Seeking a Cute Little Puppy for Children to Grow With

I would highly recommend labs for families. Make sure you research the breed BEFORE you buy it. Some dogs are just terrible with families with young children so, be prepared to do some research. We purchased our dog from a breeder 11 years ago and our three children were young then. Pure bred Labs and Golden retrievers have wonderful personalities with children. Granted, large dogs require a lot of exercise, (if you don't have access to walking the dog or a fenced yard, don't buy a large dog, it just isn't fair to the animal)

and care of their coats.. they do shed but you would not have to worry about them being aggressive at all.
It would be nice to adopt a dog from a shelter. You just have to find out as much as you can about the animal's past. And you take a gamble on its background. But the advantages are they definitely are way more affordable and you are helping those animals find a wonderful home. Keep in mind that YOU will be doing most of the care for the animal if your children are really young so make sure you are ready for this responsibility as large dogs live upwards to 12-13 years of age. My children have wonderful memories of the dog, we all love him, its just dogs are a big responsibility. Cats pretty much take care of themselves!
good luck!!!

I would try going to a shelter. We got our puppy from a shelter, and she had her initial shots and was spayed.

EDIT:

Try this website www.puppyfinder.com. They list all the shelters.

Also, we have a lab puppy and she is great with the kids, but just beware they have alot of energy and get excited when the kids are running around. They may tend to knock the little ones down a bit, but they can sit and lay on her and she could care less.

I would reccomend doing research and finding which dog you would like, and then finding a rescue league. Many people get puppies and then realize they are too much work! Most of those dogs are "fixed", and the other great thing is that they do foster visits with the dogs so you know their behavior problems/assets before you get them. Also, I was set on getting a puppy as well, but they are SO much work, and after awhile working with BrewBeagles.org I got talked into a year old dog and I couldn't be MORE THRILLED to have missed out on that initial puppy thing! We have bonded with her/ and she with us perfectly. She came spayed with shots and I knew she was good with kids. Good luck! It is a big decision!

Hi C.,

If you want a big dog I suggest an English Mastiff. They are on the larger size but like Labs and Goldens excellent with families. They tend to be big couch potatoes and although need excercise they are content to lay by your feet whereas labs and goldens are more energetic and require more time walking.

P.S. I have German Sheperd and an English Mastiff myself. Both are great with my daughter who will be 2.

Ditto on the Shelter puppy advice.
PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) is one, among several.
They have a website. Just google PAWS+pets.

A Great Pyrenese are wonderful with kids, dossle and they will herd the kids (that is what they do) They do get protective over the kids and entire family, they do get very large but they are very sweet tempered and soft.
One of the best dogs that I have ever come across.
I also have a rottie that was raised with the kids and she treated them as if they were her puppies, protective of home and family(do not buy into that they are vicious, any animal can become mean, it is all in training)
Best of luck
Jennie