Advice About a Dog for the Family

I don't know of any breed-specific rescue organizations (for example, Golden Retriever Rescues) who will place a dog in a home with children under the age of five...and there is actually a pretty good reason for the rule. Dogs are pack animals, and when you adopt a dog, your family becomes his or her pack. When a family who has a dog brings home a new baby, the dog has the chance to get to know the baby and develop an understanding of the baby's place in the family/ pack hierarchy while the baby is still an infant. By that time the baby becomes an ear-pulling, neck hugging young toddler, the dog has already accepted the child as an important part of the family. However, if you introduce a dog into a home with a young toddler, it is a very different situation. Most young children cannot resist the urge to hug and love on this new furry "toy," and a new dog will often misinterpret natural, toddler curiousity as aggressiveness, and the results can be disasterous. (This is also why small dogs and small children generally don't mix...a toddler can pose a life-threatening risk to a dog who is smaller than the child). The problem can be worse when you try to introduce a puppy into an established family. Puppies don't have the wisdom and patience to deal with curious toddlers -- after all, they are young children themselves. Also, puppies have razor-sharp teeth which can cause serious damage -- even from the most innocent nip.
That said, not all dogs and not all children are the same. Some breeds (Labs, Goldens, and Standard Poodles) are better with young children. Also, your child may spend a great deal of time around dogs so she truly understands how to behave with a new dog (although this may be a stretch for a 16 month old).
If you do decide to adopt a dog, I would recommend going through a rescue organization, such as Citizens for Animal Protection. They have a variety of different breeds -- and a wide range of ages. More importantly, the trainers get to know the dogs very well, and they can steer you toward a dog who will be the best fit for your family.
Good luck!

I don't think I would get another dog until your kids are a little older. Almost all dogs are leery of kids that age unless they have been around them since they were babies (and even the dog you had wasn't comfortable with that). I think I would wait until the kids are at least 3 or 4 before considering getting another dog. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with your decision.

I don't have experience with pugs really..but I do have a suggestion. But I don't know if you have a breed preference, other than a pug. I adopted a middle aged Korgi from a local pound. She was the best dog I ever had..She was small, so I kept her inside(but she was big enough that I could let her out without monitoring too.) We had a cat at the time and never chased her or gave her a hard time. She was great, got along with our other 2 big dogs..and alerted when someone drove up. My niece was 9 months old at this time, just learning to walk and explore. She loved her. I wish you luck in your finding a dog of your choice!!

We got a Shih-Tzu New Year's a year ago, and that little dog is now our world. They were bread in China to be lap dogs for the emperors, so they are very laid back and friendly. She can get crazy and have running spells when we are playing with her. She is a great house dog, traveling dog, and ours loves to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. We got the dog for our son, who is now almost 7. They love to play together. My husband and I had never been interested in what we call a "frou-frou" dog. But, our minds have been changed by this one. We have clips for her hair, a couple of outfits, nothing overboard. We are planning on breeding her once we get our house rebuilt from Ike. No room right now in the travel trailer we are living in.

They are good for a home that has allergies, they don't have the same fur/dander as other dogs. Their fur is in the same family as a poodle, pomeranian, bishon frise. She sheds like humans shed.

We have a kennel for her that she stays in during the day. She used to sleep in it, but we have started letting her sleep where she wants, which is either on the foot of the bed or the floor right beside our bed. With all of the fur, they are hot natured dogs.

Shih-Tzus do require grooming attention. Their hair grows like humans. You have to keep them combed, which they love to lay around for you to do. We take ours about once a month to the groomers for face trim, paw trim, etc. Then I usually give her a bath about once a week. I would highly recommend a Shih Tzu to anyone.

We have Australian Shepherds, well, the older female is 1/2 Aussie and 1/2 blue heeler and she is 6 years old, and our male is full papered Aussie and he is 3 years old. Our son is a little over 4 years old and very active, he was about 18 months when we got our male as a puppy. They have been absolutely great!!! The female has always been around kids even before our son was born and is great, if she gets enough of him she just gets up and goes to the bedroom or somewhere to hide. The male likes to be right by his side. When our son rides his 4 wheeler Tonka is right by his side going in circles with him for usually at least an hour at a time. They have been great with our son and I have no doubt about bringing our twins home to meet them in 6 weeks. oh yeah, and when my SIL comes to visit and brings her pit bull mix (nothing against pit bulls, he's just shady)our male gets and stays between our son and the SIL dog, which makes me feel really good, because I really don't trust her dog, and apparently Tonka doesn't either!! Good luck!!!

First of all "puppies" are just like babies and more so when they are a small dog breed. My Maltese/Yorkie cross is 4 months old today and it is patience and prayer everyday--I have no children and she is a handfull. So if you are already busy you may consider an older shelter dog.

Pugs I know very little about, but by nature all small dogs think they are big and sometimes act that way--they do like alot of attention larger breeds sometimes do not require.

Good luck and God bless in your decision making.

I would NOT adopt an adult dog because you never know what they have went through in their life and what could set them off. It would be better to get a puppy. Alot of small breed dogs do have behavior issues. Maybe you should consider a larger breed dog. Maybe an Australian shepard or blue heeler. I personally raise pit bulls. I have never had a more loyal and loving dog then a pit. They have a bad rep. because of bad people. My dogs are family dogs. My 5 year old son takes care of them mostly if that tells you anything. Dogs are like children...It's all in how YOU raise them. Good luck finding a wonderful pet for your family~!!!

Please do not go with another small dog with small children. Go with a good Golden Retriever or Lab. They are large dogs but are so gentle and good with children. Small dogs tend to be moody around children. I have a small Brussell Griffon and a Golden Retriever and they are part of the family but I also have small grandchildren and I am constantly jummping up and down when they are around my small dog. Part of the problem are the kids who want to play with him but are a little aggressive themselves but the Golden Retriever is so gentle and just a great dog around the children. She lets them sleep on her, play with her and she just lays there and enjoys them. We have also spent a small fortune on our small dog because as my vet said, small dogs tend to have problems. He has had an artifical knee put in, has screws and a rod in his hind leg and it has been one thing after another. Don't get me wrong, this dog is our baby and is spoiled so we don't mind spending the money to keep him healthy however for a family with children and all other expenses involved with that alone, you should reconsider a small dog. I have a friend who has a Jack Russel Terrier and have to admit that is one cute small dog and very smart and good around the kids but it is also a very active dog and needs to run around.
Also remember a dog is a big responsibility and they want to be loved and have a good home as well and not be given away though I understand why you had to do what you did. So please think carefully before you get a new dog. A pet is a permanent situation and you must take the time to train it, love it and nuture it and you will get so much back in return. Don't just get a dog because you think every child needs a dog. Sometimes it is better to wait until the children get a little older. Children tend to pull on their tails, be a little rough with them and then we wonder why they get aggressive sometimes. Good Luck.

We rescued a beagle from www.houstonbeaglerescue.org just before Christmas. It has been a WONDERFUL experience. We got a dog that was potty trained (one of my requirements) and we knew all of his personality traits from his foster mom (good and bad!). I highly recommend adopting a dog from a rescue group. You get the best of both worlds... knowing what that particular dog's good and bad "habits" are, and helping a dog in need at the same time. Our youngest child is a 5 year old boy that has pulled and prodded that dog all over the place (not in a bad way, but for sure, it get's old for the dog!). Our beagle is so easy going, sometimes I wish he'd growl or snap at him to stop! We've had great experiences with Labs and now Beagles with kids. Good luck and if you do some homework, you will find a perfect match for your family.

Blessings.
M.

This is a great website to decide what breed of dog to get with young ones. http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/searchcategories.htm
We used it to help decide a couple of years ago and ended up with a havanese, the best small dog for children in my opinion.

I am with Christy and Christina on this! You should wait on another dog. Your daughter is only 16 months old. And by the sounds of your request, you anticipate having more than one child someday.
I would wait until your youngest child is at least 4 before bringing a new dog to your home. Put your energy into children now, and then when they are a little older, then can actually learn from and help with the pet ownership.

No matter what kind of dog one would get....parents have to be vigilent every single minute, with the child and any breed of dog nearby. I used to work as an Emergency Room tech...years ago. I have seen children bitten by small dogs, large dogs and everything in between. I have tried to calm down their anguished parents so the doctors can do their work. The mom who said they were thinking of getting a dog for their 2 year old----DON'T DO IT!!!
2 year olds cannot distinguish proper treatment of a real animal vs. that of a stuffed animal or other toy.

Y'all have many, many years ahead where your home can be a wonderful place for children and pets. It will be the best experience for all---including the dog---if the children are beyond the toddler stage.

Lab's love children and people, they are big and will sound big on the other side of the door when someone come's to the door. (sales people etc.) Mine would allow the kids to dress her up in socks, and tee shirts, they used her as a pillow, she slept next to their bed this lasted 16 years till she died, we still miss her. Please check with the shelters to see if they have labs or lab mix's you would help both you and the dog. (both your kids and the dog need love, they will return it for may years.)

Judging by the number of responses you've received, it seems like this is an issue people feel strongly about! I just wanted to relay my own experience. We had a toy poodle we had to give away when my youngest began crawling, because the dog attacked the baby! It seemed she felt she should be 'dominant' over the baby and was trying to 'keep her in line.' The toy poodle was also very bad about peeing and pooping in the house (she was an adult when we adopted her, and we'd been told she was house-trained). She went to a good family with two older children who doted on her and dressed her up for family portraits! Anyway, I wanted to wait to get another dog, but my two older children were very sad to lose their little 'Bunny,' and then one of my husband's co-workers had a 2-year-old STANDARD poodle who needed a home (long story). I was very nervous but eventually agreed to try her on a trial basis. She is fantastic! She barks when someone comes to the door but that is it. She was housebroken when she came to us and never regressed, even though she'd been living in a kennel for a year. She is amazing with the children--she is my now-four-year-old's best friend! And she DOESN'T SHED! When her coat gets really long I start to find little 'puff balls' of her hair here and there, then I know it is time for a haircut. Our cat hates her but other than that she is a blessing for our family. I want to reiterate what others have said about small dogs not being good with kids--I also think they aren't as good at 'holding it' and tend to have more accidents--that has certainly been my experience. Good luck in your search for a family pet.

I would definately recommend another dog! But then again I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't have one. Research breeds. I agree that labs, shephards and retrievers are usually a great choice with kids. Dogs with a high chase drive or herding drive are less ideal with kids. Herding dogs tend to nip at ankles to get the kids to go or do what they want. I think the most important thing is that you take the time to train and lead the dog. My German Shephard died when me boys were 4 and 6 mo.s old. We rescued a collie mix from the pound, but had to turn her back after almost a year of trying to deal with her issues. She was great with the kids, but extremely dog aggressive. We felt the risk was too great. Also, we were unable to take her camping, to the park, in the front yard, to the pet store...the list went on and on. We then got a 6 wk old rescue off Craig'slist. She seems to be lab and chow. She will be two in May. It has been beyond wonderful. Excellant dog. I think the most important thing is to start with a puppy. I understand why someone might be tempted to get a dog that is older and housebroken, but you are risking getting a dog that already has issues. If you "start from scratch" you have a better chance of raising the perfect dog for your family. Housebreaking a dog, if done right, can be done in less than a week with very little trouble. I can't imagine how it wouldn't be worth the time to make sure you are not getting a damaged dog. My Shephard took 2 days to train and never had an accident in the house, and our current dog had less than 5 accidents and was trained by the end of the 3rd day. Research the type of dog that fits your lifestyle. I definately recommend bigger rather than smaller. They feel less threatened by children and are therefore more tolerant. Hope everything works out great!

Ahhh! I was so excited to see your question! I got a pug for the first time 6 years ago and I have never regreted it! He is so sweet and layed back! I have a four and five year, both boys, and through the years they have put my pug through some things, but not once has he ever showed the slightest bit of aggression to either. He lets them do whatever to him and just kind of shrugs it off. I love my little puggy!

Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but generally speaking, small dogs+ small children= trouble. These dogs often feel threatened but the child's size and lack of concern for the dog's safety, which sounds like the situation that you just got out of. Larger dogs seem to understand that this little person is not going to hurt them. I would defiantly get an adult, since you don't want to house break and potty train at the same time. LOL. Most importantly, you want a dog with a proven temperament and experience with very young children.
Labs, German shepherds, and golden retrievers are all great dogs for young children, but again, it needs to have a proven tolerance for young children. If you misjudge the large dog, you will have a much bigger problem.
I personally wouldn't risk an unknown dog of any size or breed with a very young child, not until the children are all old enough to respect the power that even a small dog has behind those chompers, at least 3-4 years old.
It is one thing to bring a child into a home with a dog that you know, which allows the dog to adjust slowly, but it is another thing to bring in a strange dog to a home where the little one is already curious and pulling on the dog.

I have 4 children! I only will keep one breed of dog aound my house. That is a BOXER! They are great family dogs and actually clowns! The younger you get the dog the better chances of the dog bonding with you and your child! My oldset is 10 and we got our Rosie about the time that my son was turning 2! Rosie is now 8 and very proctective of the kids. SHE WONT LET THEM OUT OF THE YARD!! I love my boxer!

My husband and I are planning on getting my daughter a dog when she turns two and I have been doing a lot of research trying to find a small to medium dog that is good with young kids and with cats the breed that I having heard the best things about is shih tzu. God luck and let me know how it turns out.

It looks like you've been getting a lot of great breed suggestions, but the one thing I recommend researching is the activity level and the exercise needs of any breed you consider. With most, if not all dogs, lack of proper exercise equals destructive behavior of some sort.
Before you get another, you must be able to commit yourself (if not your family) to be able to properly exercise and train your new pet. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to take it to a dog training center (though some people lack the discipline to set aside the time every day for training a dog on their own time). However, every dog can benefit from knowing how to "sit" & "stay". "Leave-it" is a great command for a dog that lives with kids - very useful if your dog finds one or more of the kids' toys is better than their own.
Since you have young children, you definitely want to have a spot where the dog can get away from the kids and where the kids can get away from the dog. A crate is probably the easiest approach, but you never want to make it a form of discipline for the dog. Since you're strongly considering the puppy route, you will have to be feeding it small meals throughout the day - all can be fed in the crate. Please don't think of a crate as a bad place, dogs are den animals and like to have their own space.
If you are going breed specific (and not just getting a puppy out of town lake), DEFINITELY research your breeders!!! I'm sure the last thing you want to do is support back yard breeders or puppy mills. You don't want to get a puppy from anyone who tells you that the puppies are ready to go home before 8 weeks of age. If possible, try to find a breeder within driving distance so you can meet the parents and make sure the breeder doesn't have more than 5 litters a year.
When you do your breed research, find out about all the diseases your chosen breed is prone to (i.e. pugs are prone to have eye and tear duct issues) and make sure if there are any tests that should be done, are done to the parents before they are bred (95% of large breed dogs should have their hips x-rayed to test for hip displasia (the test is called OFA) before being bred).
Research, research and do more research on your chosen breed and breeders before buying and I'm sure you'll do fine as long as you train and exercise! ;)

I spent more than a year researching the breed I chose and breeders and I'm still waiting for a puppy. Feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions or need any help with research. I love talking about dogs and I used to work for a vet.

Good Luck!

I have had 2 pugs, greatest kids dogs ever. They are happy, playful, tough, and travel well. Something to think about is that they need a lot of baths, and due to their smashed in faces they can't get over heated at all and sometimes they need surgery which can get expensive. Oh and they shed a lot but if you can live with that, they are GREAT dogs!

I dont know much about pugs, but I would suggest a puppy because then the puppy will grow up with your daughter and won't know anything different and you can train it. It is much harder to introduce a baby to an adult dog.

I'm a little late on the reply, but being a double pug owner, I definitely have to chime in! :)
We have two pugs, 5 and 4, both boys, both since they were 12 weeks old. One was from a breeder and the other is from a pug rescue. Both are the sweetest little snorting, lounging, dogs! We have a 3 1/2 year old and a 6 month old. They have been great with both. They are not typically agressive dogs which makes them good around kids. We take our kids (human and pug) to "pug party" at Danny Jackson park once a month and all of the pugs are good around the kids... some of the puppies haven't learned not to jump up on kids yet, but like other dogs, they can certainly be trained to not jump up. you should try to hit the next pug party and let your kid check out some of the pugs and see what kind of response you get. talk to some of the owners, they'll tell you everything you need to know about the breed.
http://www.meetup.com/HoustonPugs/
here is where we rescued our 2nd pug from
http://dfwpugrescue.org/
we got him in austin, drove up there and brought him home.
good luck, I hope you can find a puggy that will fit your family.

http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dogs/dogs-good-with-kids.aspx

This link has some good info on choosing a breed of dogs that gets along with kids.
I think having a dog with young children is a great thing! I think one of the best dogs for small kids is a Labrador because they are extremely tolerant of kids jumping all over them and poking them everywhere and grabbing their fur/skin and all those things that go along with young kids =)
I would say the best way to ensure a good-natured dog is to raise them from the time they are a young puppy (12 wks is generally when they can leave their mom). This way, you can train them the way you want, and make sure that they learn from the start that the kids are in charge just as much as you are! Make sure you get the used to being touched while eating, and often take their food away while they are eating so that they understand it is YOUR food that you are SHARING with them, so that they will not become food-aggressive. Make sure you pet them all the way down their back, onto their hind quarters, including their back legs and tail. A lot of older dogs don't like to be touched on the rear end, and a little kid doesn't know any better. You have to get the dog used to being touched all over while they are young. Also, a great exercise I do with my kids (they are 4 and 2, but they've been doing this since they could walk!) is to put the leash on the dog in the house and let the child lead them around. This teaches the dog that the child is also in charge and can tell them what to do!
Here is a link for Cesar Millan's tips on puppies and kids (the Dog Whisperer):
http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/tips/puppy_children.php
If you don't already, I would suggest watching some of his episodes on the Discovery Channel...maybe even buying one of his books! ANY dog can be a loving member of your family =)
Hope this helps!

If you don't have the time for obedience training, you don't need to have a dog right now. Most reputable breeders and shelters will not place a dog in a house with very young children.

I grew up with Boxers when I was little. My mom had a daycare in our home and our Boxers were always very protective of the small children that my mom cared for.
We got one when our son was 3, he's now 5. He and the she have always gotten along. Now we have an 8 month old girl and the Boxer has always been gentle with the baby. She would actually lick the baby in the face all day if we let her. The baby loves it. I think Boxers are the way to go. They're very gentle and protective.
Good luck. Remember, puppies are like another child...lots of work and training.

It'll vary by individual dog and what age you bring it into your home and how it is trained. That being said, if you truly want a safe bet, look into dogs that are tried and true family friendly dogs. There's numerous books that categorize dogs by family friendliness. The pug isn't high up on the list. Godd luck.

I am a little late in responding; & I did not read your other responses, yet. AND, this may sound strange, but may I suggest a......BOXER? I have an in home day care & I also have two Boxers. They are wonderful with every age!! Contrary to popular belief!! People think they are mean because of their face & size; (which is a good thing, salesman tend to stay away!!) but all they want to do is play!! They really do become a part of the family!!
Good luck in your search & best of wishes!!

N.,
I don't know anything about Pug's except that they are really cute. However, we have always had Pomeranian's and Shi-tues (spelling). They are very cuddly, sweet, lap dogs that don't mind kids hanging on them. Also, consider that you will have this dog up to 15 years or so and they are like having a new baby the whole time. Sometimes when we want to go on vacation, it is difficult. Also, when you leave to go to work, they get real lonely and take it personally. I find that cats are MUCH easier years down the road as your life with your kids changes. While they will pay attention to the pets when they're little and at home, things will change as the kids lives do. This is just something that has happened to us since our dog is 13 and our cat is 8. The cat has just been easier in the long run.
Good luck with this and I hope, if you get a pug, it is a joy to your family!!!

Sorry to hear you had to give away your boston terrier. I would get on the net and check out the information on other dogs. Find out the behaviors, personalities, etc. and decide from there. Being a person that loves animals I am a firm believer in raising kids with animals in the home. I was raised that way and I raised both my boys with dogs in the house and taught them to respect them, not to hit, pull, or kick them. So by all means you should get another pet. My choice of dogs are Pomchi's (Pom/Chihuahua mix) or mutts. Mutts don't usually have the behavior or medical problems that pure breeds can have. Bassett's are also very good with kids. Rescued dogs can make wonderful pets. I have gotten a few of my dogs over the years from the pound or a rescue service but if you get a adult dog unless you get one from the humane society or some other rescue then you really never know what kind of personality the dog will have and if the dog will be good with kids. I have been very lucky with my rescued dogs. One I rescued we had for 17 years when she died of old age at 18 years old. One I only had for a year before she was put down due to illness. And now I have my son's dog that is also a pound puppy. He went into the Navy so we are keeping his dog until he can get her. He has had her for 2 years now and she is a wonderful dog. But you have to find what is good for you and your household. Good luck in finding the right one for you and your family

I had dogs when my children were young....but they were "Pound puppies" and not the aggressive type dogs...they were. The first was the unwanted mix of a standard poodle and standard snauzher(misspelt) can't get my German to work today.... maybe you can figure it out Both of his parents were registered....Then our second was part cocker, part terrier, part poodle and probably several other dogs as well.
I have always heard that pugs are not the easiest to get along with. Some animal shelters will let you spend time with the dogs to make sure that you and your family and the pet all get along well.

Whatever dog you decide to get, please remember that they MUST be trained and that training doesn't end when PetSmart gives you your certificate of puppy training, it's a LIFE LONG process. A good dog can go bad if you stop challenging it to work it's hardest for you.

I took all of these things into consideration, before I got a cat, who is a lot less to worry about. lol

Best wishes!

sorry for the late advice....we have friends who have pugs and they are very hyper! I have a miniature schnauzer and he is the BEST. I first brought him home when he was 6 months old and he's now 11 yrs.old. He's a great family dog , even though he's really more MY dog; he was there long before the husband came along and before our son was born. :)))He's been through many many changes with us and we couldn't ask for a better dog.
Good luck~

The BEST dog we have ever owned is one that found us. She was lost. The Vet said she ran away or was abandoned and had been on her own for six months or more. My point here is that it may be better to go to a dog rescue shelter and get a pet that has lost its home than to get a puppy.

Having worked with dogs for a few years, my advice is to stay away from the little breeds for little kids. They can get hurt or get aggressive out of fear. We had to give ours away when our daughter was about 18 mos old. I think our dog might have been anxious of the erratic movements and loud noises that come from little kids. Anyway- we have a chocolate lab. Best. Dog. Ever. She is patient and sturdy. To me, there is no better dog around kids. Good luck.

Forgot to add- our dog was an adult from rescue. She had lived with a foster family for a while and her behavior had been assessed. We are both working parents and had no time to potty train and the rest that comes with socializing a neww puppy. She was perfect for our family.

Having worked in an animal hospital for 10 years, I would suggest waiting until the children are a little older to get a dog. I would also stay away from the smaller breeds with young children. What I would recommend when the time comes is going to your local animal shelter and picking out a dog or puppy.....maybe an older puppy. Believe it or not, if you're wanting a "Pure Bred" dog, there are lots at the shelters and there are also Rescue groups for all kinds of breeds. I personally think that a Boxer is an excellent family pet. They like children, are very loyal, good natured but protective of their family.

Good Luck!

Any type of retriever, young or adult, are great around all ages of children. We have an 8 year old lab and I can sit our 7 week old in the car seat in the lawn and know he will sit next to him to "guard" him against "enemies".
If I am getting out of the truck, he will sit by the doors the kids get out of until I get them all out.
He also sits by the road (we live in the country on a dead-end, low population road, so, he is not fenced in), while the girls ride their bikes.
He never leaves our yard, and, is very loyal to every family member.
I have never met an aggressive retriever, unless they are trained that way or mixed with an aggressive breed.

Labrador. The best kind hands down. I grew up with them, and love them. I have 2 Jack Russell Terriers, which are notoriously bad for kids, although mine are okay, I would definitely not reccomend them for young kids. They are way to sensitive to their territory and screaming/fast moving kiddos.. I love the benefits of having a pet with children, and love the responsibility it gives my son.. and they are the BEST playmates! Good Luck. The shelter always has great mixes too!

A pug is a verry good choice. We have two pugs who are wonderfull with everyone!!!! They do bark at things outside but its all show. They are the most loveable dogs in the world!! They would never growl much less bite anyone. The only problem we have ever had with them was potty training....they were a little late in getting the hang of it as puppys. I would of had Pugs my whole life if I had known how sweet and loyal they were!

Well i tell you from my experience, a pug is not normally good with young kids & neither are poodles or pekingese. I had them all @ 1 time or another. My suggestion is siamese cats, they were wonderful with my kids.i had 2 of them, bought brothers out of a litter. But i would tell you if you just want a dog to try a yorkie. They are great with all kids. I now have 2, my female who is 10 & 1 of her pups that is 3. Don't shed much @ all. & i just love them, my kids are grown but they are wonderful with my grandkids. They love to play. If you ever want an outside dog, go for a border collie or chinese sharpei

We have a golden retriever who is 11 yrs young. He is an indoor dog and has been here when all three of my children came home from the hospital. Our Golden has been crawled on time and time again by our three and we have never had a problem with behavior of our furry child. Golden's are the best!

I have two pugs at home and they are wonderful to my children (6 yrs & 18 mo old). They are protective, playful, loving and easy to train. Since they are small, easy to care for. Remember, young children love animals and will less likely have allergies towards them if they are near them early in life.

N., I have been doing tons of reaserch for a dog for our family. My kids are loud and the activitly level in our house is crazy. Not many little dogs can handle that. However, the pug is the one for the job. They are very excitable and love all the action in the house (like a BT without the terrier). They do not need to go on long, active walks. Just a normal daily walk. If we get a small dog it will be a pug b/c of the research I have done and my experience with dogs. Also most all big dogs are great with kids. As for puppy vs. rescue that is your choice. A puppy will be able to grow with your kids and with a rescue you may be able to learn a little about the personality of that dog first. Good luck.

We have three pugs and two little ones (2 1/2 and 6 mo) The pugs are great with the girls. Extremely gentle and basically leave the girls alone. They have never snapped at the girls. I would suggest rescuing only because puppies can be a handful. Pugs are great lap dogs, and they love to cuddle. They do shed! If you look into pug rescue, they will give you background on the pugs. Usually rescue pugs have been in a foster home and observed by a pug lover.

we got three puppies at the same time (not recommended lol_), they are all now 10 months old and are settling down.
2 of them are mini dachsunds, they weigh about 12 pounds, and one is a great pyrenees weighing 120!, we didnt mean to have the dachsunds, but my sister in law couldnt get rid of them, so we took them also.
if you are looking for a small dog, this breed is so much fun, and great with kids, they have never snapped or bitten my 2 children (6 and 1), and they pull them about all over the place, they are lively and cute, i never liked small dogs b4 i had these.
the only thing with puppies is the chewing, these 3 have wrecked everything in their path and chewed everything from shoes to christmas tree baubles.
with a puppy though you can train it to your own families ways - we also have an older mongrel rescue dog, who is a collie bassett mix - she is also a great dog, and has never had any behavioural issues.

if you want a big dog, the great pyr is a fab watch dog - he never takes his eyes of my kids, but he is so big i worry sometimes about him knocking them down, he is also a little more aggresive towards the other dogs.

personally i dont like pugs or anything with a squashed up face, because i believe they develop breathing and snoring issues, i like my dogs to look like a dog. i know pugs have great temperments though. :-)

I had a similar situation but I was joining a stray boy mixed breed with our extremely calm golden as well as 2 very small boys. I asked our vet who provided valuable information and also made me realize that I needed a boy if I was to add to our existing female dog. He said 2 boys or 2 girls would fight for dominance. The male/female thing works great and she definately runs the show. Once you get that info regarding a specific breed, petfinder.com has rescues, all ages, and you can pick the breed you want all from a reasonable distance from your home. A HUGE plus to this, in addition to rescuing is that they often include exact information regarding temperment in that most of these animals are with foster families so they've been socialized and the "familiy" knows their good and not so good traits. Good luck. Oh, and just as a side note, don't ever be scared of adding a pet (it just must be a thought out choice), our dogs have contributed greatly to the humanity of our children. God bless and good luck!

Wow, you have gotten lots of great advice, so instead of advice I will tell you my situation. I LOVE animals, if I had a ranch or a farm I would have tons of pets, but I have 3 dogs. All different, but all add a different “spice” (if you will) to my family. I have a 3 year old (had him since he was 6 weeks old) he found us, he is a German Sheppard mix he is “the protector”, example (we have a gated yard) My girls were outside 6 and 4 at the time, a man started to walk too close to the gate, made my dog very uncomfortable, my dog walked on our side of the gate, not barking or growling but still showing his teeth, (Yes I was outside too, but at 4’10” 100lbs I am not much of a threat my self) almost as if my dog was saying to him “keep walking this is my family”. Dog number 2 is a 1 year old Lhasa Apso he is great he is the cuddle bug of the bunch, he just loves to sit with us and watch TV. Dog (puppy) number 3, is a 6 month old Black Lab, he is the intimidator, (I think because he is still a puppy) he has a mean bark he can scare almost anyone away, he loves to play and run. He definitely needs lots of attention, if we don’t give it to him he begins to chew on things, he ripped his blanket. Luckily our girls are older so they can spend lots of time with the dogs, Hubby and I spend time with them too but mostly on the weekend, lets face it after a 9 hour work day, the commute home, making dinner, washing dishes, checking home work, making sure kids take baths, washing and folding clothes, it leaves about 30 minutes to an hour before hubby and I go to bed, (not too much puppy time in there, but the girls play fetch and stuff with them during that time) – wow, I am tired just saying it. If you plan to adopt, I would recommend seeing if the shelter would let you take doggie home for a “trial run”, sometimes a dogs personality may not work for you and your family.

I had a pug when my little girl was born and he just adored her he was the best natured pug ever he just loved everybody. I had to get rid of him because my husband was griping about having him in the house. I finally got another one about a year ago and she is the best little thing. My little girl is now 4 1/2 yrs old and they play so good together. I really have had nothing but good luck with my pugs they are really loving dogs. I would have a house full if I could. I don't recommend a chihuahua or a dachsund(sp) the are a little aggressive to kids and other pets. My mom has both.

I would not recommend a pug. My son had one with his baby and the dog became way too rambunctious and was hyperenergetic. She ran all over the house and jumped on the furniture and everyone. She would run off when he took her outside to potty. He finally put a leash on her but they decided to give her to another lady that had pugs. His pug has adapted well to the other home. The other house did not have children. Hope this helps. Just a thought but getting a dog from a shelter does not give you the history on the dog if it has been abused or not. I'd wait a few years before getting a puppy or dog because it takes a lot of time and patience that you may not have if you have little ones that don't understand nipping or biting from a puppy. Hope this helps.

N.
I have 3 pugs all from pups. they are 10 yrs and 5 yrs. I also have a 4 yr old daughter. She was raised with them and as long as you raise the dogs and your child to be courtesy to each other they will be fine. Pugs are some of the best dogs to have with children. They act like little people. My daughter is now at the age where she can hold the leash for the one of the younger ones. She absolutely loves them and they are nice to all children. Pugs are not your typical small dogs, they are only crazy if you train them to be crazy. My pugs have never gotten aggressive towards a child once in their life but I have three siblings that have been attacked my the 'wonderful" family pet, retrievers. I would not suggest them and if you do get a pug, get it as a puppy so you can train them to be around small children. Hope this helps.

Hi N..
Of course I can only speak by my own experiences but yes, I do believe you can have a dog while raising young children. I do, however, would not consider a very small dog who might get hurt around young children.
We have adopted our pets from the Humane Society and they have been the best pets. We were Blessed by our first adopted pet; a Lab. She was 9 yrs old when we adopted her and she lived to the age of 14. She was THE sweetest dog anyone could ask for and was absolutely great with children. Our second adopted pet was a half Lab/half Australian Shepherd who was 3 months when we adopted her. She is 11 yrs now and has been perfect with our children. Our third, which we recently adopted in December was 8 months old when we adopted him. He is half Lab and Half Rhodesian Ridgeback. He is HUGE but is THE most loveable dog we've ever had. He's a GIANT teddy bear and the kids love laying on the floor with him, while watching movies and he just lies there and "hugs" the children. He and our other dog get along wonderfully and were very easy to train.

You might also want to research a dog you would like to consider online before you get one.

Have fun and good luck!
D.
ps. just to let you know...having a pet IS like having another child...please consider this when you choose the one you would like to add to your Family. :o))

We have a golden retriever who is just great with my 10 month old daughter and 6 year old cat. Retrievers of any type are usually a good bet. Stay away from hounds and dogs from guarding herritages (they aren't bad - just the odds on non kid friendly behavior is higher as their instincts are different) There are decent breed selector quizes you can take on the Internet that will help you pick a dog that fits your needs. Good luck!

I would not recommend a pug. Our friends have one and it is a very active dog, jumps on us. We have a schnauzer and I love him. He is so calm and gentle with my kids. I would recommend getting a puppy. We had a rescue adult dog and her behaviour was very unpredictable. She was sweet and a good dog but we just didnt know her history and I was always nervous to leave her alone with my kids. It was like having another baby to take care of. Dont give up on the idea of a pet they add so much to a family.

I have had two pugs. Kobi we got when he was 6 wks old, (he passed last year) and Yoda (8 yrs old) we got when he was 1 1/2 from the pound. Both had such different personalities Kobi was more high strung always getting into trouble, more energy, and Yoda is more layed back. Yoda is always with my son, I am not kidding when I say that dog is in every picture I have of my son even if its just his eyeball in the corner. Sometimes my son holds onto his tail and Yoda lets him know when he has had enough, but I teach my son to be nice to the dog, and I think thats why they get along well, the dog is very comfortable around my son. I do not think its cute to allow kids to drag pets by the tail, carry them in a choke hold,(which I have seen kids do), and the dog actually looks at me if he wants me to tell my son to get away. They are great family dogs, they love to be around you ALL the time. They are small but not too small that a kid can easily hurt. I do think (I have known two pugs) they can get aggressive if they are bullied when they are puppies. Yoda was so aggresive towards cats, and it took a long time to correct that. They are deffinately funny dogs, some quicks halarious, others annoying. My only problems with Yoda is he does not do well outside when its hot(or cold), he has sensitive skin, it took awhile to find a dog food he could digest well, he has horrible breath, we have to get his teeth cleaned (something about their mouths being so compact) and he sheds pretty bad. He loves water but cannot swim at all, he will sink to the bottom. I love my pug, for us it was a great decision to adopt him(who was an adult rescue pug), and we had him for 5 years before we had our son. If you have any question or want to see pics let me know.

A former b-friend's sister had a pug & he didn't seem at all aggresive towards any of the kids that were around him. He just seemed really playful but not aggressive. You may want to look up different breeds online to review their behavior types. Good luck!

it is better if you get a puppy. then it will get used to your daughter wanting to hold it all the time and will become very socialized to your family as it grows up. i have a mutt that grew up with the family(and it came from a family of young children) and she will let just about anything happen to her from the kids and not show a lick of aggression.(of course mommy has to put a stop to mean behaviour)