What breed dog to get/avoid?

[Cara]

I agree with some of Redyre's suggestions. I was thinking along the lines of:

Flat Coated Retriever
Springer Spaniel
Brittany
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Golden Retriever
Pointer


or some kind of mix including one or more of these breeds. I think that's important when looking at shelter animals for a particular purpose: find one that obviously includes a breed or two that suits that purpose. And meet with it thoroughly before taking it home, but understand it will probably act differently in the shelter than at home (e.g. hyper because it hasn't been able to run in a while, or aloof because it's just glad to be out of the kennel). We have a rescue German Shorthair that is perfect around children, he loves to cuddle them but won't knock them over, he's a very gentle kind dog. However they are also full of energy and can be chewers if not given enough exercise. Very trainable though.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Another vote for a Golden Retriever. I can't imagine a better dog around children, or chickens.

Our Golden is big, but lately I've seen quite a few "miniature" Goldens, bred to be 35-40 lbs . Same dog, just smaller.

I've seen some great-looking "Doodles" but I have concerns about what happens to the ones that don't come out looking like the "designer" dog people are looking for, so I personally would not consider getting one. There are plenty of non-shedding purebred dogs available.

 

[Andi]

Sorry for the loss of your dog.

I've had many breeds over the years. Some purebred, some mutts. Most purebreds tend to be a bit more high strung, which can lead to nipping or biting. The 3 pure breds that I know of that aren't nippy in any way are Golden Retrievers, Labs, and Silken Windhounds (which is a medium sized sight hound and a new breed). Each of those is mellow even tempered and owner loyal. They have a tendency to want to stay by and please their family, which makes them very trainable. Of the 3 I mentioned the Silken Windhound is the gentlest and might not do so good around kids that are disrespectful and homes where there's a lot of yelling. Here's a pic of my mom's Silken with my son and another with him sitting outside. As you can see, they are a long haired breed though. They are shaped like a Borzoi with a slender build, but no taller than a lab.



Another large dog that is fabulous with kids is the German Shepard. When we took our's swimming with us it would spend the whole time trying to get the kids safely out of the water. One down side with Shepards or any other herding dog is its natural for them to herd and when they are herding they sometimes nip, which some people think is biting.

I'd avoid bully breeds with kids. They are stubborn and also will attempt to position themselves in the family pack above your kids, seeing they are still young. They would also be difficult to control for kids taking them for a walk.

I have a dog that's ½ Husky/Alaskan Malamute. I agree that it would also not be a good fit. They aren't affectionate, quite independent and shed like no other dog I've owned! As my boys got to be older teenagers they had a blast having him pull them on sleds. Once they start running (and they will run every chance they can get away to do) there's no calling them back. They have to be physically stopped or allowed to get wore out, which takes a long long time!

I would avoid small breeds. Most small breeds were developed to control pest animals like rats, badgers and the like. They are big time barkers and more likely to bite. Not to mention, they are vicious when they feel they need to be.

My recommendation would be for one of the 3 breeds I mentioned at the beginning or a mutt of one of those. Mixed breeds have a tendency to not be high strung. Knowing what cross you have can shed some insight on how to go about training techniques.

One other breed that is considered a bully breed but personalities vary greatly is a Rottweiler. The males are mellower. I wouldn't recommend a female in a family with kids. They are super smart, love kids, loyal and protective. They are, however, big and strong. If you get one, get a pup and handle all the pups in awkward and uncomfortable positions and see which one doesn't seem to mind. That will be a good indicator of temperament. You also wouldn't want any pup that bullies its litter mates. Extremely strict training of all of the family members (dog training is training people how to handle the dog so the dog has clear understanding) is a must with any powerful dog. Boxers would be another one I'd lump with the Rotts. Great dogs, but you can't slack on your behavior and training or you end up with a problem dog.

Bottom line to all of this is training can make or break a dog. Any dog. Some breeds have characteristics that better suited to certain situations. Any dog can be trained to work in any family. You already mentioned you want one that's easily trained, so avoid difficult breeds and you'll be happier. If you really fall in love with a breed that's more of a challenge, be prepared for years of strict rules for all of the family members. Even a sweet Golden can turn into a bad dog.

I would like to mention a word or 2 about the poodles. It is true that they are naturally a breed that doesn't shed. When its crossed with another breed, all bets are off. You won't know if its inherited shedding or not shedding until its older. Small breed poodles are another breed that's likely to not have patience with kids and may nip or bite. The standard poodle isn't a nipper. They were developed as water dogs. So if you get a Golden Doodle, which I think are adorable, it might shed and if its a small breed poodle in the cross, it might be nippy.

Sorry for the long post. Its something I'm passionate about.

I hope your new dog will fit well into the family.

 

[chixie]

Quote:
my dad was attacked by his own doberman and he had to shoot the dog to get him to let go of his arm(all my dad dis was went to get him out of the yard so they could go to the vet for shots) and just a few days early said dog was playing with my nephew...In my opinion dobies are not safe to be with children ... there maybe some exceptions...my best dog growing up was my pit bull "pebbles" never had a dog as good as her

This has nothing to do with the breed of dog per se, however, it does have to do with whoever was the breeder of the dog, the person who socialized and brought it up and a puppy, and how the dog lived and was trained on a daily basis.

NO ONE should judge an entire breed by the actions of one or two they have experience with. There are good and bad dogs in all breeds. Most fall somewhere in the middle.

I am notjudging the breed I said I am sure there is exceptions... My dad didn't raise him... he showed up at his house and he could never find his owner... he never showed agression until that day... I just wouldn't chance owning one with children...just my opinion

 

[Redyre Rotties]

Quote:
Yes. And that is judging an entire breed based upon the actions of one dog from a questionable background. The vast majority of Dobermans are stable calm dogs who are outstanding companions, and occasionally you get one that will do a little guarding. Not so much any more in dogs bred in the US.

It is wrong to make blanket statements that any entire breed is or is not good with children, etc etc. What you describe is not typical behavior of any breed that has been properly raised and trained. In fact, it can be indicative of certain severe acute health problems not uncommon in that breed such as neck and spinal disorders, brain tumors, and imbalances of the endocrine system such as low or absent thyroid function, Addison's disease, and Cushing's disease. It can also be the result of abuse or improper socialization and training, or poor genetic temperament.

In any case, isolated instances such as this can happen in ANY breed of dog. That should be powerful motivation to anyone who is looking for a dog to research carefully, select a responsible breeder, and to train and socialize a puppy correctly.

 

[GardeNerd]

I am another vote for Golden Retriever. Mine is probably from hunting lines or mixed with a bit of something else, so he doesn't have the fancy dense double coat of the show lines breeds. It is pretty easy to care for his coat with just a weekly brushing.

He was a rescue ( he was a stray ) as an adult from the SPCA, therefore we didn't have to deal with the potty training year. He is medium and around 60lbs. He is absolutely fabulous with the kids, pets, and chickens. He is a smart dog. We will probably always have a golden retriever mix after this dog. Before George, we had a Black Lab. Great dog, too, but boy did she shed!

Breeds to avoid: breeds that like to chase or kill chickens or birds. Also, CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. They keep a list of breeds that they won't write a new insurance policy for, if you happen to have one. Their list should give you a good idea of breeds in general to avoid. I know there are individual dogs on this list, that according to their owners would never be a risk to anyone, but the insurance lists are from actuaries collecting data over 20 years and tracking injuries and fatalities caused by dogs.

From our home owners insurance company's list that they won't insure:
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
American Bandogge Mastiffs
Boerboels
Chow Chow
Doberman Pinscher
English Bull Terrier
German Shepherd
Olde English Bulldog (English bulldogs are acceptable)
Pit Bull
Presa Canario
Rottweiler
Siberian Husky
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Wolf hybrid
And any mixes of the above breeds.

 

[joedie]

I have 2 labradoodles and they are GREAT with the grandkids! I was given both of them (would never pay the amount people want for them). They have the smarts of the lab and poodle. The first generation I have sheds but the second generation is shed free. They were bred for people with allergies. Really nice dogs and very easily trained. I'll bet you can get one at a rescue.

 

[Amyable]

When getting a new dog, either go with a responsible breeder or adopt. You can visit some humane societies and give them your family profile (like you've done with us) and when they get a dog that matches, they will let you know. These folks are very good at matching pets to families, they see so many situations that don't work out and know why. Any breeder or shelter worth their salt will want the best match as possible for their dogs and will steer you in the right direction. I really stress adopting, because so many great dogs are needlessly euthanized, all for lack of a home.
Good luck!

 

[claud]

Well, I absolutely love English Mastiffs. They seem to have such great temperments and are supposed to be great with children. I bit large though

.

I have a Shar Pei that's about 80 lbs. He is good with my kids but in general Shar Peis are not.

How about adopting a Greyhound? I've never had one so I don't know about kids but surely someone on here has had experience....

A lot of people with kids like the Goldens but make sure you realize that they are big chewers - at least the first couple years of life. And labs are quite energetic so sometimes with small kids can be a problem.
Also, if you want a lower maintenance dog I would stay away from the more dominant breeds - like Rotties, Sheperds...just IMHO.

 

[babymakes6]

I found something that may help you to decide which breeds you want to steer clear of:
http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/danger.htm#homicides
Read the section titled "canine homicides." It lists every instance where someone was killed in the US by a dog, for the last several years. I do say, read it with an open mind, because-a lot of the dogs listed are pitbulls, which are often other breeds LABELED as a pitbull. There are a lot of Rotties listed, as well as Boxer, GSD, and Bulldog. It may help your family to decide which breed will best fit with your family. I myself have small children and there are several breeds I would never consider-simply because I don't want to take the chance on a breed that is known for aggressive tendencies-which some breeds are. Why do police forces PREFER German Shepherds over a Golden Retriever?
Good luck finding your dog-and post pictures when you do get one!