A New Dog
@MichellinaGem (164)
United States
January 27, 2009 7:46am CST
I am planning on getting a dog soon. I thought I would see if maybe I could get ideas as to what dogs everyone would suggest for a household with several small children. I have two toddlers and an infant. I know I need one that the kids can't hurt so very small breeds are out. My oldest son is very strong and sometimes a little rough. They have not been around dogs much at all. Any suggestins are much appreciated.
4 responses
@MichellinaGem (164)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I have seen them in pet stores before. I thought they were much smaller than that. I will certainly look into it as I think they are beautiful.
@max1950 (2306)
• United States
27 Jan 09
mine weights 24 lbs and he's solid, you can get them as small as pekinese, max fit in the palm of my hand when i bought him, but be prepared to spend upwards of 5-6 hundred . max was brindle color, maybe the white ones are smaller. i keep max shaved as he's out in the woods all the time and florida is loaded with tick's and all sorts of crawlies. but i've seen them in shows with floor length hair, still they don't shed it's great, i hate going to someones home sit on the couch and be covered it's disgusting, plus your kids will be breathing all that hair and skin in.
1 person likes this
@makeupbycher (165)
• Philippines
30 Jan 09
always supervise your dog whenever they are with your children on the floor or bed or whatever. you teach them both how to handle each other.
my shih tzu is very patient with children. they are hardy dogs and they are family dogs. my shih tzu also gets excited when he sees children on the street. he likes to play with them.
a labrador puppy for instance while good dogs when they are adults are very destructive when they are puppies. they also like to rough play and they might step on your children accidently or something. so unless you get an adult lab, pls. don't take a puppy one. it's very hard to manage.
good luck!
@MichellinaGem (164)
• United States
31 Jan 09
Thank you fo rthat info. I had not really considered how difficult some puppies could be to handle. I might try to get an adult of most any dog just because that way they will be bigger and potty trained already. also they are usually calmer.
@dawon007 (184)
• India
27 Jan 09
Never bring big and aggressive dogs to homes where small children reside. This is because,if they ever do some harm to the dog, it will definetly fight back. Even a growl can leave the small children frightened and sometimes it can go worse. This is from my personnel experience. My brother plunged the sharp edge of a pen on to the forehead of the dog which we kept, when he was very small and since he was a local breed it didn't do much but gave a frightening growl. And my brother had to suffer many complications.
Before you ever bring a dog to the young ones, make them understand that the dog is your friend who also have feelings of happiness and pain and that he is not your toy.Never forget to vaccinate him, and keep it clean since it can carry disease.
@MichellinaGem (164)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I obviously do not plan on putting an agressive dog with my children. I have always taught my children to treat animals properly. I would have to say that a dog that did no more than growl a little when it is stabbed with a pen was an amazingly good dog. I am sorry your brother suffered complications from it, but most any dog would have at least snapped at him. I intend to ensure that everyone takes good care of our dog and will of course get them proper vet care at all times.
@sammy009 (259)
• United States
28 Jan 09
HI. I have Shepherd/Husky mix . I also have yound grandchildren, 3 years old, a 9 month old, and he is very good with them, gentle. When my daughter were small i had a Rotwilter and she was very good with children. MY neighbor has a cocker spaniel, and he is also good around children.
1 person likes this
@MichellinaGem (164)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Thank you. Several good suggestions there. I have ben surprised tofind Rottweilers on this list. A shepherd/husky mix must make a beautiful dog.