What Kind of Dog Do You Have?/jff

I love mutts. They tend to be healthier too! I would definitely have a look at this http://animal.discovery.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds/que... It will help you narrow down the search quickly!

English Mastiff.

A good breed for a first time dog owner? Oh that's a good question. I would say a Labrador or a Newfoundland. Border Collies might be good too.

Depends upon the age of children you have. I would not adopt a small animal (Shitz Zu, Laso Opsa (sp), etc.) as they CAN be "nippy". I would also want to know how long the dog has been in a foster home before I adopt it.

Hey H.!!

I have a Boxer/Pit Bull mix. We adopted him at 10 weeks old. he is a GREAT dog!!

Like Peter said - I would stay away from small breeds. Labs are GREAT with kids. Cocker Spaniels can be finicky.

Shar Pei's a really good family dogs. Keep in mind they were bred for PROTECTION of royalty in Asia. These dogs and will protect the family should someone threaten you or the kids.

We have 2 pugs and pugs are awesome family dogs with kids! You have to be careful with their breathing, especially in hot weather, and they do shed quite a bit (more than you might expect) but they are so much fun and so cute! The puppies are freakin' adorable and as they get bigger, they are more sturdy than most small-breed dogs and have much better temperments (sometimes high-energy but never high-stung or yappy), and eventually slow down and are just nice laid-back sofa spuds. They generally are fairly healthy, although they can be prone to breathing issues (because of their flat faces), eye problems, bladder stones, and skin allergies of their own. But I would say they are a good breed for a first timer because they are so stable and easy-going. They can be stubborn, especially with house-training, but they are also pretty hard to mess up - this is not a breed that is going to be totally out of control without a firm hand and an experienced confident owner.

However, I cannot stress enough the importance of NEVER buying a puppy from a pet store. Google/research "puppy mills" and you will find out why. The vast majority of puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills. They may come with paperwork that says they are from XYZ Kennel in Missouri/Oklahoma/Arkansas/Iowa/Nebraska/Pennsylvania, but it's still a puppy mill that is churning out puppies as fast as they can with no regard to their heath or well-being, or that of the dogs being bred. They are purely about profit and could care less about the health of their animals, if puppies live or die, the conditions they are kept in, or where they end up. The best sources for puppies are directly from an experienced breeder (dog shows are a good place to meet some of them), a breed rescue, or your local animal shelter/humane society/SPCA. Don't get suckered into getting a puppy from a pet store, because that only keeps the puppy mills in business, and potentially there is a puppy or older adult dog at a shelter somewhere that will be euthanized if they are not adopted quickly. If you don't find the dog you would like the first time at a shelter, keep going back and try other places - sometimes you may be surprised. I had a client who adopted a pure-bred Shih Tzu from the local shelter that was there because the dog barked too much and the owner couldn't keep her in her apartment any longer. The dog was beautiful, only 10 months old, already spayed and fully vaccinated. And the new owner got her for just the $50 adoption fee!

And do not get suckered into that whole "tea cup" thing either - it's just an extra tiny dog and sometimes they are that small because their is something congenital going on or they have some condition that keeps them from growing to a normal size. Selling "tea cup" puppies is a common puppy mill/pet store trick too.

I do have to politely disagree with those that have suggested German Shephards, since they can be great dogs, but so much of it depends on where you get them from and I don't recommend them for first-time owners. Same thing with border collies - they are amazingly smart but have so much energy that if they are not given enough "jobs" to do they can get crazy and destructive. I also would never get a Shar Pei because all the ones I have known have had poor temperments and have had horrible skin, ear and eye issues that are very expensive and a nightmare to keep having to treat. It really does depend on what size dog you think you can handle, and if a particular breed will be good for your lifestyle, because of different energy levels, etc. Generally, if you know what a dog was originally bred to do (i.e. hunt, herd, guard, companionship, etc.) that can give you some insight into what to expect. In my experience, Labs, Goldens, standard poodles, Boxers and pugs are good for families with kids, depending on how much time you have to devote to the dog. Mastiffs are really great dogs too but get to be HUGE and while their energy levels are not particularly high, they still need a lot of room just to exist! I have also never seen a Doberman that was not an exceptionally nice dog, believe it or not - they have come a long way since the 70's but only from a reputable breeder! Can't go wrong with a really nice all-American mutt either!

ETA: Breeds I would definitely avoid (and I know there are always exceptions but this is based on my experience): Chows, Dalmations, Akitas, Dogo Argentinos, Cane Corsos, Presa Canarios - either because of aggression and/or for experienced dog owners only. Keep in mind too that some home ownership insurance policies will either charge higher premiums or not cover you at all depending on what breed of dog you have, because of the bite potential. And in many communities, owning pit bulls and some other breeds is against the law - which I think is B.S., but it is still something to be aware of.

I have a 3 yo and a 6 week old Golden Retriever. We had to put the old girl down back in august. :(, she was 11, and our 1st Golden.

When we got the first, the kids were very little. She was a little rowdy, but gentle and careful with the little kids. Goldens are 100% love. But require a lot of exersize, interaction, and do not like to be left alone.

Here is a good breeder in Tx, if you're interested.

http://www.wjkennels.com/

Here is our breeder, http://www.supergoldens.com/CurrentLitters.html

I would not get a pet shop dog. They often come from puppy mills and are not bred with health as the #1 priority.

I understand, in the south, there are many rescue organizations who have even pure bred AKC registered pups for adoptions.

Here is a good site for that, if you'd care to adopt.

http://www.aspca.org/adoption/

Good Luck!

:)

German Shepherd Dog. We love her and she is a great family member. I would be careful if you go with a GSD, though. Some of them can be very difficult for first time owners. They are pretty much all darn smart, and they will train you if you don't train them first. Some take a lot more steady leadership than others, as with all breeds, really. Some are more laid back, some are very "A" types. So talk to whomever you choose a pup from in advance about the individual dog's personality.

And please do lots of research about what ownership involves. It isn't all sweetness and puppy kisses. Not to sound like a downer, but you really need to make sure you are ready to take on a lot of work, because that is what it is in the beginning. If you don't want to do it and do it wholeheartedly, the work part, then reconsider ownership. It might not be for you. And if you dont put in the work, the dog can quickly become a nightmare in your house. If you are willing... they can be WONDERFUL. Make sure you are up for it first. It's a dog's LIFE that depends upon it. You can make or break a pup's life, by what you do or don't do with its training.

We have a black half lab-half Shar Pei...she's so awesome. She is getting old though...soon to be 12. Matter of fact she's just laying here are my feet watching "her babies" play. If you ask her "where are your babies" she will take you to where the kids are playing in the house!

Her gentleness comes from the lab and her protection instincts from the Shar Pei.

Love our Cockapoo! He's very loving and very smart. I think we got the best of both breeds.

We have a three-year-old female German Shepherd Dog from European bloodlines. The males are commonly used for police work. She is smart, beautiful, and kind. She is in love with and plays gently with our kitten and our 9 year-old daughter. Training was and continues to be necessary, along with almost daily runs. She's the best dog I've known. Growing up we had dogs on the farm, but never in the house.

The best dog is the one that fits with your family, the space you have, the level of activity you can provide, and the amount of time and patience you have for training. Smarter dogs seem to need more training. All dogs need consistency and for you to be the "leader of the pack".

I have friends with a Labradoodle, and a Golden Lab, that are great for their families.

I have a Chihuahua/JackRussell mix. He's twelve pounds of pure energy,but he loves babies and kids. Very protective of them.

We have three German Shepherds. They are great family dogs, but they need a lot of exercise.

We have a pitbull-she is small and the color of a fawn. She has short hair and is very smart-most of all-she is, by far and away, the sweetest dog I have ever seen! They are very good dogs-just have to socialize them early with other animals-I know what you've heard-we all have. I've been bitten twice in my life-once by a cocker spaniel and once by a springer spaniel-go figure!

I've had a Golden Retriever, a Dachshund, a Shetland Collie/sheepdog and a Newfoundland/ Black Labrador.

I don't recall the Goldie, but my parents said she was a lover. Loved to knock me over with her tail as I was toddling.
I do remember the Dachshund, she was a little rat, bit me. Had horrible destructive behavior when left alone.
The Sheltie was a foundling, followed my sister home one day, was a best dog ever. Perfect size, not to big, not too small, needed grooming once week, twice when the weather changed. Loved the "herd" our cat around the house.
The Newfie/Lab is a HUGE loving lug. He has no idea that he's over 100lbs. BIG grooming needs.

As for first timer, it depends on the type of life style you live. If you're home a lot then a small needy dog is good, if you're active then you would like an active dog.

We had a yellow lab for over 13 years. He had to be put down about 5 years ago. He was high maintenance for a lab and I think I'm still finding his fur around our house. My 12 year old daughter has been asking for a dog in earnest for the last 2 years. She has allergies to dander which is what most people are allergic to. I was hesitant to get ANY dog. I know they take a lot of time and energy and I thought we'd never find one my daughter wasn't allergic to (her allergist said to pet the dog and then put her hands up to her face to test for allergies. If you don't feel the allergic reaction immediately, you won't become allergic after you take the dog home).

My neighbor walks dogs at our local shelter and he introduced us to an adorable small mix breed - we think she's part border terrier, dachshund and something else? She looks a little like Benji. She's 11 lbs and she is the sweetest, most well behaved dog I've ever met. We fell in love with her instantly and she's been with us since the first week of January. She has added a lot of fun and laughter to our home.

We have a purebred black lab. She is amazing! We have had her since she was 8 weeks old. She is my husband's best friend. She follows him everywhere, goes to work with him everyday, is always eager to please and a great family dog. She sometimes gets annoyed with our son, but overall great. The only thing I don't like...she sheds terribly! We also have a chocolate lab/mix. Not really sure what she is. She adopted us! We took her in with open arms! She is a sweetheart. More my dog. She is little hesitant around unfamiliar males for some reason...we don't know her background...but she loves our son...let's him do anything to her. I think everyone should have a dog! hint hint!

With allergies, a miniature poodle would be an excellent option. They are hypo allergenic and with it being even tinier - it's an added benefit.

I have a Great Dane. It's an excellent breed for our lifestyle - kind of laid back. Contrary to their size, they are very lazy couch potatoes and don't need much space. However, they are not a good dog for first timers because of their size, cost, dietary issues, possible health issues, etc.

I have a bichon frise. Bichons are actually great dogs for people with allergies. They have hair as opposed to fur and don't have the dander that causes allergies.

I think Bichons are great for first time dog owners. She is my first dog. As far as grooming, I get her hair cut short and only take her to the groomers every 3 or 4 months. I only brush her occasionally and have not really had problems with her getting matted. Sometimes I find mats behind her ears from her rubbing her head on the floor but it doesn't take too much effort to brush it out.

My bichon was my oldest dd's 5th birthday present. I had a baby 7 months later and never had any problems with the kids and the dog getting along. My bichon is now 9 1/2.

We adopted an older Corgie mix back in 2004. Miss Betty came house trained :) and since she was older she was more settled. In 2007 my ex brought my son a found on the street dachshund, who turned out to be pregnant - so we kept a puppy, then a friend who runs a shelter sent me another dachshund. Yep, that is three doxies and the corgi mix.

I vote, for a first time dog owner - an older dog that has experience with families - your local shelter can help with this. Puppies can be exhausting, and if you do not dedicate the time to train them, you can wind up with a pet that never settles down into your family.

If you have kids that want to play with the dog, look for a sturdy breed - little ones can get unintentionally pummeled by kids. Check out the breed's history - for instance, it seems that dachshunds were bred to catch weasels so they dig, and dig, and dig, and can squirm through the smallest of holes - making them great escape artists. Good thing my neighbors on all sides don't mind. LOL But they are friendly, loving, playful dogs.

Have fun joining the world of dog owners - oh, and if you want a dachshund just let me know - I have one or two to spare. ROFL

We have a Miniature Poodle (15 lbs.) for allergy reasons and I like the size. Prior to that we had Jack Russell terriers for over 17 years. Jack Russells are NOT a good first time dog owner dog. Our poodle is extremely intelligent, which can be both good and bad. "Fluffy" dogs are actually sometimes best for allergies (Poodle, Bichon, Shih Tzu, etc.), but there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog. And please don't buy a puppy from a pet store because they usually come from puppy mills. Get a rescue dog or buy from a reliable breeder.

We have two Boston Terriers. Lots of energy but great with the kids. Bostons are nice because they have big dog attitude in a small dog body. Very smart, easy to train, outgoing, love love love to play. My 7 yo will still fetch a ball till he collapses from exhaustion. We've had labs & ridgebacks, both of which are great breeds, but once we got a Boston we won't have any other type of dog, they're just such great family dogs.

Standard Poodle who is very loving and have had miniature Poodles and toys also. I prefer the miniature for kids maybe but he loves the kids even though he's a bit big for them.

We have a mini dachshund puppy. He is so snuggly and lovable. We do have some trouble with the potty training. No accidents today though :) I dont think he sheds. We are a very allergic family and he does not bother us too bad. If he hangs around our neck and licks, my daughter and i get itchy (for a min or two). I never realized how smart, lovable, kind and protective these dogs could be. He thinks he "guards" us. He perches on the couch and barks out the window if someone is near our door. When i was sick for 2 days, he barely let my side. At 7 months or so, he already does some commands, like sit and lay down. So cute!

At the moment, we have a Great Dane, Australian Shepherd, Catahoula Leopard dog, and everything mix. Azura is a 75 lbs mess. Found her on a road where her sibling had just been hit and killed. At 9 months old, She is gi-normous.

I have had many kinds of dogs. I have fosters, and raised show dogs in my 36 years. My family were dog people. I can tell you this, since working in the Humane Society world for 7 years (1/2 spent in the field as a humane agent, the other 1/2 in administration of the shelter itself) I have learned much about dogs. Teacup anything are a health disaster. They are bred to be much smaller than they should be, often resulting in serious health and temperament defects. That super cute fluff ball you held, will likely grow up being very hard to house train, or obedience train. While the poodle breed is know for intelligence and companionship. Teacup poodles are not known for their brains. Plus you are talking pet store. Pet stores are not the greatest in selling the most healthy, or legal dogs on the planet. Often they sell puppy mill bred dogs or backyard bred dogs (dogs bred from someone that is only interested in money and not the quality of animal they produce). Likely selling the animal for hundreds of dollars more than they are worth. If you really want a teacup anything, go to a shelter and save one. DO not keep giving pet stores money.
There is no one breed better than another for a first timer. You need to look at what you can give a dog. Time, money, exercise, space and attention. Then you need to research breeds. I used to raise Cardigan Welsh Corgi's. I love that breed, but you really need to know herding dogs, to understand them.
Be sure your son can handle a dog before bringing one home. Nothing more sad than getting a puppy that you have to turn around and get rid off weeks later. Please, if you are not familiar with dogs and training, do not get a Pit. They are super awesome dogs, but need a strong, very knowledgeable owner to handle their attributes. If you are looking for least allergenic, Poodles and their crosses tend to be the best, hairless, and dogs that are less under coats (the curly coat or flat coat types) are the best route. NO dog is hypo-allergenic. They all have dander, and hair. It depends on WHAT they produce (proteins in saliva and hair) that makes you allergic to them. When someone says the dog is hypo-allergenic. It means their coat carries less undercoat and then less likely to be allergic to them.

I love-love-love chihuahuas! By the time my son was born I had two (a boy we bought and a rescued girl). They are really small (especially the girl who weighs less than a pound), I would have never gotten a dog whose mouth was going to be bigger than my baby's head. They have always been very good with the baby, being small and all they kept their distance to avoid being walked over when my son started to crawl. Also they are very portable (super important if you travel much) and adorably affectionate. I have been very happy with my choice, but it depends what you want from a dog: I did not want a companion for my son but I wanted him to experience having pets and being aware of their wellness, while having two little, adorable creatures to love on.Since you never had dogs before, I recommend you choose a dog that you can easily take care of depending on how busy you are, the size of your house, the amount and distance of your trips (if you travel).Dogs suffer a great deal when away from their owners and they are not toys for children. Choose one that fits your life.

We have a Min Pin crossed with a Jack Russel. We also recently rescued a Rat terrier.

The Min Pin/Jack is such a good dog. Great with kids. Very tolerant.

The Rat is still a puppy so he's a little destructive and wild but that is to be expected and he is getting better. He is high energy.

Being terriers, they both like to dig and neither one of them can see a squirrel without going batpoo crazy.

If you are going to get a dog, consider rescuing/adopting one. I can't really say what is a good first time dog because it really depends on your situation, the space you have available and how much time you have available for exercise.

I completely dislike the Bishon Frise. I think they are terribly ugly with all that fuzz. To each their own.

Oh gosh .... over my lifetime our family has had dogs of every type of breed there is LOL from German Shepard and dobermans to Havanese and Schnoodles.

The current dogs in my family are a havanese at my moms, two mastiffs and a mutt at my dads, a rottie at my sisters, and we adopted a beagle mix from the animal shelter today :) She was picked up as a stray so is on a hold until Monday, but if no one claims her by then she'll be all ours :)

As far as a good first dog ... well any dog can be a great dog with PROPER TRAINING AND SOCIALIZATION. They all take time and effort and consistency to train. If you don't have the time or want to spend the time DO NOT get a dog, and especially not a puppy.

I would go watch Dogs 101 on Animal Planet to get a good idea of what breeds have what tendencies. And realize that although some people claim certain breeds are "hypoallergenic" there really is no such thing. People aren't allergic to the fur, they are allergic to the DANDER (which is the skin and skin oils that come off). ALL dogs have this, some people are just more sensitive to some than others.

Good luck in your decision :)

I have two Shiba Inu. They are the perfect breed for me, but I wouldn't recommend them for a first-time owner.

If you can handle the grooming, I think the Standard Poodle is a great choice (much better than a "teacup", which is really just an abnormally small Toy Poodle). If you would rather have a smaller breed, Pugs are great family dogs, but they do shed.

Pit Bulls can be great dogs, but are NOT a good choice for first timers.

Please bear in mind that your chance of getting a healthy, good tempered dog of ANY breed from a pet store is slim to none. If you are set on getting a purebred, please seek out a reputable small-scale breeder, or a rescue organization housing dogs in foster homes so that they're familiar with the individual dogs' temperaments.

Whatever makes you happy, or course! But I will advise to the first-timer that Poodles and Bishons and other poofy-haired canines are high-maintenance dogs because of their long hair, which means lots of bathing and brushing. Short-hair dogs, like Jack Russells or Daschunds, just need bathing. We've always had Schnauzers, because they were sturdy laps dogs, but they were high-maintenance too (and worth it - so expressive!) Good luck! Don't get a pit. Period. Sorry, hubby.

We have an American Bulldog...she is amazing. I bet your husband would love her. Similar look as a pit (droopier face and some wrinkles). AB's are short hair, known to be great family pets, and they are protectors. I can't say enough good things about the breed. Several friends have gotten an AB since they love Kali (our dog) so much and we will be getting our second AB in 2 months!

We have a very sweet cocker spaniel. We got him about 7 years ago from the shelter. Before that we had a lhasa apso that was a wonderful pet.

My last 5 dogs and 1 cat have all been rescues and adopted. Most of the dogs were golden retrievers. My current 2 are a golden/lab mix and a lab/husky mix.

Prior to all of those I had primarily yorkies. Love them to death, but they are yappie little things who think they can take on the world.

I have a giant long-haired dachsund and an 18-year-old chihuahua -- both rescues. I have to say DVMMOM is so right.... don't ever buy a dog from a pet store. Puppy mills are horrible hells on earth for dogs and if you buy a dog from a pet store you're supporting that. I wish all pet stores that sold dogs would go out of business.

My daughter has a 2-year-old pit bull. He was a puppy and a rescue. Her dad is a vet and takes in many strays at his clinic. I have to say her pit is the best dog I've ever met. I would trade all my pets to her for him, but she won't give him to me!

Good luck with your search. you are right that puppies are a ton of work. I'd never have one. I like pre-trained dogs.

I have a 12 year old shih-poo (Shih-tzu poodle mix) and a 10 month old Havanese.
My shih-poo is old and lazy now.
My Havanese is a crazy puppy. He is great with all ages children and all ages and sizes of dogs. (He is well socialized, I am a dog groomer and he comes to work with me every day)
As for a good breed for a first-timer I would stay away tiny dogs. They can become stressed and you will have to hand feed them and if you dont keep up with it they can become very sick and even die from it. You would have to think about how your kids would play with the dog, how big you want it, do you want to deal with shedding, if not then you will have to get their haircut. If you get dogs at a young age then they adapt to your lifestyle. They will go out when you train them to, play rough or calm, eat at certain times. The only thing is you have to train them, especially large dogs and be consistent with it. Do lots of research! Good luck!

I can not say enough good things about my standard poodle! We got her at 7 weeks and she was potty trained in less than 2 weeks. We trained her to ring the bell on the back door when she wants to go out. She doesn't shed, poodles are the top hypoallergenic dogs. She is sooo smart and trainable and an awesome family dog. I have an only child, and she litterally is his best friend and sibling, she acts that human, no kidding. The only downfall of poodles is that you have to get them groomed about every 6-8 weeks and its around 60 dollars or so for a standard depending on the groomer. Any puppy you get, soooooo important to socialize them, can't stress that enough, and training too. Good luck! : )

Yellow Lab. She is amazing :)

gentle with the little ones, but big enough to wrestle with the big kids.
smart, easy to train.
love their humans and want nothing more than to be with them.

I've had many different breeds growing up- german shep., lab, mix breeds, and a chow. I have loved them all, however, I love love love miniature schnauzers. ( hence my online name :) )
They do require alot of grooming though to look sharp. BTW, I would not purchase a dog from any pet shop. Thats just bad news.
Check out your local shelter, so many of them need homes. They come to you fully vetted and chipped.
Good luck on finding your new family member! :)

She's part German Shepherd and part "who knows what". She's got Shepherd head, coloring/markings, and bark (only if someone knocks---one single BIG bark). She's smaller in height though, weighs about 60-65lbs, and has a black tongue. I don't know what that is.
I've always been partial to mutts, lol.

if your son has allergies, rethink getting a dog before you know what your son exactly is allergic to (dogs? pollen?). even if your son isn't allergic to dogs persay, allergens like pollen will get stuck on the dog's fur and you'll have to be sure to wash the dog weekly to help with that.

also, the most important thing you can do before you get a dog is to research the breed to find out its typical temperament, how easy they are to train and how much exercise they need. alot of people just get a dog that they think is "cute" and end up giving the dogs to shelters because they realize they cant give the dog the hour of exercise they need every day.

we have a small miniature dachshund btw :)

Our last dog was a Westie (White West Highland Terrior) and she was a great dog. Prior to that we had Cairn terriors. Both breeds think they are big dogs but are in a small dog body. They are also both very smart breeds.

we have a giant crazy drooly yellow lab named chip.. hes my baby i <3 big dogs .. labs retrievers pits rottwielers mastiffs .. id have one of each if i had the room .. theres absolutley nothing wrong with any of these dogs if they are in the right home and trained properly.. dont let anyone tell u otherwide its nonsence

I have a mutt but he is THE BEST DOG EVER! Really!

He is a Catahoula Leopard Dog/Rott mix! He is about 100#'s and has dark black and brown brindle coloring!

He is very smart and wickedly trained! I love him SO much! I got him for $40..he was a clearance puppy at our local pet shop! I picked him up and knew instantly that I HAD to have him! I had to go to work that day but when I came home that evening my husband and kids had gone out and bought him and surprised me with him! Best gift EVER!

I LOVE my BIG dog...Brooks!

~I know EVERYONE says don't buy from a pet store and I get that...but I HAD to have him and it was the best decision we (my husband) EVER made!

We have a shi-tzu. We wanted a non shedding dog for sure. We have had other dogs in the past including a miniature toy poodle (didn't shed of course, but had potty issues) and a shetland sheepdog (absolutely beautiful dog but the shedding drove me insane!). This time we wanted a dog that would not shed at all! The shi-tzu has so much hair and it doesn't shed! We keep her in a puppy cut with a bear face. If you look them up online you will see some with all the hair grown out. It is pretty, but it is so much easier to keep it short. Fluffier too. I was raised with chihuahuas when I was little. Tiny dogs, but so much shedding! Anyway, with all the dogs I've had this dog is by far the smartest and fastest learing dog I have even seen! So so smart. Best dog ever and I highly recoomend this breed to anyone. Oh, we have had her since my little girl was 3 yrs old. She is 6 1/2 yrs old now. They are best buddies. I have a newborn now too. Also, another reason I like this breed is not just because they are so mild natured and so gentle, but they are tough! They have big bones and are stout and can handle any kid roughness. Our is 13lbs and is the perfect size. I've seen smaller ShiTzus' too. Goodluck!

We have a rottweiler. He is one of the best dogs we have ever had! We got him as a puppy so he was raised with our kids. I know some people have a fear of them but it is all in how you raise them. He loves kids and watches over them wherever they are at. I have had rotts before and all have been great dogs. We also have a Chocolate lab and a minature daschound. We love the lab also as she is awesome with the kids. The daschound is good with kids but casues most of the problems as he is needy and will mess in the house if given the oppertunity. I will never have a daschound again as I hear this from other people who have them.

I guess you just have to choose a dog that fits your lifestyle as they all have different needs!

Good Luck!

My dog is half golden retriever and half chow. Good dog vs evil here. The golden in her loves people but the chow part hates other dogs (that's one of the characteristics of a chow) She also hates delivery men of any kind but the mail man has almost lost his (ah-hem) once. Now he stays in his truck til I come out for a package.
Also an FYI, any dog can be a good/bad dog, it depends on training and how they were raised. We adopted ours was a rescue dog so you just never know about her past.
Pit Bulls and Rottweilers (sp?) have been banned in some areas just because of their reputation, known to attack. Again, it's all how they were raised and trained, but just saying some neighborhoods won't allow them, not just here but other part of the country too.

Our mini pin is the smartest, cutest, easily trained dog we have ever had. He goes everywhere, thinks hes a big Doberman, is fiercely protective, but so, so sweet. Love him! Oh and he doesn't shed or smell.

We have a Beagle mix, unless you are experienced dog owners do not get a Beagle.
We also have a White Shepherd, smart as a whip but since she was a stray she is a little high strung, her prey drive is high but she knows to not eat my cats.
We also have a Shepherd/Lab mix. She is fine once you get into the house, but don't come in while my hubby or I are not around. Her "job" is to protect our house and yard and she takes that very seriously.

For first timers
Labradoodles are Lab/Poodle mixes
Golden Doodles are Golden/Poodle mixes
Poodles
Cockapoos
Puggles are Beagle/Pug mixes
muts from the pound

I am not a fan of little dogs. I do like Papillons though. As first time dog owner I would not get a Pit or Chow. Look online at the ease of raising certain breeds.

A very sweet Cockapoo named Scruffy.. He is the best with children.

I rescued a border collie mix from the Arlington animal shelter about 2 years ago and he is the love of our lives. I know about Trader's Village and I would not get a pet from there. The breaders are not reputable. Everyone I know who have bought animals from there, have not had good experiences. They were not healthy. They had many problems. I would advise you to go to the animal shelter or a rescue group for a dog no matter what the breed.

We have a black lab... and she is the BEST dog. When my boys were little and teething and didn't know better, they would bite her tail and she would just lick them.

They are quick to learn potty traing, smart and mine is quiet and doesn't ever create yard issues i.e. digging (but that is training).

I am just not a "little yappy" dog lover. To each their own but the smaller ones seem to be the mean crazy little ones.

Good Luck!
E.

We have three. Two are brother and sister they are 1/4 pit and 3/4 border collie. Then there is our weiner/german short hair mix..funny looking dog and always leaves us cracking up. My pit/border just had puppies and we suspect the weiner/german is the daddy (brother was removed from the house while in heat). They are freaking cute! Anywho a good first time dog is usually one a little older. Most lab's are great and so are Pit's.

I have a lab/wemieriner mix I call him a Laberimer, he looks much like this dog here but very CHOCOLATE, not caramel.

http://doggie-shirts.com/test.php?img=/images/&amp;rowima... Off

I also have a maltese/pomeranian mix called a maltipom - they look so different depending on the mix but he is white and gets confused for a bishon all the time!

I would suggest a medium sized (30-40lbs) shelter mixed breed dog. Mixed breeds have fewer health issues overall and are often better tempered than purebreeds.

I have a great Pyrenees/Anatolian shepherd mix. He stands at about waist height and weighs 150lbs. This particular mix is bred especially for livestock guarding, especially goats, but we use his to guard chickens. But mainly he guards everything, my children more than anything. they are outdoor dogs, working dogs, bred to do a job. But we love on him when we are outside. I know plenty of people who keep this breed inside, but they are huge and gangly. Nobody, and I mean not even the mail man will come into our yard without us knowing. And people will not get out of their cars when they see him, he is a great deterrent.

I am also not a fan of little yappers, they are too delicate when you have kids, and terriers are invariably snappy. I like something that has a use. For me a chihuahua is a fairly useless thing.

We have a Boston Terrier, a chihuahua, and a Boxer. All pure-breds. I love them all, they are all great breeds, and they are good with kids. We also have a guinea pig who is a prized member of the family as well!

We have 2 great dogs, smaller, don't shed and we adopted them. One from Operation Kindness when he was 3 and totally house broken, and the other from PAWS, had to train she was only a year. I have a 5 and 1 year old and we preferred an older dog and most of the shelters know a lot about the dogs history. At Operation Kindness we got to go in to a room and meet him and walk him. I did not want to potty train a puppy it is like having another kid! I would recommend operation kindness in a heart beat to anyone!

Wheaton Terrier, my first dog ever. I was SO scared to get a dog, but I didn't want to be the one standing in the way of my kids getting one. This was so huge for me, and I never had a dog growing up, and was terrified of the responsibility. Our Lucky is such a good family dog, though. Kids, hubs, and I are all in love with him. DD has allergies, and he has been wonderful for her. He has "hair" not fur, so no dander-allergy issues at all. He's medium sized, does great in our medium sized city fenced yard and 1-2 walks/day. The only irritating thing is he is really barky when someone, especially another dog comes near our house. I think this summer we'll need to consider a new fence that blocks him from viewing passers-by.