What kind of dog would be good for us?

true. but 90% of the time i don't agree with the mixes petfinder says the dogs are. and most of those terriers seem to be am staffs or american pit bull terriers, which are more of a working breed than a terrier to me.

putting aside the allergies (I agree with all postings regarding them)..

I highly recommend PWD's..they are great dogs. Also tho you think your boys might be hard on a smaller dog, don't discount a bichon, they aren't that 'small', compared to say a rat terrier/min pin that type of breed.

Bichons probably require a tad more grooming than a PWD (espec if you like the longer coat ) but both breeds would be worthy of consideration in my book.

good luck
diane

Thanks so much for taking the time to do that, but I'm in Washington State, not Florida.

Lots of responses, I hope I don't miss anything. First, you guys are awesome, thank you so much for all the help.

I do plan to get him in to an allergist. We just have to get our Ped to refer us, and he keeps assuring me that I don't need to have him seen until he's 2. I don't know why. He has excema, and gets watery eyes and blotchy skin.

He reacts to my mom's dog only on his face, and it's only if his face touches her. He can pet her with his hands just fine. He also reacts immediately. It doesn't cause him breathing trouble, or sneezing so far. I have terrible allergies, to dogs and cats and mold and pollen and a ton of other things. I was on medication as a child, but I seem to have adjusted to the animal allergies. I'm 25 though, and it's only been recently.

Even if he does have allergies, I think having pets are so important for children. Not for responsibility, because they are too young for that, but for companionship. And I want a dog. I absolutely do not want to jump into getting a dog and then have it not work out. It isn't fair to my kids or to a dog, which is why I am asking so many questions and taking my time. I think I've been looking into this for about a year.

I want to be able to meet a dog before adopting, so I can rub my son's face on the dog and see if he reacts. I feel comfortable doing that, since his reactions seem to be mild. And we plan to call the dr this week and insist that he refer us to an allergist (mostly because his excema isn't getting better and I'm tired of him being uncomfortable).

I would still like to look, and unfortunately it sounds like I'll be pretty limited by breed. And the breeds that will be good for us are pretty pricey.

For those who have suggested PWDs, how did you find yours? I can't even find a breeder around here, and the rescue won't adopt out to people with kids (per their website). Also, considering that I am looking for a certain kind of dog, do I just need to resign myself to the fact that it's going to be expensive?

And the bichon thing, I don't worry about my boys being overly rough, they do great with our cat and he's about 15 lbs, they aren't rough with him or anything. They do like to hug him. But I have heard horror stories about smaller dogs getting back injuries from young children (trying to ride them, maybe, I don't know...my kids have never done that to my parents 80 lbs black lab so I can't imagine they'd do it to a smaller dog either). I have heard that bichons are great with kids.

And Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, those are hyper and strong willed like other terrier breeds? They look so gentle, like great big teddy bears.

If anyone asked me any questions and I forgot to answer them, I'm sorry. I tried to cover everything.

I really, really appreciate the help. I just want to make the right decision for my family, and also for any potential dog that could come into our family.

MM, we found our PWD through a breeder here in Australia. We had to fly her in from QLD - some of the PWD breeders do send theirs overseas, check our dogzonline.com.au

I live in an area that is FILLED with Wheatens as they were all the rage a few years back. There is only ONE groomer in my area who will touch a Wheaten with a 10 foot pole and even then most of them have to be sedated to do so. They are SO strong willed, and most I know have turned severely dog aggressive as they got older (which is a trait of ANY terrier). At my new job we've only had two bites since I got there and one was from a Wheaten (the other a Peke-a-poo).

For me when I think kids I automatically think of a bully breed. They have a high pain tolerance so a child being rough with them or falling on them or stepping on them won't phase them. The English Staffordshire Bull Terrier is known as "The Nanny Dog" because of their amazing temperment with children. My friends who have kids have pit bulls, and my Alapaha LOVES kids more than anything!! Just remember with most bully breeds you have a higher possibility of dog aggression. Bully breeds are a lot more responsibility than many other breeds, but I think that the trade offs (the FANTASTIC temperments) are worth it.

I would contact a rescue near you and get an adult who has been in foster care for at least 2 months. This gives the dog some time to settle in and allows their true temperment to come out so you get a more accurate reading on the dog than the rescues that get them in and try to push them back out as soon as possible. There is probably a mutt in your area who is PERFECT and is looking for a home with you.

As far as the allergies go, I'm not sure what to say. My sister has what sounds like similar allergies as your son to our animals. She's always just dealt with it. Some of the allergies went away the longer we had the animals, some never did but she just dealt with the hives.

im adding to the vote for a standard poodle, Smart, usually gentle and great with kids, good for alergy sufferes, and big enough to wrestle with the boys without being so big as to take over your home.
keep in a simple short clip for ease of grooming.

my other suggestion would be an english staffy (or possibly an american staffordshire bull terrier) they can be stubborn in terms of training, and need exsessive socilization with other dogs as they as a breed can be dog agressive but staffies (especially in the uk) are i belive 1 of only 2 breeds recomended IN THEIR STANDARD to be wonderfull with children.

i grew up with a staffy and he was the most amazing dog, but he definatly prefered to eb with the kids than the adults and if anyone ever had tried to hurt any of us, i dread to think what he would have done. they are truly "the nanny dog"

this rescue deals with poodles and poodle crosses and might be a good resource.

There are lots of dogs in shelters looking for good homes to.

The PWD I know might be a bit to high energy for a home with small kids. Thought they make excellent agility dogs if you are looking for a dog to do dogsports with.

Lately I have had clients come with Cavalier King Charles spaniels, what fantastic little dogs. Bigger than a bichon, and have the most incredible temperments, and soooo unbelievably adorable. They have to be the most agreeable and happiest dogs I have ever met. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel

The ones I have met dog not shed as much as short haired breeds (if you hate shedding never own a Dalmation ) But I agree check allergies first.

After getting the allergies checked, I would look into poodles, PWD's or Cavs. I've met many wonderful Bichons, but I've also met many that are horrible snappy little creatures with a million health and skin problems. A well behaved poodle is a wonderful dog, as is a PWD which has the advantage of being a little more square and not as tall/willowy as the poodle, which I think makes it a better choice for small children.

Wheaton's...I cannot fathom the fascination with this breed. Just don't get one and your life will be easier. They are insanely high energy as puppies and it lasts well into adult hood. Then when they start to settle down they get crabby and snappy, either with other dogs or with people.

If you cannot afford to spend $1500.00 for a dog you should seriously reconsider getting any dog. The reason I say this the initial $1500.00 is but a drop in the bucket over the lifetime of a dog. Everytime you go to a vet expect to spend $200.00. Depending on situations, you could end up in the vet a lot. Routine care like feeding, grooming, toys, training classes etc. ad up super quick.

That's kind of brutal. Even my show cocker spaniel isn't close to that price tag. Just because my dog wasn't a grand and a half I shouldn't get one either? I also don't always spent 200 at every vet visit.

Yes, be prepared for the need to spend money on a pet. But it doesn't need to be that extravagant or you shouldn't get one.

I see the point fully when people want a 'free or cheap' dog.. but I didn't get that from this thread honestly.

Ok, that's a bit much. I cannot afford to spend $1500 at once on a dog. That's why I have a rescue dog that initially cost me $175. I've spent a goodly chunk of money on him since then and he is never lacking for awesome food or vet care, but there was no way I could do $1500 at once. I rethought getting a particular dog (Cavalier) just for that reason.

However, if you're looking at breeders and wanting good stock, expect to pay at least $700 if not more.

I didn't pay $1500. Should I offer my breeder more money to prove I should have a dog? jk.

OK, lets ad some things up.

Obediance training: $500.00-$800.00
Health clerances (OFA,CERF,BEAR) $600.00-$1000.00
Routine Vet Exam (Office Visit Only) $65.00-$100.00
Doggie Day Care-$300.00 p/mnth

Now, lets say Fido is playing in the backyard and snap, steps on a gopher hole and pops an ACL. That surgery by itself goes from $1600.00-$5000.00.
Post operative therapy (hydro) $400.00 per month
Accupunture or massage $200.00 per month.

Let's say you have a molosser breed and the dog bloats. Emergency surgery starts at $2000.00.

The intial cost of the dog be it $20.00 or $20,000.00 really is immaterial. The dog will costs substantially more than that throughout it's lifetime.

IMHO, if you cannot afford $1500.00 "all at once" that tells me that you cannot afford emergency vet care so you would not be able to buy one of my dogs.

I don't like any local doggie daycares.. They were all skeazy... My year of agility training only touches on your random ob price tag.. I'm not breeding and nor are most of the people who replied, so I don't need health clearances thanks..

So far, you aren't making much of a point and with the attitude I wouldn't want one of your puppies no matter what breed they were..

Bottom line, if you cannot afford the initial price of the dog you probably cannot afford an emergancy surgery. I read about people putting down thier dogs because they cannot afford to repair a torn ACL. That is not OK with me. As a pet owner you owe it to your dog to provide all care in case of an emergency. Unlike a human ER a vet will not bill you, you have to pay up on the spot. People need to ask the question if in the worst case scenerio can you afford to get Fido the emergency surgery? If the answer is no, you cannot afford a dog. Sorry.

Well the truth is, sometimes people's financial lives change. A medical crises in the family can break a family in a very short time. A job loss can occur. Nobody but NOBODY can predict their own financial situation for life. We can only go on what our situation is now. One could say that unless you know you can afford having kids for the next 20 or so years, you shouldn't give birth. Obviously, only a person who is seriously attuned to the Psychic Hotline can safely say that they will always be financially secure. I've known some millionaires who went down the tubes. So being so smug isn't very wise.

Of course, problem can occur. However, I really am not talking about that. Owning a dog is very expensive, one of the most expensive things one can do. I believe the idea of dog ownership is a huge responsibility and one must weigh in everything in order to make an educated decision.

A good rule of thumb is to keep 4x the price of the dog in a "dog saving account" just in case of a medical emergancy.

Wow, $1500 is a lot of money for a dog. O_O I've never seen any dog that's not super champion or byb/puppymill/designer dog cost that much. Again..... O_O wow! I'd never pay that much just to get a dog, but then again I'm not into showing.

My dog just had surgery, it was about $1,200. My vet IS letting me do payments, so that IS possible depending on the vet. It wasn't an emergency trip though.

And jsut because you can't pay $1,500 up front doesn't mean you shouldn't own a dog. There are many ways to quickly gain money (loan, and if your smart start a saving account early). Not having it right now isn't something that should keep you from getting a dog! Being commited and knowing there will be costs is something you should realize, but $1500 up front is a bit of an exaggeration.

Most people are not going to go to doggie day care, won't need any of those health certificates, and may or may not go to obedience, though it probably won't cost a lot over a long period. Vet visits don't happen too often unless your dog does get sick. The surgery is a possibility, but isn't something that will necessarily happen. And not many many people have mollaser/large breed dogs.

Dogs are expensive, though I'm not sure it's as expensive as you're trying to make it out to be. Especially since most of that money isn't spent all at one time, it's not like once each year you go out and buy $500 worth or food plus vet bills and everything else. You do it weekly/bi-weekly or whatever. It's spread out and makes it much easier.

Let's say this, for the typical week, I spend money on dog food. That's a typical week. Sometimes I may buy a new toy or collar or bed or whatever, but most week's it's ONLY dog food. That's not that expensive.