I would suggest, like a lot of people, a lab or maybe a beagle. Something with a "rough" coat. (Short, thick hair, not as much of a pain to brush, so you can keep the shedding under control.)

As for the responsibility of owning a dog, explain to your kids what is involved with caring for a dog and make a list of everything that would have to be done so that your children can see what their chores would be. If they are the ones that want the dog, tell them if you get the dog, it's going to be THEIR dog, and they have to take care of it, or you'll find it another home. Do not let them get out of feeding/walking/brushing the dog when it is their turn, or you'll end up doing all the work, just like you're afraid of.

You did not mention if this would be the first dog (or pet for that matter) and that may make a difference with what you choose. My 3 children want both a dog and a cat, however my husband and I decided to allow my children to try taking care of something smaller first. So, instead of a dog or a cat, we bought a Guinea Pig. We have had one for 3-4 years now and my children don't beg anymore for one. They would still like to have a dog/cat, but our Guinea Pig has become so close to my children and he is affectionate and loving. It may be a good idea to start out small and see how that works first. Perhaps a fish or Gerbil or even a hampster. I personally prefer a animal that will be affectionate such as the Guinea Pigs. Now that my children have shown responsibility over the last couple of years, we are possibly seeking a dog and or cat soon.

I hope this helped.

We have a bull mastiff which is a huge dog. She is great and their breed is great with kids and wonderful protectors of their homes. I thought her size would bother me but she is so big that is makes her so mellow. She does not need a lot of exersize and really just likes to be loved on.

Well, I think anyone will tell you that labs are the best dogs for children. My brother has a beautiful black lab and my five year old son rides him like a horse, plays rough with him, and he doesn't bat an eye. They are very gentle, never turn on the owners, but they get kinda big. If I weren't a single mom trying to support my family on my own (therefore working 11 hours a day) I would have one in a minute! They are so loving, so cuddly, and they listen well. They love to play with kids, big or small. That is the breed I would recommend to anyone. And anyone who has had labs would tell you the same. I have never heard of a bad thing about a lab.