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

[Beekissed]

Julie, I agree whole-heartedly!

My outside dogs have far superior manners than any inside dog that I have ever seen. Ever. I go into a lot of people's homes as a hospice nurse and I am here to tell you that, without exception, all the inside dogs bark, jump up, jump up on the furniture or growl at company. If the owner is conscientious they may remove the dog from the room but usually they just ineffectually try to get it to stop the behavior. Talk about hyper and neurotic dogs!!!

I find inside pets to be rather disconnected with proper social behavior of the pack and seem to disregard their humans as anything to respect. They seem to think the house is theirs and they do not tolerate strangers in their territory~hence the aggression and disregard for strangers in the home. An outside dog's territory is outside, so they seem very respectful when they are on my turf. They walk quietly, they wait politely for instruction and they really seem to enjoy any newcomers to the house. They enjoy every moment with their family and also enjoy going back to their own place.

It's really the best of both worlds, IMO.

 

[redhen]

If you are going to have an outside dog..i WOULD get 2 of them..so they have company. Dogs are social animals...they NEED a buddy to hang around with outside all day long. Good luck finding the right dogs for your son. We'll need pics too..

 

[sourland]

Juliechick, I hope you can create memories for your son that Poe gave you. I feel that everyone is allowed one truly special dog in their life. I have had and still have many dogs. Some I have tolerated, some I have liked, and some I have loved, and they probably felt the same about me. I have been owned by one dog. He was a German shepherd dog who knew me better than I knew myself. My constant shadow, guardian and absolute protector of everything dear to me. He died over 40 years ago, and I still miss him. He was the grandest animal that I have ever known. edited to add that he was an indoor/outdoor dog by choice. He was a long coated Belgian strain and actually preferred to sleep outside at night. Or perhaps he chose to do that so that he could better protect the house.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Julie, while you are searching for the perfect dog, there is a great book you can read to your son. It's called "My Life in Dog Years" and it was written by Gary Paulsen. It is actually a kids' book. He writes a chapter on every dog he has ever owned. It is funny and sweet and everything in between.

Worth a read by dog lovers.

 

[juliechick]

Quote:
Sounds great! I'll have to look for it at the library.

Sourland, After thinking about my dog, Poe and hearing your story, too, I think I'm going to look for a German Shepherd or shepherd mix.

I don't know about getting two, but I will consider it.

I'll post photos as soon as I get them. It may be a few months. Maybe you all won't have forgotten about it by then.

 

[hunterjumper999]

don't discount a pit bull or pit bull mix... I KNOW they get a horrible rap but a young ( under 15 weeks is optimal) puppy from a rescue OR a decent breeder ( look for someone who does not have more than 1 litter on the ground right now, that knows the bloodline and breeds for temperament and health above color and size) these are great dogs for kids since their pain tolerance is higher than most and they are active but happy to just hang out too. a REAL pit bull should be between 35-55 lbs - a Bully is the huge one- 50-100 lbs. beware of bully lines as they are bred for color and size before all else- so really find a decent breeder if that is what you want. Again, due to the fact this is to be a childs dog- i'd stay clear of adults or young adults ( over 6 months or so) from the pound or a rescue. JUST my personal advice. Pitties are also called "nanny dogs" .


OTHER than pit bulls we've got a boston terrier- BEST dog of the last 4 years in our house. Very easy to housebreak, very responsive to our moods. Active and fun. Minimal care required ( baths occasionally and obviously feeding lol).

I'd also reccomend a Lab. HOWEVER they are also terribly overbred and I'd venture to say a breeder dog in this case would be ideal. Make sure they health test and the parents are OFA certified. I'd reccomend English over American. English are larger, stockier and tend to be a little calmer. ALL labs are insane till about 3-5 yrs old. I just put my 10 yo on meds because she is just as nutty as she was at 2

a word of warning lol. I also have a lab mix and he's just as great.


A dog living outside needs a dry, secure house to call home. Make sure that you also provide an elevated base ( we use pallets and nail a piece of shower laminate ontop) to keep them off the dampness of the ground during the cooler months. My other reccomendation is that you DO provide a tie out for the hours you are not home. Place it far enough from the fence ( or make it short enough) that the dog can not get OVER the fence and strangle. this will prevent neighbors, the ups man ect from accidnetally letting the dog out when you are gone.

**ETA**

if the dog is to be indoor / outdoor spend a few months REALLY working on the housebreaking before he spends ALL the time outside- it will suck if he gets big and has no idea he can't pee indoors ( I am re-housebreaking a 2 yo Bully now. He's 80 lbs and pees about a half of a 5 gallon bucket several times a day! )

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

You probably should also factor in that insurance companies have very firm opinions of dog breeds. Many no longer will provide house insurance if you have pitts, rottweilers and german shepherds. (Which is another reason why pound puppies are ideal- you can always claim they are just mutts and that you don't know the lineage). Yes, singleing these breeds out is unfair, but that is how it is. You might check with your homeowners just to be safe.

 

[MsPony]

OP: yes, multiple dogs are not bonkers because y have eachother. I have had outside dogs and they all did well because there were multiples.

Right now, at this moment, I am dogsitting a pit who was never socialized and is an outdoor dog. She is great with my lab, great with me, but has absolutely no idea how to be a dog, or in a pack. She has just no clue, and I patiently have to remind her multiple times what to do, and patiently teach her how to act. Note to self/others: never take dog who never goes anywhere on a car trip to mountains , said dogs will throw up in car.

To an above poster: perhaps you are thinking of little dogs? I have a rather posh indoor labrador who is a perfectly (now, aside from puppy chicken issue) behaved, only barked once dog. In fact, he does hospice work right now, will do more hospital work once he gets official license. Do not discount every indoor dog.

 

[MsPony]

Also pitties issues stem from owners, she's really a lawn ornament to them. Whereas with me, she expected to conduct herself as one of the pack, she receives love, respect, treats and toys in return. Poor dog has no clue what to do when I give her a squeaky toy, she just stares at me with loving eyes.

 

[NellaBean]

Dogs are what you let them be and what they are bred to be. The percentage of each may vary. I worked at a shelter for many years......all my pets are shelter rescues. Current 4 dogs and 2 cats. As a kid my first ever dog was a little 8 week old shepherd mix puppy from the shelter. She was with me from when I was age 9 to age 24. She was an outdoor dog the first few years and then an inside at night and outside the rest of the time...until she was very eldery and then she became a house dog.

Go to the shelter, pick out a dog and save a life. Puppy, teenager, adult, senior......whatever floats your boat. Just spend time with it and love it and make sure you train it. You sound like a great dog "re-owner" in the making