Post by sandandsea on Mar 13, 2024 13:38:59 GMT -5
We got a lab mix from the shelter when she was probably still too young to be adopted. She was 4.5 pounds when we adopted her and was about 55 fully grown. She was amazing, eager to please, fun, gentle, and great with our son.
All dogs are individuals. Your best bet is to make a list of your preferences: - activity level - what level of grooming you're willing to deal with (like, can you afford to pay for grooming every two to three months for a long-haired dog? or do you prefer something with short hair that just needs nails clipped every once in a while) - size - cuddliness -- do you mind a lap dog, or do you prefer one who isn't Velcroed to your side?
And take that to a shelter or rescue and ask them for recommendations.
Our pit bull mix (in his younger years) would have ticked all those boxes.
These are all great points. My cocker spaniel costs a fortune in grooming (we take her every 4-5 weeks). I joke that I spend as much on her hair as my own. I don’t mind it at all, but it’s not cheap and definitely something to be aware you’re signing up for.
She’s also a 30 lb lap dog, but I wanted a Velcro baby and entirely got one.
Post by georgeglass on Mar 14, 2024 11:32:27 GMT -5
We had rescue dogs for years and years and realized just as our kids were headed to college that they'd never had a puppy. We found a very reputable breeder and got an English lab puppy that is the coolest, chillest dog. The breeder made us hang out with all of the puppies (which was amazing) while she interviewed us and watched how we interacted with the dogs and vice versa. She knew each puppy's temperament and it has been the best thing ever.
I'm super pro labs for kids, too. They play but not too much and are generally super sweet. Definitely up for adventures. too.
Post by ellipses84 on Mar 14, 2024 19:29:37 GMT -5
I’m partial to herding dogs. They tend to be good with kids, mid-size, loyal and active/ adventurous. We had a Sheltie mix growing up. My parents have an Aussie Doodle now. They are hyper puppies. I love rescue mutts but I think a puppy or a younger dog can be a safer bet to train with kids. If it’s an older dog, make sure they have lived with kids. Bird dogs are great too. Labs, shepherd; retrievers and terriers are good with kids too. My siblings have a Shiba Inu and a Boston Terrier. My DH loves Jack Russel Terriers from one breeder but his family has had many and I swear they are the only non-hyper ones I’ve met. Look for one mixed with something smaller if they are a large breed. Definitely consider their type of coat and the shedding or grooming involved.
There are a couple of rescues that ship dogs north from the South and Mexico. You could also consider fostering a dog that seems like a good fit to see if it really is. Most orgs I know of really get potential families for good fits, especially if it’s breed specific but hopefully they have mixes of that breed too.
Follow The Dogist on social media. He takes photos of dogs he sees on the streets in NYC but he features a lot of different breeds and asks the owners questions about the dogs’ backgrounds and personalities. I’ve seen several I’ve never heard of.
We adopted a Career Changed Dog through Leader Dogs for the Blind. He's a black lab. He failed out because loves squirrels and people too much. When we went on the wait list I said I wanted a male or female over 1 year of age - that way they'd have had a year's worth of top notch training. Quincy is the best pet ever!
YAAASSSS! A career redirection! They are superior dogs. My dad tells me stories about why this one or that one washed out...sometimes doggo ADD, sometimes skill fails (like can't pick up a dropped credit card), sometimes health-related.
If we are ever in a situation to have another dog, that's the route I would take.