Help with a dog

[mummylove]

For the best 3 years we have talked about getting a dog and now we are settle in this house we are ready to get a dog.

I just wanted some advice.

What is the best dog to get that will be good with kids.
I dont want a small dog but then i dont want a big dog
We want to get a puppy so it will grow knowing the kids.
We also have 2 cats so thats another reason for a puppy to raise early so it gets used to the other animals.
So any advice would be helpful

 

[RaspberryK]

There are lots of dogs good with children, are there any that you are drawn towards? You can research from there.
Ones that spring to mind are labrador, border terrier, bull dog, bull terrier, staffy, samoyed, collie (like lassie), beagle, flat coated retriever, cocker sspaniel.
Xx

 

[Camlet]

I love Cavalier King Charles (although I guess they are kind of small) mine barely ever barks, she loves cuddles as they are lap dogs & she is amazing with my kids & so laid back but very playful at the same time They honestly are one of the best dogs I've ever had xx

 

[Lauraxamy]

I have a westie, I know he's a small dog but he's absolutely lovely. Such a baby, so lovable and playful and loves the kids. I'd have another Westie any day.
My Mum has a Labrador, she's never been as playful as my little westie but she's very calm and again, great with kids because she's so laid back.
I think if you get a puppy and let the puppy interact with the children all the time then it'll be fine.

 

[Eleanor ace]

I like whippets. They are (usually) lovely with children and good all round family dogs. Not too big, not too small. No big prevelent health or temperament issues (some breeds are prone to issues such as eye disease or hip problems), pretty easy to train and loyal.

 

[happymummax]

I've got a staffy, she's wonderful with my daughter and is scared of cats/small furies so doesn't bother with them, they're fantastic family dogs but do need lots of exercise, stimulation and attention and early socialisation is essential.

You have to look at how much you can afford to spend on dog food (cheap dog food is awful), how much time/energy will you have to exercise the dog each day, how much can you afford to spend on insurance (different breeds are prone to different health issues my staffy has allergies so costs a fortune), how much shedding you're willing to put up with and how often do you have time to groom the dog. Hope this helps

 

[lhancock90]

My staffy is beautiful with the kids

 

[Loui1001]

We have a Labrador and he is a massive, laid back cuddle monster. My DS adores him and he's just a very placid, gentle big goof

 

[CRWx]

I have a westie crossed with a shitszu, he's lovely and loves my little brother. So playful but such a cuddly baby aswell! Hilarious too xxx

 

[mummylove]

Thank u all. I will look at my laptop tomorrow as on my phone

 

[Bex84]

I agree with cavalier king charles spanial. We want one. I grew up having cavaliers and lo loves my parents. They are very much lap dog and family pet and my parents never had any trouble with any they had with cats. Ive never met a mean cavalier

 

[Camlet]

I agree with cavalier king charles spanial. We want one. I grew up having cavaliers and lo loves my parents. They are very much lap dog and family pet and my parents never had any trouble with any they had with cats. Ive never met a mean cavalier

They really are amazing dogs aren't they I forgot to mention they are also very intelligent making them extremely easy to train! xx

 

[Bex84]

Defenetly. My parents dogs are sweethearts. We plan to get one in next couple of years and they are beautiful dogs. It is so sweet when we take our lo over to parents and all the dogs rush up wanting kisses and to play with her. When we were babies the blenhem we had at the time would sit and guard the cot.

 

[mummylove]

I would love a Labrador but they get to big. We dont have a massive house so its another reason for a smaller dog. i dont work so i have every day to be with the dog and i cant wait to take the dog for walks with the kids and around the field by park.

 

[mummylove]

My ohs parents have 2 jack russels but i dont like them lol they are to all over u trying to like ur face constantly lol

 

[Scoobys mummy]

I have 2 mini schnauzers. (Pic is my avatars) They have great temperament and put up with a lot from Emily.

 

[mummylove]

aww they are gorgeous

 

[VikkiD]

I have a boxer shes not a massive dog but she is so loving to my lo its lovely to watch.

 

[SophiasMummy]

Most breeds of dogs can be good with kids when they grow up with them, you must be prepared for the chewing stages though and the commands you will need to teach first will be 'down' and 'leave'. invest in lots of toys before hand.

Some advice would be only get a puppy from health tested parents NOT just health checked, each breed has certain things the parent dogs should be tested for to insure no hereditary illnesses are passed on even if the mum or dad shows no signs of illness doesn't mean they don't carry it. especially Cavalier king Charles spaniels, don't get me wrong they are lovely little dogs as I know a couple but you should NEVER buy them without there parents being health tested they can have serious health issues and a huge number of the breed develop heart problems at some stage in their life so please only get a dog from health tested parents and don't be tempted if you find some cheap purebred kg reg puppies as they're usually from backyard breeders.

I grew up with two labs from good breeders and the oldest lived to 17! I now have a gsd cross but he was a rescue puppy and I'm forever worrying if he's going to develop any health problems not that I would change him for anything. I really think its down to you as to what dog you think will suit your lifestyle but I would really look into whatever breed you choose

Hope you find the right dog for you

 

[Bernie]

We have a chocolate lab x Dalmation and shes stunning and quite big. She loves my 2 girls shes amazing with them. We had DD1 when she was 13 months old so she doesnt know anything else but kids she misses them when they are at school as they are her playmates. If i had to have choosen a smaller breed i would have gone for a cocker spainel or a king charles spaniel. I go to agility on a friday nights with my dog and theres a king charles spaniel in our class and shes adorable such a sweet dog.