Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

Our family isn't currently in the position to get a dog (1 toddler, and baby due in April) but in about a year or so we'll be ready to start looking. I would love to hear suggestions for a breed or type of dog to look for. I realize every dog is different but I also know there are different traits which run in different breeds. Ideally we would like...
1. Good with people/kids
2. Moderate energy
3. Low/moderate maintenance
4. Longer life span and few inherited health risks

I grew up with labs and retrievers. Loved them but because I'm smaller I was overwhelmed with their size and energy. We would love to adopt and don't mind mixes/mutts. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

My favorite breed for young kids is a cavalier king charles spaniel. They are a bigger/small dog. Small enough not to be overhwelming to the kids, big enough that they won't get badly hurt if they are manhandled by a toddler.

I also really like a bigger boned havanese (really smart, very happy). I am very partial to golden doodles, labradoodles and standard poodles as well. All are really nice for not shedding. Labs and retrievers are massive shedders.

I really like basset hounds too, but they are not the healthiest. They have a low energy level.

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

I second the Cavalier!!!
<--- my boy is a "sturdy" small dog...great with my niece & nephews and any kids who want to pet him..not a mean bone in his body...he likes to play but he also likes to just lay & snuggle...

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

I've always wanted a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel but don't really know much about them.

I have 2 Labs, one English and one American. My English is a purebreed breeder "reject". He is the sweetest, gentlest, lowest energy dog you'd ever meet. Even from when we got him at 9 months old.

Then we got a 2nd dog and saw where all that energy was hiding. They are rambunctious with each other, play rough with each other, but not us. We give them daily walks and have some play time/training time each day and that's enough for them.

Sounds like you already know how eager to please they are, and loving. But you're right that depending on the dog you get, they can be energetic. Good training can go a long way, so you are controlling them with your voice not your strength.

If you re-assess in a year and feel that you wouldn't have the time to give a dog daily exercise and training, I probably wouldn't go with a working breed like a Lab. But if you do, or want an older one that is less puppy-ish, a great rescue is Labs4Rescue. The foster families and adoption coordinators can find you a Lab that fits your criteria. And every once in a while I see amazing mixes like this Lab / Bassett Hound. SO adorable.

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

By the way, I just want to say how impressed I am that you are planning far ahead and are more concerned about the breed's traits than the looks.

I wish more people were like you.

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

Thank you for all the info as well as the compliment. :) I look at getting a dog as adding to the family but I'll probably do more research for the dog (I don't get any say in the children I receive, though so far I've lucked out haha). Admittedly there is one thing we may base slightly on looks because I'm not sure my husband will go for a spaniel. He's a "mans man" and I don't know what he'd think of a King Charles. A friend of ours has one so maybe we'll spend more time with her. I love the other suggestions as well and will look into all of them. Thanks again for your suggestions!

Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

greenfreak makes a really good point though... a rescue can steer you to a dog with a known temperament and if you are open to a dog past the puppy crazies that is also a nice idea. But only if the dog has been proven with toddlers. Children and toddlers are two very different animals.

My biggest concern is always the babies first of course so I push for smaller dogs who are less likely to do the same sort of damage a larger dog could do and also tolerance level is super important.

In your situation you will have a one year old and a toddler. It's not an easy fit. Getting a puppy gives you a year to raise it up and it is the least dangerous to your babies. Getting an older dog is more risky and they can do more damage and may be overwhelmed in a house with very young children. I still lean towards a puppy for being the safest bet.

The big trick to raising a puppy with young children is to make sure the puppy has boundaries. Because if the puppy starts to consider itself a sibling you likely will see the puppy start to challenge the children for a higher place in the pack. (in the form of resource guarding and other aggression) That is where proper training from the beginning comes in. Nothing in life is free. Ideally, no pets on the furniture or other high up areas in the house (unless you invite them first). For dogs height equals status. So if your dog is on the bed or couch and your kids are on the floor you are essentially telling the dog you are higher up on the totem pole and reaffirming their status in the house is above the childrens.

I'd rather have an active puppy who knocks the baby over because they are goofy then an adult dog who pins/bites the baby from lack of intolerance, so I always vote puppy over adult. Although not everyone feels the same way about this. It's really 6 of one, half a dozen on the other. Lots of pros and cons to both.

Message edited 9/20/2013 9:58:36 AM.

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

Beagle was my 1st thought

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

Shih tzu or maltese.

They are so friendly and just happy dogs.

We have a shih tzu and she is just a great dog, was house broken in a short while. Everyone loves her. I bring her to work and she is so well behaved that another co-worker decided he wanted to get a shih tzu. He is so happy with his. They have such great personalities.

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

I would suggest a Boston Terrier, since they are excellent with kids, low maintenance, so far no health issues and I believe they live past ten years old. However she is quite active. She is just over a year old.

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

We adopted a lab/shepherd mix almost a year ago. We adore him - he is amazing with everyone including little kids, is energetic but also knows how to relax when we do, super playful, friendly, his tail is wagging 24/7!, fairly easy to take care of, and also my husband wanted to make sure we got a bigger dog - he's about 50 lbs and just the love of our life.

Goodluck on your search!

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

I also have a Shih Tzu and his amazing. Super happy, playful and very loving. No shedding at all. We have a mobile groomer come ever 2 months. I highly reccomend that breed.

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

Re: Starting to do my research... breed/type suggestions

I have a 5 year old cavalier and he is AMAZING with my toddler and any other kids (just check out my avatar pic). I love this breed. They're such good-hearted, sweet family dogs. However, like many purebreds, they can have some serious inherited health issues (mitral valve, eye issues, patella issues, and hip dysplasia are the biggies) and you have to really do your research before you get one. A good, ethical breeder is key, though of course, not a guarantee that your puppy wouldn't develop one of these conditions later in life. Unfortunately, the recent popularity of the breed has made them a popular puppy mill/pet store dog and that only makes these health issues all the more common. Fortunately, my dog has been very healthy, but I think it's important that people know the potential issues before picking this (or really any) breed.