Still Seeking a Dog Good with Kids.

have you thought about a rescue dog? My best dogs have been mutts. Beagles are sweet but they like to wander and can be noisy. Labs need to work and get into trouble if they aren't exercised enough (digging, chewing). You can find a lot of info on the web about breeds. The American Kennel Club has a lot of info and good advice.

Hi S.,
I agree with one of the earlier posts that often times a larger breed dog is more mellow and better with kids than some of the small breeds.

If you are in the St. George area I would go and visit with Diamond (see link below) Golden Retrievers are wonderful pets and Gwen, his foster mom, says he is very intelligent.

Angels for Animals
288 N. Main Street
Veyo, UT 84782
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=102...

J.

We can't do everything but we can all do something.
Go Green - Get Clean
www.shaklee.net/greenplanet

A good dog with kids is really about the training the dog receives. Ihave 4 dogs, (2) dingo's, (1) pitbull, & (1) queensland heeler. All have been through advanced obedience training. I had one dog through professional training and did the rest myself. All are great with my 6 month old. Clicker training is the most efficient.

I know of a special ed teacher that used to breed Silkies. They are actually half Australian terrier and half Yorkie. I've had two, and they were awesome with my kids! In fact, the second one we nicknamed our Nanny.

S., I am impressed that you have put so much thought into the process of choosing a dog. Many by a dog on a whim and are not prepared for the responsibility of dog ownership. I previous post mentioned lab puppies. She is absolutely right. My one year old lab is high maintenance right now and needs lots of exercise, attention, and supervision but they are fabulous with kids. Our older lab is 50 pounds but the younger one is 90 pounds. If you want a similar temperament you might consider a golden retriever. They are not quite as large. I would highly suggest checking out rescued dogs. We got our first lab from http://www.dlrrphoenix.org. Check out their dogs currently up for adoption at http://www.dlrrphoenix.org/dogs.html. Most are not puppies and it tells you if there is a history of issues with a dog. Good Luck,

T. C.
Spa Girlfriend Parties
www.spaescapescottsdale.com

With my expierience with pets and kids, the Best that I would ever get would be a lab, They are a little big, luckily the black lab we adopted didn't turn out to be too big she is great. We also recently adopted a beagle which is very good so far. plays a little rough but love the boys. we also have a blue heeler and a mixed hound dog. But to make it easier on you. the best pups to get that are not to big would be a brittany spanial. they are wonderful. just stay away from terriers, chiuahuahs. cockers are ok they are more protective than playful with kids that i noticed. little weenie dogs are fun for them. dautshuns, Im not sure how to spell them. good luck if you have anymore questions i would be glad to help. I work at the east side animal shelter and before that i worked awhile in a private practice so I kinda study how the behavior in animals are.

A good choice would be to contact your local rescue group. Most of their dogs have been fostered in homes with or without kids and will know how the dog will do. Here in Gilbert, Friends for Life is wonderful. If you do choose to go the other route, be sure to go through a certified breeder. Someone that will know the temperament of the dogs - whatever you do, don't buy from a pet store!

BTW - I have two Border Collies - great dogs, very smart, but very demanding and high energy, and not great with small children!

Dear S.,

I have had children and dogs my whole life. I strongly recommend a Golden Retriever. They are loving and very tolerant of changes, noise and well just about anything. I suggest you get a puppy and a kennel and speak with a good trainer to insure you have a long lasting happy relationship with your new addition. If you follow the advice of a good trainer and you kennel train your dog you and your children will have the best companion for many years. Hope this helps.
SParker

Hi--just saw this, don't know if you have already found a dog or not...but here is my opinion: We have 2 kids, age 10 and 15. When my 10 year old was about 2 or so we bought a black lab. I was concerned with having a small dog with rowdy kids...but not too sure about a large dog either, except for they could be left outside better than small dogs. Our lab has been the best dog we have ever had. She has never snapped or growled at our kids or any...she is the most protective dog even though you'll hear labs are not good guard dogs. My kids and their friends have crawled on, rolled over on, rode, you name it they have done it to our dog...she is the best ever. She is now 8 and weighs about 70 lbs or so. I would never have another dog other than a lab. our kids adore her and so do all their friends. Hope this helps! Good luck!

I don't know about the Australian Terrier but I do know that my 2 kids are "busy" and my mom had a Shitzu and that dog is sooo good with kids, they love to be held all the time and love to have attention all the time. I had 2 of them growing up also and I have to say that they all had the same temperment. Good luck! D. D.

Hi S.,

I would really recommend staying away from the beagle. They are really cute... but WAY hyper! My brother and his wife had one. He is really good with dicipling dogs, but his beagle was a nightmare. Everyone I've known with beagles says they are a lot of work... not what you need with kids! Good luck!

- D.

you could look into Samoyeds. They're known as one of the supreme kid dogs. They're a medium sized dog.. sweet temperment, smart, and generally very clean dogs.

detractors - they aren't obedient dogs, they're very sweet natured, and very quick to learn, but they're not the type of dog with an "oh please, please tell me what to do" attitude. They will work for a paycheck - treats or playing. I like that, because I can respect that attitude (I also work for the paycheck :-). ) They require quite a bit of grooming, and they are *not* outdoor dogs. AZ is really too hot to leave any dog outdoors during most of the year, and your sammy is going to want to hang out in the same general vicinity as you.

the advantage of a purebred, is that if they're bought from a good breeder, you are more likely to get a consistent temperment - it's true that some purebreds are 'tempramental' but that depends on the breed, some breeds *should* have a certain type of temperment - Akitas for example, are supposed to be the type of dog devoted to their family, and be wary of outsiders - that's not a bad temperment, it's just what the dog is supposed to be, so that's why you're doing your research into different breeds. Also, some breeders don't focus on temperment, and you can get bad temperment there too. Mutts are just as likely to have bad temperments, but they're also the ones the shelter puts down as unadoptable.

a good breeder will also do health checks for their dogs. Dogs need to have their hips and eyes checked, and depending on the breed, also heart, patellas, elbows, and certain breed-specific genetic illnesses.

there is a myth that mutts are more healthy than purebreds. this isn't true for a couple reasons. problems like hip dysplasia are poly-genetic, so if you breed two or more different breeds, it is more likely in the first generation to result in puppies that carry the genetics to possibly have hip dysplasia, but maybe not double up on them enough to have it actually express phenotypically (i.e. the dog will have hip dysplasia.) the other part of this, is very very few mutt owners health test their dogs. I have a female samoyed I may consider breeding at some time. I have spent about $400 to have her hips, elbows, heart and eyes checked. That's important to me to know she's genetically healthy before I consider breeding her, because I'd feel awful selling a puppy to someone that needed a $2000 hip surgery in a couple years.. or bred a puppy that would be in pain it's entire life because of bad elbows, or went blind because of bad eyes. But if you don't test (the case for most mutts) then you wouldn't ever know if your dog is truly healthy or not. Also, a good breeder will want to talk with you and evaluate whether this breed is a good fit for your home - and that's to your advantage to be able to talk with someone that's lived with this breed for years, and knows how they 'fit' into someone's lifestyle - my girl's breeder even offers to let people's she's talked to 'borrow' one of her samoyeds for a few days to see if they like living with the breed.

The Animal shelters are also filled with incredibly awesome dogs; if you go that route, I'd really recommend one that's a couple years old - still young, but old enough so they know what kind of personality that dog has. Also, by then the dog will hopefully have had basic obedience and be housebroken.

I know this a lot of information, and may seem overwhelming if you're looking for 'just a pet' but a dog will be part of your life for more than a decade, so it's important to make a good choice, for your happiness and the dog's.

if you tell us more about what you mean by a 'perfect' dog for your boys, that would help too. my definition of a perfect dog is completely different from a lab persons, or a terrior persons, or hound person, etc.

Hi S.,

I have been around quite a few dogs all my life, and I can assure you that the Lab is the best way to go for your kids. They are protective, playful, and very tolerant dogs. The best way to go with them, if you can find one, is to start with a puppy and let it grow with the kids. Throughout my younger years, my family has owned 3 labs. Two of which were black, and one golden. They have all been very good with the kids, but the golden lab is very suseptable to seizures and can scare the kids at times when they have have them. My recommendation for you is the Black Lab. You won't be sorry, and the kids will love them and be loved by them.

HI S.,
I was a veterinary technician for 7 years and have had a few dogs of my own and I would agree with Ileana, terriers are not the best with kids. I should restate that Purebred terriers are not the best for kids, but it's not across the board, one terrier could be great with kids and another from the same litter could be awful, dogs, like kids, are all different! My advice to you would be to take the whole family down to the shelter for a day, make it an outing, take some dog biscuits and maybe some little yoys to donate (good teaching opportunity for the kiddos) Then spend the day, looking and playing with each dog you like in the designated area, that way you will get a feel for the dogs personaliuty and whether or not they are scared or agitated by the kids. I truly feel adopting is better than buying a purebred dog, there are so many dogs out there that need good homes and so many that would be suitable for children! Good Luck!
PS. We have a golden retriever and a great dane/hound mix and they are both fantastic with our small kids, even when they climb on them and chase them around. Big dogs are awesome!!
H.

I usually do not respond but I read your story and had to. I have owned several black labs through the years and my sister in law just bought a chocolate lab (beautiful). I also am friends with a couple that train labs for bird hunting. We all agree that labs are great with kids and they are sweet dogs, however, You need to be ready for a HUGE commitment with a lab. They are very hyper for the first 2 years. They are in "puppidom" for 2 years. They have to be stimulated all the time and need LOTS of play time. I also suggest kennel training them because when you are not home and the puppy has nothing to do it WILL get into trouble. It will destroy things around the house including base boards, corners of walls etc....neutering males helps a little, not much. Some people may disagree because they had a "mellow lab" but that is EXTEREMLY uncommon. Again labs are smart, kind, great with kids and loyal but you need to be ready to be home alot and you will need an obedience class.

S.,
I don't know if you are open to different breeds but a Lhasa Apso is a terrific dog! I grew up with one and she lived to be almost 18 years old. I now have a male that is 15, a female that is 13 and a new puppy! They are great with children, we have a daughter who is 7 and a son who is 5 and lots of kids in the neighborhood! Protective with strangers but great with kids! The best part is they don't shed! I have allergies and so does my son but I don't have dog hair all over the house - especially with 3 dogs!

S., When my girls were small, I had a beagle, and he became very hig-strung. His hair would go up when someone came near our yard, and on the first day of school, he bit one of the girls when they got off the school bus. He also allowed no one but me to be near him when he was eating.
We also had ver bad experiences with german shepards, St. Bernards. Right now I only trust a poodle, a yorkie-poo, or a yorkie. C.

Hi S. i have a black lab and she is great with my 2yr old. She lets her pull on her tail and lay on her my dod is great with my girls. What we did was we asked a vet what was the best dog for kids and he said that labs were great. My lab like to play alot so we have to walk and we play with her ever day. I hope this helps you.
P. l

I would recommend checking the website www.petfinders.com, they have icons that show the dogs that they know are not good with kids. I just met a lab mix (very "medium" sized) at a Humane Society event, and she absolutely loves kids. The workers there will know which ones are looking for little ones to love. Please consider rescuing a dog-- they know you saved them, and you will feel so good about your choice.

Rescue a mixed breed from the pound- Talk to the folks at the pound about size of the dog and likely attributes. Mutts are the best with kids!

Try the website www.dogbreedinfo.com
there is a quiz that you can take that matches good breeds with your situation. Also, there is a ton of info about each breed of dog.
Good Luck

Hey S.,
I grew up with minature dachshunds, and they were always really good dogs. As with most dogs, they each have their own personality that you need to look out for, but the only time we ever had trouble was when I stuck my face in hers while she was sleeping so she bit me. But other than that they are usually pretty tame and often very easy to train, you just have to make sure your kids learn how to hold them right so that they don't hurt their backs.

Instead of getting one particular kind of dog, I'd run down to the shelter, and just look at a whole host of dogs. You will probably find the one that bonds with you and your boys - no matter what kind it is.

Pure breds are more likely to be temperamental, whereas mutts tend to be far more easy going, less attached to just one owner, and more desirous of a family pack etc. etc.

I spent the last year researching dogs for kids. We had a German Shepard for 14 years who died two years ago. My oldest is no 8, my middle is 7 and my youngest is almost 5. First Labs are great pets and could be excellent for your age boys but as puppys they are a bit nuts and big and clumsy. The beagle woudl be excellent - hardy, fun easy to train - but they tend to be big yappers. Ive never heard of an australian terrier - maybe you mean aus shepard? Again kind of hyper but great dogs. If you like the beagle go with that - we almost did. We ended up with a pound puppy - dalmation spaniel mix - I swore NO WAY to a dalmation as 50% are returned in the first year - but he's calm sweet intelligent and never never barks. we got lucky. best thing is take your kids with you and see what they and the dog respond to. Also remember - the bigger the dog the bigger the poo - I'd stick with medium size (-: OH one last thing that worked great for us - when you get the dog, in the first week or so give each child their own time with the puppy. they bond this way and the puppy isnt over whelmed. It worked for us..AND CRATE TRAIN!

Check into a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - they are a great size, great temperament and excellent with kids of all ages.

I have a english bulldog named chubbies. She is the sweetest thing in the world & great with both my kids. My oldest plays tag with her all the time & chubbies knows not to play with the baby she watches him but doesnt touch him (baby is 7 months). English bulldogs are stubborn but are great family dogs. Mine is very lazy spends most her time sleeping if someone isn't playing with her. They however can not be an outside dog due to their bodies inability to regulate body temp so the high temps in summer down here can give them heat stroke. When i was little my mom always got pound puppies they were great & you save one I would highly recommend both.

Boston Terriers are great with kids. Golden Retriever, Labrador, Australian Shepherd, Cocker Spaniel, Poodle, Bulldog, Boxer, Bichon Frise, Norfolk Terrier are also listed as good dogs for children. I did a google search "which dog is best" & they have many websites to point you in the right direction. . . will the dog need lots of exercise, etc.? Hope this helps.

If your son is really hyper I recommend a Boxer. A female boxer is usually smaller than a male by 10 - 15lbs. They are excellent family dogs and great with children. They sometimes have a lot of energy, but they are smart.

As far as the Australian terrier - i'm not sure what that means. Is it a mix? My nephews have Blue Heelers. They can be agressive to people that are not in their family.

I have heard of Australlian cattle dogs and I'm pretty sure they are good dogs.

I would recommend doing a little bit of research on the internet about the dog breeds you are most interested in. If it's a smaller dog you would like just type in "small breed dogs" in your search engine.

Happy Hound Hunting!
Michelle

We have a border collie. By far the best dog I have ever had. He is so wonderful with my daughter. He even sleeps next to her bed at night to watch over her like she is one of his sheep. They have grown up together he is 6years old and my daughter is 8years old now. He is loving and very very smart.

Try looking into soft coated wheaten terriers. We have one and he is extremely tolerant of our 8 month old and our two Goddaughters (3 and 6). Wheatens have very sweet temperaments and are easily trained. They also do not shed. Good luck with your search!

Have you ever considered a different kind of pet for your boys? I have a pot bellied pig that is absolutely remarkable! She is very loving and has bonded with our family. she is much smarter than a dog and is great with kids. I took her to my son's pre-school and the kids there fed her--not only did she not bite any of the children, she actually let them touch her and play with her. A registered potbelly costs about $200- 300 on average. They grow to about 35 pounds and live for 25 years.

We just rescued an Australian Terrier from the Maricopa Animal Shelter and he is great with my children. He's actually a mix of at least a few breeds I'm sure, so I don't know how true he is to the breed, but from what I've read he seems to be.

He's feisty and likes to dig in the backyard...something our other puppy didn't do. He loves to play, but he will sometimes put his teeth on you...never, ever to bite, but just to play or chew. That could be a problem if your child is sensitive, but I think all puppies do that anyway.

He's the sweetest dog, loves people, very loyal, and doesn't shed much. It's a good breed for those of us who are allergic to dogs. And they're small dogs. We love ours.

I have mini and toy aussies, excellent with kids. Check out my web site at corvensawesomeaussies.com

Have you considered a boxer? Not as big as a labrador, very sweet spirited.

Hey I am Liz, I had a black lab. She was great with my kids. I got her when she was a puppy 6weeks old and my baby was 6months old. They grew up together. I aslo had a 6 and 3 year old. My youngest grew up and has adhd. But I tell you that lab was the best with kids. It was a girl dog.

"Good with kids" does not necessariy mean "obedient" or "calm." It means "will withstand roughhousing and kids doing stupid things without getting mad." Dogs who are "good with kids" can be rambunctious -- labs are a good example -- and may therefore drive you, personally, crazy, but they will be patient with kids hanging all over them.

Terriers would not be a good bet for you and your hyperactive son unless you want a lot of chaos in your house. Golden Retrievers might be a great choice, BUT they require grooming and they are large. Have you considered a Border Collie? The Beagle might also work well, but remember that they can be LOUD.

Various Spaniels could be very good, maybe the best for your situation, especially the American Cocker and, if you have a little more money, the English Cocker. But they require GROOMING. LOTS of hair.

We have a Jack Russel Terrier/Rat Terrier mix. We call her a JackRat. This dog is the most amazing dog with children. She is brilliant, happy & athletic - loves to swim, run, fetch. All the kids in the neighborhood love her.

She is the perfect combination - the Rat Terrier brings out her love of the family, & plays down some of the hyper qualities you'd find in a Jack Russel, on the flip side - the she has the fun & outgoing qualities of a Jack Russel. Both breeds are known for being smart - so she is highly trainable! I can't say enough good things about this mix. (It was a purposeful mix.)

Each family has to decide what they are looking for in a dog. There are websites with short surveys that you take and they can tell you the best kind of dog for your family. There are also books that have the same info.

We wanted a dog that would be a part of the family - not a lap dog. We like to run, swim & are very active. On the other hand - like you - we didn't want a big dog like the lab or retriever - which also fits into description.

Good luck.

We have had a West Highland Terrier for years now. They are very calm good natured dogs and the kids love them and they love the kids. They are not too big and some barely shed, but they do need alot of grooming upkeep. They are also very easy to train. I have not seen this dog be bad around any kids (unless they are very rough with her, but even then, she runs away scared.

We bought the two we had for $450.00 & $500.00. We love them and recommend them to anyone looking for a good kid dog.

FYI...I have an 8 year old girl, and 4 grandchildren from 8-4 and Dolly and Nikko are loved by them.

G.
Albuq., NM

We of course, paid for these dogs

An Australian terrier is partly cairn terrier. I have two (Toto dogs)They're apt to be hyper, but very loving with children. They never get too big. Remember Toto from the Wizard of Oz? Go on the web and check individual breeds for your decision.

Hi S.,

I read your post and while I don't have any experience with Australian terriers, I do know that Labs are extremely tolerant with children. Of course if you're not comfortable with a dog that size then it's a non-issue, but I thought it was worth a mention since you said your 5 yr old was an active little boy. My experience has been the larger the dog the more tolerant they are with children and their sometimes erratic behavior. If you haven't done so already, you may want to contact a vet and get their opinion. Getting a dog is a big decision and you want to make sure everyone (including the dog) is happy and safe.

Best of luck!

C.

We have a chocolate lab/chocolate cocker spaniel mix ("cockador" or "labraspaniel"), Megan, she is incredibily gentle and not nearly a big as a lab. My 10 year old daughter just had a sleep over with 4 girls and Megan let those girls do anything to her. Most importantly is my daughter and Megan are 6 months apart and have been together since my daughter was about a year old. Get a puppy so the boys can train it and have the pleasure of watching it grow.
C.

Hi! I have an older Jack Russell - I think he's eight. We got him from a horse ranch in Colorado where one of our sons live. He's a wonderful dog although I hear the younger pups are very energetic and need a yard to run around in OR they need to be walked at least once a day. Our "Roadie" has a doggie door and can go out whenever he pleases. That helps. My cousin in Illinois has a Beagle and is thinking of getting another one as a companion. They are energetic too and are ALWAYS hungry and like to beg. Our Roadie likes to talk to you with little moans and short outbursts. He's not much of a barker like some little dogs - the neighbors appreciate that.
Black labs are wonderful, loyal, protective dogs and my daughter-in-law has had several. You have to make sure you get a healthy pup because they are prone to hip problems when they get older. They LOVE water and like to swim and fetch. They also need room to roam and romp. I hope this helps. Of course, proper training is so important with any dog. J.
P.S. There are a lot of "breed rescue" places that might be a good place to start. Good Luck

Don't do it! Terriers are notorious for being tempermental, and with a young, active child this is a recipe for disaster. We have 2 Labs and added them to our family when our children were 5 & 3. They are the best. Big, yes, but so well behaved and great with the kids. I guess it would depend on what type of temperment you want. We have one Lab that is the kids consumate playmate (even today at ages 12 & 10!) and the other who is the "lay around and look like a postcard" temperment. Other medium sized dogs my friends have had that have been good with children have been Spaniels (Cocker, Springer, and English), Bulldogs (though they ARE kinda funny looking!), and Dalmations.

I have a hyper 3 1/2yr old and a 7mth old and my dog is great with both of them, he has never nipped or growled or anything to my 3 yr old and my boy has done just about anything to him. You can read up on my dog they are so great as family dogs all around, I have a Papillion. Papillion’s are small dogs and they are smart. I love this dog, I don’t think I would as happy with a bigger dog right now, maybe when they both get bigger, but right now my son can carry this dog around and the dog just acts like a bay and lets him. And the biggest thing for me is this dog is not a hyper or nervous dog like some small breeds are. I do know that a few of my friends have gone to the pound and rescued a few, my dog was a rescue of a different kind- the owner went to Iraq and left him behind.Anyhow, good luck on your search, I am sure whatever dog you decide on getting will be great for you and your family.

Hi S.,
i have a large family 4 girls ranging in age from three to nine. We have a chocolate lab who is five and is the best dog you could possibly want. My girls can ride her pull her tail and just play with HER. They love her. We recently got another lab a black one. He is very active but the girls love her and he loves them. They can carry him around and he also sleeps on their laps(not for long however they get big fast). The only Drawback i have seen with our two are they are chewers as i'm sure most puppies are, even our 5 year old will still chew on stuff if she finds something. These are the absolute best dogs you could get for kids. Hope this helps. D.

Black and Yellow Labs are awesome with kids. They have amazing patience with kids. I would def consider a lab. I have three pugs, and they are also wonderful with my step son. They can jump a little, but they mean well.

it is my understanding that terriers (except the boston terrier) are not good with kids, and are very active/high energy dogs. beagles...are notorious for being hard to train and can be destructive around the house. my sister in law had one that destroyed all her wood baseboard and even the corner of doors when left alone. beware and do your homework, there are so many things to consider~ also consider the dog's role for your household: are you always out? don't choose a companion dog.
do you live in an apartment? don't get a big dog or high energy dog that needs to be outdoors.
hope this helps, it's such an important decision, good for you for taking time out to figure out. the cavalier king charles spaniel is also good with kids.

I would look towards an older german shepard that has been around children and female. We got so lucky when we adopted our Annie, she was 4 yrs at the time and we've had her for almost 3 yrs. She's loving, alert, great with kids and a fabulous family dog. Good luck.

We have a bishon poodle mix, it is a small dog, pretty much allergen free, and great with the
kids. He has never bite anyone adult or child. Loves attention, and playing. He is a very good dog that loves kids.

I seem to remember my uncle having a terrier that was very hyper and not so great with kids, but I don't have first hand experience of having one of my own.

Happy dog hunting!
K.

Hi S.-
We just got a 7/8 black lab, 1/8 plott hound mix, she's just a sweetheart. She's only 4 months old and already obeys when I call her to come, sit, shake, and lie down (we've been working with her!). She's excellent with the kids (3 boys)... just thought I'd mention her. Her name is Velvet. I know labs are big dogs, but she's very cuddly and sweet. We had a lab/shepherd mix years ago who got run over, and we've missed him so much. Velvet's temperament is sweet just like "Shakespeare" s used to be.
Good luck with your search.

Back to the Lab. These are GREAT dogs for children!! For no matter what your child does to him/her(ex.-climb on them,be alittle rough) they will not respond aggressively,they are such a good temperment dog and very smart,they learn commands quickly.My 2 & 4 yr. old grandkids love playing with my Charley(my 2 yr. old white lab) and he loves playing with them!!He is absolutely THE best dog i've ever had,in fact i'm looking fof a chocolate lab now!!Oh...since there always happy...watch the heavy wagging tail!!

Hi,

We have a little Pug puppy and so far he is very good with our kids! He seems to train well also , so far anyway.. I thought he would be very hard to house train, he turned out to be a really good puppy so far. we are very Happy with him. and my daughter is hyper so if that tells you anything :)

Take care hope you find a good puppy dog..

What ever dog you decide to go with, just remember adopting a pet is a lifetime commitment. Making a lifetime commitment to a pet is not an easy choice. It means paying for a vet when the dog is sick, paying for training if needed, walking, attention, etc. Also, adopting a pet is bringing in a family member. Whenever you decide to move, take all your family members with you. :) Giving up a pet because of moving is the No. 1 reason pets end up in shelters and rescues. I'm a busy mom with 3 kids and I have 3 dogs. It takes a lot of dedication and commitment to take care of them all. I would also recommend buying the book by Cesar Milan "Cesar's Way". Also invest in an ipod for those walks. Every dog needs a walk weather you have a yard or not.

Dear S.,
I do not know what an Austrailian terrier is but Austrailian sheppards are extremely good dogs. They are loyal and obedient, easily trained. The Austrailian cattle dog (blue heeler)is likewise smart and excellent with families. They like activity.Both are medium size. Border collies are bigger but great fun loving dogs with sweet temperments usually. You know you have to really go by individuals you can,t order one from a catalog. The very best pets are the ones you rescue so take the boys and visit the shelters keeping in mind the breeds that may be in their genes, and witness how they behave.
Sincerely, C

I have raised 5 children(2 girls 3 boys) and thru all the years we seemed to have adopted a wide variety of of animals. Everything from ferrets and frogs, to dogs and horses. One of the smartest dogs we owned was an australian terrier. That breed is a little hyper and a herding dog, so the dog tends to nip at the heels of children trying to keep the herd of children together. She never bit anyone just the nudging and nipping at their heels trying to keep them in the right spot- their yard. It was fascinating to watch, and like I said she was so smart.She watched the boys like a hawk, never ran off, and had the energy to keep up with 3 boys. The boys could teach her tricks, and at 3:00 she would sit at the end of the driveway, like she knew the time just waiting for the kids to come home from school. She was wonderful and we miss her terribly.
Jill

I have 2 beagles that are great with kids that we are trying to get rid of. They are bro and sister and are fixed. Piper, the female was fixed after she had a litter of 5. We are getting rid of them because we cannot housebreak Piper. We have tried everything! Harley, the male, we are giving up just because he is soooooo attached to Piper, we don't want to separate them. They are both great with kids and are purebred, we have the papers on them. We've had Harley since 05', and Piper since 06'. I got them for x-mas each year. So Harley is gonna be 3 and Piper will be 2. Both dogs have been around my son since he was born! They will not bite or snap at kids. When my 2 year old son pulls on their tails, they lick him. It is heartbreaking for me to give them up, but I don't have the time to pick up after Piper all the time. Harley was my baby before my real baby came. We need dogs that are good inside. Piper is okay inside, as long as you have a doggie door, cause she will not let you know when she needs to go. So if you have a doggie door, there shouldn't be any problems. I have pics of them if you would like. Just let me know.

Hi S.,

We have a 9 yr old White Shepherd. When I became pregnant, she became very protective of me (would follow me everywhere, sit at my feet or in front of the door of the room I was in). When my son was born, she was also very protective of him. She never displayed any sort of aggression or jealousy towards him. My son is now 2.5 years old and she will always put herself between him and any car that enters our driveway (no matter how far it is away) or any person that she is suspicious of. Also, my son is pretty hyper and that has not bothered her a bit.

Our shepherd knows just how to play with my son. She uses a much more gentle touch when she plays with him, as opposed to when she plays with my husband. She also plays with a puppy more gently than a full grown dog.

The only time that she barks is when someone such as UPS enters our property - she doesn't bark at every single person who walks by or just randomly like many dogs do. If she barks, you know something is up. She has not had any sort of formal training. When meeting up with a strange dog, ours has never been aggressive until another dog acts so first, as I said, she's protective.

We just got a new White Shepherd puppy and she fits perfectly in with the family. Our older shepherd was very motherly to the new puppy (just as she is with my son) and the new puppy displays many of the same gentle, intelligent, protective qualities of our older shepherd.

White Shepherds are beautiful dogs, too. Imagine a German Shepherd, only pure white. They have a very regal look and get lots of attention from other people. Apparently, they are somewhat intimidating to other people as we have many people who are afraid to approach our property or door (if they only knew how gentle she was...) they are great guard dogs.

The only drawback if this is to be an indoor pet is that they shed a lot. You mentioned that a lab might be too big for you, a white shepherd is about the same size, but not as jumpy as labs sometimes are. I don't think you'd have any trouble with the dog knocking over your kids or things in your house.

Check out www.awsaclub.com for more info about the breed.