Looking for a Dog

Labs are amazing kid and family friendly dogs. Nice gently dogs to grow up with:) Good luck! You should try a rescue organization they have them for every breed.

Hi D.,

We own a Jack Russel/Mini pin mix and he is high maintenance and extremely active. I wouldn't recommend one if you have a little one at home (17 mos. child). We got this dog when he was about a month old and he chewed up everything--from sofas to coffee tables to baseboards. He doesn't have any toy stuffed animals because he destroys them all. I have purchased these rubberized toys which he has a great time with and they are indestructable. From the time he wakes up, he is ready to play. And yes, they are smart dogs. Our dog is now about 3 years old and has calmed down some since we first got him, but playing with him is constant all day. I keep all the bedrooms doors closed and he has a HUGE back yard to run around in because he needs it. If I were you, I would go with the black lab. Check all the adoption places around and check some of the vet clinics around. Sometimes, they advertise at the vet clinics.

Good Luck,
L. M.

I consider myself to be an extremely patient woman....however, and this may not be true for all Jack Russells, "Tucker", my rescue dog, was so out of control even a dog trainer had given up on him!
I should have known it was going to be tough when he came into the house for the first time, lifted hid leg and proceeded to pee on every available wall! Or was it the 10th time he grabbed food off the kitchen counter!? Those things can jump! LOL!
Unless you're prepared to deal with the possibility of extreme behaviors, I wouldn't recommend a JRT.
Growing up, we always had Labs! They are sweet and lovable..but can be jealous of small kids in the house! I would go to the Humane Society with the kids in tow, and find a dog they have a connection with. I agree that PetFinder is overwhelming! So, I would definitely check into local shelters and rescues!
Good luck!

I have had both a JRT and a Black Lab with my children, we had to re home our JRT because he was aggressive towards our small children. We had him before we had children. We still have our black lab and she is awesome with our children and just as smart. JRT dig a lot so if you get one be prepared for that, they are very curious dogs. They tend to bark a lot because they are busy and interested in everything. Our black lab is very loving with our sons, we have a 3 year old and 1 year old. She is now almost 6 years old and has been friendly with small children all her life, she has energy but also likes to relax along side us. The JRT we had rarely settled down, he was always going and they need an outlet for that. Also if you are not home all day I would not recommend a JRT, they also tend to nip at small children or ankle bite. Go with the lab, you will not be disappointed. Oh and check into craigslist for adoptable dogs, your local shelters, humane society...or even just neighbors that have "accidentally" had puppies by not spaying their dogs. Adoptable dogs are just as good if not better than full breed. Our lab is a German Shepard/black lab mix. She looks and acts just like a lab just with a thicker coat because of the Shepard in her. All of our dogs have been rescues. Also re evaluate that your daughter is ready for a dog and possibly consider an older puppy or adult dog because babies are very high maintenance especially when you already have a little one. Puppies also tend to nip because they do not yet know better.

Hi D.!

My boyfriends brother in law has a j/r and he said thats the best dog he has ever had.don't you think your daughter is kind of young for a dog at her age? I don't know! Its up to you. They are both good choices... J/R TERRIERS Good luck on what ever you deside.

If you get a lab you may want to get an older dog that is past the stage of chewing and attacking your child when she runs. My mother in law has 2 7mo.old labs and we cant even go near them right now because they want to play and jump. They both jumped up on me the other day and my shirt had about 8 holes in it from them. They scratched me pretty hard also.These dogs are also going to intense obiedient classes.
I bought my daughter a 5 week old, long-haired chihuahua a couple of weeks ago for her 3rd Birthday and this week the pup is starting to bite her legs as she runs and makes her cry and the dog only weighs 2 lbs.
I have an 8 yr old white lab that lets the kids lay on him. He is the best dog, but even he went through the "rough playing" puppy stage.
Keep in mind a puppy is a lot of work! I was up every 2 hrs the first week taking her out to go potty and dealing with the whimpering in the middle of the night.
Good Luck
P.
PS dont forget to buy a large bottle of Odor/urine nutrilizer for the carpets!

We have had several breeds of dogs (but never a Jack Russel). Our Black Lab was a sweet dog and very kid friendly but I couldn't stand the shedding! She found a new life as a drug sniffing dog at the air port.

Hands down our absolute favorite and intensly kid friendly breed has been female Boxers. I have never heard of a Boxer owner who hasn't been happy with their loyalty, patience and spirit. My 4 year old daughter plays "dress up" every day with our Boxer and she happliy wears tu-tus and hair pretties on her ears.

Try and find one of those on-line quizzes that help you decide what breed is best for you. Two years old is a bit young but if you are looking for a playmate or "sibling substitute" I can understand your desire to get a dog now.

A Jack Russell and a Lab are very different breeds of dogs...are you sure both types would be acceptable for your family? I would start by researching dog breeds online to see what breeds will best fit your family. Then visit the Humane Society; they can help you find the individual dog that will be best suited for your daughter. Of course, it might be hard taking your daughter to the shelter...I don't know how to handle that. But most shelters want the entire family to meet the dog before adopting.

HTH

I just wanted to let you know that you are right about jack russel terriers. They are a terrier, which means they are high energy. If you are looking towards this breed, know that you will need to get a lot of training (and keep up with it). Also, you will need to make sure that you take him/her for walks ALOT and I would even recommend getting them involved in some sort of activity that you can do with them (like flyball or agility) b/c if you don't they could very easily terriorize your house! They are bred to hunt, so they will dig and they will chew, especailly if they don't get their excersize. I would recommend, with whatever dog you do get, to get a crate and crate train them. This will help with potty training, but also it will be a place for them to go when you leave that way they can't get in any trouble while alone. ;) My best suggestion for you is that you do as much research as you can on the breeds you are interested in, so you know what they were originally bred to do and their energy level, so that you can best determine what will be good for you and your family's lifestyle. I wish you all the luck and hope you find a forever friend soon. :)

L.