Most suitable breed of dog...

[jollygreen]

We have a 6 month old boy and we're about to move out of a flat in the city to a house in the country with about 6 acres. My wife will be at home with the baby (she's not going back to work after maternity leave) and we're keen to get a dog.

I don't have a problem having a dog that needs a lot exercise but we need something which will be great with young kids. We've got 3 old-ish cats that get on fine with our baby so hopefully they'd be ok with a dog as long it didn't hassle them too much!

I was thinking of maybe a lab, golden retriever or a border collie but does anyone have any advice or personal experiences? And is it worth getting 2 dogs?

Thanks,
JG

[doggydays]

First off, NO! Please dont get 2puppies! Even the most experienced person would find it a challenge and it often ends in heartache. Any breeder worth their salt would definately not sell you two puppies.

All those breeds are very different. I have a lab, grown up with them, always had them and they are versatile, fun loving and do well with families. I must stress to buy from a reputable breeder who has done all the health checks for real. Also i would suggest being cautious about chocolates, they can be as much work as a BC and are known to have aggression issues. I had the worlds best chocolate labrador, she was so laid back and motherly. But, she was from excellent stock, and not bred for her colour.

Im not too up on goldies but from my experience of them they're loopy! LOL!

Border collies arent my kind of dog but if you choose this breed please dont buy from a farm or working stock. These types of dogs need a lot of mental stimulation, they're literally bred to work. If they dont get this, they can develop serious issues, like OCDs, noise phobias and herding and nipping people.

Try this to see what it comes up with
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/select_a_breed.asp

[shalforette]

Why get a big dog? Why not go for a smaller breed which in a couple of years time your child can interact with. Take for a walk and play with without being knocked over. BC need work and are not always good with toddlers as they want to herd them. Small does not always mean lap dog or yappy. Tibetan Spaniel are great with kids and will play for ever.

[leelapops]

Hi jollygreen. I'd second doggydays!

Labrador was the first breed to come to mind, they have a good reputation with kids (except for the chocs) and are bouncy and fun.
However, you say you don't mind a dog who needs plenty exercise: but if your wife is the one at home with the baby, who will walk the dog? Is she prepared to care for the baby AND the dog? She will be KNACKERED; if you're getting a pup, then imagine basically a second baby. You can't do all the dog care if you are out at work or whatever; it will need constant attention for a while-is your wife OK with that?

I would NOT recommend a Collie: I have heard exceptions, but I know that on the whole they are not child-friendly. Mine can't be around kids at all, and even if you got a pup and brought it up with your child, there is still risk that it'll nip/herd/get worked up. Doggydays is right, collies need so much stimulation; Jack is like a full-time job in himself! We rarely leave him, and he needs mental and physical exercise to keep him on his toes, and wear him out a bit!

German shepherds are meant to be quite good, nd can be very protective of kids and good companion. However, breed experts can tell you more. Why don't you contact the kennel club, or a local rescue, just to ask their advice?
I know it might sound odd, but I have also heard that Staffordshire bull terriers are good with children, and the smaller ones are a nice size.

2 puppies=2 times the work. Please don't!
Let us know what you decide. I love dog stories! Lisa x

[doggydays]

Staffies are great with kids, when brought up correctly. As with all dogs. Their nickname is the 'nanny dog'

[jollygreen]

Hi, thank you all so much for your excellent advice. I'm an expert on cats but not dogs! In particular thanks to Lisa for considering how I will manage a baby and a puppy. I think we will go for a slightly older dog (over a year old) we would go to a rescue centre but would need to get some assurance on suitablility with children which is why we would prefer a specific breed.
I LOVE staffies but thought they are meant to be a bad with cats?? I don't want them packing up their little spotty hankies- I think we pushed our luck bringing home a baby!!
Mrs JG x

[Bellringer]

Try for an English Springer Spaniel. We've had them for years and never known a nasy one yet. The current one 2 year old will let strange children take food off her and then give them a good licking. They do need lots of exercise and tend to bit a bit loopy but they are easily trained. There are Spaniel rescue centres and a lot are already trained. I admit to being biased.

[garner]

I agree with all thats been said above,but perhaps you should get settled first,find how things stand with such alot of land ie ..what wildlife are about, what walks you can take and when you get a [ feel ] of the place you could then consider what dog to get and please remember if you do have a cat it will need to settle in also.

[leelapops]

I'll second garner! Hehe, it is a big consideration, and I hve no intention of being patronising: I had no idea how much work Jack would be when we first got him (and still is!) and I did a fair bit of asking around, researching etc.

Bellringer, can't Springers get "Avalanche of Rage" syndrome? Or is that Cockers?

Ah, not sure on staffies and cats, JG...Had missed that point! I have a friend who has a lovely rescue staff, who cohabits well with her cats.

Great news that you're looking at a rescue, and wise to consider a younger dog, as it has more time to get used to your little one.

As you probably know, don't rush, and take the time to find what you want, and you will be a very happy family!

x

[Metz]

I''ve got boxers great with cats and kids, they never grow up LOL !!

[kita1]

Have a read through a rescue like:

http://www.freewebs.com/manytearsrescue/dogslo okingforhomes.htm

You will often see that like this rescue they give a good run down of what each dog requires/suitability for children etc.

Two older dogs can be a good idea as they are company for each other and play and excercise each other (not as much work for you!).

If you want a bigger dog what about a couple of rescue greyhounds? They make ideal pets (some can be bad with cats, but the rescue will probably make sure of that part as long as you tell them about your cats).

Why not take a look round a local rescue centre - it will give you a basic idea of what to expect.

[Bellringer]

leelapops.
It is Cockers that get the rage. Wouldn't trust them an inch.

[Snappy]

Springers also suffer from rage syndrome. This problem has also been reported in American Cocker Spaniels, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Dobermanns, English Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Pyrenean Mountain Dogs and St. Bernards.

[pixiepie]

i would recommend a pug. Buster is awesome with my kids. loves to play and is a clown. If you exercise hiom thats ok but if you only have a time for a quick run up the street he is happy with that. Plus he is only little so my kids are very confident with him

[meltoadhall]

personally i would say to get a puppy rather than a grown dog, we have smallish children and got a puppy for them to grow up together with - 18 months on they are all wonderful together and we knew the breed stock he came from.
With a rescue dog you take a lot of chances about the nature of the dog especially with a baby. that why we went for a puppy.

we are now looking at getting an older rescue dog to keep our irish setter company, which by the way I would recommend as an excellent family dog especially coz you are going to have so much land for it to run on.

[jollygreen]

Thanks for all the answers chaps and chapesses.

We're in two minds as to qwhether or not it's best to get, say a 1-year old dog or a puppy. We don't want the new house to get trashed by an excitable pup but we need a dog young enough that he/she will accept Ben and the cats OK.

And does anyone have any advice on whether we'd be better with a dog or a bitch? I'd assume a bitch but to be honest I don't know why! Some friends of mine had a male golden retriever (Tonka - great name eh?) and although very well behaved in all other aspects, his rug-shagging wasn't very nice!

Thanks again to all who have contributed.

JG

[meltoadhall]

we went for a boy,because we didnt want to have the hassle of seasons etc.. Our boy is 20 months old and entire, not going to get him done as we have never had any probs with humping, aggression or anything else

[ruby27]

I have had dogs and bitches but my slight preference is for a bitch. Yes there is the problem of a season but once that is dealt with, bitches are generally more tractable and less likely (but not never) to run off on their own. This may depend slightly on breed types as my Irish Setter boys were keen to go off on their own, and became hard of hearing, my girls were a little better. However in my view dog versus bitch is a bit of a throw up, as both are great - others here might differ and have stronger views on advantages and disadvantages

[tiggerwoo]

Hi Jollygreen.....is there a particular reason to have a pedigree pup...why not a mongrel...no problems that come with all this inter breeding of pedigree dogs and they need loving homes like yours.