Need Recommendations for a Great Family Dog

We have a female lab and she is wonderful. We had her for about a year before my daughter was born. My 2 1/2 year old daughter is always playing and messing around with her and the dog lets her, not once has the dog done anything to scare her, never showed teeth, growled, barked at her or bit.

If a lab is an option I do recommend a female as they don't usually get as big as the males and they are easier to train.

How about a cockapoo or a golden doodle. The poodle mixes are great with usually good personality if you spend time to teach and train. They learn quickly. Cockapoos are very loveable and affectionate. All dogs carry bad and good genetics. These type need grooming, (clean)ear care, teeth brushing, pull ear hair out, and 2 15 min. walks every day. They have alot of energy and personality. A border collie is supposed to be the smartest dog next to a poodle. Standard poodles are elegant but can have knee/joint problems. Best to pick if you want hypoallergenic hybrids or lots of hair everywhere...with other breeds.

I am sorry to hear about your loss.

I worked at a doggy daycare and I have to say I recommend the golden retriever. They are great family dogs. One downfall is that they do have A LOT of energy so hopefully you have a back yard for it to play in or are willing to take it on walks (or to a doggy daycare a couple days a week). Also, they do shed. If your kids have any pet dander allergies that could be really bad so that is something to consider. Other than that, the golden retriever is one I highly recommend. The Great Dane is also a good dog. They are very calm dogs and from what I know of them, they have been great family dogs. They shed too but not as much as the golden's. The downfall to them is that they are big (obviously) and they have a lot of health issues because of their size.

All in all, it is a decision that needs to be researched greatly by you and your family. I believe dogs can be a great addition to the family. Good luck! Let us know what you decide!

~S.

My beagle was the greatest family dog EVER. He did shed a lot (though nowhere near as much as my current dog), and he barked occasionally (but so do all dogs) and he was hard to train and he would run away (beagles follow their noses) - but he was funny and happy and cute and hilarious and was the most reliable dog with children. I *loved* my beagle.

The best dog that I ever owned was a 1/2 Golden Retriever, 1/4 Border Collie, 1/4 Springer spaniel mix. He was truly an incredible dog that I could trust around children, big enough to be intimidating to strangers (though I never even heard him growl), funny, easily trainable, and overall just a wonderful dog. But, he was big and shed constantly. And he would herd other dogs, which was always funny at the dog park.

The type of dog that you're looking for sounds like perhaps a Bichon or a Bichon/Shih Tzu mix - they don't shed, but you have to get them groomed. They're small, happy, doesn't bark much, and is extremely friendly.

There are all kinds of web sites where you answer some questions and it recommends dog breeds that fit your lifestyle. I would say that you and your husband should each take 5 or 6 of them, and see which breeds seem to consistently rise to the top for both of you, and then which breeds overlap.

In choosing my current dog, I explored quite a few of them. Here are a few of my favorites:

http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselector.do
http://www.breederretriever.com/breedselector.php
http://www.iams.com/iams/breed-information.jsp
http://www.eukanuba.com/EukGlobal/GLOBAL/en/jsp/breed/bre...
http://www.doggiedealer.com/dog_breed_selector.php

(Both the Iams and Eukanuba sites give me some really weird breeds that I had never heard of - but they're at least worth considering. The other sites consistently give me the same 10 or so breeds.

I currently have a Jack Russell/Pug mix. I would *NOT* recommend this dog for anyone with small children. He sheds constantly, is very dominant and can be aggressive, and needs a *minimum* of 6-8 hours of activity a day in order to be tired. We adopted him with the idea that he was a Beagle/pug mix - but he is not. Note if you are adopting a dog (which you should definitely consider) - that you cannot know for sure by the way that the dog looks. In particular, the pug mixes (which are popular now) pretty much all look alike. :) I am not a terrier person, so I have had to do some adjusting to accommodate my dog's needs. On the other hand, he has turned out to be exactly what I needed (though I had no idea). He is hilarious and cuddly and makes me laugh. And I have learned a lot from my dog.

I also second the person who suggested that you look into RAGOM. They are an incredible organization that will work with you to find an ideal Golden Retriever, or golden mix.

Interestingly, I disagree with the people that recommended that you get a female. I have always found males to be more placid, sweet, and interested in doing what you want them to. They also have the added benefit of not burning your grass with their urine. There are solid biological reasons why males tend to be friendlier - when you look across the animal kingdom, the females tend to be more aggressive, protective, and overall snarky because they have to protect their young.

Good luck and I hope your family finds the perfect dog! Dogs are such a great addition to your home and your family.

I second a previous poster's recommendation for a Springer Spaniel. They are a medium-sized, very even tempered dog. I had three of them growing up. They train very well and are just wonderful. The shedding with a Springer is minimal as well. Great family dog!

I am a mother of two and since just before my first was born we have had labs. First one was a male black lab and now we have a male yellow. They do shed some but not terribly, are WONDERFUL with the kids and provide us with a sense of security. Both dogs always position themselves calmly yet obviously between myself and the kids when talking to neighboors, stangers etc. The kids hug him, pull his tail, play tug o war, etc. with both our dog now and the past lab we had, with no aggression or attitude ever shown. They are very intelligent dogs and are extremely easy to train also. I can strongly say we will always have a lab around our house. A short comment on someone elses opinion on beagles, my oldest sister owns beagles and they too are wonderful family dogs. Happy dog hunting!

I'm sorry for your recent loss.

We have a labrador who is 9 years old and is GREAT! We got her when my children were 3,4,7 & 9 years old. She is very large...almost 100 lbs. And yes, we chose a female b/c I didn't want a HUGE dog. :) oops...guess that didn't work.

Our dog is very easy now, and looking back wasn't difficult when we got her, but was a normal "puppy." However, a normal "puppy" is A LOT of work!!! (There will be chewing on furniture, toys, accidents in the house, etc.) The puppy stage can be exhausting, but is easily forgotten once they get older.

My husband and children had been wanting a dog for years and I was the last one to agree. I told him I wanted all of our kids out of diapers and needed him to agree to be the one who "took care" of the dog. (I had my hands full with 4 children.) By taking care of the dog, I mean that he is the one to schedule and attend vet visits, remember to give the dog medicine, arrange to take her to the kennel when we go out of town, attend dog obedience classes, etc. Also, I was teasing that I got up to breastfeed 4 children at nights, so he volunteered to get up with the puppy in the middle of the night and take her outside, and house train her.

The first year (or two) is A LOT of extra work. It means rearranging your schedule so that you can be home every couple of hours to let the dog out of the house. Also, constantly putting food, toys, etc away so the dog doesn't eat them.

I would make sure to talk to your husband and see how serious he is about this and how willing he is to help. Then, you can decide if this is the right time for your family to get a dog.

Also, our dog does shed. She has short white hair so it doesn't "clump" as much as a golden retriever, but there is hair everywhere, unless I am constantly vacuuming.
Personally, I didn't want to get a dog while I still had babies crawling b/c of the hair issue.

My husband always laughs b/c I told him over and over, I'd rather have another child b/c at least I was comfortable with babies but didn't know anything about puppies. (That is when he agreed he'd take care of the puppy.) His thought was that a dog was a lot cheaper b/c he doesn't have to put her through college.

best of luck....

My parents have a golden retriever who lets my son climb all over him without a flinch. They are exceptional with kids. A big trend right now is the Goldendoodle. They don't shed, and depending on the size of poodle it is bred with will depend on how big the dog gets. They are so sweet and so cute. I am considering it for our next dog. We have a cockapoo who is good with our son, but I wouldn't say totally loving towards him. I think he just likes that my son gives him food and he gets to go on more walks now.

It's funny. I immediately thought Golden Retriever (I had one growing up) for the fact that they are smart, friendly, and loyal. Mine was very calm. Then I read another person's comment that they are "always going." So I guess it depends. I am not sure I agree with the spaniel suggestions. My neighbor had a Springer who could jump from the ground straight up and into their six-foot high pool! My cousin has had two daschounds (weiner dogs), both a longhaired and a short-haired. They are so sweet and gentle. She claims they don't shed much. I'm not a small dog type of gal, but I'd take one of those.
So sorry for your loss. I think you need more time to heal before you decide on this. Otherwise, you may end up with a new puppy and a new baby if you and your husband both get your way ;)

If you want a small dog, I would recommend a Shih-Tzu. They are non-shedding their bark isn't 'yappy', they are wonderful with children. I have had at least one shih-tzu from the time I was in third grade and now my oldest daughter is in 4th so many years, I have had 1 pure bred, the others were crosses between Bulldogs and Shih-Tzus, both are great, the last one we got I received her at 6 weeks old within a week of having my son, so they have enjoyed growing up together for the last 3 years =), hope this helps.

Hi R.,

I know everyone wants a Golden Retriever or a Labrador, but they don't stop and think how big these animals seem to their children when they are full grown within 12-15 months of getting them. We have Brittany Spaniels, known for their hunting skills, but are also great family pets...we have had five litters over the past several years, and over 75% of them were sold to families wanting a pet for their children. Another breed of dog I would recommend would be the Springer Spaniel. They are a medium size dog, as well, and are great with adults, and children alike. Don't get me wrong, I believe Golden Retrievers and Labs are great animals, maybe just a little big for the smaller children. Remember....puppies grow faster than children.

Have fun looking!~!

C.

I have two Great Danes and they are the sweetest thing they do get big though my kids love cuddling with them.
Just wanted to put my word out there.

I got a Golden Retriever about a year before my daughter was born. I spent lots of time training and working with her (took food away while she was eating, pulled on her ears & lips, made loud random noises, took her everywhere, puppy classes, ect) When Cassie came, the dog was great. She has always been gentle and careful, letting the baby pull on her (baby used her as support when learning to stand). She also became very protective after the baby arrived- she barked if someone came in the house when I was alone, but never any other time. It was nice knowing that no one would get in with her there.

Okay, so the not so good-goldens shed. Even when they are brushed regularly, they will shed. The "puppy" stage can last up to 2 years. In that first 2 years, they can be very hyper. Goldens need LOTS of exercise. They are very smart (this is a good thing too!) so they figure out how to get into things if they are bored. Many goldens are chewers-mine steals shoes (luckily she usually doesn't chew them)!

If you are seriously interested in a golden, I would recommend talking to someone with RAGOM-check out www.ragom.org for lots of great info. With little ones, you may be stretched for time for training, and some of the rescued dogs have training already done. Something else to consider when chosing a dog, does it fit with your family's lifestyle? Do you need an easily portable dog (if you travel frequently, it may be important to consider) Do you have space for a large dog? Time for exercise needs?

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck. I love my golden and hope you find the right dog for your family!

We had two Golden Retrievers growing up and they were FANTASTIC family dogs. My parents chose that breed because they are calm and loving, but protective of their family. My brother used to wrestle and ride our dogs and no one ever got bit. I don't remember any excess is drooling. The second dog had ear infections and developed some issues in his old age (fear of the dark and lightning, so he was happy to be indoors towards the end of his life) but was always very sweet and playful. They do shed, but you didn't mention if it would be an inside or outside pet, so I don't know how big of an issue this would be.
I'm not much of an animal person, but I would definitely lean toward a Retriever.

In my experience I would say you want a medium to large dog just because they are more intelligent and train better. Also in my opinion mutt dogs are less prone to illness and cronic problems.

We have a collie/blue heeler mix. she is the most loyal obediant dog and only weights about 40 lbs. she does shed seasonly (most dogs do)but other than that you couldn't find a better dog. I would suggest looking at your local shelter and maybe not going with a puppy- there is a lot of work and time to getting a dog house broke and trained to have manners.