Pets & Babies?

[peanut56]

I have two dogs, a pomeranian, and a lab mix - love them both so much!
My own personal opinion would be to either get the dog now, or wait a few months after the baby's born. Depending on the dog (age, temperament, etc) it may require a lot of training, and it might be a little much for you, trying to train the dog and take care of your newborn at the same time.
I agree with Didz for the most part about the puppy thing - the only thing to remember is that a lot of puppies will need to be taken outside to the bathroom in the middle of the night, so that could get horribly annoying...waking up to take the dog outside, waking up to feed the baby, know what I mean? Our pomeranian did this for the first 2-3 months we had him. We tried those puppy pee pads for the middle of the night, but he would just shred them!
A dog is a great idea though, I grew up with one, and I loved it!! I couldn't imagine life without dogs.

 

[Eskimobabys]

i have a cavachon he is gentle and has been around babies before he's rather disinterested once he's gets a good sniff lol but when they cry he does go to them as if to see whats wrong he just sniffs them and comes to get me lol but i think you should get one before bubz arrives so u can establish a routine and all GL with choosing a breed try looking into shelters or petfinder! Save a Life! lol OH and PLZ RESEARCH the beed before buying!!!! to see if that breed fits ur life style its very important! some breeds are better for familys than others. like i wouldn't suggest you going out and getting a chihuahua there more so one ppl dogs and are so tiny could get hurt if drop or rough up by a child

 

[debsbaby]

I have a collie, a malamute and 2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. They (cavaliers) are a fabulous breed with children and for a toy breed, they are bigger in size (13-18 lbs) so are a bit more sturdy to have around children. They are an indoor dog, but love to go outside with you. They love EVERYONE and are gentle and affectionate and playful. I've never seen an agressive tendency ever in mine. I've had dogs all my life but only discovered this breed in the last few years. I can't imagine my home without at least 2 at all times! If you go this route, make sure you go to a reputable breeder to avoid the health problems that this breed (and any pure breed) can be prone to.

My older three children were born into the family with dogs already, and it has always worked for me, though it can be just that at times...work! Make sure the dog is for you, not your child as children can be fickle about animal care and such and you are likely to wind up stuck with all the care. Plan on it being a possible 15 year commitment, or don't get one.

 

[Eskimobabys]

yes LOVE the cavalier breed so sweet and lovable! but watch out they are a pretty penny! but absolutely worth it!

 

[misscream]

I think you should wait, you might not even want one after you had the baby. I don't think that you will have the time to give the dog the proper amount of attention it deserves for training, which is pretty much all day, when you have a newborn to take care of. Even older dogs will need training because you will need to introduce your rules to them and sometimes they don't take to kindly to change!

 

[Bingo]

Getting a dog is a great idea but I would wait until you've had baby and settled into a routine because I don't think you'll have the time or energy to look after and settle in a new companion as welll as look after a newborn.

 

[stardust599]

You've still got 3months before baby gets here - I'd say get one now and get it into a routine and trained before baby or wait until baby is 4-6months old.

My Mum has 4dogs and I have 1, my sister has two. My sister has a 3year old and a 6week old and we've never had any dog/baby problems. They're not even interested in the slightest when they're a newborn - they will have a sniff, try and give baby a lick and then lose interest. Now my nephew is 3 he terrorises the dogs and they all keep out his way lol. xxx

 

[debsbaby]

yes LOVE the cavalier breed so sweet and lovable! but watch out they are a pretty penny! but absolutely worth it!

Oh, yes! I know! If you buy a well bred one that has had the parent's completely health tested and the breeder has waited until the age of 2.5 yrs old to breed them (as the breed club strongly recommends to help detect and not breed the dogs with early onset heart disease to avoid the heartbreak of them dying young) then a breeder has considerable expense already in a dog by that age. Here in the states, a well-bred cavalier from a reputable breeder is $1,500-$2,500. Anything much less, you can almost be guaranteed is from a puppy mill situation or a back yard breeder that has not had the parents health tested. Worth it? Yes! In my opinion, a cavalier is proof that you can buy unconditional love!