What kind of puppy would you get for a 7 year old boy?

[The Lisser]

Lab mix. Labs are great with kids, they love to play and they are totally devoted to their families. As a plus, they mellow out as they get older. Get a mix so it will be a little smaller than a purebred lab (hopefully). Their fur is long enough to be good outside dogs, but not so long that you have to brush them constantly. Also they are in the shelters all the time, so you may find just what you're looking for and save a life!

 

[BlacksheepCardigans]

Quote:
I don't like to recommend breeds for outside dogs because it never seems to work out the way the owner think it will. Outside dogs who do not have a full-time job (livestock guard dogs, etc.) tend to be substantially more badly behaved than inside dogs, no matter what breed. They never have to learn their manners and when they do get inside they go crazy with the joy of it and so, of course, somebody yells to throw the dog outside again. This would be especially true for a dog intended for a little boy; as soon as your son goes outside he's going to get a flying tackle by a dog who hasn't seen him in hours. No dog - and I really mean NO dog, unless it's terribly elderly - just happily walks around outside sniffing things and enjoying being in a small yard, and then gracefully and calmly greets their family when the humans come out. They either create their own job - digging, barking, chewing, chasing things - or they fight to get inside where their people are. Dogs are so intensely pack animals that without company they go a little bonkers when they can't get to them.

If you're willing to consider a real family dog - one that will be wherever you are, whether inside or outside - there are a few breeds that seem to always do well and are handily sized, but don't have so much prey drive that they'll be a danger to your chickens. Boston Terriers are a classic. A WELL-BRED miniature (not toy) poodle is fantastic (just, please, do not try to save money on a poodle - the breed is riddled with issues and the badly bred minis have awful, AWFUL temperaments right now). I have Cardigan Welsh Corgis (25-35 lb) with four kids and, while they need to be supervised with the birds or they'll herd them for hours and tire the chickens out, they're very gentle and good with even the baby chicks. Don't get a terrier, a sporting breed of any kind, or a hound. All of those will kill your chickens. I'd recommend against the big herding dogs as well; they have too much drive for most families and you can never meet their exercise needs. Look at the medium-sized dogs in non-sporting group, the small herders, the large toys. Those tend to be good candidates for family dogs because that's what they've been bred for deliberately.

 

[key west chick]

Take him to your local shelter. Im sure the right dog will "speak" to your son and you will find the right dog.

 

[melodie_a]

I agree with one of the above posters. See what your local animal shelter has available, they have some wonderful dogs just waiting for a boy like yours to come along and change their life. It is also a good lesson for your children to save an unwanted pet. They have everything from baby to seniors, so a young dog would be easy for you to get and train.

I think that lab mixes are great, we currently have a white german shepherd that we adopted from our local animal shelter he is a great dog but is a lot of work. He is not a dog that would do well without LOTS of exercise and mental stimulation, but when we keep him exercised (think running for a couple of miles, not chasing a stick) he does super.

Good luck with whatever you decided to add to your family.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I agree I wouldn't get a Beagle... TOO HYPER!


I would visit the pound and save a life!

 

[cubalaya]

the poster specified that they had a fenced yard, wanted a small dog, for a 7 year old. with a rescue dog, you don't know what you are getting. rescue dogs are for adults who can deal with all their behavioral problems. labs and golden retrievers are not small dogs. a beagle is small, loyal, never bites, and would be happy in a fenced backyard. the perfect friend for a 7 year old kid. got my first one when i was 4 and have always had at least one beagle in the yard.

 

[EweSheep]

Collies, highly recommended.....had many years of experience with them. There are rough and smooth coated. Go to a very reputable breeder, not at pet store, or pound. Collie Adoption would be a good source to go to and is almost availble in most states.

Beagles, no....most of them I know, hyper and so nose ready LOL! Great for hunters. VERY active dog. It is no couch potato either!

Also Keeshondens are wonderful with kids too, we had a pair and they are very loyal and happy to be your friend. However they do get bored easily and you have to keep them mentally active. We would not trade our two Kees for anything, mischevous and all!

 

[Cindiloohoo]

My mom is trying to give away a feist/jack russell mix pup because he is too hyper for my dainty little 6 year old niece. Want him? PM if you're interested. He's a good pup, but niece is not quite as active as he needs her to be. She is more quiet and reserved, the dog is not

 

[cubalaya]

collies, too hyper. keeshonds may bite your kid. get a beagle. in the 1950's the beagle was the number 1 dog in america.

 

[awesomefowl]

My 12 yo brother is getting a black/chocolate lab or Golden retreiver. They are supposed to be great family dogs, but are large.