Seeking Ideas on Dogs for Children.

I have a friend in Maineville who rescues dogs - two breeds, very well behaved. Do you want their name and number?

I know you'll get a million responses, but let me throw in one for getting a Basset Hound! We have one and this is the absolute best dog in the world!!! They don't bark but they have this adorable way of "talking" to you. They are wonderful with children and other pets. They pretty much live to be petted and coddled. There is a basset rescue group that you can find if you go to petfinder.com and but in basset hound as the breed. The only downfall is they need comfort, so they will be sleeping on your couches and beds (hopefully that's not something that would bother you). These dogs are not aggressive so you wouldn't have to worry about how its going to be with your child's friends either. You would not regret getting a Basset Hound!!!

Where are you located? I live on the East side of Cincinnati and I have a friend who works with people who have to get rid of their dog (maybe they're moving away or their parent is going into assisted living and can't keep the pet). The dogs' personalities are known and visits can be arranged. I know some vets do this as well. If you want me to talk to her let me know. She just "matched" another friend with a Cocker Spaniel/Golden Retriever mix and the friend that got him (and her kids) are loving him. He's about 7 years old, potty trained, and has a really nice disposition. Getting a dog through this method is nice because you know more about what you are getting into and the past owner knows the dog is going to a loving home
This dog-matcher friend may also know of other places you can look to find available dogs. Let me know if I can help you.

We got a shih tsu and she's been great. I have children that are 12, 12, 7, and 4. She's mellow but fun, easy to train, cuddly, doesn't wander away just wants to be with people - the best. Mu neighbor got a toy poodle/bishon frie mix from a rescue organization that is 4 yrs old - minimal training needed and they love him as well. Check with rescue organizations.

Hello we got a mixed breed dog that we were told was opart pekanesse. She stayed little and was very easy to train to go outside. She was a very smart dog. She looked more like a small beagle but with longer ears. If you daughter is going to be the one taking care of it I would get a smaller dog. I am not sure if the pound wuld be able to know what type of doggy. Even our vet didn't know for sure the mix of our little girl but it didn't really matter. we had her for 12 years. We now have a boxer and a little kitty girl.

We have a great dog, but they are kinda expensive. She's a goldendoodle--half golden retriever, half standard poodle. She is about 55 lbs, so she's big, but you can get ones that are bred instead to small poodles and will only be medium-sized dogs. She does need groomed a lot (unless you have her hair cut short), but she sheds VERY little, has a wonderfully sweet, calm personality, and is a loving, cuddly dog--great with kids. She's also hypoallergenic (due to the poodle in her). Only issue is that she is VERY smart--it's cool because she gets the paper and can do tricks, etc. but she would not do well to be left alone all day every day while you work. My husband owns his own business (like you do) and he takes her to work with him every day--she's their mascot. :) If you don't like shedding, you may want to seriously consider a doodle or even a poodle.

J K
Seems like there is always lots of advice for what seems like should be a small decision, doesn't it? Everybody wants to reccommend what they have experience with...so here goes. I have raised 4 kids with 3 English Springer Spaniels. All my dogs have been neutered males and have gotten to be abour 50 lbs. My first one lasted until he was almost 16 yrs old and he made it thru all 4 kids including 3 boys and a girl. He was ridden, dressed up and walked in parades and teased as have his followers. They have been brought for show & tell and hitched to wagons they wouldn't pull. I have a 3 yr old now I swear is part cat because he "growls" when he is on his back being petted like he is purring.

One thing I have done consistantly however is I have known both the breeder and the parents of the puppy I have bought. So I was fairly certain of the personality of the puppy I was getting. No matter what kind of dog you decide to go with if you choose to go with a breeder, a good breeder will take the time to get to know you and let you get to know them and the animals for a good fit which is what you ultimately want.

J.

Small thought: Does it have to be a puppy? If you can get a calm, small, already-housebroken dog that's only a year old you don't have to deal with chewing on shoes, having to housebreak them, etc, or the extra hoops from the pound to get them. (Plus you know exactly how big they are going to be - I had a Cocker Spaniel over double the size he was "supposed" to be before he was even 1 year old.)

My biggest advice is research, research, research. Find a dog that fits your family's lifestyle and make sure your daughter knows that you can't have a dog if you're never home and always on the run. It's just not fair to the dog. Even if you get a mix, knowing the tendancies for different dogs will help you get a great mix. If you have lots of space, money and energy, get a high energy dog and let your daughter take obedience classes with it. if you want a couch potato DO NOT get a border collie, australian shephard, or jack (parson) russle terrier. Which ever dog you choose, get the whole family involved in training the dog. And train the dog for life. BTW, animal planet is bringing Victoria Morgan to the US and maybe if you apply for the show, she may do an episode on picking the right dog for your family. MAYBE. Anyway, have fun.

C.