Author Topic: Need help adopting a dog... (Read 706 times)

muckmaw · « **on:** October 05, 2003, 10:18:28 AM »

I always get great advice from you guys, and I thought you might be able to help.

I promised my daughter when she was a little older we'd get a family dog.

So here we are, trying to figure out what breed would be best.

We've got a good sized, enclosed yard, and my daughter is almost 4.

The dog would be alone from 9-5 mon-fri.

After that we'd get him plenty of exercise.

I was thinking of a Jack Russel Terrier, or a Lab.

I don't want anything too big or too small. (No girlie dogs!)

Anyone know about the Jack Russel? Can you recommend another medium sized smart dog that's good with kids?

Thanks in advance.

Raubvogel · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2003, 10:30:10 AM »

If it's going to be alone through the day, I'd go with a Lab. They have a good temperment and are great around kids. Just make sure you do some training when it's real young. I started training both of my dogs when they were only about 7-8 weeks old and they pick it up fast. Once you get the basics...sit, lay down, etc, they are easier to deal with. Don't know much about Jack Russells, everyone I've seen was hyper as ****. I got a chocolate Lab and Border Collie....whatever you do, don't get a Border Collie unless you have lots of time to spend with them. They need lots of exercise and need to be challenged with work and stuff or they like to surprise with gifts...like eating your cell phone and remotes

Don't think you can go wrong with a Lab, but you should probably get a Lab pup checked out by a vet for hip dysplasia before you get it.

PSYKOJR · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2003, 10:32:28 AM »

dalmations r good medium sized dogs cause i got one and he sleeps all the time when i'm on the computer, but when it comes to gates thats where the problem comes in. he always jumps the gates. and when ur not home i suggest locking the dog up somewhere where he can't tear anything up

Dune · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2003, 10:54:57 AM »

Labs are almost impossible to beat. But, study it before you buy. Labs can be docile, mellow and just a happy to be here dog. Or they can be a hunter, and somewhat hyper till the get older.

For small dogs, I grew up with Scottish terriers. Great kid dogs, smart, they don't shed and great personalities.

AHGOD · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2003, 11:09:26 AM »

GO with the Lab, our family has always had them and raised them. Well only black labs that is, best dogs IMO for the family security and are great with kids. Hope you have water near by, otherwise if you don't plan on taking him for swims a couple times a week that is just cruel

CavPuke · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2003, 11:09:52 AM »

2 breeds that you may want to consider are Golden Retreivers or a Basset Hound. Both are great dogs around kids. Best advice I can give is if you're buying from a breeder go see some of the folks that the breeder has sold a dog to and check them out. DO NOT BUY from a pet store, many if not most animals in a pet store come from "puppy mills" and are usually very poor in quality. Best thing to do if you're not set on a specific breed is to visit your local SPCA and "rescue" a pup or dog. If your heart is set on a particular breed there may be a "Rescue Society" in your local area for that breed, such as Greyhounds etc. Hope this helps and g/l !

P.S. She was a pound pup

midnight Target · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2003, 11:13:09 AM »

Lab here. Loving and enjoyable, but might be a little too big for a little girl to handle. Especially in the "puppy" stages. Used to own a miniature schnauzer. Great little dog with a big heart and tons of brains.

Do Not get a herding dog ie. Australian Shephard or the like. They are incredibly smart, but require an equal amount of attention. If he's home alone for 8 hours a day he will find something to do.... if you know what I mean.

I got my lab from the pound. Lots of great dogs in there.

AHGOD · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2003, 12:43:39 PM »

One other thing you might want to look into is the breeding of the Black lab. There breed has been destroyed since the 80's. Everyone wanted one and breeders did their fair share in making up for it. Look into the dog's lines beforehand, if you are getting one from the pound don't worry, and to be honest that is where I would go first. I have three cats and a Norwegian Elkhound, the cats I got from the pound minus one that I found in my pool shed. The Elkhound has been a complete terror until he turned 7. I highly advise not getting one of these breeds with children around. Super Intelligent, problem solving breed with a chitload of energy and a bark that will drive you insane. All in all a great dog "now".

Stick with the lab lol.

muckmaw · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2003, 12:54:19 PM »

Heheh...

Problem solving breed....

So THAT's how the can opener works!

I'm going to go over the the animal shelter today and pick one out.

I really want a lab now, but my wife is saying it's too big for our house!

I don't get it. We've got a 3 bedroom house, that sits on 6000 sq feet of property. (Granted not a farm, but nice size for Long Island)

ANyway, I'm trying to convince her that a female lab would'nt be THAT big.

BTW, do they shed like a nightmare??

Nash · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2003, 01:04:01 PM »

My brother and his wife have a Jack Russel Terrier. A ton of character and a really cool personality... but devious as hell. Not recommended if you're not going to be around from 9-5, as they want a lot of attention and know how to really mess yer toejam up if they feel slighted.

Animal · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2003, 01:34:02 PM »

Labs are good, but in my opinion the best child breed are Boxers.

Need less manteinance (short hair), they are not as energetic as labs when young, labs can get too big too soon and they are pretty strong, so they play kinda rough, which can be too much for a small kid.

Boxers are the sweetest breed you can imagine.

muckmaw · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2003, 01:43:58 PM »

My friend had a boxer. He was sweet, but a little unruly, and not that bright.

The dog, not my friend.

Then again, he did not do try to hard in the training dept.

RafBader · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2003, 01:53:31 PM »

As a JRT owner I would have to advise you against getting one.The dog would be miserable alone in a yard for 8-9 hrs and would no doubt destroy your yard tunneling out or digging for imaginary prey.A brown or black lab would be a far better choice. Also you might consider the German shepard rescue association. Finding a dalmation to adopt might prove futile as the ones for adoption usually have a bad charactor flaw from breeder inbreeding. I love my jack but she has not always been in my good graces.

Good luck and don't rule out the hienz variety, some mixed breeds tuen out to be quite a good choice.

RafBader

capt. apathy · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2003, 02:23:36 PM »

JRT's, austrailina shepards, and collies are out, all too damn hyper, when left alone during the day they will tear your yard apart.

labs are always good.

I've had the best luck with chow-pitbull mixes. very good with kids, very clean, level headed and stable. but if you're asking about breeds on a bbs then you probably don't have the experience to train them properly so it would be a bad pick. also many obedience schools wont take pit-bull mixes as they get bad publicity, and don't always get along with other dogs.

I'd go with the lab if I were you, reasonably smart, cooperative, and fairly forgiving of mistakes made in training.

Furious · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2003, 02:31:43 PM »

For a small girl, I would recommend a beagle.