Need some input

[wolf_Q]

Have you tried www.petfinder.com ? Just put in dog, small size and your state and it will bring up a bunch of different dogs.

[finn's mom]

There may be certain breeds that are better with children than others. But, I think part of the problem with telling you a certain breed, especially if you're going to rescue (which is wonderful!), is that a lot of the dogs will be mixed. So, it wouldn't be really possible to tell you which of the mixes will be better with your toddler and ten year old. I think it's wonderful that you are doing this! I would just suggest going online to petfinder and looking through there and actually going to the shelter yourself and then again with your children once you've narrowed the selection down. Once you've talked to the shelter people about what small/medium dogs they have that are known to be good with children and toddlers, then you can bring your two in to actually meet the dogs and see which dog the connection will be with. If you're dead-set on having a purebred, you can do a bit of research online and find small/medium breeds that are maybe better with kids than others...then see if there are any breed rescues that have a dog you can adopt. Of course, even then, you'd have to make sure that particular dog will like and be liked by your two kids. Are you looking for a puppy that you'll need to train or are you looking for an adult? You already know the size requirement, are you wanting a dog that will be calm or do you want a dog with more energy? Who's going to be walking the dog? Because even a small/medium sized dog can be difficult to walk if they're not properly leash trained or if they're being walked by a small, possibly physically weak child. I don't know the severity of your girl's disabilities, but, it's something to consider when choosing a dog. I'd be willing to help you look online today if you can be a bit more specific. I say today, because I'll be inside for the majority of it. You can send me a private message if you'd like with your zip code (as that's asked for on www.petfinder.com )...and, I can help you look. But, it's an easy site to navigate, so, you can totally do it yourself if you'd rather. Good luck, no matter what you do!

I saw where you mentioned a puppy isn't really what you're looking for...sorry it took me a minute to type all this and i didn't see that response.

[lookin4caninecompanion]

Have you tried www.petfinder.com ? Just put in dog, small size and your state and it will bring up a bunch of different dogs.

lol yep. Did that already. All of them nearest don't have any small to medium sized dogs. All large.

Can a lab mix be considered a medium dog? I think he's lab/terrier mix.

[finn's mom]

lol yep. Did that already. All of them nearest don't have any small to medium sized dogs. All large.

Can a lab mix be considered a medium dog? I think he's lab/terrier mix.

That's quite possible...I've even seen some full labs that are around 50 pounds...just small girls...but, are you looking for a dog with that kind of exercise requirement and energy level? Labs are extremely energetic and need constant daily exercise above and beyond a walk. And, mixed with a terrier, you may be dealing with a really energetic, stubborn dog.

[lookin4caninecompanion]

I really have no interest in a pure bred dog. I've had "mutts" in the past, and they did just fine. But all of this was BEFORE I had children. lol
I've looked on petfinder.com
Zip code- 54660 OR 54656
At the Sparta Animal Shelter... The Cocker Spaniel named Joshua, isn't suitable for children the lady at the shelter told me.

http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=
My daughter is cognitively disabled, and has seizures.
In other words, she's 10 years old, but functions at the level of a 5-6 year old. She's also ODD and ADHD.

There may be certain breeds that are better with children than others. But, I think part of the problem with telling you a certain breed, especially if you're going to rescue (which is wonderful!), is that a lot of the dogs will be mixed. So, it wouldn't be really possible to tell you which of the mixes will be better with your toddler and ten year old. I think it's wonderful that you are doing this! I would just suggest going online to petfinder and looking through there and actually going to the shelter yourself and then again with your children once you've narrowed the selection down. Once you've talked to the shelter people about what small/medium dogs they have that are known to be good with children and toddlers, then you can bring your two in to actually meet the dogs and see which dog the connection will be with. If you're dead-set on having a purebred, you can do a bit of research online and find small/medium breeds that are maybe better with kids than others...then see if there are any breed rescues that have a dog you can adopt. Of course, even then, you'd have to make sure that particular dog will like and be liked by your two kids. Are you looking for a puppy that you'll need to train or are you looking for an adult? You already know the size requirement, are you wanting a dog that will be calm or do you want a dog with more energy? Who's going to be walking the dog? Because even a small/medium sized dog can be difficult to walk if they're not properly leash trained or if they're being walked by a small, possibly physically weak child. I don't know the severity of your girl's disabilities, but, it's something to consider when choosing a dog. I'd be willing to help you look online today if you can be a bit more specific. I say today, because I'll be inside for the majority of it. You can send me a private message if you'd like with your zip code (as that's asked for on www.petfinder.com )...and, I can help you look. But, it's an easy site to navigate, so, you can totally do it yourself if you'd rather. Good luck, no matter what you do!

I saw where you mentioned a puppy isn't really what you're looking for...sorry it took me a minute to type all this and i didn't see that response.

[lookin4caninecompanion]

That's quite possible...I've even seen some full labs that are around 50 pounds...just small girls...but, are you looking for a dog with that kind of exercise requirement and energy level? Labs are extremely energetic and need constant daily exercise above and beyond a walk. And, mixed with a terrier, you may be dealing with a really energetic, stubborn dog.

LOL Oh oh, better stay away from that kind then. LOL

On petfinder.com, there is a dog named Mike at the Sparta ANimal Shelter that the kids and I were gazing at.

http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=

[finn's mom]

I really have no interest in a pure bred dog. I've had "mutts" in the past, and they did just fine. But all of this was BEFORE I had children. lol
I've looked on petfinder.com
Zip code- 54660 OR 54656
At the Sparta Animal Shelter... The Cocker Spaniel named Joshua, isn't suitable for children the lady at the shelter told me.
My daughter is cognitively disabled, and has seizures.
In other words, she's 10 years old, but functions at the level of a 5-6 year old. She's also ODD and ADHD.

Well, the only reason I said anything about purebreds, is cuz you asked about specific breeds. Nothing wrong with a purebred, I've seen purebreds at the pound that need a home just as bad as the mutties...I love them all! Yeah, cockers aren't always the best with little ones, from my experiences. I've been told, actually, that Spaniels aren't really that awesome with kids, but, I don't know that from personal experience. I do know that Cockers can be a bit jealous and nippy, from personal experience. They're great dogs, don't get me wrong, but, maybe not suitable for your situation. Is there a way for you to apply for an actual therapy dog? I don't know how you would go about it or what the rules and requirements are, but, it's just a thought that came to mind. I'm sure you've thought of it, though, and, I imagine it's expensive to acquire a dog as well trained as a service dog has to be. I don't know what those acronyms mean, but, from the sound of it, you'd be walking the dog, so, your daughter's ability to walk her by herself doesn't sound like it's something that needs to be taken into consideration...

you will find the perfect dog, it just may take some time! keep us posted on how it goes!

[finn's mom]

LOL Oh oh, better stay away from that kind then. LOL

On petfinder.com, there is a dog named Mike at the Sparta ANimal Shelter that the kids and I were gazing at.

http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=

Oh, he's adorable! He will probably needs lots of training, and, he may be extremely energetic, even as an adult. But, especially being that young, he looks to be quite a handful...

[lookin4caninecompanion]

Oh, he's adorable! He will probably needs lots of training, and, he may be extremely energetic, even as an adult. But, especially being that young, he looks to be quite a handful...

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. But he's SOOOOO darn cute!!! lol

What about a boxer? His name is Ranger. Gotta love him.

http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=

[lookin4caninecompanion]

I already tried, and they won't cover it, becuase it's a "companion animal". I however, MAY get financial aid to help cover the cost of it's adoption, altering, vaccines, licensing, etc.

I've never had a purebred before. lol Guess I always that that $400-500 for a dog was too much. lol

Well, the only reason I said anything about purebreds, is cuz you asked about specific breeds. Nothing wrong with a purebred, I've seen purebreds at the pound that need a home just as bad as the mutties...I love them all! Yeah, cockers aren't always the best with little ones, from my experiences. I've been told, actually, that Spaniels aren't really that awesome with kids, but, I don't know that from personal experience. I do know that Cockers can be a bit jealous and nippy, from personal experience. They're great dogs, don't get me wrong, but, maybe not suitable for your situation. Is there a way for you to apply for an actual therapy dog? I don't know how you would go about it or what the rules and requirements are, but, it's just a thought that came to mind. I'm sure you've thought of it, though, and, I imagine it's expensive to acquire a dog as well trained as a service dog has to be. I don't know what those acronyms mean, but, from the sound of it, you'd be walking the dog, so, your daughter's ability to walk her by herself doesn't sound like it's something that needs to be taken into consideration...

you will find the perfect dog, it just may take some time! keep us posted on how it goes!

[Karen]

Really how energetic and how good with kids varies a lot dog to dog. And I would consider a lab/terrier to be a medium-sized dog ...

Really visiting the shelter with at least the ten-year-old, then a "trial visit" with the two-year old, to see who appeals to you, would probably be best. So many of the animals featured on http://Dogoftheday.com , http://Catoftheday.com and http://Petoftheday.com start with "Well, I went to the shelter looking for a (fill in the blank, for example I'll use) small black cat, and came home with this big white dog and couldn't be happier" - you never know what will happen until you get there!

[finn's mom]

I already tried, and they won't cover it, becuase it's a "companion animal". I however, MAY get financial aid to help cover the cost of it's adoption, altering, vaccines, licensing, etc.

I've never had a purebred before. lol Guess I always that that $400-500 for a dog was too much. lol

Yeah, I'm not saying buying a purebred, just adopting one from the pound or from a rescue. They're not going to cost more at the shelter than a mutt. The individual rescues will probably charge more, but, I don't think they charge as much as a breeder would for a puppy. Good luck, either way!

[finn's mom]

So many of the animals featured on http://Dogoftheday.com , http://Catoftheday.com and http://Petoftheday.com start with "Well, I went to the shelter looking for a (fill in the blank, for example I'll use) small black cat, and came home with this big white dog and couldn't be happier" - you never know what will happen until you get there!

hee hee, that's so true! i know i went to office max with my boyfriend at the time to get some computer paper, and, came home with finn. (not the best place to get a pup, across the street from a shopping center, but, hey. we can't help who we fall in love with, and, who picks us.)

[lookin4caninecompanion]

hee hee, that's so true! i know i went to office max with my boyfriend at the time to get some computer paper, and, came home with finn. (not the best place to get a pup, across the street from a shopping center, but, hey. we can't help who we fall in love with, and, who picks us.)

Finn is pretty darn cute!

[finn's mom]

Finn is pretty darn cute!

thank you, he's my bud.