Families with dogs

What breed do you have and how are they with your kids? We have started the hunt for a dog, we want to get a rescue dog. I had a golden growing up, my BFF & her DH have a pit/Shepard mix and my older DS just loves him. But, we are open to any breed really. I have 2 boys, they are 2.5 and 6 months. We have a nice size yard and I would be ok with a dog that needs to be walked a few times a day. Just not looking for a dog that sheds a lot. 3 days a week the dog would be alone while we were working and the boys are at daycare. From about 8:30AM-6:15PM. Thanks!

Families with dogs

We have a border collie/German shepherd mix ( at least that's what we think she is) that we adopted from North Shore Animal League. She's a very smart dog and is very protective of our DD while also giving her space and not getting in her face all the time. The only thing is she sheds a lot and it drives me crazy. If we kept up with taking her to the groomers though it probably wouldn't be as bad.

Families with dogs

I have a pit mix from NSAL and he is amazing with my DS.

Re: Families with dogs

We have a Shiba Inu. As a breed they are wonderful with children and are very quiet. They have a lot of energy so are great if you are an active family. They shed their undercoat 2x a year.
On the downside they are very stubborn and can be hard to train if not done properly.

Message edited 10/5/2013 4:13:00 PM.

Families with dogs

We have a yellow lab and he is awesome with the kids but he do shed

Families with dogs

We have a Havanese (she hardly sheds) and she just adores DD. And DD is at the age where she really notices the dog and tries to play with her. It's super cute.

Re: Families with dogs

I have a black lab mix from north shore animal league we think she is mixed with border collie. We had her for about a year and a half before ds. She adjusted great just some slight anxiety issues she was having but I think that was because she was not the "baby" anymore.

Families with dogs

We rescued a mutt from nsal. Part shepherd part other things. Loves my daughter. Sheds though.

Families with dogs

We have a golden. We got her as a puppy and she is amazing with the kids. I am leery of rescues since you just never know the background. Especially with that could be vital. I would be fine with any breed as long as they were mine at 12wks.

Re: Families with dogs

We've always had dogs in our home. I've had lots of dogs through my life. My two favorites are German Shepard's and Labradors. They are highly intelligent and great with children . Right now I have a pure bred German Shepard and a rescue shepard/chow mix. They are both great with my children. Shepard's do shed a lot. I've also read that beagles are fantastic with kids but I've never owned one. The only dog I ever had who had issues with kids was a cocker spaniel. I don't think its true of the bred but she was snappy

Its better to get a puppy than an older dog because you can train them, they won't have a background you are unfamiliar with, and they will grow up with your children. .

Re: Families with dogs

I have a pug and he sheds a lot.

I am with the others who recommended getting a puppy, only because of the behavior/temperament thing.

Not knowing the background of an older dog, you have no clue if they may turn one day.

You can still get a puppy at a place like NSAL.

Training totally sucks though.

Re: Families with dogs

I have 2 pit mixes (14 and 7) and twin 2 year olds. They all get along great.

Families with dogs

We have a cockapoo he's great. My kids adore him

Re: Families with dogs

I am a volunteer for a retriever rescue group. We will not place a dog in a home with children unless we know that it came from a home with children. (and was obviously good with them) Some of our dogs are in kennels, but some are in foster homes. The fosters give us a better idea of how well the dog is around other dogs/cats/children, etc. FM if you are interested in submitting an application, I will give you the website info.

Re: Families with dogs

Re: Families with dogs

Poodles are great dogs, great with families, smart, and barely shed. You also have your choice of sizes..toy, mini, standard.

Re: Families with dogs

We have two miniature schnauzers - they do not shed and are one of the recommended breeds for people with allergies. That was one of the main reasons we wanted the breed. They are also wonderful in many other ways, personality-wise. My son was just born last month - they are so sweet with him. My older girl, Charlotte, is very protective of our son - I think she thinks that he is HERS She's the mama! The younger dog, Reagan, is just low-key but waiting for him to be older so she has a playmate - she is ALL about the playing!

They are a wonderful breed - smart, loyal, they go with the flow - if you are high energy then they will run around, if you want to lay and watch a movie, they will lay on your lap while you do. It's nice. They are great with kids - very patient and SUPER friendly. They are also great with other dogs. I couldn't recommend them enough. We have them trained to do everything from sit to stay, etc. And they were a breeze to housebreak. HTH!

Re: Families with dogs

I have a yorkie and he doesn't shed at all. He is excellent with my DD. They act like they are friends!

Families with dogs

Chatham Hill Retriever....he is excellent with my DS!! They are best friends.

Re: Families with dogs

Re: Families with dogs

Re: Families with dogs

10 year old pit, and a 2.5 year old yellow lab. Both are awesome with DS (2 yrs 4 mos).....though the lab wins best friend honors! If the pit were younger, he'd be more into it.....I think the baby just exhausts him!

(Both shed miserably.)

Re: Families with dogs

We have a purebred cocker spaniel. She is AWESOME with our kids. My DD is 5, DS is 6 months, and our dog is now 7. She is so patient and gentle with them. Never gets agitated or snappy. She's really a good, sweet dog and the kids adore her.

Families with dogs

We have what we think is a papillion/ chihuhua mix. He is a little tiny thing and we got him as a rescue. He is about 2 we think.
Gets along great with DS. Very protective of the house. And lazy - all he wants to do is sleep. But he does shed a lot.

Families with dogs

We have a Golden and he is a wonderful dog. I had him before we had DD. In the beginning when she was a newborn/infant he could care less about her but was always sweet to her when she wanted to pet him.

Now that DD is 2.5 he loves her. He lets her sit on him, lay on him, play with his tail. Anything she does to him he just sits there and wags his tail and gives her kisses. He really is such a good dog and I think it is the breed because he was a good dog before DD came along.

My only complaint about him is the shedding. It drives me INSANE!