for those w/ dogs..

nilly5

..my BF & I have been talking about getting a dog for a while now, but can't come to the agreement on what breed we want. So...talk up your dog to me plz

vik06

I have an American Straffordshire Terrier. Its a bull dog/pit bull mix. He is awesome with our son. Loves him so much. We adopted our dog when he was 5 months old. He'll be 2 next month. So for the most part they are growing up together. He'll just lay there and let the baby pet him. We are teaching the baby good puppy (how to pet him) he still pulls the dogs ears and jowls while trying to pet. The dog will just lay there and let him (we of course don't). They are very cute together.

No matter where our son is the dog is sure to be right there next to him. He he is in his crib the dog is laying under it. The most important thing about ANY dog and babies is to NEVER fully trust an animal around the baby. NEVER leave the dog and baby alone together. No matter how great the dog may be they are still animals.

britti<3

I have a border collie who I LOVE LOVE LOVE along with a queensland heeler. If you don't have a lot of space for them to exercise though I wouldn't recommend them. They get bored if they don't have a job to do.

I also have a chocolate labs. One is 2 and the other is 7. I would never buy a lab on my own lol. 

The best dog I have ever had is a Bull Mastiff. Dobermins are great dogs also. 

superlurker

Each breed has their quirks, so let's back up.  What size house and type of yard do you have?  Are you active and do a lot of outdoor stuff?  City or counrty?  Do you vacation a lot?  Do you have the time and patience for a puppy or would you rather get an adult who is out of the teething and potty training stage?  We can be more helpful after we have a little background.

wanticecream

Honestly, despite your breed preference it will essentially come down to teh individual dog.  I wanted a small, calm, hypoallergenic dog.  It was my first time getting a dog and my husband's second.  I didn't want a dog at all but just couldn't say no after my husband's parent's dog died.  I wanted a calm dog because I didn't want too much of a hassle with her when he wasn't home.  (I'm so embarassed that I even felt that way b/c people like me shouldn't get a dog.  I knew though that I would never treat her badly).  Turns out that the dog that won my heart was a westie-shitzu mix.  She was a rescue.  They were going to put her down I think b/c she has a snaggle tooth so no one wanted her.  While she is small and hypoallergenic, she was definitely not calm!  She always ran around teh house but it was so much fun playing with her.  Then when teh baby came, she realized that I couldn't always play with her in my spare time.  She was fine with that!  She loves teh baby and is so protective of him!  I can't believe that there was a time I didn't want a dog.  THey say golden retreivers are the calmest and best with kids but given my dog, I beg to differ :-)

(Sorry about the typos) 

jacksjerseygirl

superlurker:

Each breed has their quirks, so let's back up.  What size house and type of yard do you have?  Are you active and do a lot of outdoor stuff?  City or counrty?  Do you vacation a lot?  Do you have the time and patience for a puppy or would you rather get an adult who is out of the teething and potty training stage?  We can be more helpful after we have a little background.

I think this is all important. I think one should actively/proactively prepare and consider how they plan to train as well - look into professional training.

Too many people become dog owners without thinking these things through - then when there are behavior problems we hear 'oh we can't afford training, don't have time' etc etc.  

houndbaby

I have a Basset Hound, she's a stubborn couch potato, she hates to go for walks but loves to cuddle. She wasn't the easiest to house break or train.

I also have a Border Collie/ Golden Retriever mix, she's very smart, easy to train, has endless energy, loves to go for walks but will find something in the house to destroy if you don't walk her.

nilly5

I more want a medium size dog that can live in town but isn't SUPER hyper. I suppose all dogs get hyper but I want a lil more relaxed dog. Def don't go outta town on vacation much. And I'm very out doorsy! Once colby gets to walking & the snows gone I wanna go to the park. ...hope that helps a lil!

britti<3

nilly5:

I more want a medium size dog that can live in town but isn't SUPER hyper. I suppose all dogs get hyper but I want a lil more relaxed dog. Def don't go outta town on vacation much. And I'm very out doorsy! Once colby gets to walking & the snows gone I wanna go to the park. ...hope that helps a lil!

I wouldn't get any type of working breed dog if you plan on keeping them in the house for a long time. 

Your best bet would be getting a dog from a shelter.

TennisWife815

We have a hound mix -- he''s our second one. I love him, but he's super hyper and very quirky. Hounds are outdoor dogs and really need lots of exercise. Having a small house is a challenge, but we have a big yard so it balances out. That said, he doesn't behave well enough for me to walk him and the baby at the same time, and DH often travels, so we're having our struggles with him.

2-Step

My advice is to look for an pet adoption agency in your area that carefully places dogs in the right homes. Many of these organizations have families who foster the dogs and can give lots of great input on their personality, temperament and activity level before you get them into your home. It is the best way to know what you are getting yourself into. Too many people just grab a dog because they think it is cute, only to find out it's temperament just won't work for their situation. This is also important because they know which dogs are good with children etc. They aren't just trying to get rid of dogs for money like pet stores often do, they won't place a dog with you if they truly don't think it is right for you. If you want a less hyper dog, I wouldn't go with a puppy. I would go nuts raising a puppy and a baby at the same time anyway!!! Dogs are great tho! We have a lab/boxer mix and he is the BEST!

2-Step

2-Step:

My advice is to look for an pet adoption agency in your area that carefully places dogs in the right homes. Many of these organizations have families who foster the dogs and can give lots of great input on their personality, temperament and activity level before you get them into your home. It is the best way to know what you are getting yourself into. Too many people just grab a dog because they think it is cute, only to find out it's temperament just won't work for their situation. This is also important because they know which dogs are good with children etc. They aren't just trying to get rid of dogs for money like pet stores often do, they won't place a dog with you if they truly don't think it is right for you. If you want a less hyper dog, I wouldn't go with a puppy. I would go nuts raising a puppy and a baby at the same time anyway!!! Dogs are great tho! We have a lab/boxer mix and he is the BEST!

 

Oh and it is VERY true that the breed matters less than the individual dog. You can count on some traits being common to breed, but every dog is different, so personality matters A LOT!

wellfleet04

We have a golden retriever who I adore, adores my kids, and my kids adore her.  That said, she is A LOT of work.  She sheds like it is her job, so my house is always in need of a vacuum and my kids are covered in hair.  She needs daily walks, rain, snow, etc so my kids get bundled up and dragged out every.single.day no matter what.  She needs attention and love, but that is easy because she is awesome and the kids love to play with her.

She's incredible with the kids, very smart, super sweet, and a total joy.  As a puppy, I nearly returned her because she was HYPER, housetraining was very hard, and the attention she demanded was CONSTANT.  I totally agree with PP that getting a puppy with a baby is a TON of work.  I'd go for a rescue dog that has been temperment tested and you know what you'll get, their exercise and attention needs, whether they are good with kids, etc.  GL!

vegasgirl07

I have a papillon that is awesome w/ my LO. My parents have a Lhasa that isnt so good w/ him and my in-laws have terriers that dont get on w/ the babies.

ncbelle

Definitely check out a shelter or rescue group.  I'm a mutt fan but there are plenty of pure breds available as well.  I think medium/large breed dogs are more kid friendly than small ones.  A good shelter or rescue group should be able to match you to a dog with an appropriate personality for your family.

I'd also suggest a dog that's out of the puppy phase - like a year old or so - much easier to train and far less work than a puppy.  No way would I want to have to housetrain a puppy with a baby/toddler around.

southernarmywife7

Yorkie!! I will PIP my reason as soon as we get home!