What kind of dog would be good for us?

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#1
We have been considering a family dog for awhile now, a year or so. I'm fairly hesitant, since I have a preschooler and a toddler, so I've been taking it very slow and really researching breed traits, what to look for in temperment, the grooming/training/other special needs of the various breeds, basically I just don't want to make a mistake.

I really like the things I've read about Bichons. I want a low shedding dog, that is good with kids, and that will be happy in the house with us. The only thing is< i have 2 boys, and while they are respectful and gentle with animals, I'm feeling like a smaller breed dog just isn't the best idea for young boys. I have visions of them rolling around on the floor with our dog, I guess. Maybe that isn't realistic, this would be our first dog so I have no idea. I was thinking 25-50 lbs would be a good size.

I love Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, but they don't sound like the best breed for someone who doesn't know very much about dogs. Also, I haven't been able to find any around here. I've been watching petfinder for almost a year. I can't spend $1500 on a dog either, and they seem to be pricey.

So does anyone here have any insight? Am I just over analyzing this? I tend to do that.
 

mtime

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#2
I am definatly no expert but from what you are looking for some dogs that first came to mind were: Standard Schnauzer, Standard Poodle,and Portuguese Water Dog.
 

Lizmo

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#3
First breed that came to mind was Golden. Dog who would love to just be around you and your family, and loves kids.

But they are not low shedders and can be bigger than 50 pounds, just depends on the dog.
 
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#5
I would love a PWD! It's next to impossible to find them around here though, I'm in Westen Washington. I think they are absolutely gorgeous. I love curly furred dogs.

I would also love a Golden, but my 2 year old is exhibiting mild allergy signs when he is around my mom and dad's black lab. He gets red patches on his face and his eyes start to water. We have an appt to get him into an allergist, since allergies run in the family. I am actually allergic to dogs and cats, but I can build up a tolerance to a specific animal's dander, we have a cat and I don't react to him.

Anyhow, since I know that there are breeds that are better for allergy sufferers, I thought it best that we go with one of those breeds because we want to adopt a dog as a family member, and I don't want to be in a situation where we can't keep him/her anymore.
 

Lizmo

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#6
I would find out what your son is allergic to before picking a breed out. JMHO.
 

~Tucker&Me~

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#7
I second poodle.

And agree with Lizmo. Find out what he is allergic to. It would be awful to have to rehome the dog if it didn't work out.

~Tucker
 
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#8
So even dogs that are supposed to be good for allergy sufferers can cause a reaction? Does that mean if we find out he's allergic to dogs we can't get a dog at all?
 

~Jessie~

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#9
There is no such thing as a "hypoallergenic" dog. People are allergic to the dander, which has to do with skin and not fur.

However, poodles, bichons, malteses, yorkies (dogs with hair rather than fur) are usually better for allergy sufferers.

I have awful allergies, and I have 3 chihuahuas. Chihuahuas are actually a breed that has less dander than most. However, I am not allergic to dogs at all so I'm not entirely sure of the truth to that.

If I were you, I would find a breeder who has the breed that you want (if your son is allergic to a lab, I would find a low-shedding breed with hair), and see if you and your family can spend some time with their dogs. It wouldn't be fair to your family or the puppy to have to rehome it if your son was allergic to it.
 

daaqa

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#10
we are in a somewhat similar boat. we live just above you in BC, my hubby is mildly allergic to some dogs, and though we don't have kids yet, we plan to.

an interesting, though incomplete, quiz that was posted here is a good tool as a starting point: dog breed quiz. note: the questions regarding type of hair at first threw me off, because i don't want a long haired shedding dog. but keep in mind, that there are long-haired nonshedding dogs. the shedding question comes later.
 

Maxy24

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#11
I also think a standard poodle would be a good idea. If you get from a rescue you can go visit the dog and see if your son or you reacts to the dog you choose. Make sure you spend a good amount of time (at least how ever long it takes for him to usually react to the lab) to see what happens. I'm glad your doing your research first, shows you are very responsible.
 

noludoru

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#12
Exactly what Maxy said. SP and RESCUE. Rescue will be cheaper (the most I've ever seen rescues go for is $300, and that's only b/c they are puppies and their s/n is payed for) on you and you will know what you are getting. If you find a great breeder, you'll always have someone there for you, but with a rescue you'll have a group of people there for you.

Right now, while you're researching, you can start acquiring the necessities, though.. and get your son tested. While poodles and other "hairy" dogs are less-prone to cause problems, it depends upon the individual person.
 

mjb

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#13
One of my best friend's husband is allergic to dogs and cats. They have 3 dogs and 1 cat. She can't help herself! They started with one dog, a terrier mix, but she does shed. They got all leather furniture to reduce having the fur and dander in the furniture. I guess keeping the dog off the furniture would have been just as good.

Then they found a stray kitten and took her in. She is indoor/outdoor, but she's in alot.

Next, she got another terrier, a Yorkie, which doesn't shed very much. Then, she got some kind of a mix who's not much of a shedder. They've also slowly replaced carpet with tile and wood. I think that helps alot, too.

She ended up with all these animals because the first dog is quite old. They got the 2nd dog because they knew the first one would not be around forever, and they thought this might help them. Then she started worrying about the second dog when the first one does finally pass away, so they got a third dog!

The husband does okay with all of this. He's on allergy medicine.

One of my sons has allergies, but he didn't test out allergic to cats and dogs. We have 2 cats and a dog, but they just couldn't go in his bedroom. He has never had a problem, but one of his friends who's allergic to cats has problems when he tries to spend the night if he's forgotten to take his medicine. If he takes his medicine first, he's okay.

So, looking for a low-shedder is probably good. Allergy medication might be necessary, pet or no pet. And, I think leather furniture, wood and tile floors can be helpful, too. Our son's doctor recommended the wood and tile floors when possible and wrapping mattress and pillow in allergin-free covering before putting the linens on.
 

Baxter'smybaby

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#14
As a word of caution....please be sure to have your son allergy tested BEFORE bringing home any dog. My son had mild allergy symptoms as a younger boy (8 years). We grew to have 3 cats in the house, and one dog. My son developed significant breathing difficulties---took him to an allergy specialist, turned out he had a significant allergy to cats. We had to rehome all three of the cats---there were no two ways about it, our sons ability to breathe (even with envrionmental modifications of air purifier, mattress covers, removed all carpeting,etc.)--my suggestion is to start with an allergist. And allergy meds are not all they are cracked up to be--people can have rebound effects-causing worse problems than they started with. I am an animal lover--but compromising a growing child's health is not worth it.
 

T&D's Mum

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#15
Hi MM

We have a Portuguese Water Dog (the black and white one) and a Lagotto(Italian water dog) and they are fantastic with kids. The latter requires more exercise so I would say a Portie may be right for you.
 

mrose_s

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#16
i was surrounded by dogs since mum first bought me home, i grew up with s staffy/bc a pure bc (although those 2 were pretty old) and i was only 2 when mum got a bull terrier/boxer pup. we got knocked down constantly by tails but all was good.

with little kids i'd lean towards a bigger dog, usually their more tolerant. i'd also steer away from the standard little dogs (schnauzers/poodles) because you end up with highly intelliegnt, often dominant dogs (what i've read) that are massive! small terriers are scary enuogh, let alone giant ones!

i find staffy's and goldens seem to be pretty friendly though. i saw a couple of goldes the other day, absolutley gorgeous and just so happy! boxer's also tend to be friendly dogs, but not sure about the shedding and they can be quite boistrous.
 

mjb

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#17
And allergy meds are not all they are cracked up to be--people can have rebound effects-causing worse problems than they started with. I am an animal lover--but compromising a growing child's health is not worth it.
True on the medicines. One of our sons has allergies and has had to be on allergy medication. Fortunately, he did not test out to be allergic to dogs or cats. Also, he has had no problems with his medication, but the one that helped his allergies the most was removed from the market, which is kind of scary. His allergies would be triggered without any warning, and it was suggested to keep him on medication all the time, but I never did that. I would start him on his meds whenever we were going out of town or going to spend the night away from home. But many times he was already being bothered by the allergy before we would get medicine in him.

It's very difficult knowing whether to go ahead and medicate him when he's fine or know that he's going to end up at some point with allergy symptoms, and then they're hard to get rid of.

He's in college now and seems to have outgrown the allergies. He also had asthma, and it's been years since he's had an asthma attack, too.
 

milos_mommy

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#18
We have been considering a family dog for awhile now, a year or so. I'm fairly hesitant, since I have a preschooler and a toddler, so I've been taking it very slow and really researching breed traits, what to look for in temperment, the grooming/training/other special needs of the various breeds, basically I just don't want to make a mistake.

I really like the things I've read about Bichons. I want a low shedding dog, that is good with kids, and that will be happy in the house with us. The only thing is< i have 2 boys, and while they are respectful and gentle with animals, I'm feeling like a smaller breed dog just isn't the best idea for young boys. I have visions of them rolling around on the floor with our dog, I guess. Maybe that isn't realistic, this would be our first dog so I have no idea. I was thinking 25-50 lbs would be a good size.

I love Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, but they don't sound like the best breed for someone who doesn't know very much about dogs. Also, I haven't been able to find any around here. I've been watching petfinder for almost a year. I can't spend $1500 on a dog either, and they seem to be pricey.

So does anyone here have any insight? Am I just over analyzing this? I tend to do that.
probably for a first time owner, ANY terrier would be a no-no.

and you are definately NOT overanalyzing this. i don't think you can overanalyze bringing a dog into your family. you're doing the right thing by taking your time a researching.

if you want a very low-shedding larger dog, a portugese water dog might be a good choice. if you don't mind a little shedding, a staffie or boxer might also be a good choice. a non-shedding or little-shedding dog doesn't mean "non allergenic", either. people can be allergic to dog dander, skin, or even saliva, though usually a non-shedding dog can help.

also, by keeping the dogs out of the child's bedroom, and off furniture, and also going with hardwood/tile flooring, it will reduce the allergy problem.
 

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