What is a Good Family Dog?

Question

i am a pet lover!! i have a rat and a cat!! i want a dog soo bad but i cant seem to find the right one. i personally love the size or just a bit smaller of an english springer spaniel. i am looking for a dog who is around 30-40lbs, good with little kids (3yrs) and easy to train and one that is a good off-leash dog.

i love the spaniels but my husband is just so picky... he said

no spaniels

no pitbulls

i dont want a lab because i had one and he constantly knocked my son over

i dont want a small dog

he likes beagles- they are cute..but i dunno about the whole scent thing.

he loves basset hounds but i want a dog that can swim as well..i guess i just dont see them as swimmers or jump on the bed type dogs cause they are soooo short and heavy.

we are a very laid back family so i guess one that is calm indoors and can run and play outside.

i like boston terriers but i dont know how small/big they are

CAN SOMEONE HELP ME!!!!!

i also dont like adopting from the pound because of my kids and i dont know their previous history.

Answer 1

Any dog can be a good family dog to be honest, you just need to train him right however i will recommend this.

Many people on this site that i like to refer to as *pricks* will tell you that if your dog is not a pure breed it will not be as great as if it was. Well let me tell you about a Lhasa-Poo

A Lhasa-Poo is a mix breed BTW. a Poodle and Lhasa Apso. They only grow from 12-15 inches. They are great with kids. They are fast learners and you don't really have to take them outside.

My friends for years have referred them to me, and I always said no because they were one of these "designer Breed" people throw down so much...

But I finally decided to get one of my own, and I am soooo Happy. He is two months old and a couple of weeks and I am happy to tell you he is house broken by simply using training bits, he doesn't bite on my shoes, and understands the command "no" and knows that means to stop. He is playfull and beautiful.

That's why i recommend a Lhasa-Poo, you will find it to be a wonderful dog.. disregarding what any "prick" says because it is not a pure breed...

BREEDS TO CROSS OUT

-The Commonly Destructive-

Yorkie

Chiwuawas

Pit bulls

Yorkshire Terriers

The only reason why i point those out is because they are destructive if they don't have proper training and knowing that you have kids you probably don't have the time to properly train a dog.. yeah thats the life of a mother I know.... ^_^;

I tell you this from experience, and comments from owners and breeders. Feel free to Email me on how to train you puppy.

GOOD LUCK DOG HUNTING

*****REMEMBER*******

THERE ARE NO BAD DOGS ONLY BAD DOG OWNERS/TRAINERS

Answer 2

you should reconsider adopting an older dog from the pound:  (a) you would be teaching your children a wonderful lesson that these animals deserve a loving home, and (b) an older dog will have a bettetemperamentent and most likely be trained in all the basics.  on another note, if you choose to go with a specific breed, i can tell you that our basset hound has no problem jumping on our bed and he has an amazing amount of energy.  we have not tested out his swimming ability, but he doesn't mind getting bathed so he is o.k. in water.  he has a loving personality, always ready to play or chill depending on our mood.  as others have said, as long as you provide a loving home, attention and guidance, whatever pet you choose will be a good one.  good luck with your search!

Answer 3

Why don't you get a Golden retriever,Boxer,Poodle,or a Beagle they make wonderful family pets.

Answer 4

german shephard : big but very loving they like kids too

Answer 5

You should try out a mixed breed dog from your local humane society. It could end up being the perfect "breed" for your family.  

Answer 6

Boston terriers are small dogs, beagles make great family pets, we've had beagles for the past 27 years.  Mixed breeds are your best bet, not so much inbreeding in them and that makes them have a better personality. There are great dogs at your local humane society and you could save one dogs' life by adopting it.  Get an older dog, (3 years old or older) they are more calmer from your local shelter, and they have checked the dogs out with all age of kids.

Answer 7

Why don't you sit down and search on google and type in what you have in mind. in no time you and your family will find something that you think is good for you family.