We're thinking about getting a dog...

Nessia

Mia really wants one and thinks she is getting one for Christmas. I don't know if I'm ready. We had a dachshund a couple years ago. He was always digging out of the backyard and getting out and one afternoon he got hit. I felt extremly guilty we didn't do enough to stop him from getting out. I also realize the responsibility involved. It's like adding another child. Mia wants one so bad and I know Nicolas would love one too so we're starting to think about it. We would probably want a dog from a shelter or rescue this time. A dog that would primarily be indoor, could be crated from 7:15-6, not too hyper, doesn't mind a two year old boy crawling on him and could be house trained fairly easily. LOL is that too much to ask? what dogs should I look into?

labbielover07

I know plenty about labs if you are interested in the breed... and we have older dogs that would work well with families with small children.  Shoot me an email at melissa dot lancaster at g dot austincc dot edu if you want more information about our rescue organization.  =]

AustinBride06

We have terrier mixes and love them!  Our first dog is a dream... came to us (from a humane society shelter) already crate-trained and potty-trained and is the sweetest thing on the planet.  Our second dog is a similar terrier mix and is from a local rescue but he has anxiety with the crate and when we leave him (or even if we're just out of eyesight sometimes) but he's still super sweet and 98% potty trained.  He was more of a trouble-maker in the beginning but is beginning to learn our house rules.

So... I'd recommend going through somewhere where you can do a 2-week trial or something like that.  And getting an adult dog that has a proven good track record with kids.  We did a foster-to-own trial with our second dog... and though we were close to giving him back a couple of times (sorta kidding), we're so glad we stuck it out.  Just took time.

flymansWife

we have a boxer who we adore. she's my first dog ever. we adopted her from the shelter and she's 2-3 years old. i'd *highly* recommend adopting an older dog that is already potty trained for your circumstances.

boxers are one of the most popular breeds in the US right now for families (well they were when i did our research back in january). our dog is so sweet and loving and is great with kids. although i think she moves too quickly sometimes and can scare little kids b/c of her quick movements but i think that'd be true of a lot of breeds.

From the AKC website:

Character and Temperament
These are of paramount importance in the Boxer. Instinctively a hearing guard dog, his bearing is alert, dignified, and self-assured. In the show ring his behavior should exhibit constrained animation. With family and friends, his temperament is fundamentally playful, yet patient and stoical with children. Deliberate and wary with strangers, he will exhibit curiosity, but, most importantly, fearless courage if threatened. However, he responds promptly to friendly overtures honestly rendered. His intelligence, loyal affection, and tractability to discipline make him a highly desirable companion. Any evidence of shyness, or lack of dignity or alertness, should be severely penalized. 

mcgee

If you're going to crate a dog for 12 hours a day, you need to give serious thought to what you're doing to do with him/her the remaining hours of the day to make sure that he/she gets plenty of exercise and interaction with you.

We have a border terrier mix from the shelter. It's taken him a good year or so to really adjust to being in our home. He's a really good dog and probably the most mellow terrier I've ever seen. Size-wise, he's about 20 pounds, which is nice because he's not big enough to knock Meredith down, but he's big enough that I don't worry about her falling on him and squishing him.

Leigha12

DH and I got a mini Australian Shepherd. He's primarily an indoor dog for us, but he does love the outdoors. Aussies are great family dogs--great with kids, and pretty chill once they mature.  The breed standard for normal sized Aussies is up to 65 pounds, our mini should get to no more than 40 (he's almost half way there!). As a puppy, he's really energetic, but our best friends have always had Aussies and they are very calm adults.  Our puppy, even at 3 months, has been great with little kids. My 4 and 6 year old nieces played with him during Thanksgiving and I hear they were all great together.  They're also super smart. We had our pup house trained within 2 weeks. An adult would probably give you no problems in that area.

MnMShaw

Cocker Spaniels!  Both of mine came from Austin Cocker Rescue.  They are great with kids, easy house dogs, and I crate mine daily from about 7:30am to 5:30pm with no problems. My dogs know when we are gone they go in their "box" (we tell them to 'get in your box' and point to the crate and they get in) and when we are home it is play time.  Also they aren't too big either for kids.  I have had cockers all my life so of course, I'm biased.  :-)

angelaggie

flymansWife:

we have a boxer who we adore. she's my first dog ever. we adopted her from the shelter and she's 2-3 years old. i'd *highly* recommend adopting an older dog that is already potty trained for your circumstances.

boxers are one of the most popular breeds in the US right now for families (well they were when i did our research back in january). our dog is so sweet and loving and is great with kids. although i think she moves too quickly sometimes and can scare little kids b/c of her quick movements but i think that'd be true of a lot of breeds.

We have a Boxer as well.  If you do get a Boxer, I'd highly recommend one at least 3 years old.  That's when Bella finally started to calm down, they have lots of energy!  Usually they are good with kids, and a rescue will be able to tell you.  Austin Boxer Rescue as a high number of Boxers right now.  Because of the economy many dogs are being owner surrendered.

I agree with everyone, just go through a rescue and tell them what you told us.  They'll find you the perfect match.  I have a terrier mix and he's insane!  Even with training, he's just incredibly energetic.  But he's a jack russel mix, so that has a lot to do with it.

Also www.dogbreedinfo.com has a breed selector that you can type in info into their quiz and it will tell you different breeds.  I love my mutt dog though

shanwalk2

mcgee:

If you're going to crate a dog for 12 hours a day, you need to give serious thought to what you're doing to do with him/her the remaining hours of the day to make sure that he/she gets plenty of exercise and interaction with you.

I agree.  12 hours is kind of a long time to be in a crate - especially if you don't have plans to take him out and run him for a long time.  Not many people can commit to that.  I would certainly nix any big dogs (labs, ect) that need a lot of excercise.  We have a beagle that we adore, but he gets really anxious - and requires lots of attention of he gets obnoxious.  Thankfully (or unthankfully) DH is umemployed and he gets constant care now, but when he starts working - I take off mid day for an hour or two to take him out, let him run around, go on a long walk, ect.

Honestly, I'm not sure if there is any dog that would do "well" being crated for 12 hours.  I know a lot of people do it - but that's just my thoughts. 

gwynnetx

i hate to say it, but i agree that crating a dog for 12 hours a day is a long time.  let's say you go to bed at 11 pm, and you crate the dog while sleeping.  wake up at 6am?  let dog out.  dog goes into crate again at 7am-ish?  get home and let dog out at 6pm?  that's only 5-6 hours a day outside the crate.   18-19 hours a day inside the crate.  ick.

dh and i used to crate our dogs when we had 2 dogs, but now that we just have 1, he can be out during the day.  but dh usually comes home for lunch, and one of us is usually home by 3:30.  

if you do decide to get a dog, however, i would suggest, like others, an adult.  a lot of adult dogs at shelters have already been potty trained. 

Nessia

gwynnetx:

i hate to say it, but i agree that crating a dog for 12 hours a day is a long time.  let's say you go to bed at 11 pm, and you crate the dog while sleeping.  wake up at 6am?  let dog out.  dog goes into crate again at 7am-ish?  get home and let dog out at 6pm?  that's only 5-6 hours a day outside the crate.   18-19 hours a day inside the crate.  ick.

dh and i used to crate our dogs when we had 2 dogs, but now that we just have 1, he can be out during the day.  but dh usually comes home for lunch, and one of us is usually home by 3:30.  

if you do decide to get a dog, however, i would suggest, like others, an adult.  a lot of adult dogs at shelters have already been potty trained. 

I do feel bad for the dog being crated that long but that's just how long we are gone at night. I guess we could also leave them un-crated in the laundry room and once we know the dog is fully house trained we could leave him in the house. We really need to think about this and make sure we get the right kind of dog for our family. I don't think Mia is getting her dog for christmas that she really thinks santa is bring her but at least now I am open to the idea compared to a year ago.

MrsHoyt

I also agree that an adult rescue would be a great option for you.  We have two pitbulls, and I know there is a stigma about that.  I would never recommend that you get a puppy because they need a ton of exercise.  But, if you got one that was about 3 or 4 it could be a great dog.

They used to be called babysitter dogs because they are so great with young kids.  They also mellow out a ton when they get older.  They are sturdy and can be stomped on.  They are so sweet and really love being part of a family.