Anyone know a good dog breed for children

[carolynyeo]

Hey,

My husband and I want to get a dog...we live in a house in Newfoundland...we have a unfenced yard pretty big, and live in a small town. We have a two year old and a cat. We are looking for a breed that is calm, good with kids, friendly with people,not big droolers, or have excessive shedding...I don't mind some shedding cause Im use to the cat...I would love to get a older dog say around 4 years..but the shelter here is terrible..the dogs are really bad...its cause the conditions of the shelter are so bad and there are so many dogs together I think they have a pack mentality..
We went there and I was scared the whole time...they were jumping at the cage and barking and snarling.
Anyway any ideas? We were really looking for rescue dogs or maybe a breeder whoose dog had her last whelping and is looking for a home...

[sacausa]

I have a Chinese Crested Dog. Full grown they weigh anything from 5-20lbs (between 7lbs and 10lbs is the norm). These dogs come in two varieties, Hairless, hairy hairless, and powderpuff (lots of long hair, looks like a miniture afghan). This breed does not shed, pant, or drool AT ALL. They love human companionship and will get depressed if they don't receive any. My dog, Duchess is a hairy hairless (sometimes I shave her to look like a hairless, whereas sometimes I let it grow during the winter). This breed is generally docile. There are rescues all over the country. My dog, Duchess, was abused by children as a puppy, therefore she does not like children at all. However, some of these dogs are specially placed with homes with children because some of them love kids. The website is www.bemikitties.com/hopeshaven another great website is www.petfinder.com which is a wonderful website and actually helped me find my precious Duchess and led me to Hope's Haven Chinese Crested Rescue.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/chinesecrested.htm
If you have more questions just ask.
For pics. just google chinese crested dog under google images!

[jrowley]

My experience with dogs the Labs or golden retrievers are the best with what your looking for they are ppl dogs and love kids. They have some shedding but their wonderful personalities far out way the shed.

[ICNDonna]

The most important thing to look for is a dog who has been with children all of its life. We almost always get a dog when it's just a few weeks old. A puppy will usually adapt to a cat in the house a little easier too.

Good luck!

Donna

[work it]

My favorite dog is the lab becuase they are easy to train and very good with kids. They are such people friendly and like Jan said their personalities or wonderful.

[tired of this]

I have English Setters. They are extremely gentle and very good around my kids.

[dyno]

I was also going to suggest a golden retriever. We had one and they are great dogs.

[Stella1609]

What kind of size dog are you looking for? Some of the really sweet and gentle breeds could still accidentally knock over a 2 year old, but you want a dog that is big enough that the 2 year old can't hurt it either :). I would recommend a medium-sized dog, maybe Bedlington Terriers, any of the Spaniels or Setters, Bassett Hounds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Greyhounds or Whippets, the small to medium bully breeds like Bull Terriers, Mini Bull Terriers, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, or Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or American Eskimo Dogs.

Good luck in your search!

Laura

[kelly McC]

We did alot of research before getting our dog and decided on a boston terrior he is so loving and gentle with the kids yet he protects his territory even for a little guy. He is very smart and was easy to train. Good luck in your search,
Kelly

[creatingkarma]

LABS! I have two & my girls can dress them up, pull their tail, climb all over them, WHATEVER. The dogs are just glad that someone's touching them. They are soo sweet & on Animal Planet they said that they were the least likely dog to bite, which is why I got one. I agree that a puppy is best if they're going to be around kids & other animals.

[VickiB]

I have to give my vote to the Labs as well. There's nothing like a big, loveable Lab! It's true their size can knock the little ones over. But then their size also keeps them from being easily hurt by young children, which can sometimes lead to a defensive bite.

[carolynyeo]

Hey I like the boston terrier as well, whippet hmm I love the golden retriever but my boyfriend in college had one and it had terrible doggie odour...Live in Canada so it would get wet alot in the winter going for a pee outdoors. I like labs so maybe that is a possibility. We really would rather an older dog cause Im not sure I can handle puppy days right now...The whole up every two hours to let them out for the first little while seems alot for me to handle when I hardly get any sleep as it is...THat is the problem though finding an older dog that is use to children and cats and that is nice...

[sacausa]

www.petfinder.com is a great website
You search for a specific size, age, gender and even breed! They also tell you if the dog is good with children and/or has special needs etc. Plus, all of their dogs are rescues!

[Mel53H]

Golden reteivers are the best dog for children. I have had 3 altogether when my kids were growing up. The are gentle and extremely smart. They are very easy to train,

Good luck!

Mel

[dancemomof2]

We have 2 golden retievers and 3 kids, and Iuse to runa daycare. They are like Karma said always being dressed up rolled on played on, slept on and never have they ever even thought of being unfriendly. The are shedders though. we also have a Brittany Spaniel, she is about 45 pounds and the exact same way, never has a mean word to say to the kids. She is very protective of them also. She isn't to bad at shedding either. She may catch you a bird or 2 and bring it to you LOL, but I guess with cats that may happen also. Good Luck!!!!

[carolynyeo]

Hi we are going to visit a breeder on sunday who lives about an hour from us. She breds Australian Sheperds. She has three puppies available but we want to see the older dogs first to see how we like them. She says she won't give us a puppy if we don't seem like it fits us which I agree with. I am worried about them because they seem to need alot of energy put into them. They also are reserved with strangers which generally means guard dog but I could be wrong. She is excellent though she teachs K9 for the dogs on the isalnd as well as search and rescue. She has obedience training, agility and fly ball. She even will come out and help us if we have any problems so that is a plus.

Anyway thanks for the info.
P.S. My favorite is still the golden retriever though.

[carolynyeo]

Hmmm...saw the australian sheperd today. I really liked them but they seem so hyper. Well hyper isn't the word, I guess full of energy is more suiting. I liked them just not sure I can handle that kind of dog. ...

[Stella1609]

I would definitely call them a high maintenance breed. They need lots of exercise, as do most (all?) of the herding breeds.

Laura

[Sharon]

I have a dog that is a mix of an Australian Shepherd, and a Cattle dog ( Cattle dogs are also known as Blue Heelers) He is one of the best dogs I have ever had, my kids love him. My kids friends will knock on our door, and ask if our dog can come out and play!!!!! I admit, they are not a breed for the novice, but if you have experience with dogs, they make wonderful pets. If you would like more info let me know.