What type of dog should I get?

[sweet_stormy]

what type of dog breed usually goes best with an English Springer Spaniel, little kids, and other animals? my family is thinking about getting another dog and we dont know what type to get. plz help!

[flamepony12]

What type of house do you live in? if you live in a sm house i would reccomend a pug. they are great companions and great with kids. If you have enough space, i would also reccomend a golden retriever, which are EXTREMELY good with kids and not as hyper as a pug most often, depending on the dog.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Originally posted by sweet_stormy
what type of dog breed usually goes best with an English Springer Spaniel, little kids, and other animals? my family is thinking about getting another dog and we dont know what type to get. plz help!

You and your family should do some research on different breeds before just going out and getting one.

If you decide to get a dog as a puppy, be prepared for chewing, digging, and all the little puppy antics. It's a lot of work.

Golden Retrievers are good family dogs, but believe it or not they do have some draw-backs. ;) For instance, some could have high prey drives, like I've seen. My Daisy [Golden Retriever] for one, I would NEVER trust alone with my cockatiel or hamster.

Grooming is another. Be prepared to invest on trips to the groomers every so often, and brushing a couple times a week; more during shedding seasons.

Another is exercise. They need a sufficient amount of exercise, so if you or your family are the type who aren't very active, I really wouldn't suggest a Golden. I go jogging with Daisy a couple times a week, and she gets regular walks.

Another is attention. Like all dogs, you can't leave them alone in the backyard and expect them to thrive. They need something to do; whether that's taking walks, going to the dog park, beach, playing fetch, etc.

Golden Retrievers are prone to heart, eye, thyroid, hip, epilepsy, elbow, and hip problems. If you do decide to get a Golden Retriever, make sure the breeder has all the necessary health clearances.

But, besides all of that, they're [I]great dogs, obviously. ;)

That's all just off the top of my head.. so, if you have any other questions, you can post them here, or reach me by PM.

[flamepony12]

I have a goldie AND a pug AND a tibetan terrier. Goldens can be VERY sweet. My golden, Mackenzie, is blind. She is also a great companion. My Pug, Zeus, is Hyper and Lazy and follows me everywhere. Our Tibetan, Muffin, LOVES to sleep and cuddle, but doesn't like to run around often. I wouldn't reccomend a tibetan as a dog for little kids.

[EssTer]

well, I'm not sure.. But I've heart labrador retrievers are good family pets, and they are good with other animals!

[Huskies_for_me]

labs are good for families,but they are super hyper.

mutts are great,but you might want a pruebreed.

heelers are very smart and are good for families.

boxers are good with families and if raised with they get along with other dogs as with ANY breed.

great danes make great pets all around. and they don't eat as much as like the german shepherd or other breeds that need the energy. they are very gentle and not very hyper.and they're always good to have around just in case theres a erson trying to break in.

[tikeyas_mom]

great danes are very clumsy and dont do well in places where their is a lot to chew. trust me.. I have one ;). And yes they do eat a lot as puppies.

I would suggest a smaller dog maybe a shih tzu or a pug?

[Kfamr]

Go to the dog shelter - as much as possible.
Look around, visit with all of the dogs.
Bring the whole family, there's bound to be one you fall in love with. When you do, make sure he/she will be happy in your living conditions (Is your yard big enough for that size dog, would it like small children...etc) and if possible, bring your current dog in to visit and meet it. Also, would your current dogs allow/enjoy another canine family member?


I personally think mutts are the best choice if you don't have a breed that you've been looking for. Also, mutts can/most of the time will be the best family dogs you can get. :)

You can find Pure Breed dogs in shelters and in rescues, so they're always the best choice when getting a dog.

What's better than saving a life? :)

[Dogz]

Originally posted by flamepony12
...not as hyper as a pug most often, depending on the dog.

Pugs? Hyper? It REALLY depends on the dog, as you said. Otis is not hyper at all. Yes, he does like to play, and he does demand attention (what dogs DON'T need attention?) but most of the time he is quite mellow.

I wouldn't choose a breed. Choose a dog. Wherever you want to get a dog (just try to stay away from puppy mills and pet stores) choose the dog that would be best for your lifestyle.

Maybe your dog will choose you!

[binka_nugget]

I also recommend going to your local Shelter or rescue groups. When you're looking for something specific (kids, dogs, other animals), adult dogs are basically what you see is what you get. Puppies grow and there's no telling what they're going to end up like (how they were bred, instincts, how they were raised). Adult dogs are done growing and are straight-forward when you're looking for a specific type of dog. I rescued Kaedyn from our pound and I wasn't looking for a specific breed of dog. So even if you are looking for a pure-bred, shelters and rescues are great places to start with.

If you want pure-bred recommendations, Shelties come to mind (hmm..I wonder why?) :p

They're excellent family dogs, very tolerant to kids. They get along with other animals and other dogs. I can easily trust Kai with a small animal. In fact, he had two rats climb on him numerous times. They're versatile which is why they're so popular. I originally wanted an agility dog but now, I'm turning Kai into an obedience, agility, flyball, herding dog. They are herding dogs though so they may nip at running kids. But I find that Shelties don't have intense instincts, like Border Collies, so it's really easy for me to tell Kai and Kaedyn to knock it off. But if you want a dog that doesn't shed a lot, bark, goes bizzerk if you don't walk it, don't want to keep it mentally satisfied, then they aren't for you. But this is just a general statement, there will of course be completely opposite Shelties.

Either way, I'd go to your shelters and rescues first.

[CorgiLuvr]

Golden Retrivers are really good with other dogs and kids, but they are so popular and have been so heavily over-bred that the breed has a lot of problems. If you get a Golden, Be sure that it is coming from a good breeder and not a puppy-mill.

Personally, I would recommend a Pembroke Welsh Corgi because they are the best dogs I have ever seen around other dogs and children. They are very tolerant and sweet, they love to be around people and they "aim to please". It does take a very firm hand because Corgis are so much like children. You give them and inch and they'll take a mile. Do some research and find a good breeder for whichever dog you decide to get.

[bckrazy]

I agree with most of the great advice youve already gotten. rescue can be the best, especially since youre just looking for a good family dog...though, it does sound like another Sporting type breed would fit well, there are so many great mutts out there who could probably do just as well with your family :) good luck!

Also, as mentioned before, if you do get a puppy take the time to research the breed and the breeder of the pup. Goldens can be great dogs, I know, but the only dog Ive really felt uncomfortable with and the only dog who has ever attacked my dog is a neighbors young Golden Retriever female, who came from our local pet store. So, breeding and parentage does make so much of a difference in the future of your puppy.

[flamepony12]

Dogz--
my pug Zeus is sooooo super hyper sometimes!:D

[Toller 42]

Why don't you get another springer Spaniel?
Any type of sporting dog would get along great with a springer spaniel!

[Layka3000]

that is always a common question but your friend has to be thinking of the environments its gona be in...

[sweet_stormy]

hey everyone, i just wanted to let you all know that i got a puppy yesterday.... we spent 3 hrs with her in the car basically because we went to pick her up and that was about 1/2 hr and than we went back to my town and we ordered a pizza and walked to the Dollar General store down the road (another 1/2 hr) and than my friend found out that my new dog has sores in her mouth and she is (we knew) malnutricioned... so went called the vet and took her BACK to the next town over (about 1/2 hr there too) and we waited about 15 - 20 mins before the vet could see her. for being 4 months old she only weighs 18 lbs. she is a black lab husky mix.... i feel bad for her :( shes gone through so much....

[wolfie]

Oh, poor girl. That's great of you to rescue her though! I hope she gets better soon.

What's her name?

[sweet_stormy]

her name is Zoey..... when we went to get her the people that owned her called her Candy Cane. we didn't like that name for her so we changed it....