What breed dog would be most compatible for us?
brandy asked:
I have done a lot of research on dog breeds and would like any personal experience that anyone has had. I have a small child (she will be around 2 when we get the dog), I am a stay at home mom. My husband will be traveling a LOT for work soon so I would like a good watch dog. We have a place with a nice size yard, but the dog will be an inside dog. I would like a breed good with kids (most are if raised with them), and a good watch dog the dog doesnt have to be a guard dog, but it would be nice to feel protected. We do not have any other dogs, however we do visit family often with several other dogs on acerage. Any personal experience would be helpful. Thanks for your time!
I have been going to the local shelter every week now. I am still doing research and want to make sure of what I want. I dont believe in just buying a dog because it is “cute” and it ending up in a shelter.
This entry was posted
on Monday, March 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Dogs.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I have done a lot of research on dog breeds and would like any personal experience that anyone has had. I have a small child (she will be around 2 when we get the dog), I am a stay at home mom. My husband will be traveling a LOT for work soon so I would like a good watch dog. We have a place with a nice size yard, but the dog will be an inside dog. I would like a breed good with kids (most are if raised with them), and a good watch dog the dog doesnt have to be a guard dog, but it would be nice to feel protected. We do not have any other dogs, however we do visit family often with several other dogs on acerage. Any personal experience would be helpful. Thanks for your time!
I have been going to the local shelter every week now. I am still doing research and want to make sure of what I want. I dont believe in just buying a dog because it is “cute” and it ending up in a shelter.
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 am
Just get a small sized dog from the humane society or the pound.
You don’t need to get any certain breed, just make sure it has a good temperment.
Full bred dogs are usually inbred anyway.
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:43 am
english bulldog
March 25th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Go to an animal shelter and pick one that suits you
March 27th, 2009 at 11:11 am
golden retrievers… they are great around kids, and very loving
March 30th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Basset hound or Beagle. Or even a Mastiff, they may look scary but they are one of the best breeds to have if you have children.
March 31st, 2009 at 1:51 am
Get a Shetland Sheep Dog
I have one and she listens very well and is always protecting me.
She is fine with the daycare at my house which has 6 kids
and she has never been a problem. Although the only downside she has very much energy.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:29 am
I agree with the others. Go to a shelter and let the dog pick you. Save a life. Just check how it is with your daughter. I wouldn’t get a really big dog. A small to medium sized dog will be best.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:31 pm
German Shepard without a doubt, they are loyal and very protective. A shepard will die to protect its master, not to mention it has over 700 lbs per sq in bite force, enough to scare any would be prowler away. But they can be notorious dog haters
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:56 am
I would either go with a German Shepard, or Golden Retriever, they are protective dogs, and are very able to be trained easily. I am taking vert technician, and I have done dog training…
April 5th, 2009 at 9:33 am
A Bull mastiff…..
Great with kids……gentle household dog…..protective of home and family….
the size deters most people…but they really are great dogs….
the size also deters UNWANTED people…….and ours barks when strangers come to the house…….but not when they walk by on the street….
they get along with other dogs…and ours loves cats and birds too…
Our kids were little when we got ours……they could take food out of her mouth…pull her ears and tail…jump on her……she never batted an eye….
but, when one of my kids cried, that dog was right there!!
April 6th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Sorry, I don’t have any dogs, but the following link may help.
April 9th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I feel that after having 3 lhasa Apsas that they would be a good choice. They are from Tibet and use to be a family dog and a protector. They use to have several in their house. They are wonderful with kids, playful, gentile and very smart.
Judi
April 12th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
I’m very partial to Labrador Retrievers.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:07 am
I personally have Rottweilers. I love them. Mine are therapy dogs and are around children all the time and are so gentle and love them! But also, I have spent a lot of time and dedication to their training.
I would recommend Boxers. They are known to be great with kids. Often choosing to be with a child over an adult. I had a friend that grew up with a boxer and it was her best friend. Plus they don’t have a tail to knock the child down. lol.
Good job on doing the research. Just be sure to find a dog that will be gentle around your toddler.
When I was 6 I got a lhasa, and that was great, but not what i was looking for. She wasn’t into learning new tricks or anything like that. She just wanted to do her own thing and play when SHE wanted to play. She is now 11 and is the same way! But, she is a good dog. Though, she does get snappy. I am more afraid of her than my Rottweilers. When my rotties havn’t EVER raised a lip to me. Though, I have seen her teeth plenty. But, then agian, i was younger and wanted to teach her tricks and dress her up. So hey, i wouldn’t like me either.
Good luck. Best wishes.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:39 am
I had a German Shepherd growing up. They are alot of fun, and will help watch over younger kids if they are raised with them.
They also are good at alerting you if strangers are around.
April 18th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
We had a Doberman Pincher. He was great with kids, and a great guard dog. Every Doberman Pincher that we have had has been really easy to train. They are some of the smartest dogs you can have. They are loyal and very protective of their families. It is by far my favorite breed of dog.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:12 am
a dashound can be very protective of family !!! and there a smaller dog …very loyal
April 24th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I have a Black Labrador retriever.She is the best dog I’ve ever had.I can actually reach in her dog bowl while she’s eating, and she doesn’t growl or anything. I also have two girls that would reach in her mouth just to touch her tongue. The girls would also pull her ears and tug her hair,..and the dog would just lay there.Make sure you get a female, they are easy to train.Good luck
April 25th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Two breeds come to mind, for a larger dog, a Yellow Female Lab would be perfect. Very gentle with children and protective but still a very sociable with other animals. Protective and vocal when a stranger comes around but not aggressive. For a smaller dog, I would suggest a Shiatsu, very mild tempered, but will make a lot of noise in case of an intruder. Good Luck
April 25th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
German Shepherd without question. Wonderful and protective of children and family. Good as an inside dog, but does need excersize and you have the yard. Fantastic watchdogs and very smart. I had one growning up and she was a most amazing dog. She was out babysitter!!
April 27th, 2009 at 7:33 am
ok well first chihuahua are a very good wach dog but some are not good with kids mine is though when i took evona to my aunts evona loved playing with her son he is almost 2 they had such a great time and i also ike poodles there great with kids i have the little ones but sence you wanted a wach dog i would sugest a standerd poodle i like the party colors the best party colors dont mean the dog is a mix it just has 2 or more colors in it like my poodle panda is black white and gray and fife is my other poodle she is black and white poodle are 1 of the most loving dogs we drove 4 hrs to get a standered party poodle but there faces did not look heathy so we drove back [crazy huh?] and i breed dogs to so if u click on my name xx20×13xx you can see the breeds i breed and i have some ready to go and others will be in a few weeks. they are very good around kids and you can train them to be a watch dog i have a yorki poo and man i feel safe with her when someone pulls in the driveway her alarm gos off.lol and back to my aunt sence the baby liked evona so much they decided to get a dog they got a boxer i went ofer to day to see them and the dog i only seen once it started barking at me and standing in front of the baby then it seen that the baby knew me cauze he walked to me so i think thats a good too but i like the kind that i breed cause i breed for the sweetness of them none of my dogs are mean to the master/s but i think all dogs come with protection for there master/s i beleave you need to show them how to be a watch dog what i did to my chihuahua is i had my dad dress up in a ski mask and a long black jacket and he pretended to hert me and when evona herd me screen she bit my dads leg lol ps i live in pa if your interisted in my pups emial me at if you are i hope this helped
April 29th, 2009 at 6:25 am
because you have a small child, i will recommend two things. 1) get a dog that does not require TOO much grooming. 2) Get a dog that was bred to be around children.
Now, with that said, i will suggest either a Boxer, a Doberman, or an American Bulldog. I have owned many working breeds and with the criteria mentioned above, these would be best suited for you. Because of the fact that he/she will be an inside dog, all three have short coats so the shedding will not be bad and hair will not be left all over the house to be picked up or swept up daily. Because you have a small child but also want a watch NOT a Guard dog, i recommend these breeds because they are natural protectors. The Doberman is the only dog in the world and in history designed and bred to be a watch/guard dog but with the adaptability and love of children and family still in tow. Boxers are known for their dedication to children as opposed to adults meaning that they prefer teh company of kids instead of adults but still accepting of their owners. Bulldogs just love their owners and are known for spending hours just laying down next to you or with you and sometimes on top of you. They have tendency to drool but its not too bad. With your small child, i recommend you stay away from Rottweilers because they are not the type of dog that likes to be poked and proded as young kids have tendency to be and do. German Shepherds are good but do shed constantly. If you need anymore info or advice, please feel free to contact me.
April 30th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I’ve had a couple of greyhounds and they are awesome. I’ve had them around all kinds of kids and they are very tolerant. They love to be around people and are very gentle. Laid back personality and quiet. They don’t shed much at all and contrary to popular belief don’t need much more exercise than any other dog. Not great watchdogs, but as good of a breed that I’ve ever had.
April 30th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I’m not going to recommend any specific breed because a lot of it depends on the personality of the dog and mixed breeds are fabulous as well, but I am going to offer some things you should consider.
Because you have a small child, contrary to many of the recommendations on here, I would strongly recommend against most toy breeds. These dogs can be very very fragile and one misstep by a child can leave you with thousands of dollars in medical bills.
I would also recommend against any hounds. Sighthounds will lock onto a target and follow it with no regards to anything else. If a door gets left open, a gate not closed, or if the dog pulls from the child’s hand, the dog will be gone and you will have lower than a 50-50 chance of catching your dog again. A scent hound may be similar. Most hounds will disregard traffic, fences, calls, etc to follow their ‘prey’, even if the target is another person a block over, and then will look up and realize that they are lost.
Any dogs that run instinctively are also not a great option for you. Again, any out that they see can lead dogs like Huskies to ‘freedom’ and you won’t see them again.
Be careful of herding dogs unless you can guarantee that the dog will be on a leash at all times when you leave the house. More than one Sheltie has been killed trying to ‘herd’ cars. However, the size and protective nature of this dog may actually be a good match for you.
You don’t mention the activity level that you are looking for in a dog. This is a major deciding factor, along witht he amount of time you want to care for the dog (meaning brushing, trimming, grooming, etc). A dog that’s mostly inside means that a border collie, australian shepherd, kelpie, or similar high activity level dog won’t work for you. They need more than to run around in the backyard and then curl up inside. They need at least an hour of dedicated playing and working to be happy.
If you have an aversion to shedding, dogs like labs, dalmations, and most double coated dogs (shelties, poms, huskies, keeshond, etc) will not be good for you. If you don’t want to spend money at the groomers, long haired and dense coated dogs will not be great for you. This means lhasas, pekinese, the double coated dogs again, possibly poodles, setters, etc.
A Jack Rusell or Beagle may also be a good bet for you. They tend to let you know when someone is around, they are protective of their people, but are generally friendly dogs that are well-behaved and trainable. They also come up at resuce fairly frequently. However, a Jack Russell is a quite active dog and will need walks and attention quite a bit.
And of course, get any unaltered dog fixed as soon as is safe for the dog.
I’m going to link to some rescue sites, some dog prep sites, and some reputable breeder sites for you. You sound like you are being very responsible and thoughtful about this, so I congratulate you on that. Good luck in your search!! : )
May 3rd, 2009 at 11:47 am
Look no further, the breed you are looking for is a Boxer! They are sweet, funny, extremely gentle with children, they love attention and are very playful. They will thrive when included as a full member of your family. Boxer are not agressive by nature but are good guard dogs. They don’t really like extreme heat or cold and are not the type of dog to leave outside. Best of all, very low maintenance, no shedding and clean. I would opt for a female, their nuturing instinct is remarkable and they tend to be smaller in size.
May 4th, 2009 at 10:39 am
I see that you have a lot of answers to this question, but I thought I’d throw my two cents in
If you want a dog that will help make you feel safe, then you might consider a black Lab (black is more intimidating), Rottweiler, or German Shepherd. All of these dogs are good with kids when raised around them (never leave a young child and a large dog unsupervised, though). Make sure that you socialize the dog to whichever dogs he or she will be around when he or she gets older. That way the dog will stay friendly with them. You will also want to spay or neuter at an early age to keep them well behaved around other dogs.
If you are OK with a smaller dog, Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) make great watchdogs because they bark at any provocation. If you have a home and the dog lives inside, excessive barking shouldn’t be too much of a problem. A Pembroke Welsh Corgi is also a very alert dog, and because it’s a member of the Herding Group, they tend to make good watchdogs.
If you just want a large dog, and don’t care if it looks intimidating or not, Golden Retrievers make great family dogs. Just beware that Retrievers and Labs tend to be very hyper until they mature (2 or 3 years).
Hope this helps!
May 4th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
i have a Boston terrier i love him he loves every one loves to play good watch dog barks when he hears people come up the walk way he is very aware he always aims to please good luck with your search hope you consider a Boston
May 6th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
My parents have 2 golden retrievers and they are excellent with my 10 month old daughter (has been since birth). They are protective of the house although they’re bark is worse then they’re bite. The male always stands between his owners and strangers.
Although I understand the reasons for getting a dog from a shelter, you are probably better off to get a puppy so that it can grow with your child, instead of having to worry that an adult dog might turn on your child (when I was young a “great family dog” that my parents got from a shelter attacked me)
May 8th, 2009 at 2:23 am
Without a doubt a Black Labrador. I have one and he is so gentle with my daughter but let someone walk in are yard without being welcomed he gets barking that if they are coming to brake in I hope they brought a extra pair of under ware. Like some one had said earlier I can put my hand in the bowl while he is eating and he is fine. I have had him for 3 yr. and he has never bite anyone.